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Buying a bike overseas?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:31 pm
by ender1912
I might be going to Germany for a while soon and I thought it might be an opportunity to pick up a BMW on the cheap. Anybody have any experience/insight on this? Difference in price/transporting back/emissions standards, etc?
Thanks for any input you might offer.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:20 pm
by intotherain
"Shorts" shipped her bike from US all the way to Japan. im sure when she gets on she will say something!
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:53 pm
by badfish89
are you in the millitary? because if you are then cant you ship it back for hella cheap...?
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:22 pm
by Shorts
Dohun wrote:"Shorts" shipped her bike from US all the way to Japan. im sure when she gets on she will say something!
No, I didn't. Go back and read my blog again, I even answered you directly.
For the OP, differet countries have different emmissions standards, even on models that are the same in one country and another. You'll have to pay customs and import fees, along with all the EPA/DOT/NHTSA to get the bike specd and approved.
If its a model that is run here in the US, you're better off not bringing a bike back. Either way, it's expensive.
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:28 pm
by intotherain
Wow I thought Shorts told me "I brought it here" but it said "I bought it here"
simple mistake
my bad ender
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:45 pm
by icearrowx
haha, even i thought you were jsut being sarcastic until i noticed the "r" in "brought".
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:40 am
by ender1912
badfish89 wrote:are you in the millitary? because if you are then cant you ship it back for hella cheap...?
I'm about to join the Reserve Nurse Corps. Don't know if I'll deploy to Iraq or Germany, just trying to look at all the angles.
Thanks all for your input.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:45 am
by Shorts
Even military is cracking down on sending bikes home in HHGs that are not US spec. I know, we are military and several of our bike riders out here who haved packed out have gotten zinged really good for bikes. Though it use to be a little easier.
I wouldn't really count it it though.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:07 pm
by Seetrout
You'll have to pay customs and import fees, along with all the EPA/DOT/NHTSA to get the bike specd and approved.
And that's (EPA/DOT/NHTSA) just so wrong because my U.S. spec bike doesn't have any emissions controls. Just a muffler, just like a lawn mower.
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:30 pm
by Shorts
Seetrout wrote:You'll have to pay customs and import fees, along with all the EPA/DOT/NHTSA to get the bike specd and approved.
And that's (EPA/DOT/NHTSA) just so wrong because my U.S. spec bike doesn't have any emissions controls. Just a muffler, just like a lawn mower.
I never said it was "right". It still muts be EPA approved.
If you intend to register the bike in the US, you'll need the paperwork. If not, you probably can get away with it not.