importing a CB1100RS into the US

[jdiv_imp]

Hi all,

Has anyone attempted to import a CB1100RS into the US? I did a quick search and didnt really find anything. Obviously the RS is gorgeous and worth bringing in on its own merits, but the price with the CAD exchange rate makes it an even sweeter deal.

The bike should be identical from an emissions and DOT perspective to the EX. Honda would likely have to write a letter stating as such (has anyone contacted them about this?).

[pekingduck]

Bringing a non-US vehicle into the US is not hard - thousands are driven over the border daily (and then driven back out). Registering and titling, and even insuring one is the problem - nearly impossible.

All US spec models have a VIN that must be from the manufacturer's database for US model specs. Even if the identical model were sold here, it couldn't be done. Additionally, there would only be the Canadian warranty - American Honda cannot honor the warranty.

[SCCBrider_imp]

Up until shortly after 2000, it wasn't very hard. I brought in a VTR1000 Firestorm and registered it in North Carolina (I was in the Air Force at the time). However, shortly there after, one of our pilots tried to get a Ducati into the states and customs wouldn't let him have it. They gave him two options (So he said), send it back, or watch it burn.
Now, the bike has to be over 20 years old (I believe, but don't quote me on that).

[Cormanus]

Start here, https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-e...orting-car

[GoldOxide_imp]

Welcome to the Forum jdiv.

What Cormanus said.

I know people who brought bikes into the U.S., however, there is paperwork and certifications that must be met.

When not elsewhere, you will be here.

[jdiv_imp]

Bringing a non-US vehicle into the US is not hard - thousands are driven over the border daily (and then driven back out). Registering and titling, and even insuring one is the problem - nearly impossible.

All US spec models have a VIN that must be from the manufacturer's database for US model specs. Even if the identical model were sold here, it couldn't be done. Additionally, there would only be the Canadian warranty - American Honda cannot honor the warranty.

The warranty issue is a concern, I will talk to honda and see what they have to say about it (might require voiding the warranty, though its a honda, so maybe not a big deal)

I live in NY state and they do not require a US vin, they require only that it meet NYS safety and emissions (i.e. pass an NYS inspection), have proof of ownership (local title is ok), and have the appropriate CBP paperwork. In order to get that, I would need to get honda to state in a letter that it is equivalent in emissions and safety to the CB1100EX. Still not sure about that as I have not contacted honda just yet (was hoping someone had done this before )

As far as insurance, I got a quote from progressive and the only model listed was CB1100. No trim level listed. I will check around to see if the trim is listed elsewhere.

All big challenges, but I have not seen anything impossible just yet. If the CB1100EX wasnt sold here, I would agree, but the fact that a basically equivalent vehicle is sold here is stopping me from giving up hope.

Like I said though, I was hoping to find someone here who has taken the few initial steps (i.e. contacting honda). Maybe I will be the first, I report back on how it goes.

Welcome to the Forum jdiv.

What Cormanus said.

I know people who brought bikes into the U.S., however, there is paperwork and certifications that must be met.

When not elsewhere, you will be here.

Thanks GO

I do believe that this having an equivalent powertrain to the US model CB1100EX could open the door to bringing one in. The question is if honda will write a letter stating as such. Will report back.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Bringing a non-US vehicle into the US is not hard - thousands are driven over the border daily (and then driven back out). Registering and titling, and even insuring one is the problem - nearly impossible.

All US spec models have a VIN that must be from the manufacturer's database for US model specs. Even if the identical model were sold here, it couldn't be done. Additionally, there would only be the Canadian warranty - American Honda cannot honor the warranty.

The warranty issue is a concern, I will talk to honda and see what they have to say about it (might require voiding the warranty, though its a honda, so maybe not a big deal)

I live in NY state and they do not require a US vin, they require only that it meet NYS safety and emissions (i.e. pass an NYS inspection), have proof of ownership (local title is ok), and have the appropriate CBP paperwork. In order to get that, I would need to get honda to state in a letter that it is equivalent in emissions and safety to the CB1100EX. Still not sure about that as I have not contacted honda just yet (was hoping someone had done this before )

As far as insurance, I got a quote from progressive and the only model listed was CB1100. No trim level listed. I will check around to see if the trim is listed elsewhere.

All big challenges, but I have not seen anything impossible just yet. If the CB1100EX wasnt sold here, I would agree, but the fact that a basically equivalent vehicle is sold here is stopping me from giving up hope.

Like I said though, I was hoping to find someone here who has taken the few initial steps (i.e. contacting honda). Maybe I will be the first, I report back on how it goes.

Welcome to the Forum jdiv.

What Cormanus said.

I know people who brought bikes into the U.S., however, there is paperwork and certifications that must be met.

When not elsewhere, you will be here.

Thanks GO

I do believe that this having an equivalent powertrain to the US model CB1100EX could open the door to bringing one in. The question is if honda will write a letter stating as such. Will report back.

I knew an owner who imported a used Yamaha Road Warrior into the U.S. and the most complicated thing he had to do was ensure the speedometer had MPH as the major scale (vs. the Canadian km/h scale). Getting the replacement part, I recall, was his biggest obstacle. I believe in his case everything else complied and he paid for whatever paperwork fees there were.

- - -

I think it is kind of make work. I understand the major vs. minor speed scales for traditional analogue dials. However, I had 'merican bikes with major MPH and minor (or no) km/h scales. However, each jurisdiction has their rules.

[jdiv_imp]

Bringing a non-US vehicle into the US is not hard - thousands are driven over the border daily (and then driven back out). Registering and titling, and even insuring one is the problem - nearly impossible.

All US spec models have a VIN that must be from the manufacturer's database for US model specs. Even if the identical model were sold here, it couldn't be done. Additionally, there would only be the Canadian warranty - American Honda cannot honor the warranty.

The warranty issue is a concern, I will talk to honda and see what they have to say about it (might require voiding the warranty, though its a honda, so maybe not a big deal)

I live in NY state and they do not require a US vin, they require only that it meet NYS safety and emissions (i.e. pass an NYS inspection), have proof of ownership (local title is ok), and have the appropriate CBP paperwork. In order to get that, I would need to get honda to state in a letter that it is equivalent in emissions and safety to the CB1100EX. Still not sure about that as I have not contacted honda just yet (was hoping someone had done this before )

As far as insurance, I got a quote from progressive and the only model listed was CB1100. No trim level listed. I will check around to see if the trim is listed elsewhere.

All big challenges, but I have not seen anything impossible just yet. If the CB1100EX wasnt sold here, I would agree, but the fact that a basically equivalent vehicle is sold here is stopping me from giving up hope.

Like I said though, I was hoping to find someone here who has taken the few initial steps (i.e. contacting honda). Maybe I will be the first, I report back on how it goes.

Welcome to the Forum jdiv.

What Cormanus said.

I know people who brought bikes into the U.S., however, there is paperwork and certifications that must be met.

When not elsewhere, you will be here.

Thanks GO

I do believe that this having an equivalent powertrain to the US model CB1100EX could open the door to bringing one in. The question is if honda will write a letter stating as such. Will report back.

I knew an owner who imported a used Yamaha Road Warrior into the U.S. and the most complicated thing he had to do was ensure the speedometer had MPH as the major scale (vs. the Canadian km/h scale). Getting the replacement part, I recall, was his biggest obstacle. I believe in his case everything else complied and he paid for whatever paperwork fees there were.

- - -

I think it is kind of make work. I understand the major vs. minor speed scales for traditional analogue dials. However, I had 'merican bikes with major MPH and minor (or no) km/h scales. However, each jurisdiction has their rules.

I knew an owner who imported a used Yamaha Road Warrior into the U.S. and the most complicated thing he had to do was ensure the speedometer had MPH as the major scale (vs. the Canadian km/h scale). Getting the replacement part, I recall, was his biggest obstacle. I believe in his case everything else complied and he paid for whatever paperwork fees there were.

- - -

I think it is kind of make work. I understand the major vs. minor speed scales for traditional analogue dials. However, I had 'merican bikes with major MPH and minor (or no) km/h scales. However, each jurisdiction has their rules.
I agree that is a BS requirement. But should be easy to do since the EX gauge should swap right in. Do you know if he had to do that before it crossed the border or before it passed inspection?

[GoldOxide_imp]

Bringing a non-US vehicle into the US is not hard - thousands are driven over the border daily (and then driven back out). Registering and titling, and even insuring one is the problem - nearly impossible.

All US spec models have a VIN that must be from the manufacturer's database for US model specs. Even if the identical model were sold here, it couldn't be done. Additionally, there would only be the Canadian warranty - American Honda cannot honor the warranty.

The warranty issue is a concern, I will talk to honda and see what they have to say about it (might require voiding the warranty, though its a honda, so maybe not a big deal)

I live in NY state and they do not require a US vin, they require only that it meet NYS safety and emissions (i.e. pass an NYS inspection), have proof of ownership (local title is ok), and have the appropriate CBP paperwork. In order to get that, I would need to get honda to state in a letter that it is equivalent in emissions and safety to the CB1100EX. Still not sure about that as I have not contacted honda just yet (was hoping someone had done this before )

As far as insurance, I got a quote from progressive and the only model listed was CB1100. No trim level listed. I will check around to see if the trim is listed elsewhere.

All big challenges, but I have not seen anything impossible just yet. If the CB1100EX wasnt sold here, I would agree, but the fact that a basically equivalent vehicle is sold here is stopping me from giving up hope.

Like I said though, I was hoping to find someone here who has taken the few initial steps (i.e. contacting honda). Maybe I will be the first, I report back on how it goes.

Welcome to the Forum jdiv.

What Cormanus said.

I know people who brought bikes into the U.S., however, there is paperwork and certifications that must be met.

When not elsewhere, you will be here.

Thanks GO

I do believe that this having an equivalent powertrain to the US model CB1100EX could open the door to bringing one in. The question is if honda will write a letter stating as such. Will report back.

I knew an owner who imported a used Yamaha Road Warrior into the U.S. and the most complicated thing he had to do was ensure the speedometer had MPH as the major scale (vs. the Canadian km/h scale). Getting the replacement part, I recall, was his biggest obstacle. I believe in his case everything else complied and he paid for whatever paperwork fees there were.

- - -

I think it is kind of make work. I understand the major vs. minor speed scales for traditional analogue dials. However, I had 'merican bikes with major MPH and minor (or no) km/h scales. However, each jurisdiction has their rules.

I knew an owner who imported a used Yamaha Road Warrior into the U.S. and the most complicated thing he had to do was ensure the speedometer had MPH as the major scale (vs. the Canadian km/h scale). Getting the replacement part, I recall, was his biggest obstacle. I believe in his case everything else complied and he paid for whatever paperwork fees there were.

- - -

I think it is kind of make work. I understand the major vs. minor speed scales for traditional analogue dials. However, I had 'merican bikes with major MPH and minor (or no) km/h scales. However, each jurisdiction has their rules.
I agree that is a BS requirement. But should be easy to do since the EX gauge should swap right in. Do you know if he had to do that before it crossed the border or before it passed inspection?

I do not recall, however, I am connecting up this weekend for a ride, so I can find out. It was on the west coast U.S.. I seem to recall him just waiting for the part. In the meantime, no plate could be issued, so not "a danger" to others.

[Roper_imp]

Or...you could get a deeply discounted new 2014 CB1100 standard and order the parts from Samurider to make it into an RS. I'm not sure which is more hassle--trying to bring one into the U.S. or changing wheel size and fork.