Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge My bike and I returning from whence we came !

My bike, my family and I are returning from whence we came ! That’s right all re-relocating back to the UK this summer. After seven great years here in the US (NY and NJ) it’s time to return to be nearer the family and our friends. We have truly loved our time here and the country has treated us well. We’ve had a lot of fun and made a good life for ourselves. Things changed last year when my little boy was born (an American citizen therefore) and we realized that family and friends was the most important thing and although I will always make sure my son understands and respects his US roots he’ll always be Welsh at heart and soul. We’re actually moving to a beautiful part of the country in North Yorkshire near the Dales National Park. We’ll miss this place and it’ll be a big adjustment after so many years but we’re excited.

Now – down to business. I have some questions I need help with:

1. Is there any technical difference between a Speedmaster built for the US market and one for the UK market that would mean I could not register my bike in the UK ?
2. Anyone have any info on the process for shipping bikes to the UK – vendors, customers all that stuff ?
3. Does anyone have any info on the process of registering a bike in the UK that was bought and shipped from the US ?
4. Anyone know if I’ll need to take the UK bike test or will my US license be OK ?

I'd appreciate any help and look forward to hopefully meeting up with some of our UK buddies when I get across the pond.

It sounds like it will be a good move for you. Least you saved a few bucks by buying the bike here- hopefully they don't kill you on getting it back over there. I would contact one of the triumph dealers there with some of your questions. Jack lilley may be a good place to start?

Thank Goodness, I've always said there are too many Welshmen in this country!!!!

Congrats, I know the feeling, that's what brought us back to New ENGLAND after 11 years down south. It sure wasn't the weather!

Of course, first off, I imagine you'll need a new Speedometer that reads in km/h, but I assume you know that. From what I've seen regarding emissions (which is probably the big question mark) whilst surfing the various Triumph Websites (UK and Germany specifically), it seems only the German bikes are fitted with Catalysators. As to other mechanical bits, I can't imagine much difference unless the headlight pattern is different on UK/Euro market bikes vs the US, and I'd imagine you'd have to put your lovely AI back on (at least for inspections!!(grin)

As for shippers, I did some Googling, and here are a couple bits of info. Cost wise, it doesn't sound HORRIBLY expensive for a motorcycle, around $5-600. Air Canada does this apparently, as do other firms:

Int'l Shipping link1

Shipping Info

There was another bloke that did the same (Texasbrit) but I dont think he is still active on here.

I found this thread on the old boards about it.

We exchanged a few emails about it because I was planning to bring a bike back (until some POS scum stole it!!).

I think as well as getting the heaqdlight changed, he had to get SVA approval as well. I might be wrong but it is woth reading the DOT site to make sure.

With regard to questions 3 & 4, a look at the DVLA site should give you all the answers (hopefully).

Dont know about shipping as I didnt get that far - if you are bringing other stuff over, maybe you could ship the bike with that. Do a google search to see what that brings up.

Last point, customs will probably try to get you for import duties - check here for more info - might be worth an email or two to see if the age of the bike makes a difference to any duties.

Good luck

Thanks guys. Contacting a local Triumph dealer to where I'll be living is a good idea Stewart. In fact we still use mph in the UK not Km/h so won't need a change the speedo. I was wondering about the AI and emissions mainly myself. Never thought about the headlight – what’s different about it ? Thanks also for the info on shipping Greg, that’s very useful and to Nobby for reminding me of he good old DVLA and that link. I knew I could rely on folks here for help and support …and of course a healthy dose of sarcasm.

From what I've seen, due to MOT(or DOT here) regulations regarding vehicle lighting, lighting patterns, luminence(sp?) etc... are different from country to country. Hence, you might by a VW in Germany, and the headlight pattern, color of turnsignals, etc... are all different from one exported to the US.

There's no VAT on sarcasm, so it comes free with every helping of help...

As for mechanical differences, the headlight lens will have to be changed because they are designed to illuminate the side of the road without blinding oncoming traffic. That means the UK lens will be a mirror image to the US/continent one. It's possible that you might have to change the exhaust system to the one with the catalytic converter.

Oh, and don't forget you'll have to start driving on the correct side of the road again.

Your 2006 bike may be Euro 2 compliant as far as the emissions go, I think if a manufactures model is registered as compliant when new things will be easier with the SVA test should you need it. probably need a new headlight, and believe it or not I had a bike fail the MOT for not having KPH on the speedo as well as miles (tester got out of the wrong side of bed) even though we use miles here. some regulation to ensure we know what speed we ar doing in France or Southern Ireland
You may run into trouble with insurance as the bike will be an import, and if you have to take your test here unless you go direct access route you will be restricted to 33hp for two years, insurance may want to see confirmation of this. I know the price of bikes is higher here compared with USA but it may be better to sell the bike over there and buy another here considering the extra import tax, shipping cost, parts required, more expensive insurance and problems if you decide to sell.

Wow - that's not sounding at all cool. I can't believe a British bike would be so much trouble going back to where it was built. I expected some things but surely not exhaust and the speedo thing in kph is ridiculous. I really don't want to sell my bike and buy one over there. I've done quite a bit of work on it and....it's my bike. I'll have to do some serious research 'cos I don't want to get it there and have it cost more than I paid for it here. Thanks for your help guys.

I suspect if you knew someone with a pair of stock pipes you could borrow and maybe the km on the speedo thing is for northern ireland...

I have to call the DVLA about something, I'll ask.

I just had a look at our requirements, usualy the same as the GB seems motorcycles are not required to have SVA, cant see them mentioned anywhere, however you will still need the MOT test, and I guess our bikes are E approved.

http://www.dvtani.gov.uk/uploads/vehicletesting/svabooklet.pdf

I cant see any mention of the particular requirements for speedometers on it, but I was quoted the regulation at the time. The bike they failed me on was an CZ 180. over here (Northern Ireland)the MOT test is conducted by a government agency and not your dealer or local garage as is the case in the rest of the UK, I think they can be a bit strict sometimes.

good luck to you on your move back NJW ,almost did the same in 95(up sticks back to glasgow after 7 yrs) but decided against it ,moved further west instead, best move so far .
irish buddy of mine shipped back an old caddy in the late 90s, had to drive it from here ,vancouver, to some where in florida for shipping back to ireland (6 weeks by boat) cost around $800 u.s if i remember correctly .i think you,ll find shipping by boat will be a lot cheaper than airfreight . maybe a call/email to triumph in hinckley will answer some questions about n. american and euro triumph differences,possible shipping companies too .
awe ra best mate .

I'm getting some stuff sent to me, I'll let you know what it says.

I did ask and do have some details but I'm not convinced what I scribbled down makes sense. So I'll wait to tell you what I think she said till I have it in words in front of me!

That's all right... it only arrived this morning.

I'll sit and read through and see if I can make any sense of it...

Croeso yn ol Stephen!

Don't know whether a chat with these guys might help?:

BMS ESVA

Looks like they'd be able to sort most the details for you? I agree with NIbiker in that insurance might be a pain, you'll be able to get it sorted tho. As far as I'm aware there aren't currently any emmissions checks on bikes, tho they can be strict on pipes, depends where you go. If they're marked off road use only, they'll probably fail. If no markings it's down to the examiner's opinion as to whether they think they're unreasonably loud...
Hope you and family will enjoy your new home near The Dales. Not far from us.. some great roads.. we should catch up sometime.

Cheers Dave - I'll certainly give them a call. I look forward to meeting up and riding some day.