Import Japan VFR800 2007 to U.S.

I'm hoping there are knowledgeable VFR lovers out there that know of such a situation and could advise.

Ok, I know people are wondering why the trouble doing this. Well, you know, I love my VFR, and I've put a lot of work and customization into it.

I live in Japan and bought my VFR800 2007 in Japan. I purchased it as a used bike. It now has about 9,900 miles on the odometer
I'm looking to import the bike to the U.S. and use it in the state of California.

Before importing it, I believe there are a few things I might need to do, yet, not sure the best way or even how to go about it:

1. Have bike inspected to pass EPA and DOT standards (and modify bike if necessary to meet such standards)
-I suppose this needs to be done IN JAPAN prior to shipping, otherwise customs will flip me the finger and force me to destroy the bike.
-Not sure where in Japan I could have this done. Still looking but...

2. Register for a VIN code
-Since the bike was manufactured in Japan for the Japan Market, their coding doesn't follow the standard 17character VIN Code. Rather, the Japan code is something like: RC46-1###### which is engraved into the steering column and frame.
-It seems that even if I can get the bike up to spec per #1 above, I don't know if there's ANY WAY to deal with the VIN and bringing it into compliance.

If anyone can help shed some light on the above it would be really appreciated!

http://www.bordercen...em/vehicles.htm

[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 24 June 2011 - 04:14 AM, said:

http://www.bordercen...em/vehicles.htm



Thanks for this, it's helpful. However, I'm still not sure how to get around the VIN NUMBER issue.

After I wrecked my bike, I got a new frame from Honda that did not have a VIN.

Here in Alberta, you can apply to get a new VIN from the government, and voila, bike is on the road.

It's called the assigned VIN program. Say for example, you welded your own utility trailer and wanted to have it registered. Assigned VIN to the rescue.

Of course, there is an inspection process, etc, but it isn't that bad.



Check with the CHP regarding any "assigned VIN" program that they may have.

If they don't do it, they can refer you to the branch of government that does.

Quote

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country (Grey Market)

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly or impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS.) No direct import vehicle less than two years old can be converted to California emission standards. Not all direct import vehicles over two years old can be converted to California emission standards and FMVSS. No motorcycle or diesel powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards. For details, contact the California Air Resources Board (ARB), or visit ARB online.


I don't know if you could say, import it to Arizona first, by "selling" it to your brother, uncle, etc (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), then your brother, uncle, etc, got "tired" of it and "sold" it to you in california, as long as it has more than 7500 miles on it?

[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 24 June 2011 - 05:09 AM, said:

Quote

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country (Grey Market)

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly or impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS.) No direct import vehicle less than two years old can be converted to California emission standards. Not all direct import vehicles over two years old can be converted to California emission standards and FMVSS. No motorcycle or diesel powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards. For details, contact the California Air Resources Board (ARB), or visit ARB online.


I don't know if you could say, import it to Arizona first, by "selling" it to your brother, uncle, etc (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), then your brother, uncle, etc, got "tired" of it and "sold" it to you in california, as long as it has more than 7500 miles on it?



Where is the source of the above, could you put a link for me?

Well, the bike has a catalytic converter, I've only used unleaded gas, and from my understanding the bike is virtually the same as the VFR800 Interceptor which is(was) sold on the U.S. Market. So, I'm wondering just how much of a problem this would be...
I have LV SBK Evo II pipes on the bike now with silencers, and wondering if that'll make a negative difference for emissions testing versus the stock pipes?

What I really need to do is try to find someone who's done this already, and or some company in Japan that has experience doing this type of stuff. I haven't been able to find either at the moment.

Assuming the Japan spec VFR is the same as the US spec VFR, I think you are good to go. All US Spec 2007 VFRs meet CARB, there wasn't a separate California edition. http://www.topspeed....or-ar14829.html

I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but it seems that it would be much easier and cheaper to remove your mods, sell the bike in Japan and then buy another one in CA.

Isn't the Japanese version speed limited to... something less than US one? Seem to have read something like that.

I would save myself the trouble of dealing with bureaucracy and go the easy route.

[image: View Post]Rice, on 24 June 2011 - 04:10 PM, said:

I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but it seems that it would be much easier and cheaper to remove your mods, sell the bike in Japan and then buy another one in CA.

Isn't the Japanese version speed limited to... something less than US one? Seem to have read something like that.

I would save myself the trouble of dealing with bureaucracy and go the easy route.



Yeah, I thought about that. Though, removing the Swag Line brake lines, as well as the Ohlins rear shock is a bit much for me. I suppose I could take it into the shop and have it done, but that'll probably cost me about $1000 total with labor, replacement brake lines etc.

I suppose I could try to sell the bike outright with all the custom parts, though getting a fair price for all that, I wonder if it's possible. I've invested about $6,500 in customization for the bike.

The bike has been modded to go over the 180kph limit I believe, as I've achieved speeds of 210kph(130mph) easily. It's not a speed I'd want to go much over in any case.

I lived in Japan (military) and tried to export an Aprilla RS250 back to CONUS. Turned out to be too much of a red arse. Granted it was a two stroke. But I also had friends Import US spec cars to the US, still very painful and somewhat costly. You have to show that there is a similar model sold in the US (easy). Drop it off with an authorized exporter, lots of paperwork to boot. It gets shipped to an authorized importer, I think there are only a couple on each coast. Customs does their thing. Key is to find someone to do the leg work for you stateside but of course that will cost you. If you are military or have a military friend, they can get you all the info you need to export it. You'll also have to de-register it in Japan, something of a pain itself. I wouldn't even try to register it in CA. ARB people will make it painful, find another, more consumer friendly state.

If you are military, the household goods folks will ship it as part of your pack out (different than for cars). Drain the fluids and they will build a crate for it. All the paperwork must be in order. This was my problem with the RS. I had to show that it was properly de-registered in Japan. To do that I had to show that it had been sold, junked, or approved for import to US. Being a two stroke, I couldn't get the latter. They wouldn't even Ok it for track use only.

[image: View Post]Hawkeye Driver, on 24 June 2011 - 10:56 PM, said:

I lived in Japan (military) and tried to export an Aprilla RS250 back to CONUS. Turned out to be too much of a red arse. Granted it was a two stroke. But I also had friends Import US spec cars to the US, still very painful and somewhat costly. You have to show that there is a similar model sold in the US (easy). Drop it off with an authorized exporter, lots of paperwork to boot. It gets shipped to an authorized importer, I think there are only a couple on each coast. Customs does their thing. Key is to find someone to do the leg work for you stateside but of course that will cost you. If you are military or have a military friend, they can get you all the info you need to export it. You'll also have to de-register it in Japan, something of a pain itself. I wouldn't even try to register it in CA. ARB people will make it painful, find another, more consumer friendly state.

If you are military, the household goods folks will ship it as part of your pack out (different than for cars). Drain the fluids and they will build a crate for it. All the paperwork must be in order. This was my problem with the RS. I had to show that it was properly de-registered in Japan. To do that I had to show that it had been sold, junked, or approved for import to US. Being a two stroke, I couldn't get the latter. They wouldn't even Ok it for track use only.



Thanks for your contribution. Yeah, I suspect it's not going to be as easy as going to the dentist..... (no military friends :( )
The bike is in great condition, and it's worth spending a few grand and going through some trouble to import it I guess..
I'd be willing to pay a few grand$ to do it.

Other than that, for the right price I guess I'd sell the bike outright.

Here is what the bike has:

Honda VFR800 ABS Year 2007
Mileage: 9960
�Honda Alarm Kit
�Pazzo Racing Levers Black/Blue
�Black Carbon Meter Cover & Steering Cover
�Handlebar Spacers (raised 15mm)
�Black/Blue Handlebar Grips
�BMC Racing Air Filter
�Throttlemeister Bar Ends Cruise Control
�LeoVince SBK EVO II Exhaust
�Ohlins Rear Shock
�Givi E450 Series with Bracket/Light
�SwagLines Brake Lines Red/Blue/Silver
�Blue Foot Pegs
�Blue Brake Fluid Covers
�Honda Sidebags
�Bridgestone 016 Front/Rear (Rear has a plug and needs to be replaced)
�Iridium Airflow Shield
�Garmin Zumo 660 with Mount

Unless its gold-plated or something, I'd sell it in Japan and buy another one in California...

Yours is pretty much a hopeless cause unless you know of a Registered Importer (that is, registered with the US govt) that is willing to convert this bike to US spec for you, and even then, do you know how much it will cost? :blink: There are RIs in California, and some bikes are already on a list of "substantially similar" models, such as NC30s and NC35s, but if the RC46-II is not already on the list, then you're talking months and months of delay, most likely. Do the math. I think you will sell this bike.

Ciao,