Hi all,

Had a Fatboy some years ago and was thinking about getting back on a V-Twin again.  I ride Triple at the moment.

I am toying with the idea of flying over to the States and buying a new bike, touring around the west coast (California, Arizona and one or two neighbouring states) and when we are done.  Crate it back and bring it home.  Fly-and-ride and bring it home is the idea.  What I'm looking for is someone who can guide us right through the whole process so it is headache free.

Having read many past threads on importing Harley from USA, I would have loved to chat (and deal) with Wayne (Chopaweeza) but he doesn't deal with individuals anymore.  So, I'm guessing (and hoping) that someone else must have done fly-ride-and-it-bring-home in the past year or two.

There seems to be too many cowboys in this industry and keep hearing tales of caution, more than 'happy ending'  

So.... I'm looking for: (a) your recommendation for a 'Motorcycle import service' provider... preferably in Melbourne.  (b) any tips in doing fly-ride-and-bring-it-home?

Thanks in advance.

So far, two tips I got on another thread (http://www.hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=15&tpage=34&view=Topic&postid=301575) are:

(1) Crate bikes - damage is not uncommon when not crated.

(2) Stock bikes are easier to bring in then modified (fit back stock pipes, OEM mirros, OEM indicators, etc., if you got them) - otherwise buy them on eBay or Craigslist and fit them... especially from California as they have most strict emissions reg in the States so it should be similar to AU.

(3) Speedo needs replacing with Km/h speedo and indicators must be yellow lens (not red) and number plate holder must be on the rear of the bike (not hanging off the rear wheel nut)

(4) Tyres and brake pads have to be replaced with new when landed, no matter how new they are (what a waste!).  Parts are cheaper in US so buy new (not fitted to the bike) boxed or wrapped in OEM factory wrapper and bring them in with the bike in the crate so you can have them fitted when RAWS workshop says, you need new tyres.

DO NOT BUY "NEW" TYRES IN THE US !!

SEEMS A LOGICAL " GOOD IDEA " BUT IT'S FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED

Brake pads maybe , but NOT tyres

I know pesonally 2 guys who had imports arrive in Australia with new tyres installed immediately before export

One had them changed again at the compliancers in the east and was charged for them before release of the bike to him , and he DID NOT GET the now "used" tyres passed onto him. Turned into a shitfight with every fucker " sueing" every fucker yadayada !

The compliancer in the east had "Environmentally disposed" of the new US spec tyres of course , ( by selling them on Aussie ebay the cNut !!)

Second dude , same thing , new tyres on a CVO from an HD dealer , had to change the tyres here in Perth again , but at my prompting he collected the now "used" brand new "US spec" tyres and put them in the boot of his missus' car himself and took them home. With the MPH speedo / US headlight / lenses etcetc

Don't bend over for the fuckaaz or they'll be up you like a rat up a drainpipe , but you have to stay within the " RAWS Laws "

Interesting stories. I was thinking of bringing tyres unfitted, still wrapped in original Dunlop tyre wrapper but sitting in the crate. When the raws inspector says, new tyres, I can say, here they are. Please fit THESE! I assume the reason for change is to ensure no dirt travel back into the country, much the same way quarantine asks about visiting farms while oversea. I can't see how raws are going to justify rejecting a brand new tyres not yet fitted to the bike and still wrapped up in factory wrapper.

I forgot to say, thanks everyone for chipping in with your thoughts, ideas and experiences. They are ALL very helpful.

it's all to do with " numbers" and codes on given parts

These comply with the RAWS evidence for Australia

Shit they even wank on about indicator lenses and tailight lenses !

The new brake pads have to be a certain Ferodo part number apparently a local RAWS workshop told me !!

So just get the new tyres here and save yourself all the arguments later

It's wankety as , but the genuine HD LED tailights that you can buy from yer Aussie HD dealer and fit to any 200 rear softail DO NOT PASS RAWS , so the workshops put a non LED cluster in to pass , then back in goes yer superior LED taillight !!

I've mentioned in other posts that another mate of mine brought a 2006 Heritage Springer 1450 here from LA and it failed RAWS on LOADS of stock OEM Harley parts on the bike. TOMBSTONE taillight / twin dual exhausts either side of the bike / height of the stock OEM mini-ape handlebars etc etc. NIGHTMARE !!

Not the same as the RWC , but I get your drift !

The RAWS workshops have to follow very prescribed rules

Some were " skipping" or reading between the lines apparently.

Hence the " crackdown " and my mate's Heritage Springer got caught up in it all

The model he brought was not sold new in Australia it would seem , hence his difficulties.

Over the years there have been a few models that didn't come here

Hey Retroman. I can see how a bike that never arrived in AU can be a problem. Poor bastard for going through the hassle. Hope they are enjoying the bike now?

My advice is DONT import a bike by yourself, the pitfalls are many. Either find a bike you want that has already gone through all the hurdles and is here ready for the taking, yea it may cost you a couple of k more, but the headaches are not worth that saving. Even the professionals no longer want to be involved, a few are getting out of it especially with the dollar as it is today. I bought from a Melbourne importer when the bike was already here and I was satisfied with price I paid for it. I saved a few k based on what others were asking for similar bike. So in the end its also what price you can negotiate for it. I bought off Mark Shannon of shannonsimports.com.au he has listed a bunch of bikes that he still has up for sale. Perhaps if you have already found a bike in the US and only need to get it here he may be able to help you out but it will still cost you for his time and effort above the regular compliancing costs. He last told me last hes no longer looking to import, too much headaches and little return. I go back to what I said try and find one already here and ready for first registration, then negotiate.

ic fair enough, good luck in your venture.

Thanks!

Yes 87 cents today . Back last year and before when it was $1.05 + it was well worth bringing your own

Buying one already imported by a dealer ? Fair enough but MAKE SURE if possible you get all the stock stuff , handbooks exhaust etc etc

So many of the dealer imports do not have all the stuff with them ( hardly any actually !!) Where does it go ?

2 keys , 2 alarm fobs if the bike has one , etc etc . Remember US dealers cannot post you stuff any more !

For some time now they have been banned by HD USA from posting goods abroad .

Genuine HD parts that is , not aftermarket stuff.

There were a couple of cases of US dealers taking HD to court etc , as they had built up quite a rep' with "overseas buyers"

They must have been found "wanting" as the ban firmly applies. Bidding on eBay on US dealer stuff you will find you are disallowed to bid !!

When the Aussie dollar was at close to $1.10 US the local dealers here must have been bleeding badly because of it

You could land parts and acessories here in Perth WA for LESS than half of the locally bought cost

2010 and 2010 I was locating everything there and why wouldn't you ?