Bikes from NZ to USA?

**ducatijim** · 23rd December 2011, 12:20

Hi folks, I have spent a lot of time scouring pages here and other forums, done searches, read blogs and ride reports, and simply cannot find out just what is needed to be done to allow a Kiwi to get his NZ regoed bike legally on the road in the US for a 2 month tour.
I know- 3 months is allowed on foreign rego in US, and Insurance is compulsory, thats as much as I can find( even Google my friend cannot seem to help).
Does sombody here know what paperwork, clearances, fees are involved in this please?

Thanks in advance, Jamie.

**Tradey** · 31st December 2011, 11:20

This crowd here in AU ship globally and can provide your information, they also have a shipment ex Christchurch to the USA in 2012:

http://www.getrouted.com.au/des_usa.html

http://www.getrouted.com.au/document...omCHCH_002.pdf

Secondly, ring any NZ freight forwarder.

**Metastable** · 31st December 2011, 20:20

Have you considered buying one in the US... then selling it, or bringing it back with you? You can get some crazy deals, especially this time of the year.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...768891920.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...776508711.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...776400588.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...766034735.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...776323012.html <- $2600 for a VFR with under 16k miles

**Tradey** · 31st December 2011, 20:30

I got an F8 sitting in Montana:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130212154

**LBD** · 31st December 2011, 22:19

Pretty straight forward really...all you need to do comming from Nothern to southern hemispheres is...
1)If you have USD forks, you need to swap them for USU forks
2) Turn your head light up side down
3) Turn your tires so the rotation arrows on the tires bought from North America are made to run backwards when in NZ

Thats about it

**St_Gabriel** · 1st January 2012, 08:05

Originally Posted by Metastable

Have you considered buying one in the US... then selling it, or bringing it back with you? You can get some crazy deals, especially this time of the year.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...768891920.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...776508711.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...776400588.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...766034735.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...776323012.html <- $2600 for a VFR with under 16k miles

I have absolutely no idea what i'm talking about, but wouldn't the California ones be choked with emissions gear and you would be better off looking in another state? Or not?

**Stormdragon** · 2nd January 2012, 06:00

Originally Posted by St_Gabriel

I have absolutely no idea what i'm talking about, but wouldn't the California ones be choked with emissions gear and you would be better off looking in another state? Or not?

Not necessarily. California requires a vapor recovery system, which is passive. Ie: it doesn't impact the performance, although the three extra hoses and the charcoal canister can be annoying when doing the valves. AND, most of the Japanese manufacturers at least, make 50 state bikes (as opposed to 49 state) which means they meet US federal, as well as the ridiculous CARB California pollution requirements.

Sorry I can't help any on the original question.

**ducatijim** · 4th January 2012, 09:28

, but you were all a wee ways off the mark, however I have located a gentleman who has some recent experience with this issue and he is kind enough to share with me the details.
Thanks again.

**BMWST?** · 4th January 2012, 09:30

Originally Posted by ducatijim

, but you were all a wee ways off the mark, however I have located a gentleman who has some recent experience with this issue and he is kind enough to share with me the details.
Thanks again.

i was gonna say talk to gremlin but i get the feeling you already are

**Gremlin** · 4th January 2012, 10:15

Originally Posted by BMWST?

i was gonna say talk to gremlin but i get the feeling you already are

Yep, already PM'd me, but I was pretty useless as I had a very useful organiser.

I asked questions like "how much money and when" and "where do I need to be and when", oh and "Sign my life away? Sure, where?"

**SPman** · 4th January 2012, 15:29

Originally Posted by ducatijim

, but you were all a wee ways off the mark, however I have located a gentleman who has some recent experience with this issue and he is kind enough to share with me the details.
Thanks again.

Hitcher?.....

**Hitcher** · 4th January 2012, 17:37

Originally Posted by SPman

Hitcher?

Same as Gremlin.

It would be nice if the OP shared the useful information they received. Having provoked this discussion, it would be good manners to conclude it properly.

**ducatijim** · 5th January 2012, 08:03

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Same as Gremlin.

It would be nice if the OP shared the useful information they received. Having provoked this discussion, it would be good manners to conclude it properly.

3 full pages of A4 of lists of forms to fill in, sign, pay for.

It would bore the pants off anyone not in immediate danger of taking a bike to US.( and anyone who is)

The gentleman I am dealing with is, shall we say, not wanting to act as a travel adviser to all and sundry.

If I am sucessful, I will share the process with people who wish to take their bike to the US, if they want to contact me.

Hows that 4 good manners Hitch?