Importing from India - Serious Bargain?

[zixxer]

Been researching this and unless I'm missing something it looks like a good deal! Have to be missing something
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Royal Enfield are after bringing out two new bikes in India. One of them is called the Bullet Classic 500 Desert Storm (pics attached)

To buy the bike brand new in India works out at a little over 2,400 euro
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To buy the bike in the UK works out a little over £6,200 sterling.

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Now it doesn't take long for Paddy Irish biker to put his thinking-lid on and start investigating the idea of bringing one home.
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As far as I can see the most expensive anyone has paid for doing the same thing to the UK works out at about 500 euro for the cheapest sea-freight. There is a good bit written about doing this on forums, but very little about Ireland.

But, the English lads have a few problems when it comes to registering them as they have to get the bike inspected by the DVLA etc, but I don't think any bike into Ireland has to undergo a test like that - does it?

At the end of the day, import it from India or the UK you are still going to pay VRT etc.

I'm planning a trip to India anyway in September around the Himalayas on a Royal Enfield (From Chandigarh to Leh in Ladakh, Kashmir - take in the Khardung La the highest motorable pass in the world) and while researching hiring the bike came up with the idea of just buying one and shipping her home. It'd be a lovely way to pick up your first ever new bike - take her up the Himalayas along the famous Leh to Manali highway.
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The guy I planned on hiring from in India actually crates up the bikes for export and I might ask him to buy the bike and register it for me and then ship her on.
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Anyone have any info on doing something similar, or can point out what obvious catch I'm missing!

This is the same route I'll be doing.

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[Loudmutta]

Indian made bike wil not pass ECU regs and therefore you could have problems importing / using it on the roads

[zixxer]

Originally Posted by Loudmutta

Indian made bike wil not pass ECU regs and therefore you could have problems importing / using it on the roads

yeah thats what i was wondering about the DVLA inspection in the UK - what would be the story with that here? where would 'the test' even be done in Ireland?

[the toenail cutter]

there is only one snag in your plan enfield bullets are shite slow as be fuck and the handle like a honda 50 with everything worn out . i rode one for about a mile i couldnt wait to get off it .
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[zixxer]

Originally Posted by the toenail cutter

there is only one snag in your plan enfield bullets are shite slow as be fuck and the handle like a honda 50 with everything worn out . i rode one for about a mile i couldnt wait to get off it .
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live and let live, whatever your into

looks like they are able for some serious punishment tackling the steepest passes in the world. try taking a busa or a gixxer up the Himalayas and see how far you get
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[GreenRex]

Gotta agree with TC.
A Honda 50 would probably handle it as well, but would you want one. Personally doing that trip , I'd do it one something like an XR650L , which is well known as a solid bike and way better quality then some yolk made out of India.
you asked for advice
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[zixxer]

Originally Posted by GreenRex

Gotta agree with TC.
A Honda 50 would probably handle it as well, but would you want one. Personally doing that trip , I'd do it one something like an XR650L , which is well known as a solid bike and way better quality then some yolk made out of India.
you asked for advice
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no offence like, but advice from someone who knows what they are on about
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Obviously there are lots of other bikes that might be better to tackle the Himalayas on, buts thats not the way the world is. Everyone does it on an Enfield and its part of the charm.

Anyway, a large 650cc bike like that and you'll just kill yourself. I'll be crosssing the Rohtang Pass, Tanglang La Pass and Khardung La, the three highest passes in the world and have researched this journey a lot. Its extremely rare that any other bike than an Enfield does it. Its not a journey about power or speed. Its a journey based on doing 500-miles without a passing a petrol pump and a bike that can be reliable at almost 18,000 feet where there is less than a third of oxygen than normal!

And it also seems a bit neurotic to write off an entire make of bike that has proven itself since the 1940's just because you may have had a spin on one that was poorly maintained.

Any info on the export/import side.

[zixxer]

Just got this from an Irish company about the shipping:


I can only quote you from FOB in Mumbai To arrival Depot Dublin. This is normal practice. This means that it will be the responsibility of the shipper / supplier to pay the local charges in Mumbai which includes the delivery of the crate to our local agent in Mumbai. You will also need to arrange local clearance / VRT with customs here in Ireland.


Our rate from Freight Terminal in Mumbai to arrival local Dublin is appx 470 euro. This rate is based on current rates of exchange on the U.S. Dollar and current rates of fuel and as such will mostly likely change in the future.

Regards
Paul.

[GreenRex]

Originally Posted by zixxer

no offence like, but advice from someone who knows what they are on about
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Obviously there are lots of other bikes that might be better to tackle the Himalayas on, buts thats not the way the world is. Everyone does it on an Enfield and its part of the charm.

Anyway, a large 650cc bike like that and you'll just kill yourself. I'll be crosssing the Rohtang Pass, Tanglang La Pass and Khardung La, the three highest passes in the world and have researched this journey a lot. Its extremely rare that any other bike than an Enfield does it. Its not a journey about power or speed. Its a journey based on doing 500-miles without a passing a petrol pump and a bike that can be reliable at almost 18,000 feet where there is less than a third of oxygen than normal!

And it also seems a bit neurotic to write off an entire make of bike that has proven itself since the 1940's just because you may have had a spin on one that was poorly maintained.

Any info on the export/import side.

Well then I guess these guys on here
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are full of it then
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Anyway good luck with your adventure
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[zixxer]

Originally Posted by GreenRex

Well then I guess these guys on here
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are full of it then
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Anyway good luck with your adventure
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The only bikes I see there in India are Enfields. The bigger bikes pictured on this site are in the plains of India which is totally different than the mounatins and a few shots from Tibet near Lhasa. A big bike is dangerous on the Manali Leh Highway, like I said its not about power or speed.

The odd few other makes do it, but they are usually part of a guided tour and I'm just picking up the bike and doing it with no guide. I'd say the ratio of Enfields to other makes doing the Himalayas might be as high as 100 to 1 and even if there was another make I'd still go for the auld Enfield.

Cheers for the link anyways
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[corkgsxr]

Originally Posted by zixxer

no offence like, but advice from someone who knows what they are on about
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Obviously there are lots of other bikes that might be better to tackle the Himalayas on, buts thats not the way the world is. Everyone does it on an Enfield and its part of the charm.

Anyway, a large 650cc bike like that and you'll just kill yourself. I'll be crosssing the Rohtang Pass, Tanglang La Pass and Khardung La, the three highest passes in the world and have researched this journey a lot. Its extremely rare that any other bike than an Enfield does it. Its not a journey about power or speed. Its a journey based on doing 500-miles without a passing a petrol pump and a bike that can be reliable at almost 18,000 feet where there is less than a third of oxygen than normal!

And it also seems a bit neurotic to write off an entire make of bike that has proven itself since the 1940's just because you may have had a spin on one that was poorly maintained.

Any info on the export/import side.

do ya mean hasnt been updated in 72 years

[zixxer]

check the spec. Don't think EFI existed back then! as regards basic engine design, i think its pretty much stayed the same yeah.

[the toenail cutter]

how shall i put this delicately its like going to thailand its fine to ride the ladyboys while your there but importing one might not be such a good idea cos your mates will only laugh at you, same with the enfield it makes sense to ride one on your trip because of parts and mechanics that know how to fix them and all that . maybe try before you buy have you ever ridden a enfield now not a lady boy .


for the record i dont condone the rideing of ladyboys but hey what ever your haveing yourself .
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[zixxer]

Originally Posted by the toenail cutter

how shall i put this delicately its like going to thailand its fine to ride the ladyboys while your there but importing one might not be such a good idea cos your mates will only laugh at you, same with the enfield it makes sense to ride one on your trip because of parts and mechanics that know how to fix them and all that . maybe try before you buy have you ever ridden a enfield now not a lady boy .


for the record i dont condone the rideing of ladyboys but hey what ever your haveing yourself .
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like i said, live and let live
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even having ladyboys on your mind is bad enough man

course try before i buy, giving it the ultimate test in fairness
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not often you get to do the highest mountains in the world for a test drive is it?

[the toenail cutter]

Originally Posted by zixxer

like i said, live and let live
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even having ladyboys on your mind is bad enough man

course try before i buy, giving it the ultimate test in fairness
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not often you get to do the highest mountains in the world for a test drive is it?

im just useing ladyboys as an example i have no desire to have sextual relations with a lady boy or to own a enfield but i would love to do the trip your doing and the enfield would be the natural choice like a honda cg 125 would be the best bike to tour south america on becouse of parts availabity and all that . im currently reading " old men cant wait " tierra del fuego ( argentina ) to new york by simon gandolfi isbn 978-0-9564305-2-6 hes in his 70's hes a tough ould fucker got hit by a truck on his first day . im half way it a good enough read more of a one mans view of the people and all that .

[nggnorm]

If no model like it is on the system it will require a cert from the manufacturer regarding its emmisions bla bla ( certificate of conformity).

When I got got the jawa I asked them to provide exactly this type of a document and gave it to the vrt people and no probs., same with 2 bikes I brought in from China, so shouldn't be a problem as long as that document can be obtained from the people you're buying from.

[Big Man Andy]

If ya do it, ya better post pishures.


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[zixxer]

Originally Posted by nggnorm

If no model like it is on the system it will require a cert from the manufacturer regarding its emmisions bla bla ( certificate of conformity).

When I got got the jawa I asked them to provide exactly this type of a document and gave it to the vrt people and no probs., same with 2 bikes I brought in from China, so shouldn't be a problem as long as that document can be obtained from the people you're buying from.

Cheers lad
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[generalisimo muldoon]

I don't think you'll have any bother importing and registering the bike here. The new Enfields have lean burn engine's now to conform with EU emissions regs so that won't be a bother. What might be an issue for you is the fact that the home market bikes are not made to the same standard of build quality of the ones that are exported, and they're not great either. I read an interview with the owner of the official importers in the UK, Hitchcocks I think and he was saying that they have to do a lot of work to the bikes to make them useable and the home market bikes tend to fall apart in use.
Just saying like.....
Personally, I like them and I wouldn't mind getting a sorted 500T.

[muru]

...some old sterotypes here some of this indian made stuff is done to higher quality standards than anything acheived in the uk plants

....i think its a great dream/idea !!!! ...some people see things and do them ...others just tell you why it shouldnt be done !!!