Topic: Importing motorcycles

[hondaface75]

I was wondering how hard it is to get overseas bikes that arent available here. I know it can be done with cars from japan and after changing a few things on them. Anyone done it before?

[rhos1355]

Where's "here"?

[hondaface75]

The USA. I like alot of the European bikes compaired to what they offer here.

[rhos1355]

I was always under the impression that you had a much more varied availbility of bikes, whether classic or new. And a much more reasonable price range too.

[Coyote13]

I'm no industry expert or anything, but it seems apparent that many manufacturers offer different configurations of bikes we get here and also many platforms that we never even see mention of. Like the cb400 for example? I probably wouldn't even know they existed if I wasn't on this forum.

[xfactor]

I was always under the impression that you had a much more varied availbility of bikes, whether classic or new. And a much more reasonable price range too.

I think thats true to some extent, however there are a good number of bikes that we cant get a hold of. For instance many Hondas in the USA are either sport bikes, or some cruisers. I love the look of the Tranalps, but cant get one over here, so  I either have to get a BMW GS or a KLR650.  We are pretty limited in terms of different bikes, and I think it all goes back to the 80s when Honda and some other manufactures tried bringing bikes like the Transalp over, and no one bought one.

[Laminar]

I was always under the impression that you had a much more varied availbility of bikes, whether classic or new. And a much more reasonable price range too.

Prices may be more reasonable, but our selection is limited, especially when it comes to naked/standards and smaller bikes. If it's not a crotch rocket or big displacement v-twin cruiser, it won't sell well.

[hondaface75]

I was always under the impression that you had a much more varied availbility of bikes, whether classic or new. And a much more reasonable price range too.

Prices may be more reasonable, but our selection is limited, especially when it comes to naked/standards and smaller bikes. If it's not a crotch rocket or big displacement v-twin cruiser, it won't sell well.

Agreed, the prices I can deal with. Hell everything is expensive now. But I dont want a harley, or any kind of cruiser. Havent seen any good standards. And dont think a sport bike is worth the cost when your not gonna race it. I wouldnt mind a small displacement sport bike, but we have none. And Buell is gone now too. They only option over here for small sport is the new Ninja 250, which is nice. But, its not a Honda. So what are my options then? I'd pay a little extra to have an imported bike that I actually want. And hell, it'd be rare too

[gmonkey]

If you're looking for a smaller displacement sport bike, there were a few of them around in the late 80's/early 90's.  I was looking into 4-cylinder sub-600 cc bikes a while ago and there's a few although they're pretty rare: CB-1 (what I thought about when someone said cb400), FZR400, VF500, GSF400, etc.  Finding one of these might be less trouble than importing one.

There's also the VTR250, a v-twin 88-90 model years, which I see on craigslist from time to time.

[hondaface75]

All options sure. But I need a new bike. Ive got old ones  I want a turn key, brand spankin new, no PO bike. Im tired of fixing things just to ride. I should have specified, sorry.

[j squared]

I am pretty sure motorcycles have to follow the same regulations as cars when it comes to importing, which means getting one from a registered importer, having it converted to US specs for things like mirrors, glass and turn signals (probably not that big a deal for a bike), doing an emissions test through the EPA to get it smog certified (if one of that exact year and model hasn't been tested by the EPA already), then having the deregistration paperwork from the country of origin to get a new US VIN, and registering it like any other cycle after.  Pretty lengthy process.  The hardest part for cars is the crash testing, which is obviously very expensive, so if you can skip this requirement for a bike it would be a LOT easier.

Thats if you are going the completely legit route.  Its pretty costly and time consuming, which is why most people (that I know at least) go the gray market route and just kinda make things work out

[demon78]

yes it would be nice to be able to get a small twin 259-350 that was new and not a crotch rocket, some thing that you could commute with and go green laning on the weekend. Wouldn't have to be too fast or heavy and not too expensive.
Bill the demon.

[rhos1355]

Transalps?? Jeez, they're BOGOF here (Buy one get one free)

Having said that, it was my first bike, albeit the 600 one. Fine bike, but it don't set the world on fire. To overtake a car, on our roads I had to take 3 days leave.

Bullet proof engine tho'.

[hondaface75]

Did a quick google for motorcycle importers and didnt find much of anything. I figured there would be a company, at least on the west coast that would do this. I guess not. That leaves me with the gray areas.

[OWilde]

There are several new under 500cc bikes I would love to own--but they don't make it over to the US.

Light weight,  good MPGs,  and for me at least cheaper to insure--just my cuppa tea.

The Ninja 400R (sort of the replacement for the Ninja 500) is available in Canada,  but not stateside.  Seems anything under 650 is a VERY tough sell here.

Too bad for us,  really.  I have 2 pre-2008 ex250s (Ninja 250) and love their wee hearts.  Tough as nails and rev like mad--peg feelers don't last very long,  nor do Pirelli MT75 rear tires.  My GF and I ride two up,  and despite what the know-nothings say,  the 250 pulls the over 300 pounds fine.  Revs for hours at 9K RPMs on the highway without a complaint.

For longer rides 2 up,  the 400R would seem perfect (combined we are near the 250's weight limit,  so can't really haul gear--limited to day trips). 

I'd pay a premium for a Europe/Asia only under 500cc bike.

Geoff

[xfactor]

Transalps?? Jeez, they're BOGOF here (Buy one get one free)

Having said that, it was my first bike, albeit the 600 one. Fine bike, but it don't set the world on fire. To overtake a car, on our roads I had to take 3 days leave.

Bullet proof engine tho'.

SEE! I love transalps so much, I just want a dual sport Honda, its not that much to ask for, BUT NO.