Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

RENTING VS BUYING MOTORCYLE FOR 4 MONTH TRIP

RENTING VS BUYING MOTORCYLE FOR 4 MONTH TRIP

Old Feb 4th, 2011, 12:36 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RENTING VS BUYING MOTORCYLE FOR 4 MONTH TRIP

Hi we are 2 retired Canadians looking to travel to Europe for 4 months this Spring. June- Oct. and looking for renting vs. buying info. We are looking for a BMW GS 1200. Wondering if anyone could give us tips on this. Dealers etc. probably start the trip in Frankfurt. We are considering also buying a bike in Canada and shipping over then trying to sell it.
Thanks!!
wenday is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 01:07 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not to answer your question, but to ask one. You know that you can only stay a total of 90 days in Germany, after which time you must leave the Schengen area (e.g. go to England)?
(90 days in a 180 day period)
Michel_Paris is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 01:42 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,255
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
I looked into this a few years back. At that time it was difficult for a non-resident to register any motor vehicle in the EU. There are companies that will rent bikes, but that gets expensive. It seemed the best solution was to ship one over, which costs less than I would have expected. However, my plans changed and it never happened. Good luck!
Fra_Diavolo is online now  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 02:11 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,630
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
"Hi we are 2 retired Canadians looking to travel to Europe for 4 months this Spring. "

What do you mean by 'Europe' -- since you only tagged the thread for Germany, my guess is Germany and maybe nearby countries. If so, 4 months isn't possible w/o a special long stay visa.

Also in most countries (maybe all -- I don't that know for sure) buying/registering/insuring a vehicle requires a permanent address.
janisj is online now  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 03:17 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>Also in most countries (maybe all -- I don't that know for sure) buying/registering/insuring a vehicle requires a permanent address.

It definitely does in Germany! Hence buying is not an option.
quokka is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 04:17 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you have your own shipped over you have to deal with the shipping/customs issues - and I'm not sure how/where you would get insurance. I know US companies don;t insure in europe and would imagine Canadian are the same. And a local company wouldn;t want to insure a vehicle owned by a foreigner about whose driving record they know nothing - and who has no permanent address.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 04:52 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If it is the case that buying is impossible, how is it that some car dealers seem to have some sort of early delivery where you can take the car from the dealer or factory and use it in Europe, then ship it home? I have absolutely no understanding of this but have read numerous posts about this sort of scheme for cars (Mercedes-Benz? BMW?). Why would this not be possible for bikes? This would certainly get around the problem of having to have an address for registration. Maybe someone who has done this early delivery can comment here?

Lavandula
lavandula is online now  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 08:35 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lavandula,

Those cars get special plates (oval in Germany, red in France) indicating that it is a tax exempt vehicule for export. Leased car from Peugeot or Renault (actually buy/sell) have the same plates tax exempt red plates--so much for passing as a local. I guess the OP could buy a motorcycle in Germany, ride it for ninety days, and then take it back to Canada.
Michael is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 08:44 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,630
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Those plans (like Volvo's) are arranged through a retail car dealer in the States. The vehicle is being exported and the buyers take possession of the car and drive it around -- but then it is shipped to their Stateside dealer from whom the buyer eventually picks up the car.
janisj is online now  
Old Feb 4th, 2011, 10:48 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for clarifying this, Michael and janisj!

Lavandula
lavandula is online now  
Old Feb 5th, 2011, 12:15 AM
  #11  
hsv
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If I were you I'd disregard most responses you got here, particularly

"It definitely does in Germany! Hence buying is not an option."

- because they are simply wrong.

Germany provides special number plates for vehicles that will be exported. They are called "Ausfuhrkennzeichen" ("Export license plate") under which a vehicle may be registered for a certain time after which it needs to be - the name says it all - exported.

You need a Passport, proof of insurance, complete vehicle documentation (in Germany you get the so called "Brief" (document indicating ownership) and the so-called "Schein" (a document indicating technical specifications as well as ownership). There should not be an obstacle to that as the dealer or BMW would provide them. You also need the licence plates (which you can acquire from the local registration authority for around EUR 35) and proof of a current MOT (would also not be a problem as the dealer or BMW will provide that on a new bike).

The comment about the European delivery programmes for cars bought stateside was good (the answers that outlined why this worked for cars, but did not address why this supposedly doesn't work for bikes weren't). Inquire whether BMW has a European delivery programme for its bikes under which they could help you with the administrative red-tape.

Should you wish to do that yourself and deal with this from Frankfurt, the contact details of the local DMV can be found here. They would be able to help, esp. if you can manage the language barrier.
http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detai...d=2943&_ffmpar[_id_inhalt]=102252

Aside from that there are several service providers who, against a charge, apparently will arrange for the registration. Google "Ausfuhrkennzeichen" or "Exportkennzeichen" to find a number of them.

Good luck and have fun!
hsv is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2011, 12:22 AM
  #12  
hsv
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
To clarify: The way to go about this is buy the bike in Canada, but have it delivered in Germany and then export it.

Alternatively, should you could ship your bike to Germany and have it registered on Canadian plates. Make sure to have proper insurance in this case.
hsv is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2011, 03:53 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sipping a bike to yourself overseas COULD result in hefty import tax, even on a used vehicle.
lincasanova is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2011, 09:37 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi I Just posted 2 new topics about buying a motorcycle in Europe and ferry travel between Italy and Greece with your moto.

WE really appreciate all the advice!!
wenday is offline  
Old Feb 7th, 2011, 06:12 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi well this 90 day thing just threw a wrench into our travel plans...need to regroup and replan so thanks for all the suggestions.
wenday is offline  
Old Feb 8th, 2011, 06:59 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 10,255
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Ah, don't lose hope!

For your enjoyment, a link to a story written by a young man who rode a small motorcycle from China to Normandy. The bike turned out to be stolen, and he used a fake Chinese drivers license! Bureaucrats were born to be thwarted.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618066
Fra_Diavolo is online now  
Old Feb 8th, 2011, 08:52 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If it's possible to buy & register in Germany then the bike can be exported back to Canada. All BMW models are admissible, see
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/SafeV...Section8_0.htm

But do watch for 90 day Schengen visa rule
hkto is offline  
Old Jul 18th, 2013, 07:17 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is a company in Ireland buying a and storing bikes for foreigners.
Don't now the name of them, i'll do some research
martinhurley is offline  
Old Jul 18th, 2013, 10:47 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, found it. google "motofeirme"
martinhurley is offline  
Old Jul 18th, 2013, 10:52 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You do realize this post is two and a half years old?
nukesafe is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kowser1
Europe
5
Sep 21st, 2017 12:45 PM
das_das_das
Europe
8
Oct 25th, 2015 04:18 PM
natalie_browning4
Europe
38
Apr 21st, 2015 10:36 AM
emccormick90
Europe
25
Feb 24th, 2015 04:32 AM
Cincinnati Guy
Europe
17
Sep 13th, 2013 07:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -