Buying in the US and Riding back

[finnsailor]

I recently bought a 2003 LT in Michigan and I am going to pick it up in April and ride it back to Ontario.

I have read through all the info here on the site and think I know what to expect at customs.

The one question that I can't seem to find an answer to is, if you ride the bike back, what do you do for licence plates?

Anyone been through this? I would be grateful for any insight.

[brantvol16]

Congats on joining our little crowd of Canucks who bought south!

When I rode mine up last summer, I had 2 licence tags - a temporary one from the dealer who handled the paper work and the actaul metal plate belonging to the previous owner. As it turned out, I left the dealer's tranfer tag on and had no issues at all - the border guys didn't care and i didn't get stopped coming home after the border or in fact during the brief time in Canada before I got my Ontario tag.

If you can "borrow" a plate from the seller, that should work. The UPS store will be glad to arrange for you to return it. Don't know what else to suggest unless you have a friend at a m/c dealer her who can lend you a dealer plate.

This issue is the most troublesome of all the things you have to do to get your new ride home - good luck! If you already have an Ontario m/c plate, just use it.

See you on the road!

Geoff

[Caper11]

Whoever you are buying the bike from should be able to get you a temporary permit from the State of MIchigan. I bought mine from a dealer so there wasn't really a problem. The permit is good in Canada. I checked with my Insurance Company before I left to pick it up. The most important thing about importing a vehicle into Canada is ensuring the proper documents are at the US Customs port of exit a minimum of 72 hours before you show up at their office with the bike. Good luck an happy riding. :bmw:

[Metzen]

Hey Chris,

Welcome and congratulations. It looks like more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon and taking advantage of the variety and lower prices in the States.

I also bought my LT in Michigan, but trailered it home to Canada. I bought my motorhome in Texas and the dealer supplied temporary plates valid for 30 days from date of purchase. Lastly I bought a 28' car hauler in Michigan at a motorhome rally last May. In that case, I towed the trailer home behind my motorhome with the previous owner's plates (trusting soul that he was). I returned them later by UPS.

The Customs people didn't care less and there was no sight of an O.P.P. cruiser all the way home. All Customs cares about is that they get their pound of flesh from us. As mentioned in previous posts though, the dealer or prior owner can and should provide you with a temporary Michigan tag. You can't get one from Ontario Ministry of Transportation as they first need the ORIGINAL title and usual paperwork.

Please don't hesitate to pm me should you need more information. Hope to see you on the road sometime. Congratulations once again and ride safe,

[starky]

I recently bought a 2003 LT in Michigan and I am going to pick it up in April and ride it back to Ontario.

I have read through all the info here on the site and think I know what to expect at customs.

The one question that I can't seem to find an answer to is, if you ride the bike back, what do you do for licence plates?

Anyone been through this? I would be grateful for any insight.

Glad to see your getting on board.
My dealer in Rochester, Country Rode, lent me one of his plates and I fed exed it back to him in his provided fed ex pack. Awfully nice of him.

We'll meet up once you have it back, there seems to be a growing group that have purchased in the US and are now cruising the Canadian roads.

JS

[bill2009]

Do you end up paying state sales tax if you buy from a US dealer?

[brantvol16]

It depends on the state and who you ask. I did not pay tax in Tennessee but was told by the dealer in Detroit that if i bought from him I would have to pay Michigan tax. He also told me that there was no refund/reciprocal recognition bewtween MI and ON so the tax on the deal could be as high as 20% or more if you do the compounding> I figure that that paid for my ride from Knoxville!

To continue the other theme is this thread, we really should make sure that all of us Canucks plan to meet up this season for some ales and tales. That does have a ring about it, doesn't it. Any takers?

Geoff

[finnsailor]

Thanks to all for the advise.

I am going down to Michigan this coming weekend to pick up the bike, but given the long range weather report I have decided to trailer it back.


Geoff, count me in for the ales.

Cheers

Chris

[DarkMeister]

To continue the other theme is this thread, we really should make sure that all of us Canucks plan to meet up this season for some ales and tales. That does have a ring about it, doesn't it. Any takers?

Geoff

Hear, hear! That could be a heck of a great plan... :dance:

[Caper11]

It depends on the state and who you ask. I did not pay tax in Tennessee but was told by the dealer in Detroit that if i bought from him I would have to pay Michigan tax. He also told me that there was no refund/reciprocal recognition bewtween MI and ON so the tax on the deal could be as high as 20% or more if you do the compounding> I figure that that paid for my ride from Knoxville!

To continue the other theme is this thread, we really should make sure that all of us Canucks plan to meet up this season for some ales and tales. That does have a ring about it, doesn't it. Any takers?

Geoff

The BMW Ralley in Trenton, On in August wud be a good place to meet. :bmw:

[ajs]

Could be possible. My wife and I are planning to be in Trenton on our return trip from BC in July or August. What is the Trenton rally called and what are the dates??

[finnsailor]

Could be possible. My wife and I are planning to be in Trenton on our return trip from BC in July or August. What is the Trenton rally called and what are the dates??

It is called the "Return to Trenton Rally" and is on the weekend of August 10-12.

Check out www.loonie-ticbmwriders.ca for more details.

Would be a good place to meet.

[DentalFlossTycoon]

Ales :beer: and tales sounds like a great idea. Trenton sounds like a good idea as well. Going to have to check my schedule, planning a trip to PEI and NS and it might fall during those dates.

Let's keep the idea open and finalize some plans later.

George

[brantvol16]

This theme seems to have some legs - good!

We have at least 3 choices to implement the idea - Dover on July 13 (April 13 for those of you who like riding in the cold wet rain - I will be in FLA), Trenton in August - that sounds like a great idea and a convenient base for some fun rides and immediately after that a trip to Missouri for CCR.

Who is in for the trifecta??? :)

[DarkMeister]

Well, Finnsailor? Any news? Ya got the bike home safe and sound???

[DentalFlossTycoon]

Looks like our trip to the East Coast will be taken next year. Sooo... April 13th - Port Dover is a go. July 13th - Port Dover is a go. August 10-12 - Trenton is a go. CCR is out, maybe next year depending on location.

Who wants to meet up and ride to Trenton?

[finnsailor]

I finally have my new LT home, safe and sound in my garage.

An update on our border crossing experience:

My wife and I drove down to Michigan after work on April 5. The next morning we picked up a U-Haul trailer and drove to the sellers home. By the way, I had reserved the 5x9 UHaul trailer on the recommendation of several others here on the LT site and it was an excellent choice. It is a solid trailer with a terrific ramp and handled the weight of the LT without problems. The seller had trailered the bike before, so was extremely helpful in getting it tied down properly. We had taken some pre cut 2x4 pieces with us and used them to fashion a frame around the wheels. Between his strapping and our frame the bike never budged.

We got to the US Customs office at Port Huron around 2pm on Friday April 6.
Port Huron does accept faxed copies of the title documents and is open 24/7.
Of course I didn't factor in to my planning that it was Good Friday... So many people were travelling.

The line ups were extremely long! I had to join the line-up with people who were having their cars searched, had problems with their ID's etc. There was no seperate line for people simply exporting vehicles. I waited in line for 1 hour 45 minutes and finally got to see a Customs Agent. I simply gave her the title document, she looked something up in her computer, she stamped my papers and I was on my way.

In contrast the Canadian Customs office was practically empty. The paper work took a little time since I was importing the LT and also a Uni-Go trailer, so all the documents had to be done twice. But absolutely no problems.

Now I am just waiting for my RIV paperwork to show up in the mail so that I can get the final inspections done and actually ride my new bike.

My thanks to all who offered their advise and guidance.

I hope we will have a chance to meet over the summer. I will definitely be at the Trenton Rally.

Chris
2003 K1200LT
1989 R100GS/PD

[DentalFlossTycoon]

I finally have my new LT home, safe and sound in my garage.

Now I am just waiting for my RIV paperwork to show up in the mail so that I can get the final inspections done and actually ride my new bike.

My thanks to all who offered their advise and guidance.

I hope we will have a chance to meet over the summer. I will definitely be at the Trenton Rally.

Chris
2003 K1200LT
1989 R100GS/PD

Excellent news!

I had my RIV inspection done last Friday morning and received the sticker in the mail last night. Just have to get the safety done and the ownership changed over and it's legal. But that didn't stop me from going to Port Dover, I put on the plate from my Venture which expires in May and took my chances. Gotta ride!

The SO and I have registered for the Trenton rally. Haven't decided to tent it or get a motel room, but we'll be there.

Friday: 18 degrees C :yeah:
Saturday: 20 degrees C :yeah::yeah:
Sunday: 21 degrees C :yeah::yeah::yeah:

Gotta ride!

See you in Trenton,

George

[brantvol16]

As some of you may have noticed, I have had to replace my LT due to a total loss in a fire.

The good news is that I found an exact match one year older in Detroit - thanks, Steve - and am now once again mobile. So, let's get together.

I gather that Port Dover in July is on as is Trenton in August. Now, lets get some details organized. I will volunteer to coordinate if you like and suggest that those of us in the expanded GTA (I am 60 miles away from Yonge and Bay) meet up in the next week or 2.

My cell is 416 526 6705 - feel free to call - I am so keen to get some miles on my new ride!

Again, any body want to go to CCR? I could be tricked...

Geoff

[finnsailor]

Geoff,

Sorry to hear about your loss. What happened?

Would love to be able to attend the meeting, unfortunately my wife and I are headed to the RA Rally in Asheville next week and will be away for 10 days.
(our first two up tour on the new LT)

Chris Hornell
Cobourg, Ontario

2003 K1200LT
1989 R100GSPD
1979 R100RS

[garry_kramer]

As some of you may have noticed, I have had to replace my LT due to a total loss in a fire.

The good news is that I found an exact match one year older in Detroit - thanks, Steve - and am now once again mobile. So, let's get together.

I gather that Port Dover in July is on as is Trenton in August. Now, lets get some details organized. I will volunteer to coordinate if you like and suggest that those of us in the expanded GTA (I am 60 miles away from Yonge and Bay) meet up in the next week or 2.

My cell is 416 526 6705 - feel free to call - I am so keen to get some miles on my new ride!

Again, any body want to go to CCR? I could be tricked...

Geoff

This weekend I'm flying to Edmonton to see my new Grand Daughter :) (Born May 27) Be back Monday night. Let me know when you want to get together.

Garry

[DentalFlossTycoon]

The good news is that I found an exact match one year older in Detroit - thanks, Steve - and am now once again mobile. So, let's get together.
AHA! I knew you couldn't be without an LT for long! :thumb:

I gather that Port Dover in July is on as is Trenton in August. Now, lets get some details organized. I will volunteer to coordinate if you like and suggest that those of us in the expanded GTA (I am 60 miles away from Yonge and Bay) meet up in the next week or 2.
I am at our trailer just outside of Dunnville every weekend. Give me a call if you'll be in the neighbourhood and we can hook up.

Congrats on the new ride!

George

[garry_kramer]

AHA! I knew you couldn't be without an LT for long! :thumb:


I am at our trailer just outside of Dunnville every weekend. Give me a call if you'll be in the neighbourhood and we can hook up.

Congrats on the new ride!

George

Hey George, Were in Dunnville? I was born in Port Colborne and camped in
Dunnville with my folks when I was young.

At the trailer every weekend doesn't leave much time to ride.

Garry

[DentalFlossTycoon]

Hey George, Were in Dunnville? I was born in Port Colborne and camped in
Dunnville with my folks when I was young.

We have a trailer at Sandy Shore RV Park which is right beside Rock Point Provincial Park.

At the trailer every weekend doesn't leave much time to ride.

I normally get Friday afternoons off so I leave from Mississauga and ride to Dunnville to get a head start on the weekend. My CFO meets me there Friday evening and we usually get out for a ride on Saturday or Sunday. Then I have to ride back home to Mississauga on Sunday evening.

We use the trailer as a home base for riding, which is very handy for Friday 13th. :thumb: And since both the CFO and I are originally from the Simcoe area, we always have somewhere to ride to when we are "home".

If you're in the neighbourhood, drop by. We're the Montana 5th wheel on Site 20.

George

[brantvol16]

George, Dunnville is just a mere spit away - you may get visitors!!

And YES, it is good to be back on the LT again. Rode the Volusia enough to convince me that I really did need all that the LT offers.

See ya out there

Oh, Garry - congrats on the new one - grandkids are best; just love em and leave em!

Hope to meet up when you get back to ON.

Geoff

[garry_kramer]

George, Dunnville is just a mere spit away - you may get visitors!!

And YES, it is good to be back on the LT again. Rode the Volusia enough to convince me that I really did need all that the LT offers.

See ya out there

Oh, Garry - congrats on the new one - grandkids are best; just love em and leave em!

Hope to meet up when you get back to ON.

Geoff

We have to try for another group ride, maybe to Dunnville.... ;)

[brantvol16]

Garry, great idea! George, better stock up on good stuff - food only, no drinking and riding here unless you want a bunch of bikers overnight and then we can talk about some libations.

Garry, are you back in Ontario yet?

Geoff

[garry_kramer]

Garry, great idea! George, better stock up on good stuff - food only, no drinking and riding here unless you want a bunch of bikers overnight and then we can talk about some libations.

Garry, are you back in Ontario yet?

Geoff

Still in Edmonton, I'll be back Monday night June 4th.

Garry

[DentalFlossTycoon]

Garry, great idea! George, better stock up on good stuff - food only, no drinking and riding here unless you want a bunch of bikers overnight and then we can talk about some libations.

Geoff

Do I smell a testosterone only weekend in the works??? :stir: Let's do some planning and set something up.

George

[brantvol16]

Agree with you George. I will start a new thread in the Canada section

Geoff