Your views/experience on importing bikes

[sgtcalle]

Hi All.

I have been doing some lockdown pondering about the economics of importing motorcycles from overseas (primarily the States) to sell in the UK.

There appears to be a number of firms doing this apparently successfully already. On the face of it the idea seems feasible; bikes appear to be cheaper over there, they are generally in better condition (drier climate in the west), and there is many to choose from. I understand that there is also very little import duty to be paid on classic bikes over 30 years old, for which there seems to be a market in the UK.

There are companies out there which can collect a bike from a location in the States and deliver it to my door in the UK, basically selling me a bit of space in a container on a ship. It would appear to me that the more economical option however might be to buy 20 or so bikes, and get them shipped across in a single container, which would share the overhead. However i suppose that would rely on somebody in the States going round and buying a load of bikes and delivering them to a port to be loaded and shipped. Not sure whether there is anyone offering this service.

Does anyone have any experience in this area you would be willing to share?

TIA
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CBR600F '02
Manchester

[Robby]

I've heard about the various stories from people importing US bikes over the years. A few things things get mentioned again and again:

1. The assorted costs around importing a bike do add up quite quickly, with a fair degree of estimation required until you actually get the bills. More expensive than expected is the theme.

2. US models are just different enough to be difficult. A few slightly different parts, insurance can be more expensive because it's an import model, often worth slightly less in the UK than the equivalent UK model (although condition can more than make up for this).

3. They don't have MOTs, and you're not looking at the bike in the metal, so really major yet hidden problems do happen. There is also more of a culture of waiting until something is really broken and then replacing it, rather than fixing/rebuilding what you have when it starts to need maintenance.

4. Stuff always gets damaged in the container.

Do your best to cost it all up from a pessimistic standpoint and see if the number justify the risk. It may make sense as a commercial operation dealing with high value bikes and providing proper aftersales support and warranty to your customers.

[sgtcalle]

Thanks for the response Robby. Very sensible points.

There does seem to be a lot of companies offering shipping, but as you suggest, a fairly wide range of prices quoted.

I would likely be looking at buying barn find type motorcycles and selling them as spares or repairs. From the other outfits I've found online this seems to be the common model, partly i expect because it mitigates the risk you raise in your third point. For me it would also suit because I don't have the capital to be buying lots of shiny, running motorcycles, nor the time or expertise to restore non-runners once imported. DK Motorcycles are a prime example of this model. They seem to have a constant stream of non-runners imported from the states and sold online. Just don't know how they manage to source and import so many bikes!
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CBR600F '02
Manchester

[Kawa]

Hey, leave our bikes alone, they are getting scarce! Besides, why would you want to take perfectly nice bikes and bugger them up with all that mizzerble drizzle foggy bog weather?

PS-how much will you pay for my rust free 82 KZ305, the beautiful sister to that ugly gpz305? Its in fine cosmetic and running shape, except for the running part.