Dumb question but has anybody ever retrofitted ABS to their bike? Export implications.

[Molly]

I'm shifting to NZ later this year. Looks like I can't take my bikes as they don't have ABS (convoluted rules written by people who have never ridden so much as a scooter). I take it the prospect of fitting ABS is a non-starter? 

[gstallons]

I can't understand how they require ABS on a bike that was never fitted w/ABS If you were to import your car / truck or whatever that was not built w/ABS would they deny entry on it also ?  Is this the V11 or another bike ? Are ALL bikes on the road there ABS ?

Edited January 6 by gstallons

[p6x]

3 hours ago, Molly said:

I'm shifting to NZ later this year. Looks like I can't take my bikes as they don't have ABS (convoluted rules written by people who have never ridden so much as a scooter). I take it the prospect of fitting ABS is a non-starter? 

I completely concur with @gstallons.

NZ has imported V11 Guzzi, so the regulations should not require any specific that did not exist when the motorcycles were certified there.

Besides, if the motorcycle in question is the 2000 V11 Guzzi in your profile, it is 25 years old. In most countries, including in the US, it means the vehicle is considered "antic", and should not be subjected to the same regulations. For example, in the US, any vehicle 25 years old or more can be imported, even if it was never sold here before.

I did a quick search on importing a vehicle in NZ, and it seems that one of the requirement is for the vehicle to not have been modified. Installing ABS on a vehicle that did not have it would be considered a modification. Depending on the circumstances under which you are moving to NZ, you are authorized to bring your personal possessions, including vehicles. It is also based on the import type: temporary or permanent, and of course your citizenship.

I read a bit about the formalities required, and I must say it would seem easier to purchase a V11 there, than importing yours. With all the inspections and even quarantine for a vehicle?! that have to be done by third party providers, it is a very expensive endeavor!

 

[Lucky Phil]

8 hours ago, Molly said:

I'm shifting to NZ later this year. Looks like I can't take my bikes as they don't have ABS (convoluted rules written by people who have never ridden so much as a scooter). I take it the prospect of fitting ABS is a non-starter? 

Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it but it wouldn't be worth the effort. Check the NZ requirements in detail because if it's anything like Australia the ABS mandate is only for bikes built after around 2020. It's one of the things that killed off the Honda postie bike here apparently, no rear brake ABS and Honda weren't willing to fit it.

PS. somebody actually did retrofit ABS to a Guzzi on the German forum. Audiomick would probably have the details. 

Phil

Edited January 6 by Lucky Phil

[gstallons]

Someone retrofitting ABS has too much time on their hands . Besides , who is going to test / verify the effectiveness of the ABS on the bike ?  

 If this reg is true , there is finally a Country that is more kooky than America .

[audiomick]

41 minutes ago, Lucky Phil said:

PS. somebody actually did retrofit ABS to a Guzzi on the German forum. Audiomick would probably have the details.

Yes, I read that topic. It was a couple of years ago, so I don't remember the details really. I think it was ABS from a Norge or Breva 1100 on a Griso. If I think of it and find time, I try and find it. Just had a quick look, and it looks like it will be a bit of a search.

[docc]

We have a member that imported a V11 (Rosso Corsa) into NZ from The States a few years ago. Not sure what he went through or if he'll speak up, but this has been done, apparently.

[gstallons]

The ABS retrofit ?

[docc]

On 1/6/2025 at 5:51 PM, gstallons said:

The ABS retrofit ?

The member imported a (non-ABS) V11 from the USA to NZ.

[MartyNZ]

Molly, have you read this?

https://www.onthrottle.co.nz/post/nz-s-mandatory-motorcycle-abs-what-is-exempt-and-what-isn-t

There are possible ways to avoid the NZ ABS requirements. 12 months ownership, or no ABS V11s were ever made.

 

[gstallons]

From what I read you can use the "special interest" motorcycle  portion of this rule being a motorcycle registered after 01/90 w/no models having been equipped w/ABS or CBS braking systems.  I am going to think this will all be up to the interpretation of the people issuing the license .

[pete roper]

From a purely mechanical and electronic perspective the 15M ECU doesn’t have the potential to support the ABS functions required. The W5AM does and I have, as I’ve aged, seriously considered fitting a pump and sub-harness to the loom on the Griso so I could do it. It’s been done in Europe I know. Thing is it would be an enormous hassle and my ‘Touring’ bike already has ABS so, despite the fact I’d like to have it I’m essentially too lazy, and not risk averse enough, to be bothered with the Mighty Griso.

[Molly]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm afraid I can't win this one. I've taken a few bikes to NZ in the past but that was before rule changes. The Special Interest thing is confined to just 100 bikes per year. 

What's frustrating is that I'll do exactly the same miles on a bike bought there as imported so what difference does it make? 

Kind of taken the wind out of my sails. Got my Cali through the stringent Manx test this week so it must be roadworthy. Christ, I should take them out as 'parts' and just ride the things.

Edited January 9 by Molly

[Lucky Phil]

3 hours ago, Molly said:

Thank you all for the replies. I'm afraid I can't win this one. I've taken a few bikes to NZ in the past but that was before rule changes. The Special Interest thing is confined to just 100 bikes per year. 

What's frustrating is that I'll do exactly the same miles on a bike bought there as imported so what difference does it make? 

Kind of taken the wind out of my sails. Got my Cali through the stringent Manx test this week so it must be roadworthy. Christ, I should take them out as 'parts' and just ride the things.

Don't know but it seems like you have no issue to me as long as you have owned and registered it for 12 months before immigrating.

There is also an exemption to allow New Zealand citizens or NZ residents to continue to import their bikes/cars from overseas as an immigrant’s vehicle, but they will need to demonstrate that the motorcycle in question they had owned and registered for use overseas for at least 12 months prior to importation.

OR

Import the bike anyway and as soon as you move apply immediatly for the 100 bikes/year exemption and maybe you need to wait a year to register it. In other words get your application in early for the following year if none exist for the present year. I mean there's only about 50 people living in NZ anyways. 

 

 

Edited January 10 by Lucky Phil

[O2 V11]

@Molly,

Reading the regulations in place you can import one vehicle, without that vehicle having to comply with the relevant ABS regulations. It would be a relatively painless process. The other piece of the puzzle is that the importer of the vehicle under this piece of legislation is either a returning NZ resident or a NZ citizen. You have not said whether the move here is permanent or temporary, this will determine the eligibility for the above.

Have a look at this link if you already haven't:

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/importing-a-vehicle/2-complying-with-vehicle-standards-and-providing-evidence/immigrants-vehicles/

Rob