Importing a Honda FTR?

[mangawhio]

I'm living in south-east Asia and returning to NZ in September. Would like to bring home a bike (for use, not sale). I've fallen for the retro naked bike Honda FTR223.

Hard to figure why they're not available in NZ - they're an ideal town and country knockabout with a power plant that's been around as long as Methuselah. Most basic hardware is exchangeable (so far as I can see) with the CRF230, but the FTR is a better town bike. The tyres look oversize because of the black rims. Local price for a late model (2003 - 2009) is around US $2000 (NZ $2800) and I'm finding it hard to estimate total import price, but $2000 is an educated guess.

Anyone done anything similar? Comments and advice re traps and pitfalls welcome.

[Gibbo89]

I'm living in south-east Asia and returning to NZ in September. Would like to bring home a bike (for use, not sale). I've fallen for the retro naked bike Honda FTR223.

Hard to figure why they're not available in NZ - they're an ideal town and country knockabout with a power plant that's been around as long as Methuselah. Most basic hardware is exchangeable (so far as I can see) with the CRF230, but the FTR is a better town bike. The tyres look oversize because of the black rims. Local price for a late model (2003 - 2009) is around US $2000 (NZ $2800) and I'm finding it hard to estimate total import price, but $2000 is an educated guess.

Anyone done anything similar? Comments and advice re traps and pitfalls welcome.

good luck with the hunt for advice, i like the look of the tyres. its a cool looking bike. possibly try a different sub categorie or this specific question.

but welcome new member.

[BIDRIDER]

Hi just wondering if you had any luck with the FTR importing? Jason

[p.dath]

Refer to this guide for importing used bikes:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Importing_a_used_bike

[blackdog]

Thanks for the dredge. I want one for my town hack now.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've seen them second hand a few times on tardme.

Orklind dealers though, wanting outlandish money for them usually.

I'd have one. Theres a Yamaha equivalent too I think, or maybe suzuki?

[avgas]

Yeah a dealer brought in a crate of em about 4 years ago. They wanted around NZ$5,000 each for them.
I do like em.

[seagullnz]

Hey, did you get anywhere with importaing and FTR? I'm very keen on importing one and have started the process, got any advice for me?

[fridayflash]

still havent heard of anyone on here importing one...but i want one too! as said previously an auckland dealer and a lower hutt dealer had them for sale at $5000 and one was $4500, a bit much i think. my mate has one which he got cheap ($1600) cos it had no country of origin release papers. have you seen them offshore? what kinda price?

[blackdog]

Basterd thread dredgers. I want one all over again now!

[fridayflash]

have you rode one? bloody cool bike! i reckon the suzuki 250cc one (tracker) would be a good one, with that extra bit of power over the 223, altho i wonder if it'd be as nimble as the little hondie

can we pool our collective resources and but up the worlds supplies?

[Latte]

Looks like a street magic not for dwarfs :D

I'd have one ...

[DMNTD]

They are a sweet lil' bike to pootle about on. Market value is around the $4k mark

[fridayflash]

They are a sweet lil' bike to pootle about on. Market value is around the $4k mark


to be honest, id pay$4000 for one, theyre a barrel of laughs and cop a lot of attention wherever you go..ask xrjohnny

[Ender EnZed]

Maybe I'm missing something; why is this thing any better than/different to a GN?

[mossy1200]

Maybe I'm missing something; why is this thing any better than/different to a GN?

GN is a bit cooler I think

[seagullnz]

Hey Guys, after a bit of mucking about I realised I'd have to go through a dealer to get one. I've been through the bidding process on behalf of a dealer, who must have had an agent in Japan, so there are probably 2 rounds of markup on it before i get my hands on it, it's going to end up around the $4k mark which is a lot more than I was expecting to pay. I always "Just missed out" on the auctions and it was suggested that I bid a little more next time.

I should get it cleared and registered this week so I'll report back soon. I'm pretty excited about it because it took an awful lot longer than expected once I'd actually secured one in Japan, sold my old bike in August last year so it's been a while.

[seagullnz]

And here I am posting my update 3 years on. I've still got my FTR and only really just finished with all the small mods after 3-4 years. I really like it probably just because it's different and I've spent a bit of time and $$ getting it to how I want it. My opinion is it's definitely just for show as it's pretty gutless compared to other 250 street bikes, even after putting on a pod filter and upgraded exaust and changing the jets to suit, it might be the fat tyres? Compared to the Yamaha Scorpion I started out on it's inferior as far as power does. I only ride it around town in Christchurch and that's all I plan for it really, been on a few rides to Akaroa and back but I don't feel comfortable on it on the open road because of it's lack of power. It's fun to ride, like a BMX with a motor. I've also made mine a bit useless for dirt tracking or mild off-road riding because I put a supertrapp with the pipe running under the frame, which gives the bike less clearance.

[SVboy]

Any photos?

[pritch]

Any photos?

I'll second that.

[seagullnz]

http://seagull.co.nz/images/P9039378.JPG

[HenryDorsetCase]

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-1478510828.htm


I am just about to post it in the "optimistic sellers" thread.