Importing a motorcycle to the US

[p6x]

How cumbersome is it to get an imported bike registered in the US?

Has anybody US based on this forum done it?

Once I graduate from the V11 Le Mans, I would not mind finding a companion... and I just found this one....

Look at this beauty! 1996, limited and numbered edition. But this one is in metric units. Where I am coming from, you would not be able to register a vehicle with different units, unless it is classified as historic or vintage.

If I had the funds, I would have purchased this beauty already....

 

[docc]

Interesting topic came up on another thread. Moved here for better discussion.

[po18guy]

2 hours ago, p6x said:

How cumbersome is it to get an imported bike registered in the US?

Has anybody US based on this forum done it?

Once I graduate from the V11 Le Mans, I would not mind finding a companion... and I just found this one....

Look at this beauty! 1996, limited and numbered edition. But this one is in metric units. Where I am coming from, you would not be able to register a vehicle with different units, unless it is classified as historic or vintage.

If I had the funds, I would have purchased this beauty already....

 

Where is it now? Does it have a US title? Check with DMV Austin, as there are certainly specified requirements. Vintage or special interest is an exception in many titling/licensing cases.

EDIT: It is entirely possible that one may have to register the vehicle in an "easy" state, such as Oregon or Alabama, before titling it in Texas. That may require a "trusted" friend who would temporarily place it in his name before transferring to you. However, at each exchange, the taxman loometh. 

[p6x]

1 hour ago, po18guy said:

Where is it now? Does it have a US title? Check with DMV Austin, as there are certainly specified requirements. Vintage or special interest is an exception in many titling/licensing cases.

EDIT: It is entirely possible that one may have to register the vehicle in an "easy" state, such as Oregon or Alabama, before titling it in Texas. That may require a "trusted" friend who would temporarily place it in his name before transferring to you. However, at each exchange, the taxman loometh. 

It is in Italy!

Shipping it to the USA would be about $2000 in today's market. And that's groupage;

Then you pay the import duty and you need to get it registered.

I had that thought about your comment on "easy" states. Once it has been registered in US, it is a lot easier to do a title transfer.

As for Texas DMV's guidelines, they state that your vehicle needs first to comply to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before you even attempt anything else.

I checked the list of the nonconforming vehicles eligible for importation and this particular Moto Guzzi is on the list! Daytona RS 1996. So technically, this specific model can be imported and titled in the USA.

Then the usual Texas Safety Inspection, which I don't see as a problem.

Finally, you need to obtain a VIN inspection; this sounds a little bit more exotic. The inspector is an auto-theft specialist from the law enforcement. I suspect, this is to make sure the vehicle has not been stolen before its original credentials get laundered into a new US title.

There rest of the procedure is the same for any other title transfer in Texas.

You can of course choose an import agency to do the first part for you.

 

[LowRyter]

I think I'd just look for a US model.  They're out there.  Be prepared to maintain it.

[p6x]

4 hours ago, LowRyter said:

I think I'd just look for a US model.  They're out there.  Be prepared to maintain it.

Apparently, only 34 were ever imported in the US. I saw this one sold possibly as soon as posted. So, chances to find another one here in the US would be minimal.

If I had the cash, I would probably seriously think about importing the one I found in Italy. Unlike the one sold by raresportsbike, it is completely original.

As for maintenance, I suppose replacing the specific Daytona parts could be an issue. With only 308 bikes manufactured during the two years if the source is accurate; this is almost a collector.

[Scud]

Here's a 1993 Daytona in Los Angeles on Craigslist:

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/d/venice-moto-guzzi-1993-daytona-1000/7352811864.html

I'd be willing to ride it to Mexico for you so you can enjoy getting it back across the border.

[p6x]

I would rather you take it to Europe, to make it a bit more challenging.

 

[LowRyter]

12 hours ago, p6x said:

Apparently, only 34 were ever imported in the US. I saw this one sold possibly as soon as posted. So, chances to find another one here in the US would be minimal.

If I had the cash, I would probably seriously think about importing the one I found in Italy. Unlike the one sold by raresportsbike, it is completely original.

As for maintenance, I suppose replacing the specific Daytona parts could be an issue. With only 308 bikes manufactured during the two years if the source is accurate; this is almost a collector.

sorry, I thought it was a "just" a Daytona.  Not a special one of 34.  I suppose you could import a Dr John bike too?  Maybe that one is one?  I dunno. 

I see Richard Hammond, Top Gear guy was auctioning off his tonti LeMans.  Lots of cool bikes out there.

[p6x]

3 minutes ago, LowRyter said:

sorry, I thought it was a "just" a Daytona.  Not a special one of 34.  I suppose you could import a Dr John bike too?  Maybe that one is one?  I dunno. 

I see Richard Hammond, Top Gear guy was auctioning off his tonti LeMans.  Lots of cool bikes out there.

For the time being, I am going to concentrate on riding my humble Le Mans. Once I am satiated with it, providing it is even possible, I may get her a sister.

That Daytona RS is that kind, and if I had the means, I would not let it slip away...

[Pressureangle]

I actually did some research on this recently. If I understand correctly, as long as the bike is 25+ years old it qualifies as collectible, and exempt from USA homologation. The Department of State has all the information on their website.

[p6x]

12 minutes ago, Pressureangle said:

I actually did some research on this recently. If I understand correctly, as long as the bike is 25+ years old it qualifies as collectible, and exempt from USA homologation. The Department of State has all the information on their website.

Correct. I read it too. But this is moot in that the Moto Guzzi Daytona RS has an exemption to be imported, independently of the 25 years. It is in the list of those "non-conformance" motorbikes that can be imported.

In any case, the bike being from 1996, the first box of the HS7 can be ticked.

[docc]

2 hours ago, p6x said:

Correct. I read it too. But this is moot in that the Moto Guzzi Daytona RS has an exemption to be imported, independently of the 25 years. It is in the list of those "non-conformance" motorbikes that can be imported.

In any case, the bike being from 1996, the first box of the HS7 can be ticked.

That being the case, and your having asked the other inmates on the ward if this is not actually crazy . . .

GET IT!!

[VtwinStorm]

On 7/27/2021 at 6:23 PM, docc said:

That being the case, and your having asked the other inmates on the ward if this is not actually crazy . . .

GET IT!!

That Daytona is such a sexy beast.

[Lucky Phil]

On 7/27/2021 at 12:29 PM, p6x said:

Apparently, only 34 were ever imported in the US. I saw this one sold possibly as soon as posted. So, chances to find another one here in the US would be minimal.

If I had the cash, I would probably seriously think about importing the one I found in Italy. Unlike the one sold by raresportsbike, it is completely original.

As for maintenance, I suppose replacing the specific Daytona parts could be an issue. With only 308 bikes manufactured during the two years if the source is accurate; this is almost a collector.

There was only ever 3910 Hi Cam models made in total across all the versions so if you are going to own one and put miles on it parts will be an issue. With so few built the aftermarket world will never be interested in re manufacturing stuff either. They aren't really like your traditional Guzzi BB that will do big miles as well. So it's a collectors piece in a sensible world. 

Bikes like these aren't for the average guy anymore like bevel drive Ducatis. Add up the cost of an engine rebuild on a Bevel drive these days and be sitting down when you get to the total and they built a lot more than 3910 of those. Even if you already own one the nagging worry in the back of your mind will always be parts cost and availability.

Personally I'd buy something like a Ducati 1098R if I was after a classic that will appreciate and buy some still readily available spares for it.  

Ciao