Importing (?) USA Model Triumph Motorcycle

I am moving to the UK. I have a USA model 2012 Triumph Bonneville. I have to decide soon whether to ship it or sell it. I hate to part with it because I am the original owner and I've taken care of it. It will also cost more to buy a similar machine in the UK than I could sell it for her

I know it qualifies for import in every respect except that I can't figure out if it will pass the emission test. UK requires <4.5% CO while USEPA requires < 12mg/km CO. Where does one begin to convert that?!?!

I have contacted Triumph HQ and a few dealers and can't get an answer. I'm in Washington state so there are no more emission testing stations.

Does anyone have any insight on whether the machine can pass UK emissions or what would be required to convert it?

Thanks

e.

Triumph finally answered and my machine will be fine.

Just look into your lights. I know nothing about motorbikes but I'm assuming they function similarly to car lights.

If so, your dipped beam will be pointing to the right to light up the kerb in USA. When you come to the UK, they will be pointing to the right which will be dazzling oncoming traffic. This will need addressing if your Triumph has this headlight pattern. If not, ignore me haha.

Sorry Ben, motorcycles only have one headlight. Doesn't matter which side of the road you drive on.
However, past experience has indicated that Guy on a Bonneville should make sure that all documentation
accompanies the bike in shipment and that he has a copy on his person. Customs and shippers don't
always communicate very well.
Good Luck on the move.

Sorry Ben, motorcycles only have one headlight. Doesn't matter which side of the road you drive on.
However, past experience has indicated that Guy on a Bonneville should make sure that all documentation
accompanies the bike in shipment and that he has a copy on his person. Customs and shippers don't
always communicate very well.
Good Luck on the move.

Yes it does matter which side you drive on because depending on the headlights they are very likely to have a beam pattern. If they have a beam pattern they will literally beam the light high up on one side. It is to help see pedestrians and signage. No matter if it's one headlight or two. It will also be an MOT (inspection) fail if not aligned correctly.

An American car/motorbike will have the beam light up higher to the right for your kerbs and roadside signs. When you come to the UK this will then shine into opposing drivers' eyes, which is dangerous. When British drivers drive into Europe they have to install a blocker to block the higher light to the wrong side.

It's usually a simple fix but I thought I'd let him be aware because it's easy to fall into a false sense of security because naturally you think motorbikes are 'mono' and not biased to a side of the road. However, headlights do have a bias.

US/European beam patterns are like this ____/ ____/ when they should be like \____ \____ in the UK.

Yes it does matter which side you drive on because depending on the headlights they are very likely to have a beam pattern. If they have a beam pattern they will literally beam the light high up on one side. It is to help see pedestrians and signage. No matter if it's one headlight or two. It will also be an MOT (inspection) fail if not aligned correctly.

An American car/motorbike will have the beam light up higher to the right for your kerbs and roadside signs. When you come to the UK this will then shine into opposing drivers' eyes, which is dangerous. When British drivers drive into Europe they have to install a blocker to block the higher light to the wrong side.

It's usually a simple fix but I thought I'd let him be aware because it's easy to fall into a false sense of security because naturally you think motorbikes are 'mono' and not biased to a side of the road. However, headlights do have a bias.

US/European beam patterns are like this ____/ ____/ when they should be like \____ \____ in the UK.

Not that it's necessary, but I can confirm that Ben is not talking total nonsense, at least about cars.   As someone who used to frequently drive my car in France, this is a real thing.  I used to have to buy stickers to put on my headlights for France and those were a PITA.  My new car has little flipppy levers on the headlights and you have to pop the hood and do the levers while in the tunnel.  Fun fact, if you put your hood up while in the tunnel, the staff absolutely lose their sh*t.  You'll immediately have 3 or 4 people running up, asking you if your car is broken.  I guess if a car gets broken down inside the train it would be a nightmare to get out and everyone would be stuck behind it. 
 

Fun fact, if you put your hood up while in the tunnel, the staff absolutely lose their sh*t.  You'll immediately have 3 or 4 people running up, asking you if your car is broken.  I guess if a car gets broken down inside the train it would be a nightmare to get out and everyone would be stuck behind it.

Workaround:  Arrive in France in daylight so you can flip the lever on the other side.

And proving that you are never too old to learn something new -- Ben is absolutely correct
about the aiming of motorcycle headlights as well as cars. There is a MOT guide with
very detailed instructions on motorcycle headlights.
Thanks for the education, Ben.

And proving that you are never too old to learn something new -- Ben is absolutely correct
about the aiming of motorcycle headlights as well as cars. There is a MOT guide with
very detailed instructions on motorcycle headlights.
Thanks for the education, Ben.

Not a problem at all. In fairness, I only know this because Brits driving on the left side of the road is unique so we're always taught about it when driving to France etc (which is common to do here). Elsewhere in the world you'd most likely not be switching sides of the road when leaving the country 

I checked the MSVA manual and the spec and my headlamp conforms to the UK standard. It doesn't dip left or right. I can take it staright in for inspection once Covid restrictions go away.

What bugs me is that they don't make left dipping headlights for the Toyota Solara. It's North American market only. Best car I ever had. Now it will be the best car my grandson ever has.

I took the Bonneville in for its MSVA inspection and it passed with no problem. The CO emissions were well below UK standard. Oh, what a surprise that a British made bike passed the British inspection! Even the inspector couldn't conceal his smirk.

After that inspection which cost 85 GBP and the fee to transport it to the inspection station because I couldn't insure it, I immediately shelled out another 30 for the MOT which duplicated the MSVA inspection but was less stringent.

I then sent another 115 GBP to Swansea to register the bike and they have yet to respond...

Even though it has been an unnecessarily expensive endeavor, I would do it again because I have owned the bike since it was new and know that my dealer and I took good care of it. Also, I would not have been able to sell it in the USA and buy a similar quality bike here for the money.

If you are thinking of bringing your motorcycle, that's the story so far.

Great news to hear about the passing! It's interesting you're able to do an MOT inspection before the bike is registered. I'd expect it the other way round but it's at least the biggest concern out of the way now.

DVLA are overwhelmed at the moment due to people working from home. I bought a new car in January and only got my ownership papers (V5C) three weeks ago. Hopefully you'll get yours sooner in time for summer. My dealer could have just taken ages to submit the forms, however.