hi everyone, looking to get a bike from the states and wondering how much you saved compared to getting it here. also how did you pay......cash, money order etc. Thanks
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buying bike from states......how much did you save?
- Thread starter etobrider
- Start date
backtobikes
Active member
I assume you have stumbled across this excellent site on the subject:
http://sites.google.com/site/ronh2005/howtoimportamotorcycle
My bike is a US import, but I picked it up off a guy who had imported it. He noted that while there are deals to be had in the US, the biggest thing that attracted him was the selection. He did hit one unexpected kink. Part of the import process requires you to verify that there are no outstanding manufacturer recalls. BMW charged him 500 dollars to produce the letter he needed. Bastards! Based on that, I would not import a Beamer. I have friends that just picked up a Sea Ray 185 from the States - unbelieveably cheap. Off topic I realize, but there are a lot of deals to be had in the States that just don't exist here in Canada.
http://sites.google.com/site/ronh2005/howtoimportamotorcycle
My bike is a US import, but I picked it up off a guy who had imported it. He noted that while there are deals to be had in the US, the biggest thing that attracted him was the selection. He did hit one unexpected kink. Part of the import process requires you to verify that there are no outstanding manufacturer recalls. BMW charged him 500 dollars to produce the letter he needed. Bastards! Based on that, I would not import a Beamer. I have friends that just picked up a Sea Ray 185 from the States - unbelieveably cheap. Off topic I realize, but there are a lot of deals to be had in the States that just don't exist here in Canada.
Have you checked this thread?
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?1038-Importing-a-Motor-Vehicle-To-Canada-(the-be-all-end-all)
Generally, people save a couple grand after all is said and done on used 600s. Considering that the bike is like $5-7k, $2k savings is a lot to me.
The import process was painless and easy as long as you figure out the paperwork (took me a couple of hours after reading the thread). You can do paypal deposit and then pay either in cash or with certified money order / bank draft. I was lucky enough that the owner brought the bike to Buffalo for me to look at first, so I gave my deposit in cash (got receipt of course), then when I went to pick up the bike I had bank draft for the rest of the money with me.
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?1038-Importing-a-Motor-Vehicle-To-Canada-(the-be-all-end-all)
Generally, people save a couple grand after all is said and done on used 600s. Considering that the bike is like $5-7k, $2k savings is a lot to me.
The import process was painless and easy as long as you figure out the paperwork (took me a couple of hours after reading the thread). You can do paypal deposit and then pay either in cash or with certified money order / bank draft. I was lucky enough that the owner brought the bike to Buffalo for me to look at first, so I gave my deposit in cash (got receipt of course), then when I went to pick up the bike I had bank draft for the rest of the money with me.
atss2006
Well-known member
I've imported a couple of BMW's (used). Ended up being about 1/2 the price. There are ways to get around the BMW rip off for the recall letter. Prices have been catching up but still way cheaper in the states, and as another posted mentioned there are way more bikes to select from. When there is more selection there are more deals to be hand. Importing is pretty painless. Biggest pain is having to take a day off to get it across the boarder during business hours. Make sure you read the RIV website if you decide to do it.
Hammer
Well-known member
When i was looking at getting a US bike... it would have been about 20%-30% cheaper to buy it states side...
In the end, I ended buying mine in Canada though.. completely different bike also though...
it comes down to, are you willing to trust someone before you make a 5 or 6 hour or even more drive with a trailer...
then store it for a few days across the border and then bring it home...
the savings is there, but how many bikes do you look at here where the guy says it's mint and you show up and the thing looks like it's done a tour in afghanistan...
scraped, broken, etc...
now picture that after driving a long ways to see it...
I took a gamble and drove 3 hours to see my bike, and i'm glad i did, but i've read lots of horror stories online and even on craigslists where a guy drives hours to see a "mint" bike and it's a wreck...
In the end, I ended buying mine in Canada though.. completely different bike also though...
it comes down to, are you willing to trust someone before you make a 5 or 6 hour or even more drive with a trailer...
then store it for a few days across the border and then bring it home...
the savings is there, but how many bikes do you look at here where the guy says it's mint and you show up and the thing looks like it's done a tour in afghanistan...
scraped, broken, etc...
now picture that after driving a long ways to see it...
I took a gamble and drove 3 hours to see my bike, and i'm glad i did, but i've read lots of horror stories online and even on craigslists where a guy drives hours to see a "mint" bike and it's a wreck...
atss2006
Well-known member
Hammer is right about taking a risk. You can control the risk a bit by spending a bit of cash up front. what I did (I've bought a few cars from the states as well with no problems). Contact a dealer in the area and ask the owner to take it to the dealer. You pay for the inspection from the dealer. No seller that is on the up and up will complain about taking the bike in for an inspection when they don't have to pay. It only costs a hundred bucks or so for the inspection and you know what youre getting. If you happen to be buying a beemer this is a great way to get in good with the dealer (who is usually happy to give you a recall notice out of their system as well).
You can avoid the delay at the border by getting the ownership fedexed to you or get a good color copy made from a scan. The border wants one ahead of time, you can email the image to them for export, but make sure you bring the color copy for their records. That way you can cross the border when you get there and not wait the 48 hrs.
You can avoid the delay at the border by getting the ownership fedexed to you or get a good color copy made from a scan. The border wants one ahead of time, you can email the image to them for export, but make sure you bring the color copy for their records. That way you can cross the border when you get there and not wait the 48 hrs.
OpenGambit
Banned
What about buying new?
TheDutchDream
Well-known member
My last two bikes are from state side..
Ill never buy Canadian again....
2004 r1.... 3200miles $3600.......... bought last year
2000 zx6r......18000 miles...... $2200...... bought 3 years ago
for sale on kijiji right now....... ha ha ha ha ha ha
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-bikes-2000-Kawasaki-Ninja-W0QQAdIdZ339901801
Ill never buy Canadian again....
2004 r1.... 3200miles $3600.......... bought last year
2000 zx6r......18000 miles...... $2200...... bought 3 years ago
for sale on kijiji right now....... ha ha ha ha ha ha
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...-bikes-2000-Kawasaki-Ninja-W0QQAdIdZ339901801
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