Importing A Track Bike

[HughiusMaximus]

I was unsure whether to post this here or in Biker Banter...

I'm moving back to the UK after two years in the US in a few weeks, and want to bring my GSXR600 track bike back with me.

Its always been a track bike, so the title form (equivalent of a V5C) hasnt been updated from the original race team who bought the bike from the dealer in 2011.

The agent who is handling the transfer of my goods is saying the original title and bill of sale from the previous owner is insufficient as the bill of sale alone doesnt prove that he was the owner to sell it...
They are saying that if I cant track the history back then they cant export / import the bike.

Does anyone have any experience of this and can lend some advice on how to proceed?

Thanks!

[shovelheadrob]

I know that cars often get shipped here from the USA without titles, just a bill of sale. This can be troublesome when trying to register them here though. I also know that some shipping companies/ports stateside won't ship without. Try asking Ron Fenton at STS Imports, he ships out of Florida & may well be able to help.

[HughiusMaximus]

Thanks for the reply.

The funny thing is that I'm not really concerned about registration on the UK side.

Its a track bike so I dont need to get it registered with plates etc.. just need to get it in to the country!

It feels like my agent is being a bit OTT, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to challenge them on it.

[echazfraz]

If it's a track bike is it even a vehicle any more in this sense? Is it just a "thing"?

I presume that you're not being asked for paperwork for your TV, sofa, etc. so could you just say it's a thing like them - just happens to be bike shaped?!

[HughiusMaximus]

I get your logic, but I imagine its to safeguard against theft.

They want to make sure that bikes arent being stolen and exported out of the US

[HughiusMaximus]

shovelheadrob said:

Try asking Ron Fenton at STS Imports, he ships out of Florida & may well be able to help.

Spoke to Ron, nice guy, he has confirmed that the agent is being an arse..

[shovelheadrob]

HughiusMaximus said:

Spoke to Ron, nice guy, he has confirmed that the agent is being an arse..

I ship quite a lot of stuff through him, great service & much cheaper than airfreight.

[HughiusMaximus]

He is going to be my fall back if I cant convince the agent that work are providing to play ball.
I'll ask him directly on Monday but any idea of what it would cost to ship a bike back with him?


I even spoke to someone in the HMRC Vehicle Import office and they said they have vehicles coming through with no title / title in a different name all the time...!