europe bike laws differ from US?

blueoval · 07-20-2009, 11:31 AM

hello everyone.. i just found this site and im looking to get some info and opinions on bike riding in europe, specifically germany. i am in the military and will be stationed at spangdhelm AFB in germany. i currently own an 03 gsxr 600, but im thinking of selling that to my brother so i can buy the 09 cbr 1k. i can have a bike shipped over free of cost to me, so i was thinking of buying one a few months before i leave. is the emisions or anything of that sorts different there vs the bikes sold in america? would there be any advantage to me waiting and buying a bike there?

how about liscenses or endorsements? i have my endorsement for here, but don't know if thats any good there.

is there alot of a sportbike scene in germany? how about drag racing tracks? just curious.

thanks for any help you all can provide.

denzee · 07-20-2009, 2:02 PM

Welcome blueoval and thank you for your service to your Country. Sorry I can't help you more but I can say their standards will certainly be different but the question is if the bike is admissable into Germany from the US as is. The only advantage to having the bike shipped over that I can see would be that you can ride it while there which isn't necessarily a small reason. Someone should be able to help you. Best wishes!

Getting a Repsol by chance?

Kiwiboy · 07-20-2009, 4:35 PM

had a look on the internet with regards to shipping a bike from the States to Europe found the following link that might be of some use, although it's a bit dated

Shipping a Motorcycle from the USA to Europe

Also a possibility is buying the bike out there have a look at

Honda | Motorräder | Home

Hopefully your German is better than mine though

If you look at the red click box on this link the second option Geb something or rather where you can look at the bike prices like this one

Anzeigen der Fahrzeuge

Hope this of some help

Cheers

Steve

sheepofblue · 07-20-2009, 10:21 PM

Blueoval drop me an email with your email and I can pass along info on how to contact a fellow service member that knows the answers (not a member here)

dicknose · 07-20-2009, 10:52 PM

Good chance the bike will be cheaper in the USA.
If the shipping is free and you can get the paperwork to register it - it might be cheaper.

Normally Id say "sell and buy there" - but if work pays the shipping it could be a good idea.

Also check out if you can sell it over there. Some places allow that, others dont - basically you can bring it in tax free if you take it out again.

BDPJR · 07-21-2009, 12:01 AM

blueoval,

I wish I was going back to GE... You're about to see some of the best and fastest machines on the planet... Spang is not far from the best world class racetrack known as the Nurburgring (AKA "the ring"). Go to youtube and search for nurburgring - we'll see you in few days. You can take your bike, car, truck whatever else has wheels and do warp speed. Of course the autobahn will allow that in most places too.

OK, here's what you need to do. E-mail your sponser and have him ask someone in the shop / flight that rides what you need to do. I was stationed near there some years back and all we needed was an international drivers license which we got there - for free. Copy all your paper work in case they need a copy for record.
If your sponser doesn't know find out who your first shirt is and e-mail him/her. they're nice people until you screw up and you haven't screwed up yet - for them. If all else fails e-mail me (brian.pusey@hill.af.mil) and I'll get some answers.
Next, and this is personal, if you have some years behind you riding get a bigger bike; you'll want to keep up with the group. If you've only been riding for a few (less than three) years and you don't know your limitations you'll die. I ain't kiddin. We dream of speed and get away with a lot here in America, but in short bursts; over there it's a way of life to maintain 150 MPH/ 250 KPH. Sh!t starts coming apart at that speed i.e. visors, reflectors etc...

Yes, TMO will ship your ride for free, but it's by boat and can take months. You didn't want to ride in the snow anyway.

BP

blueoval · 07-22-2009, 10:46 AM

thanks so much theres alot of helpful information here.

bdpjr, i noticed that first thing when i was searching nearby racetracks that the ring was very close to the base. im so excited about that, even though ive never rode on a course, but i've always wanted to. ive always been all about drag racing personally.

i've been riding for about 4 years on and off. so im ready to step up to the literbike. my 600 feels so slow, so im thinking itll be a good starter bike for my younger brother. ive rode some pretty fast bikes, few zx10r's, a streched and modded 08 gsxr 1k, and i fell in love with the cbr 1k when i rode my buddys 08 at south georgia motorsports park about 6 months ago, i realized how much power those bikes make when i ran 10.4 at 140 on his stock bike on my 2nd pass on the bike.

my intentions were to buy the bike a month prior to leaving so i could enjoy it since ill be in florida for a month on leave. be a good chance to get some miles on it and get it broken in while in sunny florida, then ship it over and when i get there im sure itll be too cold to ride, but that'll give me time to get whatever papers and endorsements i need.

thanks again for all the advice, this helps me alot with my planning.

denzee i hadn't planed on the repsol, i just want the white cbr 1k, it looks gorgous IMO.

BDPJR · 07-22-2009, 10:56 PM

You're welcome, glad to help.

R0b1605 · 08-17-2009, 6:34 AM

Blueoval,

Here's the deal dude... You can bring any American Spec bike to Germany from the States. You will register it though the Vehicle Registration Office on post. The vehicles we bring over/register on post are automatically good with the Germans because of the Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

If you buy a US Spec bike here it takes forever to take delivery. If you buy a Germany Spec bike, you may have trouble when you go back to the States. I suggest you buy it there and ship it to Germany. You can put it in your household goods and it doesn't even count as a vehicle.

Other than that, enjoy Germany and the NO SPEED LIMIT AUTOBAHN!!!

If I can help you out with any other info, just let me know

r6crasher · 10-08-2009, 3:15 PM

Hey blueoval,

Not sure if you're still CONUS. I'll be trying to get stationed in Germany next year and have all the same questions as you plus a couple more. Could I get your email and keep in touch as you go through the process? My questions are pretty similar:

a. Is it better to buy here and take it over or can I get a better deal on used bikes over there and bring it back, or a better deal on new (BMW S1000RR, Ducati, etc.) and bring it back stateside.

b. Are there any trackdays or club racing in Southern Germany and who's a good POC.

c. Can I make money bringing over a new Harley or Buell, selling it, and then buying new over there.

d. Are there any American cars (Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros) that Europeans find desireable and I could make money on?

e. Should I bring my F150 or Jeep Cherokee?

f. What's the garage/storage situation like with on post housing for an 04. Where can we keep our bikes cozy and warm?

g. What rig would be better, F150 with trailer hitch style bike carrier OR jeep Cherokee w/ a little trailer to haul the toys?

I'm just stoked to be heading to a culture that has a passion for motorsports and having the opportunity to ride on some of the most famous circuits in the world. I'll probably go broke but ah, to come back with those experiences, it's gonna be frikin awesome!!!!

Best of luck with the move I look forward to keeping in touch with you.

BTW R0b1605, if you're reading this can I get in touch with you too?

Thanks guys.

R0b1605 · 10-09-2009, 4:12 AM

r6crasher,

Here are a couple of answers for you...

a. I would recommend you buy in the States and ship it here. There are a lot of bikes here to be had, and you can buy them without the sales tax from the German dealers, but then you run into the problem of what has to be converted when you go back to the States. There are special dealers on post for ordering American spec bikes, but delivery takes forever... They don't have any bikes in stock... They just order them for you from the states.

b. The only track that I know of where you can race your bike is Hockenheim Ring. It's between Nuremberg and Heidelberg. And it's only 1 Thursday (I think) a month.

c. Harleys and Buells are STUPID EXPENSIVE on the German economy. You could probably make some money... BUT!!! It has to registered in your name on post for a minimum of 6 months before you sell it to a German. Then you also have to pay taxes to the German government on the sale price.

d. Same deal on cars. You are limited to 2 cars registered in your name on post at any one time... If you have a regular flow of vehicles going through your name, they start to look real close at you... Both German and American customs agencies will start asking questions.

e. Probably have better chances finding parking spots on the economy with the Cherokee... German parking is not really made for big American trucks.

f. Garages on post are non-existant in most areas. You can consider yourself lucky if you get a carport. Offpost housing would be a better bet.

g. I would say this is a matter of personal preference.

If you need anything else, you can get me at r0b1605@live.com.