[bejbike]

I had the same thought about bringing a used bike into Canada.

I ended up at

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

That should get you started.

 

[nokneedragin]

Considering you can find a used one in the USA, I am wondering why you would go through the expense of shipping it from Greece.

Can you fill us in a little more?

Do you allready own the bike, why can't you sell it and buy a used one here?

Is the Euopean version of the VFR a higher spec motor or something?

As I said, it seems like an awfull high expense to get something shiped, that is available here.

 

[Buzglyd]

You'll probably need to bribe the Gov't officials, preferably with a SV650 or a Concours.

 

[mscuddy]

I've worked as a US Customs Broker for about 25 years, Canadian laws regarding GST, VAT & duties would apply, I'm sure. Since it's a Honda, it most likely complies with all applicable Canadian/US laws anyway, except for a few minor items. You can get a letter from Honda regarding compliance with a particular model/country.



Since Canada's vehicle mfg laws closely resemble those of the US of A's, you'll have to check with a local Customs Broker in Canada on what forms need to be filled out, etc.



Also, the lights might have to be changed, to conform to Canada/US rules and regs.



I know in the US, when importing a non-conforming vehicle, it has to be impounded in a Customs bonded facility where the changes are made.



There use to be a place called Fred Noonan in Toronto who handled stuff like that.



Ship it via ocean freight. Should take about 20 days from Athens to YVR. Make sure you have a sturdy crate made up, drain the oil, gas, remove the battery.



Good luck.

 

[1163]

nokneedragin has a point...

Have you thought about selling it and shopping for a used one in Canada or are you just that attached to the '02?

If I were in the same situation but with my'98 ST1100 I must admit I'd have a hard time selling it. I know every tick, burp and giggle she's had in all if her almost 80,000 miles. That knowledge would be hard to give up.

Without a real attachment to the bike it would make sense to look at selling and buying locally but with such affection all bets are off and damn the expense, eh?

Just curious really.

 

[VFR750SK]

It is a bike that was for sale on Ebay for a pretty good deal and the seller was willing to pay the shipping so I thought I would check into it. I thought that there would be a few MOers that could fill me in a little on the importation process. As I have looked into it further it is looking like it is a deal too good to be true and I don't think I will likely be risking my money on it. If the deal isn't a scam, I am also wondering why he doesn't just sell it in Europe instead of paying to ship it here??

 

[sarnali]

VFR's are a dime a dozen, they'd probably give him a Concours and an SV650 NOT to import it.

 

[longride]

Don't do it

I wouldn't touch that bike with a 10 footer. You will send the money and get no bike. If it's for sale at a "good price" it's probably thousands below what you would normally pay, which tips you off right there. The reason he doesn't sell it in Europe is someone might just tell him they are coming to get the bike, which he doesn't have. Tell him your flying in to pick it up with check in hand and see what he says then. Tell him you always wanted to tour Greece anyway.

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Donna do it laddie

No schmidt. E-Bay deals are perhaps the most specious on Earth.

And, foremost, you can't drive the thing around the block, to see if it shifts or makes funny noises. Or squirts coolant out the overflow.

I was gonna tell VFR750 that, after I saw the Ebay post, but WTF.

 

[15052]

E-bay + pretty good deal + seller pays shipping = SCAM. The scientific notation is:



I(m)/Screwed - My money = Ouch(2)!



Run, don't walk!

 

[nokneedragin]

If its to good to be true, then its a scam.

By the way I need to launder some ethiopian currency through your bank account, Do you mind?

I'll give you half!



But, MOrons we need not let this string die, Please speak up on international shipping of motorcycles. There are enough bike in Europe and Japan that never see the light of day in America. Might gleen something usefull out of one of these stories (other than Kpaul's a moron and everyone here has a strong opinion)

 

[sarnali]

Re: Donna do it laddie

A co-worker of mine bought a '94 FXR on E-bay, flew down to Florida and picked up the bike, then rode it back home to Wa.

After new tires, an oil change and check-out at the Harley dealer in Ft. Meyers he still saved about $1500 over Seattle area prices, plus he got a good coast-to-coast break-in ride.

Not all E-bay deals are scams, this one turned out pretty well. I've thought about it myself for when I get a new bike. If I can go through a dealer, pay for shipping and still come out ahead then why not?

This VFR deal is a stinker though

 

[theDuke]

Re: Donna do it laddie

I agree that this deal looks really fishy... as with any transaction, you need to use common sense.

I personally bought my used Triumph on eBay Motors and had a great experience. I found a bike that just wasn't available locally for a great price. Likewise, the seller had been trying to sell the bike locally (he was from a small town in the far Northern reaches of California) and had no other reasonable method.

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Importing bikes from anywhere

The problem is, stringent EPA, DOT, NHTSA regulations that cover everything from headlight size, reflectors, to charcoal canisters, and EVAP valves.

Here in the Peoples Republik of Kailfornia, the bike has to pass the ARB (Air Resources Board) and CARB (California Air Resources Board). And then there is the B.A.R. (Bureau of Automotive Repair) that has to issue a sticker, before you can register the vehicle if it doesn't conform. There is also an importing pamphlet the size of the Gutenberg Bible that covers these babelized regulations.

The D.O.T form HS-7 (that has to be completed upon importation) makes special reference to "non-conforming" vehicles, and has provisions for "substantiating statements" from the foreign shipper, attesting to the vehicles ability to conform, or not. You can view these regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations, sec. 49, U.S.C. 301 et seq. 325 & 331. Also 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3).

In my case, I have an account that imports new Harleys from Switzerland for rental purposes. The bikes conform to all applicable US regulations, but the speedo and a few other things that escape me at the moment have to be changed, at a bonded location, before the importer can take possession of the bikes. I also have to get a letter from Harley stating these facts.

Of course, I offered to "break in" the new Harleys for my account (Moturis, Compton, Ca.) and still do. Dynas and Heritage Softails. It's real work trying to put 1000 miles on one in a week, but I do my best. Heh heh (just don't bring 'em back dirty).

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Importing bikes from Inja

In 1993, I tried to become the distributor for Indian Enfield motorcycles, in California.

You should see what the EPA, CARB & ARB put bikes through, in order to get one certified for import.

How’s about 10,000 miles on a dyno, analyzing everything from hydrocarbons, oil contamination from unburnt gas, and NO2

(Nox). Not to mention safety features, like shift patterns casted into the case, and the size of the reflectors on the tail light housing.

I figured the Indian Enfield was noxious enough, so I dropped the whole deal.

It would have cost over fifty grand to get the line of bikes certified. Fooey

 

[imported_mike_]

Re: Importing bikes from anywhere

How can it be cheaper to import a Harley

from Switzerland?

 

[pplassm]

First of alll, this never happened

But if I just happened to be in the military, and stationed in a country that had unobtainium motorcycles, I might be tempted to buy one, dissassemble it, and ship it to the states via APO/FPO mail.

IIRC, everything fit nicely, except the frame, which went as unspecified household goods.

Uh, would've went, that is.

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Importing bikes from anywhere

Moturis is a Swiss based company that sells packaged tours to Swiss tourists.

They get some real good deals, I guess. And since the bikes are "American Goods Returned" you don't pay any duties, just a $25.00 merchandise processing fee.

My neighbors think I work for the mob or something, since there's a different HD in my driveway every week, twice a year for about two months. Neat bikes. Like a big Cushman Eagle. I like the Dyna, myself. The Heritage is too ponderous.

 

[VFR750SK]

I didn't say that I had already sent the guy the money. I am not stupid, I just noticed the ad on Ebay and I was wondering what would be involved in importing the bike and thought maybe it would make an interesting discussion. After investigating the ad a little more, I quickly decided that it was way too risky and phony for me.



Thanks to those that gave me a little better idea of what all is involved in the importation process.

 

[33342]

test