Out-of-State Motorcycle Registration?

[Grant]

Recently, I did a little online research (NH DMV) regarding motorcycle registration in NH. I was toying with the idea of one day buying a bike to keep up at the Lake. However, it seems that the registration process would preclude a "non-resident" from doing so. The only alternative would be to buy one at home and then ride it up to NH (439 miles of the most congested highways in the country...no thanks). This seems rather contradictory, as out-of-staters can readily register boats in the state.

Do any non-residents on the Forum have related experience? It seems that I should be able to buy and register the vehicle in the state if it's just going to remain there and be inspected there.

[Skip]

...Recently, I did a little online research (NH DMV) regarding motorcycle registration in NH. I was toying with the idea of one day buying a bike to keep up at the Lake...

Hi Grant.....give DMV a call at 603-271-2251


261:46 Nonresident Registration.

– Notwithstanding RSA 261:45, a nonresident who garages a vehicle primarily in this state may register such vehicle in this state as a nonresident. A vehicle is garaged primarily in this state if it is garaged in this state for at least 350 days of the registration year. No exemption from the payment of a permit fee shall be granted by reason of nonresidence except by the director, who shall in all cases require proof satisfactory to him or her of residence elsewhere, and of the liability of a nonresident owner, otherwise entitled to such exemption, to pay a property tax on the vehicle for the current year in the state of his or her residence.

[Grant]

You rule. Many thanks.

Gotta love this place. I knew there had to be some way.

[offmycloud]

Thanks guys! I just called and you must own property in NH to do so. All you have to do is go to the town clerk's office to register it.

This solves a major problem for me. I have a car registered in IL that I keep in NH. However, I need an IL emissions test by this month on it or they are taking my license away!! I was trying to figure a way around it and this is it.

[Grant]

Years ago, my grandparents moved from NH to Florida, and kept their lake house. They would drive up each spring and stay 'til September, when they would drive back. One year, they decided the drive was a bit much (eyesight and reflexes having deteriorated a bit), so the parked the car in the garage and got a ride to the airport. It was easier to manage the registration and insurance, because the car was registered in Florida, which at the time had no state inspection. Keeping the car there made sense, and was made possible because they had a garage. I think that 1973 Ford had about 50,000 miles on it in 1986.

Thanks for the answers. It looks like this isn't such a nosebleed after all.

:cheers:

[SIKSUKR]

Thanks guys! However, I need an IL emissions test by this month on it or they are taking my license away!! I was trying to figure a way around it and this is it.

You'll need an emission test in NH also when you have the vehicle inspected.

[offmycloud]

That's no big deal - I just could not haul it back to IL to have it done.

[Seeker]

Some states used to allow you to get an out of state inspection sticker if you weren't going to return to your home state for a long time (military, etc). I don't know if this still applies.

[Waterbaby]

You'll need an emission test in NH also when you have the vehicle inspected.

Doesn't it depend on what year the car is, though? I remember thinking that was an extremely foolish law when it was passed, the newer cars had to have the emissions test done on them whereas the older ones didn't. Perhaps Skip could find the appropriate RSA if he is reading this thread.

[Skip]

Doesn't it depend on what year the car is, though? I remember thinking that was an extremely foolish law when it was passed, the newer cars had to have the emissions test done on them whereas the older ones didn't. Perhaps Skip could find the appropriate RSA if he is reading this thread.

All cars and light trucks in New Hampshire vintage 1996 or newer must submit to emissions testing.

THIS (http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/emissions/index.html) link takes you to the DMV explanation page.

[Smith Point]

Skip, does the same rule apply to off road vehicles? Snowmobiles, boats, atv’s dirt bikes etc?

[phoenix]

does the 350 days apply to a car. When we registered our car last year they told us that you couldn't have the vehicle out of the state over night

[PennyPenny]

All cars and light trucks in New Hampshire vintage 1996 or newer must submit to emissions testing.

THIS (http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/emissions/index.html) link takes you to the DMV explanation page.[/QUOTE]

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c3200.html

[offmycloud]

You can now have it out of the state for 15 days per year, including overnight, hence the 350 days. It's a new rule.

[Dave R]

The most important part of this entire discussion was left out. What kind of bike are you planning to get?

If you've never ridden a modern sportbike, I highly recommend that you try one. Even though I'm nearly 42 and should have outgrown such things by now, I love mine and ride it 10,000 miles a year.

I've done 450 miles of nothing but back roads in a day, you could bypass the highways and take the scenic route north to NY and then west through VT to NH, if you chose to buy one in PA. Sportbikes are far more comfy than they look.

[offmycloud]

To be totally cool get something Italian, like Moto Guzzi or Ducati. Personally I would go Ducati - like Ducati Monster.

[Dave R]

To be totally cool get something Italian, like Moto Guzzi or Ducati. Personally I would go Ducati - like Ducati Monster.

Ducati 1098S or Hypermotard (or one of each) would suit me just fine... They look fantastic, ride like a dream, and have the most pleasant exhaust sounds.

[offmycloud]

Ducati 1098S or Hypermotard (or one of each) would suit me just fine... They look fantastic, ride like a dream, and have the most pleasant exhaust sounds.

Amen bro - can't get much cooler than this:
http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2008/ModelPage.jhtml?family=SportClassic&model=SCSPORT1000BIP-08

[VitaBene]

Dave, Off,

What are you folks riding? We should have a forum ride some time!

[offmycloud]

Dave, Off,

What are you folks riding? We should have a forum ride some time!

I'll be on something Italian this summer I hope. Forum ride would be fun.

[Dave R]

Dave, Off,

What are you folks riding? We should have a forum ride some time!

My main ride is well-worn '01 ZX9R that I got new (as a birthday gift from my awesome wife) in 2002 and have no desire to replace. It's a wonderful street bike with over 60,000 miles of back road use. Like my beat-up old Aerostich suit, it fits me like a glove. I also have an '86 Concours with over 100,000 miles, but I hardly ride it anymore and will probably sell it this year.

I lust for a Ducati, but not enough to buy one. Same lust I have for classic Donzis.

[Formula260SS]

I too have an interest in the Italian bikes, I rode an Aprilla during a demo day and loved it ! But for now I ride my American made bike, it's more suited for what my riding style should be. I'd be interested in a forum ride if nobody has anything against a slow, poor handling HD. (Actually it dosen't handle that bad for a bagger)

[chipj29]

I am trying to convince my wife that I need to pick up a new-to-me BMW R1150RT. My angle is gas mileage. Bike would get over 40mpg. My car only gets 30mpg. Think she will go for it? ;)

[SIKSUKR]

I am trying to convince my wife that I need to pick up a new-to-me BMW R1150RT. My angle is gas mileage. Bike would get over 40mpg. My car only gets 30mpg. Think she will go for it? ;)

She might if you str-e-t-c-h the truth and say it gets 100 mpg.

[Dave R]

I am trying to convince my wife that I need to pick up a new-to-me BMW R1150RT. My angle is gas mileage. Bike would get over 40mpg. My car only gets 30mpg. Think she will go for it? ;)

The gas mileage is a good angle, but it's more than offset by the need for new tires (at $230 a set, mail order, self-installed) every 6000 miles or less. If you buy the tires locally and have them installed, it's closer to $400 a set. I buy 2 to 3 sets of tires a season, so I put them on myself.

[Dave R]

I am trying to convince my wife that I need to pick up a new-to-me BMW R1150RT. My angle is gas mileage. Bike would get over 40mpg. My car only gets 30mpg. Think she will go for it? ;)

Make sure the bike does not have a history of transmission input shaft/clutch hub failures. Quite a few those did and it's expensive to fix.

[chipj29]

She might if you str-e-t-c-h the truth and say it gets 100 mpg.
I would never do such a thing. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The gas mileage is a good angle, but it's more than offset by the need for new tires (at $230 a set, mail order, self-installed) every 6000 miles or less. If you buy the tires locally and have them installed, it's closer to $400 a set. I buy 2 to 3 sets of tires a season, so I put them on myself.
I am not sure I would go through tires that quickly. At least on my current bike I don't.
Make sure the bike does not have a history of transmission input shaft/clutch hub failures. Quite a few those did and it's expensive to fix.
Thanks, I will check on that if I end up buying that bike.