Importing bike from USA?

[Jin]

Just wondering if anyone had done this? There are some great examples of bikes over there that are almost half price of asking prices here. I'm talking private sellers that i see advertised on forums.

What would shipping and nz road costs be on average? If less than $4k might be worth it.

[jasonu]

Just wondering if anyone had done this? There are some great examples of bikes over there that are almost half price of asking prices here. I'm talking private sellers that i see advertised on forums.

What would shipping and nz road costs be on average? If less than $4k might be worth it.

Nope. No one has ever imported a motorcycle from the States to NZ because the USA bikes are all left hand drive...

[Scubbo]

http://tauruslogistics.co.nz/motorcycle-shipping

[pritch]

Nope. No one has ever imported a motorcycle from the States to NZ because the USA bikes are all left hand drive...

Cruel. Cruel but funny.

I did know a guy who brought a Harley ex-cop bike in from the US Unfortunately I can't get an update on what he did because a woman crossed double yellow lines and killed him.

He did say he had asked the freight forwarding company not to use too big a box and he was pissed off because they used a crate you could have put a car in. That affects the freight charges. Then there's GST, and GST on the GST charge, and MAF and possibly cleaning, and buying a new headlight lens and...

You'd really need to know what the Customs regs are. He had to go to the USA to buy it and prove he had ridden it there. Whether that applies now I have no idea.

And I wouldn't just be sending money to some dude on Craig's List or E Bay in the hope that they'd actually send the bike.

Frankly if you were buying something expensive or rare it might pay, but $4000?

[T.W.R]

PM XKNuts he's brought a few in .....Victorys & just recently a couple of the new Indians.
He'll know the ins & outs and what hoops to jump through

[WristTwister]

Just wondering if anyone had done this? There are some great examples of bikes over there that are almost half price of asking prices here. I'm talking private sellers that i see advertised on forums.

What would shipping and nz road costs be on average? If less than $4k might be worth it.

Depending on the type of bike, there might be a few things that need to be done to make it suitable for left side of the road countries like NZ (beam angles for example).

Plus I read there is a fair bit of paperwork involved.

[jellywrestler]

Nope. No one has ever imported a motorcycle from the States to NZ because the USA bikes are all left hand drive...

indeed they are, make sure you convert yours to right hand drive otherwise you're stuck with it, not all can be

[Jin]

indeed they are, make sure you convert yours to right hand drive otherwise you're stuck with it, not all can be
I'm assuming the left hand side comments are jokes. Is there something I'm missing here?

[FJRider]

I'm assuming the left hand side comments are jokes. Is there something I'm missing here?

There are the headlight dipping to the right issues to contend with ... an instant WOF FAIL in NZ ... ;)

[v twin]

There are the headlight dipping to the right issues to contend with ... an instant WOF FAIL in NZ ... ;)

An easy fix usually I think with a bit if reflective tin beside the bulb, just flattens the beam to stop the kick to the right. I did it on mine.

Customs is easy, just ship it and head to Auckland and plead for help at the desk.....worked for me :sweatdrop

Maf is sweet, just more $$.not much though. WASH IT.

Brakes may need a mechanic to sign them off....best if they are original I'd say or a we'll know brand..... few more $$

My bike was a euro and luckily it had a euro stamp recognised here for compliance....this bit is important as if it didn't have that I would have been in a world of faxes emails and paperwork??
I would really check that out, maybe even bike specific?

[jasonu]

There are the headlight dipping to the right issues to contend with ... an instant WOF FAIL in NZ ... ;)

Simply swap the headlight for the tail light. Problem solved...

[Triumph guy]

I have bought a a few bikes from the states. A few things I learnt, some the hard way.
Make sure the bike you buy has a clear title, some states don't title bikes more than 10 years old.
Make sure you get a receipt and any other paperwork.
Be aware that internal transport in the USA can add a lot to the final price
Make sure the bike is clean if possible
Enjoy your new ride.

[toycollector10]

Expect the unexpected. The last bike I bought off eBay in 2008 the seller said it comes with bill of sale and pink slip/ownership papers. It didn't. I phoned the seller and he said a whole lot of irrelevant and unhelpful crap then stopped communicating so that was a dead end. The bike was a boat anchor as far as LTSA was concerned. I Googled the USA DOT but that was hopeless (you've no idea how big that place is) and also spoke to LTSA again and they said I'd need a receipt from the previous owner and it would have to be notorised by a justice of the peace in USA. The seller was selling "on behalf" of a U.S Albanian immigrant with an unusual name who, after I googled him, was able to track to the Atlanta Albanian Society or whatever it was. I sent a message there and blow me down about a month later a notorised receipt arrives in the bloody mail. But best of all, the bike was a complete POS. But I brought it back to life and won a Best in Show for it in 2010. The eBay seller who I stalked-out on Google was a car/tyre dealer in Atlanta and also a hypocritical pillock (do unto others) of the Christian community there. Hiya there, Joe Houdeshel. Do I get a 'cool story bro' for this....?

[russd7]

Simply swap the headlight for the tail light. Problem solved...

bloody hell,if ya swap the headlight for the tail light on a merrican bike then ya still gonna have the same problim, the light is still gonna shine the rong way. no all ya really gotta do is just turn the headlight round, problem solved. but the other thing ya gotta rememba is the mirrors are gonna be pointin lookin at the rong side of the rode and thats not so easy to fix, ya may have to get new bars so the brakets are on the right side and then ya gotta find right hand drive mirrors to fit a left hand drive bike and if ya look up ebay they are as rear as mary-janes teeth

[YellowDog]

Nope. No one has ever imported a motorcycle from the States to NZ because the USA bikes are all left hand drive...

Well that's quite a good point. I imported my bike unregistered, as new, from LA. If I'd have had to have changed the reflectors for RHD, the cost would have been around $700 - $900 extra. Fortunately my model has asynchronous beams, so it's good for both sides of the road.

I used www.kiwishipping.co.nz cost US$500 and I saved over $NZ5K on the road.

The bike I wanted wasn't yet available in NZ with ABS. That's my excuse anyway :yes:

[Jin]

Thanks for the replies very helpful. Headlight adjustment would be an easy fix. Mirrors? Can't tell if serious [emoji15]

[jellywrestler]

An easy fix usually I think with a bit if reflective tin beside the bulb, just flattens the beam to stop the kick to the right. I did it on mine.



depends on the era of bike the dipping on my Bimota is all done in the headlight lense, so needed to be replaced completely, easy for an old standard size light, but modern stuff with wrap round lights and fairings may be different.

[jellywrestler]

Thanks for the replies very helpful. Headlight adjustment would be an easy fix. Mirrors? Can't tell if serious [emoji15]

think they were shaken when they wee a baby.

[Laava]

You may need to change to the correct, amber, coloured indicator fluid

[jasonu]

bloody hell,if ya swap the headlight for the tail light on a merrican bike then ya still gonna have the same problim, the light is still gonna shine the rong way. no all ya really gotta do is just turn the headlight round, problem solved. but the other thing ya gotta rememba is the mirrors are gonna be pointin lookin at the rong side of the rode and thats not so easy to fix, ya may have to get new bars so the brakets are on the right side and then ya gotta find right hand drive mirrors to fit a left hand drive bike and if ya look up ebay they are as rear as mary-janes teeth

You will also need to get a metric power band before customs will release it.

[Voltaire]

..and replace the tires with tyres.

My mate just brought a Kawasaki 1000 CHIPS bike back, if he can get it complied must be pretty easy.

[YellowDog]

The compiance guys are really anal. They will pick up on anything at all, that is non-OEM. My DR650 had after market brake cables and they had to be changed, before it could pass - FFS :mad:

[jellywrestler]

..and replace the tires with tyres.

My mate just brought a Kawasaki 1000 CHIPS bike back, if he can get it complied must be pretty easy.

again, round headlight, early eighties dead simple, my bimota is a 1980 SB3 so no worries

[russd7]

You will also need to get a metric power band before customs will release it.

true that, had forgotten about that but at least he can get a different coloured one as he will need to replace it anyway, a nice red one maybe, make the bike go faster

[skippa1]

true that, had forgotten about that but at least he can get a different coloured one as he will need to replace it anyway, a nice red one maybe, make the bike go faster
I like the older antique look, like a brass band

[pritch]

The compiance guys are really anal. They will pick up on anything at all, that is non-OEM. My DR650 had after market brake cables and they had to be changed, before it could pass - FFS :mad:

When was that though? Was that few years back when the WoF inspectors had their mass panic attack about standards on brake lines?

[YellowDog]

When was that though? Was that few years back when the WoF inspectors had their mass panic attack about standards on brake lines?

That was in 2007. They were overly fussy about everything and it was a nightmare.

In 2008, when I brought my Tiger in from the USA, they couldn't decode the VIN, as mine was the very first of its kind in NZ. So that's another point to check and ensure you are importing an NZ known model. It took a week to get it sorted, but got there in the end.

Swapping the clutch, throttle, and front brake sides, on the handle bars, was a bit tedious; as was changing the sides for the rear brake and gear selector :2thumbsup

[MGST]

Who would you recommend for inspection these days? I need 2 bikes I brought from OZ inspected. Rung the usual VTNZ / VINZ / AA, but they all want me to leave the bikes there for a couple of days. Not happening, rare and ultra rare bikes, don't get left unattended. Need someone who is happy for me to hang around while they do the inspection.

[YellowDog]

Who would you recommend for inspection these days? I need 2 bikes I brought from OZ inspected. Rung the usual VTNZ / VINZ / AA, but they all want me to leave the bikes there for a couple of days. Not happening, rare and ultra rare bikes, don't get left unattended. Need someone who is happy for me to hang around while they do the inspection.

I use Coventry Group in Porana Road.

[MGST]

Recently? How much / how long is the inspection anyway?

[YellowDog]

I use Coventry Group in Porana Road.

Did 3 cars last year and the last bike was in 2008. The AA closed their compliance on Archers Rd and Ashley now does (or did) it freelance for Coventry Group.

I was getting trade prices for cars. I think a bike costs around $250 now. Could be wrong :blink:

[MGST]

Is this Coventry Group at Unit F, 21 Porana Road? I googled them to try to find them, and could only find them on the companies register as Coventry Motors ltd and Coventry Marine, where it says "inactive" for Coventry Motors, but "active" for Marine. Did the close down the car section?

[YellowDog]

Is this Coventry Group at Unit F, 21 Porana Road? I googled them to try to find them, and could only find them on the companies register as Coventry Motors ltd and Coventry Marine, where it says "inactive" for Coventry Motors, but "active" for Marine. Did the close down the car section?

That sounds about right. They are at the Pack n Save end, not the other PB Tech end. They don't have a motorcycle guy there every day, so it is worth booking it in. 094431966

[MGST]

I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks.

[v twin]

Just out of interest, how much would it cost to freight a bike from the US, (just a ball park) It's on the bucket list to tour the lower states, even South America and would be cool to bring the ride home. A mate did the whole Mexico,sleep by the road 2 rifles and trench coat thing.... kinda appeals to me.

[jasonu]

Just out of interest, how much would it cost to freight a bike from the US, (just a ball park) It's on the bucket list to tour the lower states, even South America and would be cool to bring the ride home. A mate did the whole Mexico,sleep by the road 2 rifles and trench coat thing.... kinda appeals to me.

Stop talking about it and do it!!!!!!

[YellowDog]

Just out of interest, how much would it cost to freight a bike from the US, (just a ball park) It's on the bucket list to tour the lower states, even South America and would be cool to bring the ride home. A mate did the whole Mexico,sleep by the road 2 rifles and trench coat thing.... kinda appeals to me.

www.kiwishipping.co.nz charged me US$495 in 2008 to ship a brand new bike over :yes:

It might have gone up a bit :shit:

[v twin]

Stop talking about it and do it!!!!!!

It's sitting at #4, all in good time shagger

[rebyl]

www.kiwishipping.co.nz charged me US$495 in 2008 to ship a brand new bike over :yes:


It might have gone up a bit :shit:

I used Kiwi Shipping, great to deal with. Importing is not hard at all, only thing I had to change was the headlight bulb as in us on dip beam dips to right and in NZ must dip to left and that was all

[Jeff Sichoe]

ROUGHLY how much was it to import, man?

[YellowDog]

I used Kiwi Shipping, great to deal with. Importing is not hard at all, only thing I had to change was the headlight bulb as in us on dip beam dips to right and in NZ must dip to left and that was all

I budgeted for a reflector upgrade, however it turned out the bike had asynchronous beams, which are all good for LHD & RHD :yes:

[rebyl]

Who would you recommend for inspection these days? I need 2 bikes I brought from OZ inspected. Rung the usual VTNZ / VINZ / AA, but they all want me to leave the bikes there for a couple of days. Not happening, rare and ultra rare bikes, don't get left unattended. Need someone who is happy for me to hang around while they do the inspection.

Last time I bought one in I was a bit cheeky and slapped some kiwi plates on it rode it back from Shipping yard at Petone and took it to VTNZ in Te Awamutu and they did it while i waited, I did book it in though. I would not leave anything unattended as it is probably uninsured until Registered

[Jeff Sichoe]

Last time I bought one in I was a bit cheeky and slapped some kiwi plates on it rode it back from Shipping yard at Petone and took it to VTNZ in Te Awamutu and they did it while i waited, I did book it in though. I would not leave anything unattended as it is probably uninsured until Registered

ROUGHLY how much did it cost to import the bike from US to NZ?

[rebyl]

ROUGHLY how much did it cost to import the bike from US to NZ?
iT WAS BACK IN 2007 THAT i BOUGHT BIKE IN THE sTATES, RODE IT FOR 10,000 MILES AND BOUGHT IT HOME. MEMORY A BIT FUZZY BUT THINK IT WAS ABOUT $2000.00 BACK THEN. GIVE KIWI SHIPPING A CALL...SORRY JUST REALISED HAVE MY CAPS LOCK ON

[Jeff Sichoe]

iT WAS BACK IN 2007 THAT i BOUGHT BIKE IN THE sTATES, RODE IT FOR 10,000 MILES AND BOUGHT IT HOME. MEMORY A BIT FUZZY BUT THINK IT WAS ABOUT $2000.00 BACK THEN. GIVE KIWI SHIPPING A CALL...SORRY JUST REALISED HAVE MY CAPS LOCK ON

$2k huh, that's pretty sweet

thanks!

[HenryDorsetCase]

http://www.kiwishipping.co.nz/

I know someone who bought a Hardly Electra Glide (the big MF) in Mrka and did a couple of laps of the US and canadia over a couple or three months then shipped it back. No idea what it cost but the chaps at the link above might know.

[peasea]

http://www.kiwishipping.co.nz/

I know someone who bought a Hardly Electra Glide (the big MF) in Mrka and did a couple of laps of the US and canadia over a couple or three months then shipped it back. No idea what it cost but the chaps at the link above might know.

I imported a Wideglide from LA; spotted it on Craigslist, had an agent working for Clive Bracey at AFWE (South Akd) check it out and deliver it to the docks. Clive did the paperwork, bike arrived on my doorstep for about $4k less than a kiwi equivalent. I have no hesitation recommending Clive and/or his LA contact.

[Marcus.m]

I’m looking at bringing in a 97 Harley sportster and the price I’ve been quoted is about NZD$2000.
From what I can see in this thread, the headlight should be easy to change to RHD beam? Has anyone done this before?

[YellowDog]

I’m looking at bringing in a 97 Harley sportster and the price I’ve been quoted is about NZD$2000.
From what I can see in this thread, the headlight should be easy to change to RHD beam? Has anyone done this before?

www.kiwishipping.co.nz will do you a better deal.

The light issue is just a reflector unit that you can easily pick up.

[F5 Dave]

But they are original Left hand drive so you just need to remember to click the indicators the other direction than normal and you're all good. :devil2:

[Marcus.m]

www.kiwishipping.co.nz will do you a better deal.

The light issue is just a reflector unit that you can easily pick up.

Thanks! Thats good to know.
I got a quote from kiwi shipping too, and it was a bit cheaper but included less. After i added in the extras (Necessary stuff too), it worked out to about the same as far as i could tell. This price was including the entry certification and all customs and border checks and almost the whole process.

[YellowDog]

Thanks! Thats good to know.
I got a quote from kiwi shipping too, and it was a bit cheaper but included less. After i added in the extras (Necessary stuff too), it worked out to about the same as far as i could tell. This price was including the entry certification and all customs and border checks and almost the whole process.

Good one :yes:

I had to ride my imported bike back from the airport to the compliance centre.

I did wonder if I might ever get stopped with a USA number place showing :lol: