importing a bimota to the states

[fmsracing]

Has anyone imported a bimota to the states and if so how expensive and tricky was it? As it seems that there are not many bimotas for sale in the states, i've been looking for some in europe.

[Monster_Juice]

theres one in Beverly Hills Ducati I just saw.

[Bruce_Allison]

I've done it with my Furano, but in California the emissions door is pretty much closed now.

Perhaps in Arizona you might have a shot at it, but I'd only try it with a model that's already been imported for sale in the USA already, and hell, if that's the case, it would (seriously) be easier to find one already here and legal.

Check w/ Arizona's laws about DOT headlight switches, DOT speedo, emissions, and the weird-ass Euro VIN # (not 17 digits over there).

The worst case is that you've imported a track-only bike, so go into the import situation with that in mind.

[michman]

I just imported a '91 Tesi DS1r to AZ from New Zealand. There were no customs or DOT issues and the cost via ocean freight and delivered to my door in Tucson was $2,400 excluding crating which the seller (fortunately) provided. FYI - there are quite a few Bimota's that show up for sale on the Japanese eBay site. I would think that the import costs and issues would be similar to those I experienced for my NZ bike.
Hope this helps.

[Ducatierv]

I brought in three of them from England but that was 9 yrs ago or so and a lot has changed since with costs and regulations.

[daotoys1]

I have heard of guys taking a bike apart and shipping pieces of it in 5 or 6 boxes as motorcycle parts, only to get the bike into the country where the parts are then assembled into the original motorcycle. This was done by a dealer here in Colorado as well as a collector I know.

It sound extreme but it is a way to by pass the motorcycle custom problems. the question however is how many boxes and over how much time to you have the bike shipped from over seas a little bit at a time.

Of course once the parts are reassembled into a real motorcycle again you may have problems getting it registered, and/or titled, but each state is different.

In Colorado for example, I have had no problem having MotoCross/Cross/MX bikes made street legal. I built a frame up bike using a NOS ( New Old Stock) Rickman rolling chassis mated to a Yamaha road racing engine project bike I built and got it registered , plated and titled here in Colorado with only minimal difficulties.

But Colorado DMV laws are not to strict and seem extremely accepting to getting motor vehicles and home made project vehicles onto the roads.

What BIMOTAs are you looking for??? You might find some one here on this website with one for sale if you post what you are looking for.

Good luck.....

[CBar]

Originally Posted by fmsracing

Has anyone imported a bimota to the states and if so how expensive and tricky was it? As it seems that there are not many bimotas for sale in the states, i've been looking for some in europe.

What are you looking for?

[jcns]

laws and regulations for kit cars are somewhat easier to work with. This may apply to motorcycles as well. Maybe you can look into importing a "kit" motorcycle.
One importer brings in the rolling chassis, another importer brings the motor. That's how it works with cars(in essence).

[fmsracing]

What my heart is set on is a yb8 and i haven't seen too many come up for sale in the states. I know there is a wrecked one in PA that isn't worth the money and any others that i have seen the ads were posted back in 2007.

[anatak]

there is one for sale in Japan now
http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/134274068