how to import and register a 250 cc 2 stroke enduro bike.

**eramsey** · 03-07-12, 08:30 AM

I want to import a current 250 cc 2 stroke enduro race bike, add a dual sport lighting kit and register it in Japan.
It should be straight forward but want to make sure I don't run into unneeded fees.
I searched the forum but it seems that a lot of the concerns are for larger displacement bikes.

My biggest concern will be customs charges and what paper work is needed for a new bike registration and will I need to take the bike with me so they can see that the blinkers are all working.

I moved to Japan 2 years ago so will be importing a bike directly from a US retailer. It will be brand new and sold as a off road bike in the US. I will install a lighting kit (blinkers horn).

1. The fees to ship should be less than a $1000 according to a stateside shipper. But is there additional fees for customs clearance and taxes. How much? Should I hire an import agent as was mentioned in one blog. Or now coming to think of it try and hire an importer in Japan. Anyone know of a well priced shipper/importer. Is there much difference in air and sea. Since a dirt bike weighs only 100kg with the box less than 140kg. Might be close.

2. As this is 250 cc and less there is no emissions and brake test needed. So what will I need to get it registered. Just paperwork or paperwork and have the bike trucked (next expense especially as you cant ride it with out registration) to the Rinkunkyoku for inspection at the same time.
Do they even inspect 250cc bikes, maybe a simpler lighting kit will work as the model I want already has a headlight and back light.
Any other things I need to be aware of for registration.

Fortunately as this a 250 the process is a lot easier and may justify the import considering the yen appreciation and the price of new bikes in Japan. A typical new 250 2 stroke in Japan (GasGas, Husqvarna or Husaberg) ranges from MSRP 820,000-1,100,000 yen plus other registration fees. Limited second hand options and overpriced.

I can get brand new bikes or new used bikes in the US from say Y450,000 add the light kit ($400), import and registration and still save a couple of hundred thou. 450 + 100 (shipping) + 100 (customs/tax and registration) ? = max Y650,000 ? The unknown for me is customs and taxes and registration. And will be the deciding factor on whether the importing is justifiable. Appears to be so however.
The biggest benefit is I can have a bike of my choice ... ie a recent KTM model not sold in Japan. For less than a 1 mil.

Any help appreciated. Intro to well priced importers, correct forum link actual experiences. Thank you.

**Jav** · 03-07-12, 10:32 AM

What bike would that be? Thought all Japanese makers had stopped with the 2 Strokes, but may be wrong?

**eramsey** · 03-07-12, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jav

What bike would that be? Thought all Japanese makers had stopped with the 2 Strokes, but may be wrong?

Correct they have except for Yamaha with the YZ250/125. I am interested in a KTM 250/200 EXC.

**tokyojrock** · 03-07-12, 10:53 PM

I have 2 250EXC's in tomorrows auction. Bit too late now though, but they come up regularly.

Originally Posted by eramsey

Correct they have except for Yamaha with the YZ250/125. I am interested in a KTM 250/200 EXC.

**haildamage** · 04-07-12, 05:54 PM

hopefully the experts will show up with some real answers. admittedly i havent a clue, but i really wonder if it is possible to register a new (2011/2012) 2 stroke bike under 250cc or otherwise in japan since it has been years since it was legal to sell and register new ones here. i am pretty sure that you cant import a new carbed bike, like a 2012 DRZ for example, that was manufactured later than the ban on carburetor bikes.

if it were possible, why dont we see any on the grey/ reimport market?

**eramsey** · 21-07-12, 08:56 PM

Apparently it is easy to register any 250 and under bike whether it be a 2 stroke or 4 stroke that is imported. Gasgas, Husaberg and Husqvarna are still importing and selling 2 strokes because of this law. Because Japan is moving to ECO and less pollution 2 strokes are just generally less popular for road registration. KTM still imports 2 strokes for pure racing and cannot be registered. It has nothing to do with carbed bikes. A DRZ would be easy to register from my understanding. Again any 250cc and below has leaner registration rules. And no shaken every 2 years. That is probably why no brake and exhaust testing is done on these bikes that are imported.
The market as a whole is moving to 4 strokes as they become more powerful especially with the smaller 250 cc bikes. KTM 250 EXC-Fs are very popular in Japan. Parallel imports are also less popular for smaller cc bikes these days. My guess is the market as a whole has slowed down because of the economy. The local market demands for bikes have changed. More domestic models meet the needs of the riders. All major foreign brands have dealerships in Japan - KTM, Gasgas, Sherco, Beta, Husqvarna etc etc. Honda and Yamaha have not updated their WR and CRF enduro lines since the US market has tanked (2008). Suzuki and Kawasaki even further behind. Every European maker now offers a 250cc four stroke. They also continue to build 2 strokes. They also update their models every year. Only the Japanese have stopped making 2 stroke offroad bikes. The Japanese may have the market in the four stroke motocross market. But KTM has them beat in every other offroad 2 wheel model. KTM has won the European GP Motocross circuit the last 2 year. It looks like with Ryan Dungey they will win their first US 450cc motocross championship this year. Check out the Lucas Oil Motocross site. http://www.allisports.com/motocross

**haildamage** · 21-07-12, 11:00 PM

Gasgas, Husaberg and Husqvarna are still importing and selling 2 strokes because of this law.

Imported, but are they street legal and plated or carried to the trails?

**racer162** · 21-07-12, 11:41 PM

You can still plate recent model 2 strokes in Japan

**haildamage** · 22-07-12, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by racer162

You can still plate recent model 2 strokes in Japan

Cool. Tell us more!

**Mike Cash** · 22-07-12, 06:37 AM

Never heard of Gasgas, Sherco, or Beta.

Only seen a couple of Kymco and Hyosung on the streets. Other than Harley, BMW, and the rear end of Ducatis rapidly vanishing into the distance I don't really see any foreign bikes here.

**haildamage** · 22-07-12, 09:57 AM

sorry, but i am skeptical that it is possible. if it is, there should be some grey market imports around as others would also like to have such bikes and some shop would be exploiting this market niche.

please report back here on how it goes, as others can benefit from your experience. i do hope it is possible and would love to see it work out!

**eramsey** · 22-07-12, 10:24 PM

Check out http://www.gasgasmoto.jp/. And http://husqvarna-motorcyclesjapan.com/wps/ for the 2 strokes plated and sold in Japan through authorized dealers. 2 strokes are alive and kicking. I may just buy what is available in Japan but will keep you updated if I bring one in. Don't really need a grey market as 2013 2 stroke models are sold legally in Japan.

**haildamage** · 22-07-12, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by eramsey

Check out http://www.gasgasmoto.jp/. And http://husqvarna-motorcyclesjapan.com/wps/ for the 2 strokes plated and sold in Japan through authorized dealers. 2 strokes are alive and kicking. I may just buy what is available in Japan but will keep you updated if I bring one in. Don't really need a grey market as 2013 2 stroke models are sold legally in Japan.

great, please keep us updated either way on what you get. interesting stuff!

**haildamage** · 01-05-13, 02:27 PM

long time no hear. any updates?

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