Learn me importing or buying an imported bike. Does the 25 year rule that applies to cars also apply to bikes? I have an affinity for smaller displacement bikes that aren't very popular (or never sold) in the US and was wondering about the feasibility of bringing in a 250-400cc Japanese bike. You folks are the smart ones, so I figured I'lll ask this here...What are the rules and where do I look for a reasonably priced option? Obviously looking for the low priced options...
Yes, 25 year rule applies.
For buying a bike from Japan, you'll need someone on the ground there. TBH it's normally not feasible to bring in one or two bikes from a financial point of view, in order to make it realistic in the sense that the transport costs don't exceed the cost of the bike(s), you're more likely looking at a container full of them.
From the little bit I know about it, you're not likely going to find a 25 year old 250 or 400 in Japan anymore. Great Britian is likely a better hunting ground.
As for the 25 year old rules, they go buy date of manufacture, not model year, so have that info verified. Once it's 25 years old no EPA or DOT regs apply. A few months ago I brought a 1991 Ducati into the US from Canada. It took under an hour to cross the border with it. Do your homework, have all the paperwork handy, and it shouldn't be an issue to clear customs.
Both the customs guys and the lady at the license branch in the US seemed surprised/happy I had all the right paperwork with me (which wasn't all that hard to get). I took it as it made their job easier so they were happy to check the boxes and send me on my way. Make their life easy, they'll make your life easy...
No EPA or DOT regs is correct, just keep in mind that you still need to be able to pass emissions, which pretty much keeps all those interesting cars and bikes out of CA.
I have a friend who just shipped two bike to Ireland then taken to the Isle of Mann for the August GP races, his cost shipping with temp taxes, customs fees etc. $9200! Yes it can be cheaper to import in bulk ect but its never "Cheap" might be hard to pull a good profit percentage but do it for the love of the bikes.
BoxheadTim wrote: No EPA or DOT regs is correct, just keep in mind that you still need to be able to pass emissions, which pretty much keeps all those interesting cars and bikes out of CA.
They smog check bikes in CA??
A few years back Oregon decided to follow California's lead on some standards regarding vehicles. If CA is anything like OR, the DMV is really quick to deny registration to any bike where the make/model wasn't one certified for on-road use (safety and emissions) when new. They don't test emissions, but if they do review titles and inspect VINs for anything coming in from out of state, and if title doesn't say "MC" and/or doesn't match a list of models sold in U.S. and/or the VIN plate doesn't say "Conforms to Federal Standards" they can deny you registration. I'm not sure how this scenario works for bikes older than 25 years, but bringing in plated dirtbikes or foreign imports titled in another state and trying to get them registered here is a crap shoot at best.
There are ways to import bikes less than 25 years old, but it takes more money and a lot more hoop jumping.
(Registered Importer has to be hired to petition / convert (mostly lights and labels), ICI has to do emissions workup, but it can be done)
I think Japanese Classics has an NSR250 for sale. I want it, it'd probably kill me.
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