Dan's hints on purchasing a bike overseas

 

I have not purchased one myself for several reasons (Customs hassles, fees, bonds, etc.)  How the transaction goes is a matter of luck it seems.

 

First, the Australian Honda dealer is violating his franchise agreement by knowingly selling you a machine for export. But many of them are willing to do it. Arranging transport and insurance is no problem and as I recall from downunder to my doorstep in rural Oklahoma would cost about $450 US for a crate of bikes-via surface.

 

If your bike(s) (they come in a crate of two in the case of the CT-110) manage to slip through customs without much scrutiny, as most do, then your only problem would be licensing the things here in the US. And if you live in a fairly loose state, motor-vehicle-wise, as I do, then you won't have a problem. If you live in say California, you'll find it impossible to license them.

 

If your bikes are noted by customs as being highway-capable motor vehicles, then they may require a bond to be posted to insure that the bikes meet US emission and safety standards, a near-impossible task. Have whoever ships them mark the Bill of Lading as "Off-Highway vehicles for agricultural use."

 

The only sure way to get them into the US hassle-free is to go to Australia or wherever and bring them back as used motor vehicles and as part of your personal luggage. I had a chance to do this a few years ago when I visited a Honda dealer in Victoria, Oz and didn't buy a bike...I regret that.