Importing a bike from the USA

[Warr]

Can any one advise on importing a bike from America.
My sister lives in the US on the left side !! but not the coast.
Am interestd in importing for myself a '90 or later GTR1000 for myself and one or more GT750 Waterbus's or Water.. whatever you want to call them for friends. Not my choice but they have owned / or want to own one.

My brother in law is going to sus things out from that end and I suspect that is the correct way to do it

But as to the logistics of it all. Who has done it or tried ? The good, the bad and the ugly.

[Waylander]

Don't use Crown.

Also make sure you are involved at every step from writing the docket when they pack it up to the border check when it comes into the country. Make sure that every time they write down the VIN# it is correct.
Otherwise you'll have a bitch of a time getting it registerd.

[FROSTY]

ye[ you need the dereg cert right away--without that its a waste of time--the bike wont be able to be registered.
Also -the headlights-The us market model ones are built to dip to the right not the left so ya may -(depending how awakie they are ) fail compliance
if ya dont you will fail a WOF down the track

[Waylander]

Also -the headlights-The us market model ones are built to dip to the right not the left so ya may -(depending how awakie they are ) fail compliance
if ya dont you will fail a WOF down the track

Not all of them though so check that before you get them changed.

[FROSTY]

Not all of them though so check that before you get them changed.
The us market model gtr1000 is manufactured in the kawasaki plant in the usa,but yea I do agree dont buy a headlight just on the off chance -but I would definitely make sure there is one available and how much -factor it into your costings.

[Warr]

The us market model gtr1000 is manufactured in the kawasaki plant in the usa,but yea I do agree dont buy a headlight just on the off chance -but I would definitely make sure there is one available and how much -factor it into your costings.
So I take it you are talking about a sealed beam unit, not just a bulb :)

[Sparky Bills]

Its simply not worth.
You woul need to replace the whole headlight unit for starters.
ot to mention all the paper work etc.

Most US models are not even as good as ours over here anyway.

I do not recomend it at all.

[dickytoo]

So I take it you are talking about a sealed beam unit, not just a bulb :)

The headlight lens are made differently. you can see this if you have a close look. some of them have patterns cast(?) or moulded into them that cause the low beam to refract to the left or right depending on which country they are destined for.

[ManDownUnder]

Its simply not worth.
You woul need to replace the whole headlight unit for starters.
ot to mention all the paper work etc.

Most US models are not even as good as ours over here anyway.

I do not recomend it at all.

Good point - if it's coming out of California I think it could have all manner of exhaust emissions stuff on it... and the related loss of power...

[zadok]

After reading some of the above comments, maybe you should give Oz a go. Probably be cheaper and easier for compliance.
I'm just about to buy the last new one in W.A. (GTR1000)

[Warr]

After reading some of the above comments, maybe you should give Oz a go. Probably be cheaper and easier for compliance.
I'm just about to buy the last new one in W.A. (GTR1000)
Well there are prob more GTR's around in Aus than here, but $ wise they dont appear to be very cheap.
What is the best Ausi site for buying ?

[Waylander]

After reading some of the above comments, maybe you should give Oz a go. Probably be cheaper and easier for compliance.
Nah it's easy enough getting compliance. Just don't expect the shipping company to do anything other than get it here. Just have to chase them up everystep of the way to make sure they fill out all the paperwork correctly.
If I could remember the guy at the MAF office here in Hamilton I'de say talk to him and he'll help you keep it all sorted but I didn't put his name in my post about it.

[ajturbo]

my mate is going to EXPORT the turbo later this year to the states... it will cost him around 1k plus insurances..

a co. in dorkland will do the whole thing for him... not sure if it is crown or not...what is wrong with crown anyway???
andy

[Waylander]

my mate is going to EXPORT the turbo later this year to the states... it will cost him around 1k plus insurances..

a co. in dorkland will do the whole thing for him... not sure if it is crown or not...what is wrong with crown anyway???
andy
Do I really need to remind you?!? Other than the complete incompetence thier packers showed in packing our stuff, there was the whole screw up with the paperwork for my bike.

[bugjuice]

don't forget to find a good company to convert the dashboard and the controls from left hand drive to right ;)

[zadok]

Well there are prob more GTR's around in Aus than here, but $ wise they dont appear to be very cheap.
What is the best Ausi site for buying ?
Probably this one: http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__bikepointau/tabID__0/DesktopDefault.aspx

[Lou Girardin]

One of our customers has just imported a Harley, there were no problems with the shipping and documentation, but trying to get the New York Harley dealer to get off his butt and sort some extra work out was a mission.

[FROSTY]

Warr--IMHO gettin a bike in from oz is gonna save ya nothing.
I'd suggest you're better to look locally.Id suggest the people to talk to are the local Ulises (sp) --they are likely to have a line on a couple.
A bit of Info for ya
In the states they are called the Kawasaki Concourse and there is a VERY active owners club over there. www.concourseowners.org as I recall
Talk to them about pricing for second hand concourse etc.
Id check around the local bike shops like --aww gee I dunno maybee
MOTOMART in wellington. They are likely to have a bike in stock for ya.

Given our recent conversation though mate --Id have a look at the XJ900 diversion. They seem to be selling for real cheap prices ATM and theyre like your bike with all the quirks worked out -17" wheels 4 pot calipers monoshock -basicly all the whistles

[vifferman]

Here's another (potential) issue with importing bikes - what about spare parts, if they're not a model common to NZ?

[Warr]

...........
..... Given our recent conversation though mate --Id have a look at the XJ900 diversion. They seem to be selling for real cheap prices ATM and theyre like your bike with all the quirks worked out -17" wheels 4 pot calipers monoshock -basicly all the whistles
Mm thinking here...
Are the diversions still 5 speed ?
That to me is one bug on the XJ, at 110k's its turning at 5500 - which equals using more fuel.
I used to get 50mpg but after Ham Road & Sport had it for a couple of days to iron out a top end miss. Well the miss has gone and it does go good, but only getting 45mpg. Which means ... previously I could get 300k on main and another 30+ on reserve. Now its less.

[ajturbo]

Do I really need to remind you?!? Other than the complete incompetence thier packers showed in packing our stuff, there was the whole screw up with the paperwork for my bike.

wooops did i miss something???
on that note i will tell my mate NOT to use them !!
thanks for the heads up!!!:Punk:

[Sensei]

" ALFA Customs " ask for Don Smith does everything mate got his Aprilia brought over by him Excellent .