Fellow Beeb Experts - Looking to buy a bike in New York, traveling through Canada to save a couple hours' drive time. The bike's title won't arrive until the seller's loan is paid off, etc. and will be mailed out to me. That's fine, but will I have trouble driving back through Canada to Michigan - with only say a receipt and not a title on the bike? Thanks.
Canada didnt ask for any registration on my way in, US did ask what my tag number was at the bridge in Detroit. I’d guess with proper doc’s and insurance in place they “shouldn’t” have a problem. But at first glance it looks like your importing a Canadian bike. I’d be ready to prove otherwise.
Would the title that the current owner has for the bike, copy of his registration along with signed bill of sale suffice? You can always call the customs office and run the situation by them. Get their name, time you spoke to them ect.. better yet if they can email you so you have some docs where they said it was ok that would be solid.
I did it when I lived in Michigan, but that was 15 years ago. Going into Canada was obviously no problem, but coming back into the US was interesting. Luckily after a short talk about what I was doing and showing them the BOS they let me go. Edit - I came through Port Huron, not Detroit.
Pre 9/11: Boarder Guard: "What cha got in the caarrrr with ya there chummy?" US Citizen: "oh just some cocaine and a dead hooker" Boarder Guard: "Safe travels there bud" Post 9/11: Boarder Guard: "Out of the car with your hands up" US Citizen: "Huh, I'm traveling home from visiting in laws with the family... you can see us all in our mini van!" Boarder Guard: -puts on rubber gloves-
I figured as much, thanks guys. Wanted to make sure there wasn't some obvious way coming back, I didn't think of.
Assumed it was SV650 as that is 4T motorcycle perfection. Anything else 2 wheeled strives to achieve that perfection.
And ultimately it depends on who's working and what kind of day they're having. Just like going to the DMV.