Insurance for non residents, or scooter rental

[GFlint]

Currently live away from the UK but missing the rallies.
Considering buying a scoot to leave in a friends house, would there be an issue with registration/insurance if you don't reside there? Alternative is to rent one for the time needed if there is such an option?
Anyone have an idea?

Tks

[warts]

I think if you have a reliable address then there is no problem. As the vast majority of people, as "registered keeper" have the same address, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of account taken of people in your situation, or of people who are "mobile".
As long as you are good, or at least respond, should any begging letters from the DVLA or Police arrive, then how is there a problem?
There are a couple of European insurance brokers who issue cover for overseas visitors so they can ride legally, but I can't see you needing that, as you have all your ducks in a row address wise.

[Lamaddict]

If it's an imported 125, I think is easy to use it in EU without much hassle on the registration side.

I lived in France for a few years and had UK registered 200 there, I kept up the UK insurance, I think Never got bothered by the local police. I once got pulled up for flickering lights but they just let me know and I rode on.

[GFlint]

The scoot would be kept in UK, its just my licence is now Portuguese so address on it would not match that of registered keeper. Can't see it being a problem, easier would be to borrow one and make sure I was insured for it, but then can't guarantee scoot would be available when I need it

[warts]

If the insurance covers you, and you have permission from the registered keeper and an MOT+ tax if necessary, the fact you have a non UK licence is a non issue.
If you became a permanent resident, then after 6(?) months you should apply for a UK licence. If you are a frequent (or not) short term visitor, then it doesn't matter.
You could always get yourself an IDP - International Drivers Permit, issued by the local equivalent of the AA - cost about £5, which is effectively a translation of your Portuguese licence.

[GFlint]

Licence came yesterday, it's identical to the UK plastic one with no paper bit. Apparently no problem to hire a car in the UK so shouldn't be an issue.
Warts, you are correct, the 6 months rule meant I got a Portuguese licence.
Think I will contact DVLA and insurance company and ask the question, will give feed back in due course.
Gary