Much to my regret everything I've tried to do to get my Terra ready to go back to the states next year. Everything has fallen through and I've run out of ideas. KTM can't find a certificate of compliance for me and BMW has offered me no help at all. I've been told that to do the tests myself to clear customs would cost more than the bike is worth. Now I'm on the fence about weather I should take all the aftermarket parts off it before I sell and try and get another Terra once I'm stateside or sell it as-is and finance a new 1190 Adventure R.
One thing is relatively certain: You won't get your money out of the aftermarket parts if you sell them with the bike. If you are committed to another Terra and have all the stock stuff, you could sell the bike in stock condition and bring all your goodies to the states - slap em on another Terra and happy trails to you... I'm parting out a BMW R1100RT right now. There are a lot of little, expensive parts on that bike. I will probably get double or more compared to selling the bike (if it was functional). FYI it had a failure at transmission input spline; the repair is prohibitively expensive. I think most bikes are worth more in parts than in whole - but you have to value your time and the hassle. Seems a shame to part out a working bike - but sometimes it makes sense. You also have to think about what to do with the pile of crap that nobody buys (and getting the title out of your name).
Since you are in UK, I'm pretty sure UK will tax anything shipped out taxed up to retail price. You won't even come close to breaking even just shipping options. Investigate it before you go to the trouble, but I'd just cut the cord on it and make someone happy there (at the low end of the market price) just to unload it without undue mental distractions headache. The UK was the wrong place to move a bike to or from with it's heavy Queen taxes (up to 100% retail value, no matter what you paid for it.) This is in addition to the most caustic road salt in the world by proportions placed on their roads. PLUS you will get 50% more retail there than here due to exchange rate (but I don't know how much the Queen will demand of your booty.) But it seems like the least pain anyway. Good luck, and I hear (?) there are acres of Terra's and Strada's warehoused somewhere in the world, unless KTM burnt them all (which is a likely possibility.) But there is still a never ending quantity of them in the States at reasonable prices for the best single cylinder motorcycle ever made.
Taxing things shipped out of the country? Someone needs your money more than you do ... The states seem to be always full of blinged out, low mileage bikes of all types sitting in garages ... http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcd/5182819381.html
Not for nothing, but, since the TR is sold in the U.S., wouldn't there already be a certificate of compliance on file in the U.S.?
The factory shut down, so unless a dealer has it laying around somewhere, there is no way to get one.
Ask Zupin in Germany, they've got all the new Nudas that are left, i got my Strada/Scrambler there. They've got MOST of the things regarding Husqvarna.... Good luck mate!
I may have found a way around customs, if I disassemble the bike and have my shipping company label it as parts along with the rest of my household goods, I shouldn't have any trouble with the EPA or DOT. Would the DMV have a problem titling the bike as long as I can prove ownership? I know I will have to pay the sales tax.
What state are you going to move to? Somebody from that state will be able to give better info. Understand that you are dealing with low level gov workerbees. keep it simple and do not confuse them with details. Do not reveal your hand or true objectives up front in hopes they will know the best way to get you registered. 1) get the federal sticker for swingarm. There is a swingarm on eBay if you cannot get the sticker. 2) look into bonding the title. If you reveal out of USA paper work you may be opening a can of worms and have bike confiscated by epa and customs. 3) have a good back story. "I own it, can't find paperwork". If they ask you question, answer with a question like what paperwork do I need. Best to do this over the phone anonymously so you can be prepared when in person. The bike needs a physical inspection first. They check vin for stolen and for the federal sticker. It may be easier to pull all the safety gear like mirrors lights etc and register it for off road use first, then upgrade that later. Those who live in your state and county will be better to advise you.
Be careful with the dirt registration. Some states once you go offroad only you will never be able to revert it back to street legal.
Why's that? The TR650 is supposed to be the cleanest emissions of almost any bike, and even CA would pass it even if doesn't have CA special smog equipment. As well, the value should go up if he does since more motorcyclists in CA, plus the hard to get registration for out of state vehicles (for any bike other than TR650.) Another rider had no problem with a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650. I thought it would be difficult too but he said no problem at all (from TX.)
Because if it doesn't have the correct vin and emissions stickers correct for registration regardless of how well it runs, it's a nightmare.
OK, that makes sense. THANKS! I heard it 'can' be done, but I certainly wouldn't want to do it either. I momentarily forgot how difficult it is to do ANYTHING with CA DMV. Thanks again for the reminder
My final decision is I'll be selling the bike. I don't think it's worth the hassle/risk of smuggling it into the country. Now to decide what I'll replace it with, I'm torn between another Terra a KLR 650 or a KTM 1190 Adventure R.
