Importing from Japan

[Brian d marge]

Hey I was just wondering
Is it true that there aren't many 600cc bikes in Japan because of regulations so many are 250 and 750 and 1000cc?

The licence system here is up to 400 and over 400 , They haver just allowed 2 up riding on the high way

Most of the 600 cc machines are exported , THOUGH there is a very BIG
ST600 racing class here so you will see a few CBR600 race bike for sale

Stephen

[Brian d marge]

Seriously though, some of those bikes pictured are bloody old shitters!! Why waste your money on that stuff? Have a talk to some of the importers, and order what you want, someone like Peter Doak from www.emoto.co.nz is probably worth talking to. The Yahoo auctions do contain alot of rubbish that guys cant sell elsewhere, some of the stuff landed ex Japanese dealers is bound to be better value and better looked after.

I would agree with that, ( this is my second attempt the last attempt at this mail disappeared into the ether !) Just read his site and its exactly what happens, except the auctions are now all week !, I note he is in CHCH , didnt he used to be partners at CHCH motorcycles??
anyway worth a read that site !!!
Yahoo Auctions ,
Same as trade me.. everyones at and there are some crooks out there THOUGH the japanese are very protective about the bling, I ve seen only couple with a bad feedback, you can tell if its a dodgy deal you build a dialogue with the seller!
Same as trade me ( though the KM tend to be a lot lower, around 10 k to 20 k depending ( and yes some have be clocked , dodgy dealers !!!)

The things I can see which would cause a problem are

Chocolate pistons ; lets say I bought a bike and sent it back in good faith and the guy at the other end isnt happy. I checked the bike but failed to notice the chocolate piston, which melted 10 k down the road..... who does he claim against ???

Money
Lets say I am a dirty rotten scounderel and take 20 x 500 deposits then scarper !.... take that naughty bad man Option one

IMHO
As Gav said, possibly the most reliable way is to talk to the importers , Spectrum, peter doak , etc
They will ask you for your budget, and expectations then go from there, you will get a lot of attension if you buy a HArley, but dont expect wonders for a well thrashed honda fifty.
OR contact a truck importing firm and ask if you could bring back a couple of bikes in their dead space, there a couple , one I know of in CHCH.
Then you could buy the bike say over yahoo auctions , get it shipped to the truck impoters jap place and go from there !

Or
If you are worried about the mechanical side Places like Colmans, Sarge was very up front with his costs clic here

Then you will get a warrenty etc and you can shout if it turns to custard !!


PARTS

If you know the frame number, not a problem . It takes 5 days from NZ to Japan ( tested by a fellow KB er )
But Make sure the bike is available in Japan , I tried to find bits for Zadoks GTR1000 and it wasnt listed on the kawasaki site, Havent given up ,,,but ,

Small parts I can certainly help such as sprockets , gas caps , shocks etc


The Future

I have been a onda mech for a good few years now then did me NZCE in Mech eng , and wasa mech for a couple of years when I first came here
BUT ,,,I discovered MX and I can make more money talking than fixing,
So in the morning I play around with me race bike,,, designing and make things for bikes ( money out ) and talk ( and play with kids ( money in ) in the evenings ( wife happy )

Sometime in the beginning of next year I will have a workshop set up ( you want to see the prices of rent here !!!) and will be concentrating on
A becoming self sufficient in my racing ,
B Building a inventory of Shocks and forks , ( so if you see a few shocks on trade me next year , tis me funding my habit !!! :spudwave:

Well now that I have bored every one silly, I will eat me tea!!

feel free to email, its no prob to answer any questions

Stephen

[Highlander]

well im probaly out if it costs that much to get it here, all i want is a twostroke 250 for around $3000

Hey there TYO (haven't changed that name yet then?)
My Bro' in law has a NSR (in Tauranga) that he muttered about selling. Don't know how serious he is, or any other detail but could sound him out for you if like.

[Shaun]

Hes just around the corner from me , so to speak I am in saitama Fujimino !!!

Anyway I am talking to the people I know to find out what can be done when and how !
Getting the bikes is not a prob , as is the importing so ill see what comes up and report back

Stephen
your intrepid reporter of all things fishy !!!

Kenji is a top man, he is a full time professional trader