Importing from Japan

cmyk

I thought I've seen a thread on this before but a search doesn't throw it up.

Aside from the usual VRT etc. are there any other issues with japanese imports, and are there any companies here that will source a bike for you at all?

geotrig

There s many companies doing it for cars, can't see it being cost effective for bikes unless it's something rare unusual maybe, be cheaper buying from UK

GBX

Unless its a classic or something very sought after, is it worthwhile bringing it over from Japan? Shipping would be quite cost prohibitive no?

What bike is it?

geotrig

Yeah ,i had a gander at a few bikes last night after reading this and didn't see much value , similar prices to here and europe,now that was a very limited looks so maybe there is better value to be had.

gipi

I owned a bike some years ago that had been imported from Japan by a previous owner.

It was registered and badged as a Suzuki, but was in fact, a rebadged Kawasaki. It looked like a bandit, but wasn't, and didn't resemble a Kwak but was stamped on the frame as a Kwak.

Getting parts, even service parts, wasn't easy, because it wasn't quite one thing or the other.

cmyk

Cheers guys. Just a thought, there was a nice bike I liked but I think was only released in the Japanese (Honda GB350S) and Indian markets.

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122584362#Comment_122584362

Kawasaki KLV1000 / Suzuki DL1000 ?

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122584362#Comment_122584362

A Suzuki model that was in fact a rebadged Kawasaki model? Do you mean on the logbook or on the bike itself?

JP 1800

Also consider insurance. When I go to get quotes for bikes from CN they ask is it an import or for the UK Ireland market. May be a loading on imports

turbodiesel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122584374#Comment_122584374

Looks like a nice and simple little plodder, giving a nod back to the old days styling wise.

https://www.mcnews.com.au/honda-gb350-review-specs/

Hotblack Desiato

Late 90s/ early 00s there were loads of CBR 250/400 and Bros 250/400 imports here and in the UK. This was before the A2 licence class came in, but after two-strokes died a death leaving a huge gap in the market. The bikes of that size officially imported into the EU were ancient aul shíte like GN250, so most riders just moved up from 125 to 500 or more.

Loads of great bikes that fit the A2 class available these days.

cmyk

interesting stuff. You’re right in saying there’s a good range of A2 bikes now. That one just has the design balance just right for me. Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.

geotrig

Have to say as well nice looking motor

gipi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122585211#Comment_122585211

Sorry, only seeing this now. The bike had a Kwak frame, Suzuki logos on the tank and blue and white Suzuki paintwork.

It was designated as a Suzuki on the logbook. It looked a bit like a Bandit, but Bandit parts didn't always fit.

This is it

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/smgs/digital-archive/2_bike/ss4_061.php

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122638652#Comment_122638652

Thanks, every day's a school day. I wasn't aware of that type of collaboration between the big four Japanese, to the extent that they're building frames for each other.

Hotblack Desiato

K and Suz have had a collaboration agreement for years.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2001/august/kawasaki-issues-statement-on-link-with-suzuki/

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122633837#Comment_122633837

Quoting myself 😊 but to add, the 500s then were shite too! The Kawa GPz500S was ok but didn't deserve the exalted GPz name. Suzuki GS500E was based on a 70s engine, air-cooled two-valve twin. I still bought one 🙄 and toured all over France and into Italy, Switzerland, Germany on it. The suspension was cheap crap. Honda and Yamaha didn't have anything officially imported into Europe in that market segment at that time (IIRC, feel free to correct!)

There was all sorts of great stuff happening in the 600+cc market, especially in sportsbikes, but there was this massive hollow in the middle of the market. Back then you were a learner on <125cc and then passed your test and could ride whatever you liked, so in most European countries it made sense to move well up the CCs. That didn't take our fúcked up insurance market in Ireland into account. So there was a demand here for medium capacity bikes among riders with a full licence, that was not met by the official Big 4 offerings of the time.

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122601120#Comment_122601120

Looks very Enfield Meteor 350.