They've recently changed the rules on registering vehicles here so that you don't need to go to the prefecture in the departement where you reside - but you still need to show proof of your residence in France in order to effect the change in registration.
I'd also question the notion that you don't need a controle technique (though someone here surely has current experience with this). If the bike in question is currently registered in France, it should work like the purchase of any used vehicle in France. What I find on the Service Public site (Certificat d'immatriculation (ex-carte grise), achat d'un véhicule d'occasion en France - Service-public.fr ) claims that a current inspection report (within 6 months) has to be presented for the transfer of any "vehicle." The only exception I can find for this is if you are registering a "cyclomoteur" which is a motor bike of less than 50 cc. or if the vehicle you're buying is less than 4 years old. But the controle technique is indicated on the carte grise (i.e. the registration document) so there's no getting around this one.
What you probably need is a friend in France who can handle the transaction for you (in French).
With luck, some of the biker types out there will have more information.
Cheers,
Bev
I'd also question the notion that you don't need a controle technique (though someone here surely has current experience with this). If the bike in question is currently registered in France, it should work like the purchase of any used vehicle in France. What I find on the Service Public site (Certificat d'immatriculation (ex-carte grise), achat d'un véhicule d'occasion en France - Service-public.fr ) claims that a current inspection report (within 6 months) has to be presented for the transfer of any "vehicle." The only exception I can find for this is if you are registering a "cyclomoteur" which is a motor bike of less than 50 cc. or if the vehicle you're buying is less than 4 years old. But the controle technique is indicated on the carte grise (i.e. the registration document) so there's no getting around this one.
What you probably need is a friend in France who can handle the transaction for you (in French).
With luck, some of the biker types out there will have more information.
Cheers,
Bev
