| Author | Message | ||
     M1combat |
Which would make more financial sense? I have no experience at all buying stuff from over seas. Also... Which of the two HD dealers in Italy is the more Buell friendly one? Or are they both good? Would it make more sense to buy in another Euro country near Italy due to exchange rates? Thanks in advance. A guy I know may be headed over there to work for Interpol and he'd like to have a Ulysses when he's there. | ||
| Bomber |
M1 -- also of interest, I imagine, would be the importability (in either direction) of the scoot -- I've no recent experience in either direction, but it was problematic for a while, Europe to US -- | ||
| Kevyn |
Having only minor experience with your situation...my first inclination would be buy there and leave/sell there. The shipping charges, preparation,import/export taxes and regulations are nightmarish. IMHO. Contact U.S Customs and get the facts/requirements. There is a bit more to the deal than stuffing it in a crate, waving goodbye and uncrating it and riding off into the Alps. | ||
| Daves |
I know dealers in the US cannot sell outside the country. Now if he were to buy it before he left? | ||
| M1combat |
He'll buy before he leaves but the real problem is... How much tax/duty/etc does it take to get it imported to Italy? Is it cheaper to buy in Italy? He won't be leaving for a while though, so there MIGHT be some used Uly's on the market by then. I'm just trying to do some research for him because I know the industry a little (read - I have access to Badweb and he doesn't have internet access). I also need to talk to Al about how far he can lower it... | ||
| Tork |
I just came from Italy. I was in the military and bought 2 Firebolts while I was there. You'd probably pay at least a grand in shipping fees alone as part of the bike cost if you want a U.S. spec model that can be brought back to the States later with no hassle. My main concern would be the dollar/euro exchange rate. The dollar sucked bad when I left Sicily 6 months ago. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I think I read somewhere that you have to take the gas tank off to ship a bike. Do that with an XB! | ||
| Tramp |
buy in Italy, OOOOOORRRRR, if you're smart, buy in nearby slovenia. better rate there | ||
| Rocketman |
Italy is Euro currency. You can spend German Euros in France. Greek Euros in Belgium. Italian Euros in Spain. Get the picture? Depending on how long you intend to stay in Italy you might not have to import a bike at all. In theory you could ship a US tagged bike to Italy and ride it on US tags for as long as you are told not to. I doubt you'd be asked for a carnet upon entry either. As far as anyone's concerned that's likely to be asking, you're a wealthy American tourist riding a motorcycle around Europe. Remember this. There are very few border crossings in existence so you can ride between several countries in a day and no one would ever know from where or when you came. I'd budget on a few hundred dollars to ship a bike in a container to Italy from the US, based on similar prices to the UK. It's cheaper if you package the bike onto a crate yourself. The smaller you pack it the cheaper the cost in theory. Do as much work as you can yourself rather than paying the shipping agent. For example, if you arrive at the ship with the bike crated and ready, much paperwork intact as you need from your own leg work, that keeps the cost down. Likewise, if you are there to meet the ship on docking and you take care of customs and handling as much as you're allowed, that keeps costs down. If you knew a 'friendly' ships captain (get to know one), what's to stop you strapping an Ugly to the bulwark rail of his ship, then just riding off the dock in any Euro country as if you're a crew member out for an afternoons jolly. Nothing could be simpler. Remember this too. Providing you have road risk insurance and an appropriate driving license, and you don't sell the Ugly without paying the import taxes \ duty etc in Italy, basically you take it with you on leaving Italy, you haven't really fractured any laws. Rocket | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
The problems he'll have with a US spec bike in Europe both to get it registered & on the road controls aren't worth it, The headlight, indicators, mirrors etc all have to be Euro spec , with an E in a circle marked on, plus he'll need a certificate of conformity from the importer which he'll have to pay for, plus DoT inspection, & on & on, Honestly it's not worth it, for a new bike. I checked into all this last year when Daves had his Fly/Ride promotion I would have saved around $500-$800 on a XB12S & for that little difference, the time & hassle don't make it, also as it's not a Euro spec bike, resale will be lower here. As for Tramp's idea, yes he's correct in what he says about buying in Slovenia, but the lovely Italian customs & police forces (note the plural, there are a number of different ones in Italy) will all want a piece of the action, as it's come from outside. & they'll jerk him around til forever espescially as he's a foreigner. Now to Rocket's point, yes he can do that too, for 3 months, unless he's a serviceman or diplomatic staff on overseas duty. after 3 months vehicle must be taken off the road or registered. Needless to say not everybody does, I know a guy drove his Camaro round here for over 3 years on Belgian plates. You've only got to be unlucky once, & you're in deep doodoo. If your friend is going to be in Italy for a year or more, my advice is to tell him to buy used, privately, in Italy & resell when he leaves. It's the most economic way. Added to that, If he's working for Interpol, he's going to have to be squeaky clean. That's my 10cents worth. (damn you get good value here) | ||
| Court |
>>>>I know dealers in the US Buy there, ride there, sell there. | ||
| Kaudette |
When in Rome do as the Romans.... Buy local and I'd suggest you hold off until you get to Italy as you may want to take advantage of the chance to ride a lot of differenc european rides you don't otherwise get in the US - lots of good deals on used bikes of all types. | ||
| M1combat |
All good points. I think me recommendation will be to Buy there, Ride there, Sell there  . That takes care of the squeaky clean requirement for Interpol too . Thanks all. Any idea what they COST over there? | ||
| Xb12rene |
I heard a very buell friendly dealer is Black&Orange HD Bozen. Send them a mail, I bet they can give you more information. To the price: Italy: 12,495 Euros; Germany: 11.499 Euros; Austria: 14.190 Euros, Suisse: CHF 16'590.00. I believe they are all tax included. |
