el_richo

I'm with you on that. I've been riding for quite a few years and racing for many of them. I'd have considered one to commute on but without the ability to legally filter through traffic etc it's all a little pointless when i can sit in my car away from the elements, relax, and listen to music comfortably, and get there in the same time.

I'd be tempted to race again but the circuit selection is pretty dire and the distances a little off putting. I guess i've been spoilt having the likes of Donnington, Oulton, Cadwell, Silverstone, Angelsey, Snetterton, Pembrey, Brands Hatch etc all within an easy drive for me.

The funny thing about this 15 year rule is that vehicles OVER 15 year old are less likely to be as environmentally friendly or as safe as the newer models.

dbd33

A mate of mine races. You're right about the distances involved:

http://www.wera.com/schedule/?x=1098

The van is in almost constant motion through the season though not with him in it, he flies up and down so as to rack up some billable time.

el_richo

Oh thanks for that Dbd. Looking at the entry fees, it's bloody cheap as chips. The travel would rack up the $'s though no doubt. I'll look into this one.

I was looking at the Parts Canada Superbike championship (well, the 600cc events) but again, the tracks are so far apart although the schedule is spread out more:

http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.ph...=710&Itemid=46

SNOWDUDE

Hi, Does anyone know if the restrictions apply to off road machines i.e trials bike or motocrossers?

iaink

Shouldnt do, its more to do with road licensing. Not sure of the insurance implications though.

dbd33

The bike is sponsored and, with prize money, I think he actually comes out ahead on the on-track cost. However, driving to Vegas, back and then to Texas, allows no time for work and is a lot of gas and motels. iirc it cost about $30,000 for a recent season. Cheaper than flying as a hobby, I suppose.

el_richo

Unfortunately my last season had me spending more time in the air than a pilot i reckon .

Thanks for the link though, i'll certainly have a look further into it.

triumphguy

Re: riding over here - Because of Alberta's Chinooks I ride 12 months of the year (but not 365 days of the year!), and have to say I've never had a pothole throw me off. I should have thought BMW's could handle potholes! Maybe not I probably add about 10,000km a year split between two bikes - a new bonnie and a Triumph Sprint.

If the bike is over 15 years it's counted as a vintage bike so the emissions tests don't apply.

The import rules are all very silly - especially bringing American made iron over here. Why not look up a Harley forum (I'm sure they exist, despite the antiquated technology of their bikes ) and ask your importing questions there. You might be able to do it through a dealership for example.

Cdnshaz

We had same prob, hubby has a 2006 haybusa, his baby....and when I spoke to canadian customs they said same thing, vehicles not having same standards..blah blah..was a bunch of shit as far as I was concerned..a returning citizen can bring a $10,000 peice of art home, but not a $10,000 vehicle...what a crock...

and we are not allowed to take our grand childrens carseats either...crap to that am taking them and if a OPP has enough time to stop me and check the sticker on their car seat...then he ain't busy enough..

triumphguy

I think it's always cheaper to sell bikes in England and buy the same(ish) here second hand. AFAIK Bikes are much cheaper here.

triumphguy

Here's a thread on importing British bikes back and forth from the US to UK.

With a few chuckles thrown in:

http://www.triumphrat.net/biker-hang...-get-this.html

squargle

Of course if you are coming to Canada on a work permit you are allowed a temporary import that does not have to comply with Canada safety standards. If your bikes are nearly old enough then by the time your permanent residence is proccessed they will probably be old enough to be legal. The other thing is that once you've got them into the country on a temporary import you can look at getting them to fully comply with Canada safety standards (they probably do anyway) I imported an 18 year old Kawasaki on temporary import and easily got a Canadian registration document that states that I cannot sell or transfer the vehicle without prior permission from Canada Customs,there is no time limit stated on this document so theoretically I can just keep using the bike indefinitely. This is just an observation and I have no idea of the legal implications with a newer bike but it might just be a back door I presume that once your work permit expires or you get PR you are supposed to export or destroy the vehicle if it is under 15 years

triumphguy

A couple of my favourite rides.

Snave

Nice TG - all round here is straight and flat!!! The nearest twisty bits are in Gatineau Parc which is usually filled with non-motorized two-wheelers (stands back and waits for flaming).

Oink

I'd consider a scooter to buzz around town. But it'd be at least 200cc Vespa or something similar. I wouldn't want to ride around on a gutless 50cc thing.