O/T (sort of) Grey Import Motorcycles

Mike, don't know if you get Motorcycle Trader magazine there... They have a section from an importer who specializes in grey import learner legal bikes... Mates have purchased from him and have found his parts sources are excellent.

Parts will be no problem at all, Insurance companies play hard to get with imports.

Reiner

We sold imported Kubota tractors for a while, you will find for every grey import there was a model sold in Australia, the only difference will be the model number, check it out and when you find the same bike that was Australian delivery use that model number to buy parts.

Parts no problem and neither is the fact the bike was imported. You are personally allowed to import a bike and you shouldn't be made to feel criminal about it. Imported cars and bikes are and will continue to become a bigger business in the future.

If you need a part then ask on an internet forum and I am sure you will find good advice very quickly as to where to find it. And if it is a small part then you may even get an international reply.

Asian second hand imports are all the go in New Zealand and the new vehicle / bike importers found that they were missing out on so much trade that they are now importing parts for models that were never sold new in the country at anytime!

Depends whether it is a left hand drive or right hand drive ;-)

Grey import bikes... very dodgey area. Usually nothing wrong, but when one of what became Sydneys largest dealer groups of bikes (they bought out 8 of sydneys largest other dealers and closed doors on most!) started selling bikes, then telling people they wouldnt service bikes over 4 yrs old, alarms started ringing.

There are no laws that prevent dealers from winding the speedo back on bikes/cars imported.. as long as its done before leaving Japan's bond, and arriving customs in aussie - plenty of time there to change things ...

One of the shops I used to work for were one of the first to start importing 250's back in the day, and we did awesome out of it. great money to be made, once you have gone thru hell to get them ADR'ed...

parts: usually some other model GSX/Zuki parts will fit, others you will have to 'make do' or special order from O/S..

resale on imports sux as the history is never known.

Insurance: some companies play hardball, others are too stupid to know.

Enjoy the bike, do plenty of training courses on it before setting off to enjoy the country side...

Ex rider- 28+ yrs.

Thanks to all who have replied

My wife and I have been riding for over 30 years but unfortunately, I'm a bit rusty on the current models. My son did the legwork in finding the bike and I just went along and test rode it. Wasn't even thinking of imports.

There's no real problem with the bike at the moment, I was just planning ahead. He will probably sell it as soon as he has his full licence and hop onto his mother's XJ600.

Thanks again
Mike