Buying bike in UK/Europe

**Lance** · 21st January 2005, 11:29

Hi,
I want to buy a road bike in UK or Europe to use when Im in that part of the world. I am a Kiwi. Is there any particular country that is best to buy a bike ie., price formalities ect

Lance

**Sniper** · 21st January 2005, 11:56

Are you moving or just visiting and for how long

**Lance** · 21st January 2005, 14:35

not moving there just going to go over for about 6 weeks each year. Will leave the bike with some mate dont know who yet. Lnce

**crashe** · 21st January 2005, 15:33

Gee that seems like a long time for the bike to just sit around....
I assume that you will take the battery out when you return to NZ each time and then recharge it when you go back to the UK...

Petrol will have to be drained in that time as well, wouldn't it, as I understand that petrol goes "off" after a certain time?

Sorry I can't help out with prices of bikes over there at all......
But I heard that they are quite costly....

**Lance** · 21st January 2005, 16:18

Yes it is a while for the bike to sit and I will head your advise. It would cost me $4000 each to hired a bike so I think I could by something for not much more than this. Lance

**sAsLEX** · 21st January 2005, 16:29

you can buy fuel stabiliser which will help stop the fuel going off.

**Rainbow Wizard** · 21st January 2005, 16:40

Originally Posted by Lance

I want to buy a road bike in UK or Europe to use when Im in that part of the world. Lance

I would join a UK list like this one and try to do a swap with a Pommy rider who wants to come here at about the same time. That's what I intend doing with le Voxan later this year when I go to France. I figure I won't have too much difficulty finding a Voxan owner over there but the opposite would be damn difficult for them seeing as at last count there's only two Kiwis riding Voxan Roadsters here and barely more riding the cafe racers and street scramblers.

**ResidentAngel** · 21st January 2005, 20:48

Originally Posted by Lance

Hi,
I want to buy a road bike in UK or Europe to use when Im in that part of the world. I am a Kiwi. Is there any particular country that is best to buy a bike ie., price formalities ect

Lance

You might want to check out the cost of insurancebefore you buy!

**bluninja** · 21st January 2005, 21:31

Hey Lance I'll look after your bike for you

I'll pop it into the garage next to mine

Prices in the UK are ok, and still a little cheaper from parallel importers. They used to source most of their stuff from Germany so I don't know if it's cheaper to buy direct. Let me know what you're after and I'll get some indicative prices for you in the UK. You will find insurance heavy.....most won't touch you on a superbike without loads of no claims, and datatag/alarm on bike. Guess you could just get fire and theft protection and see if NZ insurance could be extended for your 6 weeks.

**Lance** · 22nd January 2005, 09:35

I ride a 650 suzuki VStrom here something similar there will be OK. Nice to have some off road ability wide handles sit straight up ect. I have relies in Germany so that could be helpful. Will have to check out the insurance situation as it seems to be an issue. I would be paying it anyway if I rented a bike. Thanks for your tips and help Lance

**Lance** · 22nd January 2005, 09:40

Originally Posted by Rainbow Wizard

I would join a UK list like this one and try to do a swap with a Pommy rider who wants to come here at about the same time. That's what I intend doing with le Voxan later this year when I go to France. I figure I won't have too much difficulty finding a Voxan owner over there but the opposite would be damn difficult for them seeing as at last count there's only two Kiwis riding Voxan Roadsters here and barely more riding the cafe racers and street scramblers.

Do you know a UK site. Sounds an interesting idea. I am going to France in June this year. Riding with 11 mates from Waiheke Island starting in Nice going Nth to the aalps then across to Leon and down the Rhone and back to Nice Cheers Lance

**betti** · 22nd January 2005, 18:24

you could try visordown, suzuki owners club uk, or the www.oldskoolsuzuki.info and stick a message on their forums, alternatively try ebay.co.uk or www.autotrader.co.uk for used stuff, if you find anything you want over there i can put you in touch with a few decent types
good luck

**bluninja** · 22nd January 2005, 20:12

Originally Posted by Lance

I ride a 650 suzuki VStrom here something similar there will be OK. Nice to have some off road ability wide handles sit straight up ect. I have relies in Germany so that could be helpful. Will have to check out the insurance situation as it seems to be an issue. I would be paying it anyway if I rented a bike. Thanks for your tips and help Lance

The 'excessive' cost of renting a bike usually includes the insurance.

**Timetogo** · 24th January 2005, 08:38

Having returned from there not so long ago, the other thing that makes life difficult is that it is illegal not to have insurance AND you won't get insurance without a British license (unless you're hiring). Which doesn't take long to get I must admit as long as you have your passport and some sort of residential address.
But they won’t give you your NZ one back, its done on exchange basis. You’d have to do the same at this end. Though on the plus side a British one is still valid in this country and its hard to put points on

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/ is the best site but sells mostly private stuff