Import or not to import?

[paulodd]

i want to import a 91 VFR400 NC30 from thailand but before i do i want to know other bikers opinion's.....


At the moment i have a Honda CG125, its cheap and very reliable but im getting bord with it. i want a bigger, faster and a bike with more power, just like any young, red blooded teenager. im not very knowledgable yet about bikes as i have only been riding for a short time. heres the problem:

The bike ive spotted is a Honda VFR400 NC30 in great condition (so they say)

specs:

Built in 1991 but registered in Thailand in 1993
Registration book and Log book
45,000 kms
2 previous owners

they are asking £1500 for it (inc shipping) it will work out at just over £1800 inc all tax and VAT etc. it is a legit company and i want to get it. But as im still living at home my mum has, unfortunately a say in what i get, (as she says its her garage, she puts what she wants init) she and her partner do not think i should buy from aboard and that i should test the bike before i buy. But i have fallen in love with this bike, (from what ive seen) and what ever 400 i buy i prob wont be able to take out as there arent many for sale that are restricted.


What are your opinion's?



Paul

[Ste]

There are plently around in this country which have already been imported and registered here, so you'd be much better off just getting one that is already in this country, as you can actually look at the bike before buying it unlike that import. Have a look on www.biketrader.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk www.adtrader.co.uk and www.loot.com for bikes for sale.

[paulodd]

thanks for your reply Ste, i know there are hundreds around in this country, and ive been searching on those sites, but im afraid to say i have to have the best,in my own opinion, looking bike. i don't like the back of most VFR400's, its flat and ugly, whereas this one is swish and more sports like
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[Ste]

Have you looked into how much insurance will be on that as I'd expect it'll be more than the other 400's.

Also parts will be a right pain to get hold of for it.

If the tart value of that bike over all the other 400's makes it worth that much to you and you're willing to risk buying a bike you've never seen or riden one of then go for it, I just don't think it worth paying more than all the other 400's for importing that bike.

[paulodd]

yes i have looked at insurance. for me, a 17 yr old, fully comp would cost me £460 for a year. as for the parts bit they are quite easy for me to get hold of, there is a main honda dealership near my house (and i did my work experience there) and they've said they can get all parts easily. unfortunately they dont actually stock any 400's

I know its a big risk thats why im asking for all your constructive criticism
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[CBRPETER]

Hmm, they may have some parts BUT if you break something which they don't stock your going to be without a bike for a while, its really up to you if you like that sportier model then go for it really.
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Shes my life, shes so rad and shes the best ride i ever had!!

[instigator]

Dont know about the vfr but its brother, the rvf is stupidly expensive for parts.....£50 for a set of spark plugs anyone??

I#d say cruise ebay and find one there, it can take a while but would be worth it.

How would you feel if you did import the bike and it turned out to have crash damage(note the respray) or any other particular problems, you couldn't resolve them really and I doubt the seller would be all that helpful considering hes 3000 miles away.

Id say don't take the gamble. Sorry, I dont think its worth it Go on ebay and wait until something good props up, much less hassle, less chances of it being a piece of crap(you can visit the bike) and hey, it'll already be registered etc.

Good luck!

[paulodd]

thanks for the replys instigator and CBRPETER, like i said i dont like tha flat backs of the VFR's thats why i wanted a sporty look like this one. yer it is a massive gamble, been looking around for the last 3months and havent found anything in my price budget that i like.
____________________
Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[tatters]

[paulodd]

lol, i rang up carol nash and threw them they found me a company that deals especially for my age riders who have just past their tests. but after that company the next cheapest they quoted me at £2000 fully comp and theres no wa im going to pay that, id rather stay on my CG. i'll find out and post the name of the insurance company.
____________________
Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[Ste]

Okay, right as no one else had said the answer you posted this wanting to hear I'll say it. Yes I think you should get that bike!!!

[mchaggis]

Yes, that bike is sweet, if you're willing to take the risk, go for it! If Honda say they can get the parts, and you can get £460 fully comp, and you're happy with the chance it might have damage they've not declared, then there's no reason why not.

In general, importing is not a preferable option from my point of view, my bike's from a relatively obscure Chinese company. This is fine for engine parts, being based on the CG125, but other parts I seem to struggle with. Case in point, a 12V15W single filament sidelight bulb. Only produced in China. I just stuck a 12V21W scooter headlamp bulb in it in the end. It was the only bulb that had the same fitting.

Buyer beware, but assuming that everything is hunky dory, then you'll get yourself a lovely machine.

[Ste]

Bear in mind you'll also have to sort out registering it and getting it MOT'ed. £460 fully comp. does sound like they're talking out their arses but if they're actually willing to sell a policy at that much then go for it but I wouldn't be suprised if they later realise they need to add a 1 in front of the 460.

[paulodd]

thank you mchaggis, nice to know someone doesn't think its completely a bad thing. lol, can't you find any cheap importing sights that do the bulbs?

Ste are you trying to talk me out of it? lol only joking. yes ive already researched into all the V.A.T, duty tax, registering fee, and have extra money aside for the MOT and any work that may need to be done. As to the insurance i am going to recheck it out tomorrow morning, i'll keep you up to date once i've re-checked.
____________________
Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[CBRPETER]

Sounds like its all good to go then!
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Shes my life, shes so rad and shes the best ride i ever had!!

[Jrod]

The only reason I didn't get a VFR is IMO it has a square ugly rear end, that one looks very nice tho mate, go for it.

[Kickstart]

Hi

£1800 is a fairly large amount for a VFR. At £1500, add 17.5% VAT, a £35 first registration fee, £40 road tax, £15 for an MOT, £10 for a numberplate and you are at over £1850 before you deal with any problems the bike might have (like needing tyres, indicators, mph speedo converter).

Also if it is the bike in the picture then it has been played with. The seat unit looks like it is from another bike, and the headlight doesn't look like it has the NC30s twin lights (possibly an NC24 headlight).

Personally I would say it is not worth the risk, especially considering the price would not be great.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Rory]

You could always get a cosmetically damaged VFR in this country, and mod the bodywork yourself. Tyga do RC211V replica bodywork for the VFR which looks tha nutz
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My Old CBR400RR | Bike Oil FAQ | Petrol FAQ

[paulodd]

i know its not the proper NC30 fairings or lights, its a specially designed sports fairing. they do it for the CBR400 and the VFR400. the bike goes through a honda maintenance test before its shipped, as its a company that specialises in Honda's out there.

Whats this about your idea Rory? do you have a website or no of a magazine that i can look at, to check this idea out?

Paul
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[G]

Sorry, I also don't like the looks of it.

To start with it's a lot of money for a 30,000 miles bike. Never mind that you're getting it blind.

Had you considered seeing if you can purchase the fairings from somewhere seperately?

Also, do remember that if you are going to be riding it, you may well crash it or otherwise damage it, meaning you've got an even more expensive repair bill.

[paulodd]

Thanks G, its true but im just madly in love with it. I am starting to change my mind, and thinking on doing what you say of getting one from Uk and seeing if i can chance the fairings. Keep the comments coming please.

Paul
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[CBRPETER]

It's a nice looking bike, if you get one the same or similiar in the U.K then do that. You should be able to change your vote on the poll.. oh well.
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Shes my life, shes so rad and shes the best ride i ever had!!

[Gazdaman]

It's a sexy bike for sure but my spidey sense is worried for ya.

If it's as good as it seems then sure it's a good buy.

But imagine it is crash damaged, imagine it gets picked up in the MOT, imagine there's a lot of work that needs doing. It could go horribly wrong.

But even with those bits it looks nicer than any VFR400 we can get around this way. Just hope it's all as good as it seems, which is a big gamble, and hope insurance really is that cheap...

Gaz

[paulodd]

i don't wanna change the vote i want to know your real opinions not fix it! and gazdaman aka captain garth you could of said that to my face, but thanks for writing it in here. lol
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[Gazdaman]

I've said that to your face plenty of times!

Gaz