[Ducati] Ducati from US to the UK, and riding?

Thu Jan 24 01:24:28 EST 2008

Hi guys,

Don't worry too much about the MOT in this country as it only proves the 
bike was roadworthy at the time of the test. I had an accident on my 
then, 900ss with an MOT
a week out of date and the insurance compay was fine. The Police major 
on Tax and Insurance here and are generally forgiving if you've got an 
MOT "planned".

FastandCorse
Oxford
UK.

sctompkins wrote:
> Hi, John.
> Take it if you can!  I had an opportunity similar to what you're
> considering, and I hope my experience helps.  I spent 18 months 
> working on
> secondment in London about 14 years ago.  Although I've resided in the US
> for almost 12 years now, the move was from Canada to the UK at the time,
> which may have helped marginally (certainly on the visa side of the
> equation).  The requirements are unlikely to have become less stringent
> since then.  And how Wales and Britain differ, I cannot say.
> Briefly, my company shipped my almost-new CBR600F2 over with my personal
> belongings (sweet) and set me up with a company car, so transportation
> wasn't an immediate issue.  I DID definitely have to source local UK
> insurance on my own and DID definitely have to bring the bike 'round 
> for MOT
> inspection.  At the time, the laws were liberal enough that one was 
> legally
> able to operate an unlicensed vehicle on the road specifically while 
> enroute
> to an MOT appointment (hence towing, etc, was a non-issue).  Could not 
> say
> if this has changed.  One snag for me that I was aware of prior to 
> leaving
> was that the MOT requested a manufacturer's confirmation of date of
> manufacture and that the bike met the safety standards in place at that
> time.  I made requests of Honda Canada and Honda North America before 
> I left
> for a letter simply confirming when the bike was made, but neither would
> provide the documentation I needed (Ducati NA cooperation in this regard,
> I'm not sure).  I also needed proof of ownership and the import
> documentation from the shippers for import taxes and duty.  The MOT are
> sticklers.  My CBR600F2 passed tech without problem, but due to the 
> lack of
> a manufacturer's letter, they would only issue me a "Q" reg plate.  In 
> the
> end, it was not a big deal for me.
> Important Note - to avoid hefty import duties, I had to sign a form
> indicating that I was the only owner of the vehicle and that I was 
> planning
> to own it for at least 1 year prior to selling.  I don't recall how 
> this was
> documented, but I think I got a release of some sort after a year.   I 
> rode
> it on the street and raced 600 Supersport for two seasons before 
> selling it
> prior to returning to Canada.
> Another note - it is much more difficult to pass a drivers test in the UK
> than in North America, and the waiting time for a test is months 
> longer.  I
> was able to ride/drive on my Canadian drivers license the entire time - a
> loophole at the time did not require a UK license or International 
> drivers
> license if one did not remain in the UK continually for more than 6 
> months.
> Since my job took me to several European countries and back to US/Canada
> frequently enough, it was as if the clock was re-set each time I got on a
> plane....
> side note - I was stopped by police 3 times in 18 mo.  Once for towing 
> the CBR on a friend's trailer in the 'number 1' lane (a no-no for 
> 'articulated lorries'); once for speeding in the car and once in my 
> diesel Leyland DAF while hauling the CBR back from a race weekend at 
> Lydden (appreciated that one as they were just staying vigilant for 
> thefts!).  One breathalyzer; no tickets (esp if you're good at playing 
> dumb foreigner and don't carry a domestic license... oh, and limit 
> your drinking to the local pub).
> Good luck, have fun, and hope some of this helps,
> Sean
> '98 ST2
> '01 996
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Sheerin" <jsheerin at hughes.net>
> To: "Ducati Owners Group" <ducati at ducati.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:06 PM
> Subject: [Ducati] Ducati from US to the UK, and riding?
>
>
>> Hi all,
>> I might have an opportunity to work in the UK (Wales) for about two 
>> years
>> (I currently live in the US).  I've been there before and the roads 
>> looked
>> like they'd be fun to ride on.  My company seems okay with shipping my
>> bike for me.  I've been searching for info online, but I was 
>> wondering if
>> anyone here has done this kind of thing before.  I'm wondering things
>> like:
>> - is my bike legal there (1998 748, Termi exhaust)
>> - would it have to pass a MOT inspection?
>> - could I ride on my current US license without taking a riding test?
>>
>> I'm sure there's lots of other things I haven't even thought of...  If
>> anyone has done this, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> John
>> http://ldsg.snippets.org/HORNS/ducati.html
>>
>>
>>
>> *****
>>
>> Our newest sponsor, MC Stands, has just opened its doors!  It's a
>> motorcycle
>> stand superstore.  Every brand, every model, 95% in stock for immediate
>> shipment. Whether front stands, rear stands, paddock stands, dirt bike
>> stands, or any kind of stand or lift, MC Stands tests, rates, and
>> discounts
>> everything they sell.  Check them out!
>>
>> Visit: http://mcstands.com/
>> _______________________________________________
>> Ducati mailing list
>> Ducati at ducati.net
>> http://list.ducati.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ducati
>> Mailto: sftompkins at sbcglobal.net
>
>
> *****
>
> Our newest sponsor, MC Stands, has just opened its doors!  It's a 
> motorcycle
> stand superstore.  Every brand, every model, 95% in stock for immediate
> shipment. Whether front stands, rear stands, paddock stands, dirt bike
> stands, or any kind of stand or lift, MC Stands tests, rates, and 
> discounts
> everything they sell.  Check them out!
>
> Visit: http://mcstands.com/
> _______________________________________________
> Ducati mailing list
> Ducati at ducati.net
> http://list.ducati.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ducati
> Mailto: colin at highside.fsnet.co.uk
>
>
>