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Local grey purchase or do it myself ??

  • Devo
    Devo
    12 years ago
    Sorry guys. Don't want to be a new guy talking about greys but I have a question that hasn't really been discussed much.
     
    With a bit of a tax return and some saved cash I will be able to jump into my first Harley. Done the dirt bike, jap bike,ducati and everything in-between. Loved them all for different reasons.
     
    I will purchase a 07 or later softail nightrain with under 10'000 klm.  The whole grey or local thing does not worry me so I won't go there. The issue is to buy one already imported at a premium or do myself.
     
    My rough figures shows me that I could purchase what I want for $11,500 add about $7,000 to get it landed and registered and I should be riding for around $18,500. Now with some phone calls it looks like I could get one already in Australia for around $23,000 or less.(not sure what a local one is worth. Hard to find them)
     
    So my question is this. 
    Would you pay a $4,500 premium to avoid  all the risks/headaches associated with importing yourself ? I know many importers smooth things out but the risks are still there and you can inspect before you buy.
     
    What ya think
     
    Cheers
  • Tim S.G.
    Tim S.G.
    12 years ago

    Speak to Chopaweeza , only good reports .

  • Devo
    Devo
    12 years ago
    Ok that's nice. Klms are too high for me but the look is just right.( I assume it's an import)
     
    Just say you got him down a bit. Add in the value of the extras and the price difference would be down to a few grand. 
     From doing it yourself.
     
    Is a few grand too much to pay for lesser risk ???. 
  • Devo
    Devo
    12 years ago
    Yep. I have spoken chopaweeza and I am very comfortable with that aspect. But things can still go wrong that are outside of his control. All the above bikes could be had for low 20's already landed and you could inspect/ride.

    Or you save a couple a grand and import with a higher risk.
    What are people out there willing to pay to reduce risk.
    Obviously using a recognized importer is a risk mitigator for a premium.(and I believe good value)
    You can possibly pay more for a landed bike and lower risk further.

    Cheers
  • Rains
    Rains
    12 years ago
    Devo, There is no right or wrong answer - it purely depends on the individual, their risk profile, patience, tolerance to stress etc! Only you can decide which is the best course for you.

    Personally importing will take a few months start to finish, but buying a grey import locally is instant gratification! If you buy from a private seller in the US, the savings can be more than the two grand you mention. Lots more checking, but worth it.

    I am very happy with my personal import that I did via Chopaweeza. I must add that I was in the US a few months back and trawled the local dealers wherever I went, but could not find any good ones at the price I wanted. I was fortunate enough to have a bike-riding friend there who found me a mint bike from a private seller soon after I came back. This was much cheaper than the dealers and came with $3-4000 worth of extras. So buying privately in the US is definitely another option - there have been previous forum postings from others that mentioned how Chopaweeza guided / helped them with the remote negotiations with the sellers, checking etc.

    Personally, I found the “hunt” enjoyable and it didn’t stress me out at all except at one point when a transport goofup (nothing to do with Chopaweeza) almost caused my bike to miss the boat - it would have been another 2 months wait for the next boat! Things can & will go wrong, but if you are prepared to be patient and be meticulous with your checks, the extra cash will be in your pocket, not someone else’s.


  • Devo
    Devo
    12 years ago
    Your right. I guess it's up to ones risk appetite and the available time they have to do the leg work.

    I'm happy with the importing process I just doubt I have the time or ability to safely locate and purchase the right bike.

    So in my situation I would be looking at around $19,000 total for a nightrain I import myself or possibly around the $23,000 mark for a bike ready to go that I can inspect ride etc.

    Basically a $4,000 insurance policy.
  • Wimbo
    Wimbo
    12 years ago

    Check "Bike Sales" mate.

    I'm sure I've seen them for around $20K, even cheaper.

    If the bike is looked after, something with 30-40 thousand K's and below $20k would be good buying.

    Cheers

  • Wimbo
    Wimbo
    12 years ago

    Just had a look.

    I'm wrong. They average around $23-24 K.

    It was the Evo based ones I was thinking about.

    Still, theres 40 of them round the age you want.

    "A bird in the Hand is worth two in the bush" so to speak.

  • Devo
    Devo
    12 years ago
    I'm looking below 10,000 klms generally. Prices around $23,000 to $25,000 for imports. Not sure on the locals. I know people are saying that dealer imports are around the same price as local bikes but I can't find enough identical locals to confirm this. I see some local asking identical but with high klms. That's about it.
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