tuk tuk

[katoranger]

Since my bother moved his family to Bangkok the possibilty of importing a Tuk Tuk might be better. My mom wanted a golf cart to ride around town. (legal in rural Kansas)

[Weldangrind]

Bangkok? Wow! That would be an amazing experience.

Get on the Tuk Tuk!

[Krasi_BG]

In Bulgarian, "tuk tuk" means "here here" :D:D:D

[katoranger]

It is a different experience. They just moved into their house. Will be there for 2 years. Maybe I should see if we can fill a container with Tuk Tuks.

[SpudRider]

If I may ask, why did he move to Bangkok?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAIFOR0Tmyw

Indeed, get a Tuk Tuk. :tup:

[katoranger]

They are missionaries. Both of them will be working in a Christian International school in Bangkok.

[SpudRider]

That is what I surmised. :tup:

[Weldangrind]

Me too. I hope he and his family have a safe and rewarding journey.

[humanbeing]

NE Thailand had many "Skylab" http://www.akepanich.com/what-is-skylab-tuktuk that powered by chinese engine (CG125 based OR horizontal "workhorse")

[katoranger]

They have gone on short term trips, but this is their first long term.

Humanbeing. I like the skylab, but the ones that have the wider tires interest me more.

[culcune]

'Oldgringo' has posted many photos of tuk tuks where he lives in Peru. I believe the majority of those use Lifan engines or are made by Lifan (remember the tuk tuk race photos?)

My guess; to get around EPA, bring them in without engines. I know I could get these street plated in Arizona, although I would guess that other states would frown on that idea!

[Weldangrind]

I've often wondered if, once you get something like that registered in one State (like AZ), if you could transfer it to another State. That would be terrific.

[katoranger]

My thought was to import one that was more than 25 years old.

[culcune]

I've often wondered if, once you get something like that registered in one State (like AZ), if you could transfer it to another State. That would be terrific.

From what the owner of Excalibur told me for street registering one of the TMEC 200's they sell in California, there are a couple ways. First, he could register one himself as under a 'dealer' plate. But that is for himself only, and since a California dealer would generally not carry a TMEC, that would be for his own personal use (since he is a dealer and a distributor).

More commonly would be for someone to buy one, register it, and move to California later on. This would most likely be true for other states.

That being said, California does not recognize all the bikes and quads that are legally street registered in Arizona--that would be a definite no-go! I would assume that only the states that also street register ATVs and UTVs would allow a state to state transfer of such vehicles. I would believe that a tuk tuk would fit into this category, too--only registerable in a state like AZ, but only transferable to other states where 'oddball' vehicles can be street registered.

The only loophole would be someone who lived in Mexico and rode into California--but the tuk tuk would have to remain in Mexico (I am basing this on Mexican plated mini-trucks I have seen driving around in border cities of California).

[culcune]

My thought was to import one that was more than 25 years old.

Could work, but read my post above; it might not work in every state. Something to think about, though...

[Weldangrind]

That being said, California does not recognize all the bikes and quads that are legally street registered in Arizona--that would be a definite no-go! I would assume that only the states that also street register ATVs and UTVs would allow a state to state transfer of such vehicles. I would believe that a tuk tuk would fit into this category, too--only registerable in a state like AZ, but only transferable to other states where 'oddball' vehicles can be street registered.

The only loophole would be someone who lived in Mexico and rode into California--but the tuk tuk would have to remain in Mexico (I am basing this on Mexican plated mini-trucks I have seen driving around in border cities of California).

That's so odd, since Cali allows bumper cars on the street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE32HLa8IOk

[culcune]

That's so odd, since Cali allows bumper cars on the street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE32HLa8IOk

There are often weird loopholes in California, too, so if someone really and truly tried, a tuk tuk would and could be plated in California. I just wonder how and what these are considered to be plated? Everything in AZ that is not a car seems to be plated as a motorcycle. Polaris UTVs I see driving on the streets have 'MC' plates. The bumper cars looked like automobile plates?

Kind of weird things to put on the street if you ask me--a tuk tuk would have utility capabilities at least!

[katoranger]

Kansas allows UTVs to be used on local roads. The tuk tuk would likely fall under this category.

It is not uncommon to see ATVs and UTVs parked at restaurants and other places. If it can be accessed without going on a federal highway it is pretty much fair game. It is also up to the local municipality to decide if they wish for them to be operated in town. This is a revenue stream for them. It would cost me $20 a year to get the sticker for in town use.

[culcune]

These people sell brand new tuk tuks for over $6k...according to the site, they are 50 state legal.

http://tangotrikes.com/

[Barnone]

culcune,
Gonna get a tuk tuks one of these days.
Maybe I will visit the dealer when I return to Florida in November.

[katoranger]

What dealer in Florida?

[culcune]

The site I found the link was gekgo http://www.gekgo.com/

Embedded in that weird site was http://tangotrikes.com/

Somewhere in there is the dealer...

[oldgringo]

I've got a bunch of mototaxi (tuk tuk) photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/motoperu/sets/72157627790783903/

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the link to the great photographs, OG. :)

[Weldangrind]

Oldgringo, I'm always grateful for your pics. There was one B&W pic on the third page that looked as if it could have been from 40 years ago.

I like the pic on the third page of the truck loaded down with potatoes. I've never seen a trike truck with duallies before.

[culcune]

Oldgringo, I'm always grateful for your pics. There was one B&W pic on the third page that looked as if it could have been from 40 years ago.

I like the pic on the third page of the truck loaded down with potatoes. I've never seen a trike truck with duallies before.

I bet he could publish a coffee table photo book just with Peruvian tuk tuks as the topic! Good to see you again, Oldgringo. You are in Ecuador now?

[oldgringo]

No, I'm back in Oregon for a few weeks, I'm heading back to Ecuador next month

[JTHSPACE]

RESPONSE TO A VERY OLD POST - but may be of interest.

People were importing them into the U.K. under a "personal import" ticket which meant it was exempt form many of the rules. A dealer would have greater issues in meeting EU compliance. People were hoping to use them as cheap taxis but they could not get a Public Service Vehicle plate as they don't meet construction and use regulations (what a surprise).

On my many visits to Sri Lanka, I used them all the time - some are so souped up, they do wheelies. I don't remember seeing much above a 350cc engine, but they could move like **** off a shovel.

Jeff