Author Topic: Grey Market Bikes (Read 3339 times)

Soro · « **on:** September 14, 2006, 12:41:02 PM »

Hi All,
Has anyone ever brought a grey market bike from Japan to the states?
What sort of obstacles-issues are involved with this endeavor?

timjim · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2006, 11:03:59 AM »

It doesnt sound as if youve had many replies here,just to let you know that us in the UK have had problems with "grey bikes" in the recent years.The main problem has been getting hold or repair manuals and service parts.Luckily as the bikes have gradually appeared in the country,so have the spares.Insurance has also been a hurdle,basicly,the insurance companies couldnt work out what a model was,so jusst "invented " an insurance bracket for them,but again,as the bikes have become more popular,they have now been recognised.As long as you can get the correct documentation,a year of manufacture can be worked out and an appropriate number plate and MOT test can be done.I know a lot of this info will be of use to you in the US,but if we can get over red tape in the UK....anyone can!!!!There is some fun 400 grey bikes available so i hope you get lucky.Tim

Soro · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2006, 01:56:21 PM »

Thanks timjim.

I had heard about spares and repair issues before. Also heard that I will surely have to do my own maintenance as the stealer is not interested (or capable) of working on the bikes.

I've got a line on several 400cc grey bikes for a steal. I'm looking at getting them all and taking the best for me (then sell the rest).

A GSX-R 400RR and a VFR 400R would look pretty sweet in my garage.

solman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2006, 02:08:01 PM »

Before I bought my B12, I almost bought a CB1300 in Washington and would've brought it back down to Texas. I really liked the bike, but feared maintenance and parts issues. So I strayed away from it.

timjim · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2006, 04:36:03 PM »

The CB1300 is quite available in the uk now as its classed as a parallel import here...dont get me to explain the diferences between grey and parallel imports as theyre very complex.The 400 screamers are the ones that every one was after ...VFRs,GSXRs,ZXRs,NCs etc the screaming death machines that Japan was throwing away.Aparently it was due to the Japanese having a 400 cc bike limit followed by a 2nd,more difficult test and also a very short bike life expectantcy.
Have a look on a search engine for a company called BAT Bikes as they are a big uk importer and supplier of grey bikes.Hope they are of use.Tim

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2006, 03:09:34 PM »

The UK red tape is nothing compared to the US! The UK allows grey market stuff, the US doesn't, as a general rule. (Thanks to the lobbies of motor vehicle manufacturers.) To make a long story short, if you want to license a non-US market bike for the street, you will have a BIG headache on your hands... unless you know someone who can pull the wool over the eyes of US Customs, the EPA, DOT - or can satisfy their myriad of requirements. Then there's state DMV. (Bill Gates gave up on trying to make a Porsche 959 comply and just brought it in as a track toy.)

OTOH, if it's for non-road use - like a track bike - it's usually pretty easy. That would be one way to curcumvent the feds. You'd just have to convince your DMV to register the imported bike with no federal docs. Might be easier to do in a non-border state where they rarely deal with something like that. that's usually how unobtainium bikes get into the US. That, or they're brought in by a foreign national and sold.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2006, 03:09:28 AM »

Grey Imports in Oz are fine if you live in a capital city.

But out here in the sticks - forget it unless you want to wait weeks or even months for spare sparts. That is of coarse after you've found a mechanic/shop whose prepared to help you out......