After some US help
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: Brownstown, MI
Ask that question on the ADV riders forum. They do this sort of thing all the time. I've read several RR's where they flew in and bought bikes specifically for the trip. Most started in Alaska, but it seems the info would still be good.
ADV = Adventure Riders, the dual sport bikes.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51
ADV = Adventure Riders, the dual sport bikes.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,516
Likes: 1,994
From: Vancouver BC
You don't need a drivers license to buy and register a motor vehicle, any individual or business can purchase and register a new or used vehicle, corporations do it all the time. You only need a drivers license to operate it on public roadways and to purchase insurance. Make sure you bring your drivers abstract and a letter from your insurance company for the past few years of driving in Australia. That way you'll qualify for a much lower insurance rate, assuming you have no tickets or at fault accidents. To register your vehicle you'll only need a fixed address in the state that you'll want to register it in. If you don't have a friend you can rent a personal mailbox (not a post office box, mind you). Mailbox rental companies can be found on almost every corner of every street throughout North America. This will be used as your fixed mailing address while in the states and where your bike will be registered to. It will also determine the amount your insurance company will charge for your coverage, small towns are generally cheaper than large cities. Also, don't have your address in a scummy area or high crime area for the same reasons. If you plan on bringing the bike back with you to Australia then check the rules before importing, you'll probably find the tail lights and speedo need to be converted to meet your local laws. It'll be cheaper to buy the conversion parts while you're here rather than having to import them once you're back at home (I speak from experience). If you're buying new, then by all means buy from a state that doesn't have sales tax, you'll save really big bucks that way.
Last edited by Ride my Seesaw; Apr 8, 2013 at 10:53 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 153
From: Snow Mexico
Hope you aren't planning on buying new because harley dealers won't sell new bikes to non-US residents. MOCO rules apparently to protect foreign dealers. They will sell used to anyone thou.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,516
Likes: 1,994
From: Vancouver BC
Hope you aren't planning on buying new because harley dealers won't sell new bikes to non-US residents. MOCO rules apparently to protect foreign dealers. They will sell used to anyone thou.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
hi,
get in touch with choppaweeza,com.au
imports lots of bikes to aus and will have the answers about buying them, I think they may have to have some "usage" on the speedo and already have a title
thanks
mirrmu
get in touch with choppaweeza,com.au
imports lots of bikes to aus and will have the answers about buying them, I think they may have to have some "usage" on the speedo and already have a title
thanks
mirrmu
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 8
From: Central Fl.
That's a bit of a misunderstanding. US dealers will sell new to anyone, what they can't do is forego the sales tax because the foreign buyer wants to export the bike. Anyone can buy a bike new or used, the dealer however can not export the bike to a competing country, the purchaser can but will lose the warranty in his home country.
This is to protect the dealers around the world. BUT if you bought a used bike, they had no problem selling it to you, we shipped them everywhere! The title of a new bike has to be issued to your owned address in the U.S..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
That are MOCO rules i believe. Many people buy new vehicles F150's and cars that i know of myself), drive them all over during there visit to the US, then ship them home. By the time they do, there is mileage on it and would be used. If it works for cars, why wouldn't it work for bikes....