Importing a modified Harley: WOF questions

[Lost_Boy]

Hiya Folks,
I'm headed to South Island for school next Jan and I'm trying to get everything sorted to bringing my Harley with me. I've been all over the NZTA about importing and registering and a WOF but I'm not getting a clear answer as to mods and what's allowable. I really don't want to get there and have them tell me "NO." From what I'm reading, I'll have to have a 2A certified LVV inspection before I can even apply for a WOF, but I'm not finding any guys certified for that in Christchurch... Does anyone have experience importing a modded bike?

Mods will be thus- '13 Harley Softail Slim. Vance and Hines Big Radius pipes, Kuryakyn Mach 2 Co-Ax filter, 14" apes, sissy bar, highway bar, windshield. Nothing internal...yet. How strict are they about the noise laws? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[FJRider]

It will need to pass a Warrant of Fitness test Before it is allowed on our roads. And then be issued a Warrant of Fitness label which is required to be carried in plain view ON the bike.

Any issues regarding such will be apparent then.

Welding ... or structural modifications will need to be certified. Engine (internal) modifications are not as stringent.

Are you intending to take it back home when you complete your studies ... ???? think carefully ... as this may affect the conditions/type ... of import you are allowed to use.


You may even be able to use your "Home" plates ... if the number is not currently in use already.

[nodrog:Me]

Worrying about the law? That's not very Sons of Anarchy of you.

[ducatilover]

Buy a Hayabusa

[awayatc]

Pipes to loud....fail

[JimO]

Pipes to loud....fail

what about all the other noisy harleys out there

[carburator]

if you are going to be here 12 months or less, importing a vehicle temporarily might be a better option.
You can get a extension, for how long I don't know.

[scumdog]

Hiya Folks,
I'm headed to South Island for school next Jan and I'm trying to get everything sorted to bringing my Harley with me. I've been all over the NZTA about importing and registering and a WOF but I'm not getting a clear answer as to mods and what's allowable. I really don't want to get there and have them tell me "NO." From what I'm reading, I'll have to have a 2A certified LVV inspection before I can even apply for a WOF, but I'm not finding any guys certified for that in Christchurch... Does anyone have experience importing a modded bike?

Mods will be thus- '13 Harley Softail Slim. Vance and Hines Big Radius pipes, Kuryakyn Mach 2 Co-Ax filter, 14" apes, sissy bar, highway bar, windshield. Nothing internal...yet. How strict are they about the noise laws? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Bring it in, it'll breeze through.

And IF it is too noisy? - that's easily sorted.

Welcome to this loony bin know as Kiwi Biker, you'll have to sort out the bull-shit and blow-hards as you go....

[FJRider]

what about all the other noisy harleys out there

I waved to one once ... he didn't hear me ...

[AllanB]

what about all the other noisy harleys out there

They were not that loud when first WOF and registered in NZ - they had stock fart fart fart pipes on them ......... WOF from then on with rowdy pipes were most likely directly proportional to the amount of money spend with the bike shop .... they can hardly sell you new pipes then fail your WOF, that;s just not cricket.

[Lost_Boy]

**Update**

I just saw that folks replied to this post! Sweet, though I'm sorry I'm a bit late to the game. The time has finally come for this baby to ship out and I'm finalizing plans now. I've spoken with an LVV guy and he tells me as long as I can prove they're Harley parts/install (they are), I should be good with the apes. Air filter shouldn't be an issue and the aux lamps, sissy bar, windshield etc should be fine. The pipes are still a worry, but I've found "quieting baffles" I can use to knock it down a few decibels. That being said, it's going to cause me physical pain to make her quiet. I'm also going to take her to the state troopers office to see where she is on the decimeter.

At this point I just have to figure out how to transport her from the docks to the nearest VINZ so I can work on certifications, inspections and licensing.


FJRider: Are you intending to take it back home when you complete your studies ... ???? think carefully ... as this may affect the conditions/type ... of import you are allowed to use.

To answer this, yes, I fully intend to take her back to the states with me once I'm done with Uni. I'm not however, going to ship her back and forth after every year. I'll just have to store her someplace while I'm home for the summer. So far I haven't found anything that would change how I register her however. I'd love to do a temporary registration (holy crap!! over $500NZD a year for bike registration alone!!!!!) if that cost me less.

[Gremlin]

Yep, pipes are often one point to trip you up. Too noisy and you have to replace.

Other common one is headlight. Temporary import doesn't care, but registering for use in NZ, you need a headlight that angles to the left, whereas because you're on the opposite side of the road, yours will angle to the right.