Around 1994, I sold my ex-race ‘91 CBR600F2 to an exporter (repped by a friend). I was told it was going to Japan. I wonder what they thought about the safety wire holes drilled all over it...

Well Mercedes, you’ll just have to start an import company, advertise on Jalopnik, and organize motorcycle container shipments. That would beat dying of various rodent diseases and tetanus as another writer is doing.

I, too, prefer RHD motorcycles.

Imagine doing this today. Customs would have a field day with you. 

The shippers won’t take a vehicle with *anything* in it.   When I shipped a car to Hawaii, I couldn’t even have a tire gauge in the glove box.

Turns out most things that made it fun to ride in Germany (well maintained roads, twists and turns, mostly temperate weather) was not readily available around Detroit, so I ended up selling it to an enthusiast. I still miss the way it looks and sounds though. It was in decent shape but had its share of scrapes and…

Exquisite taste, sir.

There is a Honda Beat in the Seattle area. Owner is a member of the Avants enthusiast group. If you want to connect with the Beat owner, I’m sure adam at avants dot com can / would connect you. Good luck and enjoy the new purchase!

1992 Kawasaki ZXR400, and it had just turned 25 the month I imported it. Ended up being a perfect starter bike for me, and had style for days.

If I remember correctly, the shippers/sellers frown heavily on that. But I agree, it is an idea that makes sense. 

A Irish coworker did that in reverse, bought a dirt bike here in the US, broke it down, and had other coworkers take an extra bag back to Ireland. Since they a were on business, technically he didn’t even pay for the baggage.

What if...call me crazy...you put the motorcycle IN the van before shipping the van? I know it would be difficult to arrange, but then you’re only paying to ship one kei van.

Any recommendations on importing cars from Europe? I’m looking into a Peugeot 106 Rallye. 

I have an NC35, so are biased towards those, but NC30s are cool too.

What was it, and how old at the time you imported it?

I successfully imported a classic Kawasaki from the European market to the US (Michigan). It wasn’t really that bad, I needed to contact Kawasaki to get a letter certifying its build date, then I had to fill some forms and that was it! The state of Michigan took my German title and issued a new Michigan title. I…

Back in the 80's you would fly to Japan with two Large suitcases and buy which ever flavor of 125CC Race bike you liked. Disassemble it and put it into the suitcases and fly home. Cheaper to buy the bike in Japan including the round trip ticket.

Going the shared container route can get “interesting”. Friend of mine was transferred to Europe for an extended job stay. So he shipped his 996 convertible over (Ro/Ro ship going over). When the time came to ship it back, he went the shared container route because it was rather cheaper. But on arrival in the US, that…

Step 1: Find great deals on overseas motorcycles.

The new Z has me back in fanboy mode. I had an ‘85 turbo when I was like 17 and it was an absolute pile. MAN did I like that thing.