Registering a bike in France

[mogv8]

So I have read through the 'registering a car in France' thread, which is good stuff and answers most things I believe, so are there any differences in how a bike should be registered and the rules around bikes in general?

Also is it four years from new for the first Controle Technique for bikes as well or are there different rules for bikes?

Thanks in advance.

[leyorkie]

Sorry no experience in registering a bike but I'm told that there is no CT for bikes.
I have never seen a test centre when car test centres are all over the place.

[smifffymoto]

France also has the stupid 100bhp limit,if your bike is more they will refuse to register it unless you can prove it's been restricted

[mogv8]

Interesting, no CT.

Worth re-registering then, saves bringing the bike back once a year for MOT !!

[eljeffo64]

I've done 2 of mine - definitely no CT but you might have CoC problems over 106bhp stock. Was very straightforward.

[mogv8]

Thanks, was it expensive? Any fees involved?

Also did the need to inspect it, for headlight adjustment etc?

[Driller]

mogv8 said:

Thanks, was it expensive? Any fees involved?

Also did the need to inspect it, for headlight adjustment etc?

Coc for my Tiger was E120 from Triumph in 2002 if that's any help. I seem to remember I payed something like E50 to the Prefecture de Paris for the Carte Gris.

[Marcellus]

I'm not 100% sure but I think that there is some "inspection" as a friend had to replace the whole speedo block (not sure of correct name) as his only showed MPH.

If there weren't some form of inspection who would know?

[Pvapour]

have re-registered 12 of my mtoto thus far.

post June 2003 bikes with COC generally go through with no problem as they have the latter style COC which complies with later regs which falls in line with euro legislation that indicates if you are a non French citizen / Brit you are entitled to register your moto whatever the power output (can give you the link to french and English version if you want).

I got caught out on my GSXR 1000 as it was pre june 2003 (this is how I found out on the landscape v portrait style COC) sold to a french guy on englich plates in the end who is still 2 years later struggling to put it through due to cam change, ecu change etc etc....

since then:

following bikes all ok with NO changes whatsoever: CBR600 R8, 2008 R6, BMW 1200 GS adv, BMW 1200 GS, Harley FatBoy, V-rod, Superduke R, Aprilia Tuono R (only 4 of these broke HP limits but no probs)

BMW 1200RT 2008, changed headlight e170, decrease pwr by BMW concessionaire e40 (ecu altered took 30 min)

the 1200RT had a lever for the headlight to change to RH driving side but they said it was insufficient?? little money earner for them I think, wasn't though as I bought the light 2nd hand and fitted it myself

all in all a fairly straight forward experience with COC in hand, if you live near a big city they seem more laid back in pushing things through.

Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 3rd April 09:57

[Driller]

Pvapour said:

post June 2003 bikes with COC generally go through with no problem as they have the latter style COC which complies with later regs which falls in line with euro legislation that indicates if you are a non French citizen / Brit you are entitled to register your moto whatever the power output (can give you the link to french and English version if you want).

Can you pôst a link to this info please?

What about insurance? Surely if you have an accident and they do an expertise and find out the bike is debridé you xwon't be covered?

Be great if it was true, I'd buy a ZZR1400 in a flash.

[Pvapour]

Driller said:

Pvapour said:

post June 2003 bikes with COC generally go through with no problem as they have the latter style COC which complies with later regs which falls in line with euro legislation that indicates if you are a non French citizen / Brit you are entitled to register your moto whatever the power output (can give you the link to french and English version if you want).

Can you pôst a link to this info please?

What about insurance? Surely if you have an accident and they do an expertise and find out the bike is debridé you xwon't be covered?

Be great if it was true, I'd buy a ZZR1400 in a flash.

axa will insure a non french citizen riding a french registered bike in France which exceeds the 106 hp limit, the 106 hp limit is a gentlemans agreement on new or used motos sold in France by companies, either import or homegrown (dont know of any big bike French manufacturers though) but privately 'in theory' you can ride what HP you like.

have a read, there is the french version half way down, but remember the french can still stick to their guns sometimes, hence why I have HAD TO change the HP on the 1200 RT but this was only 40euros so no biggy, most later bikes of today I imagine would be fairly simple, just change it back once re-registered and tell your insurance

http://www.bikeclubfrance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?...

[Driller]

Pvapour said:

Driller said:

Pvapour said:

post June 2003 bikes with COC generally go through with no problem as they have the latter style COC which complies with later regs which falls in line with euro legislation that indicates if you are a non French citizen / Brit you are entitled to register your moto whatever the power output (can give you the link to french and English version if you want).

Can you pôst a link to this info please?

What about insurance? Surely if you have an accident and they do an expertise and find out the bike is debridé you xwon't be covered?

Be great if it was true, I'd buy a ZZR1400 in a flash.

axa will insure a non french citizen riding a french registered bike in France which exceeds the 106 hp limit, the 106 hp limit is a gentlemans agreement on new or used motos sold in France by companies, either import or homegrown (dont know of any big bike French manufacturers though) but privately 'in theory' you can ride what HP you like.

have a read, there is the french version half way down, but remember the french can still stick to their guns sometimes, hence why I have HAD TO change the HP on the 1200 RT but this was only 40euros so no biggy, most later bikes of today I imagine would be fairly simple, just change it back once re-registered and tell your insurance

http://www.bikeclubfrance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?...

Thanks for the link but not only do you have to register (which I did) but you have to have made at least 10 posts to be able to read anything

However, I've lived here for 10 years and have a fair few biker friends. That and knowing very well what the French admistration is like (remember, they love paper over here) I would say you are playing with fire trying to buck the system (silly though it is) in this way.

I have heard a few stories about clued up police arriving on the scene of accidents and knowing how to tell if a bike is debridé eg a cable stop the accelerator cable on a Speed Triple.

There was one well known case where a chap had an accident and killed himself and the other biker instantly. His family have lost everything and will be paying the family of the other biker for the rest of their lives.

[Pvapour]

it is using the system rather than bucking it, nothing illegal if the prefecture register the high HP machine (says on the COC and you pay the registration fee based on HP) and then you inform your insurance of its HP.

They will NOT insure a French rider on a French license riding a bike over 106hp so you may have difficulty selling, but as long as you hold a non french driving license you are ok.

[Driller]

Pvapour said:

it is using the system rather than bucking it, nothing illegal if the prefecture register the high HP machine (says on the COC and you pay the registration fee based on HP) and then you inform your insurance of its HP.

They will NOT insure a French rider on a French license riding a bike over 106hp so you may have difficulty selling, but as long as you hold a non french driving license you are ok.

I just can't see the prefecture giving a carte gris for a bike over 106hp.

When you say AXA insures bikes over 106hp, do you mean AXA France or AXA UK? Is that on a UK address or a French one?

Fair enough if it works for you but I just don't see how the authorities will treat one group differently from another here and I just wouldn't take the risk.

When I get to 10 posts I'll have a butchers at that forum, it looks bloody handy

[Pvapour]

Driller said:

Pvapour said:

it is using the system rather than bucking it, nothing illegal if the prefecture register the high HP machine (says on the COC and you pay the registration fee based on HP) and then you inform your insurance of its HP.

They will NOT insure a French rider on a French license riding a bike over 106hp so you may have difficulty selling, but as long as you hold a non french driving license you are ok.

I just can't see the prefecture giving a carte gris for a bike over 106hp.

When you say AXA insures bikes over 106hp, do you mean AXA France or AXA UK? Is that on a UK address or a French one?

Fair enough if it works for you but I just don't see how the authorities will treat one group differently from another here and I just wouldn't take the risk.

When I get to 10 posts I'll have a butchers at that forum, it looks bloody handy

AXA France, they have an english speaking department when you phone.

guess its an experiential thing eh, to be fair I'm not even bothered about the 106hp limit as most of my bikes are bellow it anyway

just letting you know my experience, not selling it to you, you do as you are comfortable

take care

[Driller]

Pvapour said:

Driller said:

Pvapour said:

it is using the system rather than bucking it, nothing illegal if the prefecture register the high HP machine (says on the COC and you pay the registration fee based on HP) and then you inform your insurance of its HP.

They will NOT insure a French rider on a French license riding a bike over 106hp so you may have difficulty selling, but as long as you hold a non french driving license you are ok.

I just can't see the prefecture giving a carte gris for a bike over 106hp.

When you say AXA insures bikes over 106hp, do you mean AXA France or AXA UK? Is that on a UK address or a French one?

Fair enough if it works for you but I just don't see how the authorities will treat one group differently from another here and I just wouldn't take the risk.

When I get to 10 posts I'll have a butchers at that forum, it looks bloody handy

AXA France, they have an english speaking department when you phone.

guess its an experiential thing eh, to be fair I'm not even bothered about the 106hp limit as most of my bikes are bellow it anyway

just letting you know my experience, not selling it to you, you do as you are comfortable

take care

I agree about the 106hp thing, it still works out at over 500bhp per ton for a lot of bikes.

I suppose my teeth sucking is a reaction of 8 years of being brow beaten by the French administration and hearing some horror stories. I'd hate to see anyone else to fall foul of the system.

Bon route

[mogv8]

Guys, this has been really useful info.

I am almost certain to be below 106hp anyway so not an issue in that respect, but its good to see the system seems relatively straightforward. Its given me some confidence to buy in the UK and ship to France 12 months later which was the plan.

Thanks for the advice and guidance.

[Pvapour]

registered my 1200 RT & Tuono R today, both straight through, 120hp & 140hp

[Driller]

Pvapour said:

registered my 1200 RT & Tuono R today, both straight through, 120hp & 140hp

Did they ask for a CoC then and did you insure with Axa again?

[Driller]

Good news! Just heard that from from 2012 no more bridage en France!!

Conflicting reports put the date at july this year and beginning of next year. Anyone got any more info?

That 150hp Multistrada is looking more and more like a good replacement for the tiger