Things and going abroad

[LtPwnzor]

So I'm coming to a fickle part of my life, during which I am figuring out where I want to go (figuratively as well as literally). I'm applying to teach in Spain, but I'm not even sure if that's where I'll be going. I guess if they accept my application, I'll probably be off like a shot. There are also some opportunities in Taiwan, but then I didn't major in Mandarin; just Spanish. If I'm off to Spain, I'll be going it alone all willy-nilly. If it's Taiwan, I've got family willing to give me a place to stay until I figure things out. I'm at odds about what to do with my bike, as well. Specifically, I'm thinking along the lines of: ship the bike vs. sell/entrust to someone and buy a bike over there. If it's Taiwan, I probably won't worry about it, since I don't think I'd want to live there for more than a year or two if I can find somewhere else to go. But Europe is good riding turf (I've seen that firsthand), and I might be convinced to live there for far more than a few years; ergo, I WILL want a bike of some sort or description. So bazillions of questions are all bouncing around in my head without answers.

[Pat Conlon]

LT, I would check in with Alf and a couple of other FJ brothers we have here who live in Spain.
I can see positives and negatives on shipping a bike over. One good thing is that it's your bike, you know the condition, the quirks, the mods, etc. if you buy a bike in Spain will you have a place (and tools) to work on it?

The unknown is the cost of shipping and the cost and hassle of registering it in Spain. For example, do they allow aftermarket exhaust systems or do you have to convert it back to oem? Things like that.

Our EU brothers can help you...

Spain vs Tiawan..... I would choose Spain.

Regardless....you are in for an adventure! Don't sweat the small stuff....Carpe Diem

[LtPwnzor]

A motorcycle over 500cc must have a manufacturer's certificate, industry certificate, appraiser's certificate and town hall registration. Third-party insurance is obligatory for all bikes, costing around €350 a year. Motorcycles must have their first technical inspection ( inspección técnica de vehículos/ITV) after five years and thereafter annually.

Found this on a basic search. Have no idea where I'd get all those damned certificates. I guess the manufacturer's certificate would be like a certificate of origin? The appraiser's certificate sounds straightforward enough. As for the industry one? I have no idea what they even mean by that. The other stuff doesn't sound too bad. And yeah, the tools to work on a bike could be a problem; I have practically everything I need and more here in the States, but finding what I need over there could be tough. I'd probably leave the bike here for a while to give me time to find a place for it over there. I might entrust my FJ to my brother, since he thinks it would be a shame to sell her. I just worry about him learning to ride on a bike so powerful.

[PaulG]

Whichever destination you choose, just do it.  Opportunities like this are the ones you regret not doing later in life.  Can't help you with the shipping/ buying option, other than I know they love their beauracracy over there in the EU. Like you said, might be easier to buy something there initially and ship later, once you find the lay of the land (and make friends with someone who can guide you through the labyrinth of paperwork).

Good luck and have a great time.  If your single, you'll have an even a greater time....

[Steve_in_Florida]

...once you find the lay of the land...

Y'know, I think I met her...

As for riding and vehicle registration, each country has their unique version of "hoops" to jump through. Some require a progressive licensing program for motorcycles, with expensive classes and mandated time periods on smaller bikes.

I would thoroughly check things out, especially before shipping a bike. As I recall, some countries are VERY particular about safety and "Total OEM Stock" parts (unless you pay many $$$ or EU for inspections and "approval".)

Still...

...I can't IMAGINE being over in Europe for any length of time and NOT have a bike!

You're going to have fun, no matter what.   

Steve

[LtPwnzor]

Yeah, it seems that after all the taxes moving a foreign vehicle over would incur, you're pretty much buying it a second time for what you paid the first time. That goes for both Taiwan and Spain. Bureaucracy seems more headache-inducing to take my wheels to Spain, though, actually. Taiwan, due to taking pride in some sort of national automobile industry (not one that I'm aware of), simply likes imports of vehicular nature to be discreet (and they've actually got some nice riding country, too, as I've recently found out). Also, given the value of the US dollar vs. Taiwan's currency, it's probably the cheaper option so far as taxes and fees go. But shipping would still be pretty steep, I'm sure. At any rate, I will be going to visit my cousin in Taiwan after graduation. His wife already knows someone who would have a job for me, and he has a moped or two that I could use to get around (not an FJ, I know, but still two wheels). I'm still applying to Spain, just in case Taiwan is too alien for me to adjust (though I doubt it; I'm a happy-go-lucky sort of guy). As for the FJ, I think the initial plan might be to surprise a cousin of mine here. I already know he loves the machine, so I'm betting he'd love to look after her until I figure things out. My brother doesn't want to learn how to ride, so leaving her for him to take care of would be almost criminal.

Sorry for the text block. I know no other way.

[airheadPete]

Spain. 

BIKE magazine just salivates at the riding there, and you can go to all sorts of interesting places. (I don't know if you'd get island fever on Taiwan, but it is a monoculture.)
Shipping the bike sounds like a royal PITA, I'd just buy local. (You know, I've seen so much interesting stuff in Europe, I'd think of buying something classic there, and bringing it back here when (if) you come home.)
Licensing might be interesting.... Do they reciprocate US driver's licenses, or would you have to prove yourself all over again on a bike?