Moving from UK - a few questions

**KTMRob** · 10th January 2014, 21:40

Hi all!

So - after spending 8 weeks travelling round both the North and South Island, I've decided to come and work (most likely emigrate) to NZ later this year. The biggest reason is the lifestyle - I love the outdoors - obviously riding bikes being the main one! I'm doing Romaniacs this year - and then will look at moving across - I was wondering if anyone knows how easy it is to get bikes into NZ? I've got a KTM 200 EXC 2014, KTM 250SX 2013 & Gas Gas 250 TXT Pro 2012 - I also have a Yeti SB66Carbon and a VW T5 Transporter that I obviously want to bring with me. I guess my question is - will it be do-able to get all these bikes in (I hear there are strict rules on vehicles being steamed etc) - or would it be better to sell my bikes over here, and buy new when I get out?

Also - what's the Enduro scene like in NZ - mainly South Island? Are there many races/clubs?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

**noobi** · 10th January 2014, 22:00

Originally Posted by KTMRob

Also - what's the Enduro scene like in NZ - mainly South Island? Are there many races/clubs?

Don't know about the import situation.

Most National events are run in the North Island, with maybe one or two South Island rounds.
Heres the 2014 Enduro schedule, http://www.mnz.co.nz/news/news-detai...pionship-dates , Christchurch is the only South Island round.

**kinger** · 11th January 2014, 05:55

Importing is a piece of piss.
Just clean the bikes before shipping. DIfferent for dirt bikes, but mine just got a good wash.

**ktm84mxc** · 11th January 2014, 10:03

Your best bet will be bring every thing with you get the bikes professionally cleaned up to new condition eg spotless same for the VW, bring as meany spares as you can keep all receipts , get a declaration to the values of said bikes and van.
You'll find the Off road scene here a world away from the UK in being able to find places to ride , we will appear to be so laid back and nonchalant it will ask the question why didn't you do it sooner.
If your Sth Island based make your self known to local shops for KTM Superior MC in Christchurch are very good as in the KTM shop in Nelson.
Look up www.silverbullet.co.nz it's a web site for all events in NZ MC's there are always other events as well such as trail rides set up by local shops and rural schools.

**Jay GTI** · 11th January 2014, 12:43

I imported a car from the UK in 2012, was really simple, with the bonus that I was far, far from the first, so it wasn't hard to talk to people who knew what I needed to do. The van just has to be Euro 4 emissions compliant, which is on the V5.

For the bikes, I'd imagine even more simple. Just give them a really good clean and get them put in a crate. If they do need an extra clean, MAF will do it for you and just pass on a fee. I also brought a Commencal Meta 5.5 over last time I moved back, it was clean but MAF felt like then needed a bit more revenue and hit me up with a steam clean, was about $70 from memory.

If you need any specifics on bringing the van over, I can probably still remember most of it, PM me if you're stuck on anything.

**F5 Dave** · 13th January 2014, 21:02

Um. . . Can you fit them all in the van? Even wheels off? used to be able to do that.

**KTMRob** · 14th January 2014, 05:14

Guys - thanks for the replies!

Sorry I haven't replied sooner - I thought it would alert me when someone replied to the thread, maybe I missed a ticky box somewhere!

So are you saying there's loads of trail riding to be done - I don't mind that as long as it's all pretty gnarly (think Wales for those from the UK!) - but would be cool to still do Enduro races

Yep - I can fit all my bikes in the van - but I'm guessing they still all need to be spotless etc? The main reason for coming to NZ is for the lifestyle - so want to make sure I can ride all the damn time!!

Has anyone done training with Chris Birch? Was thinking that would be a good thing to do on a regular basis....might have to drop a mail on his website.

Cheers again - can't wait to get across now

**Jay GTI** · 14th January 2014, 07:33

Just double-check putting the bikes in the van, I was told my my shipping company that I couldn't put anything inside the vehicle, as the Customs/MAF guys didn't want to unpack and repack them for inspection. I'd heard of others putting loads of parts and whatnot in the boot of cars etc, so was a little dubious, however I was just importing a car, so was all good for me.

I've also done a bit of riding in Wales and sorry, it's good over there, but just good. NZ has some of the best riding on the planet, not only is it great riding, but it's easily accessible, very varied and very, very much encouraged. One of the reasons I left the UK last time was because I just couldn't find the kind of riding I wanted over there, yet it's on my doorstep here. If riding is one of your main reasons for living, come live here (it is for me and it's why I live here).

**F5 Dave** · 14th January 2014, 08:22

I knew someone who'd bought a bike that had been imported in the 90s "everything from Japan grey is good" days that was brought over inside a van, but I guess they got bored of that & tightened up in customs over the last 20 years.

**scott411** · 14th January 2014, 09:03

the national enduro series starts in feb, and goes though to about may, with one a month, their is also a extreme enduro series now two which includes a couple of enduro x's and some very tuff riding,

Motorcycling NZ is the governing body here, and here is the enduro homepage,

http://www.mnz.co.nz/enduro/home

**ktm84mxc** · 14th January 2014, 10:51

There's a couple of Guys here in Auckland who import Horse Trailers/box's from the States/USA they have been known to fill the space with Off Road MC's most are still in there crates think 011/012/013/014 year models mainly KTM,KAWA,Yam etc. They see it as a added value in using up extra space and making the costs more affordable by spreading the load.
Many a Car parts supplier is doing the same filling in the gaps in containers with parts to sell to mates/friends.

**Jay GTI** · 14th January 2014, 13:10

Originally Posted by ktm84mxc

There's a couple of Guys here in Auckland who import Horse Trailers/box's from the States/USA they have been known to fill the space with Off Road MC's most are still in there crates think 011/012/013/014 year models mainly KTM,KAWA,Yam etc. They see it as a added value in using up extra space and making the costs more affordable by spreading the load.
Many a Car parts supplier is doing the same filling in the gaps in containers with parts to sell to mates/friends.

Yeah been doing a bit of googling since this morning and it would seem to be freight company specific, not a MAF requirement, some allow it and some don't.

**KTMRob** · 14th January 2014, 20:59

Jay GTI - Cheers - exactly what I wanted to hear in regards to the riding! My main reason is the riding - I only mention Wales, as that's the best you'll get over here - still pretty decent if you know where to ride, but the terrain is nothing compared to what you guys have - just didn't know how free you were to ride on it. I'm off to Romaniacs this year, and just about to sign up for the Six Days Crazy Job in Bulgaria - so want to keep a good level of riding up

So - next question - do you need your bikes to be road legal - in which case, is it best that I get mine registered over here - or is it easy to do once I'm in NZ?

My plan was to stuff my van as full as possible - like you say, it seems I'll just have to ask whichever company I decide to go with

Cheers for all your help! Awesome

**scott411** · 14th January 2014, 21:18

Originally Posted by KTMRob

Jay GTI - Cheers - exactly what I wanted to hear in regards to the riding! My main reason is the riding - I only mention Wales, as that's the best you'll get over here - still pretty decent if you know where to ride, but the terrain is nothing compared to what you guys have - just didn't know how free you were to ride on it. I'm off to Romaniacs this year, and just about to sign up for the Six Days Crazy Job in Bulgaria - so want to keep a good level of riding up

So - next question - do you need your bikes to be road legal - in which case, is it best that I get mine registered over here - or is it easy to do once I'm in NZ?

My plan was to stuff my van as full as possible - like you say, it seems I'll just have to ask whichever company I decide to go with

Cheers for all your help! Awesome

none of the bikes have to be road legal for off road events, motocross bikes are comman at enduro events, you dont even need working lights,