Hey All.

I'm married to a Canadian woman and we are coming to North America with the intention of buying an RV and cruising round from Canada to Mexico trying all the good biking. I've got a ZX12r and I am thinking of bringing it with me. I am wondering what is the legal position for riding a UK registered bike over there. I'm assuming that there is a grace period, say 6 months after the vehicle enters the country, whereby you can run the bike on the roads before being compelled to alter it so it complies with local laws. We will be travelling in and out of the country all the time so what problems will I be facing? How do the police deal with foreign vehicles and foreign licence holders with regard to speeding etc? Will I ever need a local licence? I have a full UK license. I'm sure there is more stuff I have forgotten to ask so if anyone has any insight, let me know!

Nick.

Nick -

Someone did something similar to what you're talking about once before, & shared the experience with us, I believe... I don't recall the details <sorry> but maybe someone will chime-in soon...

In the meantime, ping Mr. Bowler Hat. Andy's a Brit & has put his 12 on the road here in the US for a month or so. He may have some keen insight. He's also in the law enforcement business, so again, he would probably share valuable knowledge.

If you're focusing on Canada, edge2edge would be a member worth pinging. Ray is also a cop and has ridden many times in the US.

I hope some of this has been of help... When you know where you'll be, post that info, as there are many members across the US & Canada... :D :D

Good luck on your adventure!!

Keep in mind that very good 12 can be purchased for around $5K USD. If its too much of a hassle or time constraint, I'd be happy(as would others) to help you find a nice clean used 12 for purchase.

When do you plan on doing this? I'm not sure where you plan on riding into Mexico, I live right on the border in El Paso. Only problem is that I wont be there until October or November. Let me know if you're down that way. I've never gone into Mexico via Juarez, you might wanna reconsider the trip to Mexico...there's a lot of bad shit going on across the border in Juarez. Killings, kidnappings, corruption, cop killing, rapes, and murders. This is why I don't venture across the river.

There are plenty of beautiful rides if you decide to skip Mexico, and if you want to hit the beach, you can still stay on the Texas side and drive south to Port Isabel. Absolutely beautiful beach on the far south end of South Padre Island.

I live on the border and travel into Mexico... bad news bro... it's not a safe
country at all... drug cartels run the countryside. You are safe if you fly
into a major tourist city like Cabo on the beach... but it's very deadly to
ride out in the country, especially on a bike.

Unlike the US, you cannot carry a weapon, not even a bullet in Mexico,
10 years in prison if caught. I know in the UK you cannot carry a gun, man,
I can't imagine going ANYWHERE over here without mine... I refuse to be a victim
without giving a fight before I die....

Again, I'd pass on mexico unless you fly in to a major city.

Stratblue.
I came over from the UK 5 years ago, now lounging on the beach in Morehead city NC.Mexico isn't a good place to ge, take the sound advice of the guys and stay out. Riding in the US with foreign tags (No plates) isn't an issue nor is using your UK licience. Don't expect the police to recognise your Uk licence unless you have the newer one with your picture on it.
Don't ride with your lights out as it is illegal in many states and you will get pulled for certain. Unlees it is empty, stick to no more than 5mph above the posted limits. There loads of police here as opposed to cameras. (One of the reasons that I emigrated)
Insurance is a MUST!!! Particularly medical as an accident will very quickly run into 6 digits faster than you can open a $30.00 box of mucus extraction devices (Kleenex)
There are thousands of great places to ride over here, if you are going through a particular state, ask the board members and they will tell you where and/or meet with you.
Problem with buying a bike over here is that you need a permanent US address, US social security no (NI No) etc so that you can get your registration (log book) and No plates etc
If you can bring your bike over that would save you some grief. Obviously visa's are important and get them in plenty of time.
20mph over the posted limit will get you put in jail, 30+ they throw away the key!!! School zone are taken seriously15 or 20 meanns 15 or 20
Gatso is just beginnig over here.
Hope this helps
Regards Y'all
Ted

Most states require registering a vehicle within 30 days, same with obtaining a license.
Not sure how extended travel would be classified or handled. Certainly is worth looking into.
Of course if your'e going from state-to-state, you're never going to be in the same state for 30 days.......
I suppose it's cheating, but it might work!

And, you might get some ideas from this website:

North American Sportbike Road Registry

Just thinkin' out loud... :cool::cool:

.... you don't need an NI number.... and I don't think visas are an issue either.



Shame you all pooh-pooh the Mexican idea..., I fancy doing that next year.

tbears - You ever been to Mexico?? I go there several times a year, & I'm not too keen on it... Just sayin'...

Never been, Goo... that's why I'd like to... on the face of it, it seems a fascinating country.

Loads go through there every year... just have a peak on the ADV site. I'd probably be traveling alone, unarmed - save for my hunting knife.

Mexicans are all very short & tiny aren't they? Don't see a prob with gringo bandits... my mate Cochise & Geronimo never had any bother.

Yeah... Well, I wish you luck in your endeavor...

I'm sure you can DO it... Just not sure why you'd want to... However, I will say this: If you make it to Mexico, please advise me in advance, & I'll try to meet you... I'm serious... I will buy you the first cervesa!! Again, I'm serious... It's the least I could do...




BTW - You won't get your "Hunting knife" into/out of Mexico... Just leave it @ home... LOL!!

Handguns are easily available over there aren't they... I'll pick one up once over the boarder. Thanks for the advice.


... and why would one want to go?

It's the cradle of meso-american civilisation. I find the Mayan/Aztec/Olmec cultures fascinating. It's just a great shame most of it was lost to those genocidal spanish conquistadores.