Multi-country vehicle ownership

[Sun Wukong]

Ok, hopefully quick question.

If I buy a bike in the UK, and get it running well...

And then take it to Germany for the next couple of years...

What will the biggest pain in the arse be for the process/future?

What possible benefits would there be?

I am back in the UK for a few months this summer (BBQ ) and quite tempted to pick up something cheap, get running well and take it with me to study later in the year.

What say you?
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Top cat
"Hard times lead to hard people. Hard people lead to good times. Good times lead to weak people. Weak people lead to hard times." Smegballs
"Oh and STE balloons would be one of the nicer things we would receive at the office, the amount of dog turd in jiffy bags is not funny." Jsmith86

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think legally you would need to register it in Germany. And that is likely to be a nightmare of epic proportions if the bike isn't standard. Think anything non standard would need TUV approval and be recorded on the registration docs over there; probably not a major issue if you have the approval docs for anything you bought for it, but the chances of that on parts bought in the UK are pretty slim.

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Copycat73]

from my time in Germany.. though it was some time ago .. was that the TUV road worthy examination was far stricter than any thing seen in this country.. any non standard or approved parts will give a fail.. ... better off buyin a bike over there
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caveat emptor

[andyscooter]

not only what katy said it would also need lights changing over and a km speedo to be registered in Germany


they are a lot stricter on testing then the uk is
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[iooi]

[Baggyman]

...or you change the question until you get the answer you would like....for example:

I am going to remain domiciled at a permanent address in the UK but will be spending some periods of time in Germany studying.....

What are the rules around how long each visit? how often I can take the bike? etc.

A quick visit home or even to another country during your stay can then be scheduled to keep you legal.

Don't forget the bike will still need to be UK legal - tax, MoT etc.

Don't forget to check with your insurance company as well
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Old fart
Baghira, modded GS1000 and the T150 I bought in 1978 when I was 21

[Sun Wukong]

Lol, well that answers some questions for me

I had originally intended to leave it British registered and just sort everything from that side.

I presumed one benefit of this would be a slight reluctance to issue petty speeding fines and general irritation.

I will be living in Berlin, and have good friends in Prague I would gladly visit ever few months if required.

Issue would then be MOT and insurance

Any hints, in the style of baggyman's post?

Any one have any experience of the German on-road bike market? Would I be better off just getting it once over there?

I need bike...
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Top cat
"Hard times lead to hard people. Hard people lead to good times. Good times lead to weak people. Weak people lead to hard times." Smegballs
"Oh and STE balloons would be one of the nicer things we would receive at the office, the amount of dog turd in jiffy bags is not funny." Jsmith86

[andyscooter]

From what I gather German used bikes are pricey

Bloke I used to know bought a few and they were really over priced
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Rad82]

U will need to get it MOT'ed in uk every year.
Check with insurer for max period spend abroad before insurance becomes invalid.
Maybe easier get it registered in Germany?

[TaffyTDM]

If you are studying in a recognised university , there are exemptions under German law from their registration requirements. Still needs uk mot/tax etc. If you have a prang you will need to convince your insurance co you've only had the bike with you less than 90 days (usually- check your own policy )

I'm sure you can squeeze in one road trip a year to dover mot garage.

German second hand bikes are more pricey but generally speaking in my experience are better looked after so you may still get a good all round deal

[RhynoCZ]

[RhynoCZ]

[Sun Wukong]

[RhynoCZ]