Importing an LT into the UK

[Toolman]

Might be taking an expat assignment in the UK. Can anybody tell me if they have expereince importing a bike from the US into the UK? What is involved and about how much should I expect to pay for shipping, licensing, insurance?

Thanks, Toolman

[Thor1340]

Have no experience about importing bikes sorry but once in the UK, if you have any problems. queries, etc will be on the end of a keyboard or phone, all you got to do is ask.

[meese]

I imported a K100LT to the UK in '98. Don't know much about costs, as I managed to get my company to cover most of it, and most of the paperwork as well. I did have to provide proof of ownership and current registration, and sign something that said I would export the bike rather than leave it in the UK.

One question is how long do you expect to stay in the UK? If it's under a year, then you are doing a temporary importation. If it's longer, then other rules apply. I was planning on a year, but ended up staying 3 1/2. I kept riding the K100 for almost two years (kept the US registration current) before buying a UK K12LT. When we moved back, I sold the K100 off cheap rather than trying to ship it back home.

Another option, especially if it's longer-term, is to just buy a UK bike. They're a bit more pricey than in the US, but can save you a lot of hassles. And there are tons of low-mileage bikes available there, as people don't ride nearly as far as they do on this side of the pond.

Either way, enjoy yourself. There are tons of great roads, and Europe is a ferry ride away. And don't forget a trip to the Alps, for as long as you can manage to get away.

[Niall]

And there are tons of low-mileage bikes available there, as people don't ride nearly as far as they do on this side of the pond.



You speak for yourself...

Only did a commute of 300 miles yesterday.

Looks like I'll be back to 1200 mile weeks soon - ho hum.

On a serious note - yes, there are LOADS of low mileage bikes here, and at all ages, from 99's to 05, with such a variance of prices at dealers that its impossible to predict.

Check the bikes link off www.autotrader.co.uk and widen the search to National. For a post code, just enter KT3 3HY, which is mine, in south west London as a base.

[meese]

You speak for yourself...Sorry, I only managed about 27K in the two years I had an LT there, but then again that was with a <10 mile commute and often flying overseas to work for weeks at a time. :) When I tried to sell the LT in preparation for moving back to the States, dealers freaked out that it had 36K on it and pointed to several sitting on the floor with well under 10K miles. We get those here too, as evidenced by our own Classifieds board.

Only did a commute of 300 miles yesterday. Looks like I'll be back to 1200 mile weeks soon - ho hum.But then again, you're special, Niall. :D Still, it's a great place to ride if you're prepared for any sort of weather any time of the year.

[Niall]

Still, it's a great place to ride if you're prepared for any sort of weather any time of the year.

Err - yeah, that's me...

Mad.

And with a full Gerbing heated suit...

[Toolman]

Thanks for the tips.

Niall...might you have any recommendations for areas to live west or south of London? My job will be in the Stockley Park area, which is north of Heathrow. I looked in the maps and it doesn't look like rail is going to be a good means of commuting for me. Very long walk from the station to work...and I'm very limited on choices to the south or west. So, wondering if you might have any advice. I will most likely be renting a house and am looking for something that's not so hustle/bustle. More of a small town feel to it....perhaps a nice place within walking distnace to the High Street pubs ;). Thinking about the Windsor area. Any advice...tips.

Thanks,
Toolman

[Niall]

I know where Stockley Park is – very well, and yes, it is just north of Heathrow, with the M4 between the two, and yes, the trains there are appalling, ‘cos the station is a long way away.

Windsor, Datchett, Old Windsor – all ok – who’s paying? Commute would be by car, and avoiding the M25 and M4 – which is possible.

Egham – parts are very good – Staines, parts good, parts crap.

Be aware that Windsor and Datchett are on the flight line, as Heathrow is an East/West runway combo. If traffic is from the east, they alternate landing on 27L and 27R, with take-offs using the “other”, either 27R or 27L.

However, if the traffic is from the west, the landing runway is 09L which is just to the north of Windsor castle, and very little traffic gets to use 09R (on request, mostly BA flights wanting to go to terminal 4).

If the traffic is taking off from 27L/R, it banks as it hits the M25 for north/south, south west for southern route for East Coast and lower east coast, so aircraft noise.

I’m in New Malden, just the other side of Kingston, and I can do Heathrow (or Stockley Park) by bike in 45 mins in full rush hour, 25 mins at non-rush hour – its 12 miles or so, and on urban roads.

Consider Ickenham or Denham as possibles, as the only air traffic is Northolt, which is light, business jet type and infrequent.

But really, you’re looking to a bike commute – say a scooter. Your US bike licence allows you to ride anything – but you do have to take the UK test within a finite period. See www.direct.gov.uk for details of UK licensing regs – it’s the best government search engine in the UK (but then again, I’m biased, I used to work there).

The scooter option is cheap to start and easy to use, rather than finding a K12LT to start, for instance.

See www.autotrader.co.uk and follow the “bikes” link.

Yamaha are reliable, as are Piaggio. Aprilia Atlantic (500cc single) is very ceahp to buy.

We’re changing my wife’s scooter from a Yamaha X-Max (250) to a Yamaha TMax (500 twin) on Friday.

Back to locations – Hampton is nice, as is Hampton Wick, and its close to the shopping of Kingston. Hampton Wick would have a “village” feel, as would Teddington or parts of Twickenham. I can do maps for you if you want – mail me at niall.mead@amarainternational.com and I can do prints from MS Autoroute.

Being nosey - who are you going to be working for?


Niall