Importing a Motorcycle from the USA

Is it worth deciding to import a motorcycle from the USA?

Buying a motorcycle is certainly no small challenge, regardless of whether we are deciding on this type of transaction for the first or subsequent time. Especially when importing a motorcycle from the USA, particularly since there is no shortage of online advertisements for used models in very good condition. However, it should be remembered that motorcycle dealers often do not tell the whole truth about the mileage and technical condition of the machines they sell. So what should we pay special attention to when buying a motorcycle and how not to get deceived?

Why the United States?

People who already know how importing a motorcycle from the USA works, know perfectly well that buying a single-track vehicle in the United States is a good choice. Motorcycles in America are much cheaper than in Europe, the motorcycle market is much broader, and the chance of finding a vehicle in good technical condition is much greater than in other countries.

When deciding to buy a new motorcycle, it's worth realizing that the price shown on the Internet is not the final price. You have to add many additional fees and tax, which in some parts of the United States reaches even 10%. If you pay in cash, however, you can negotiate.

Many more people decide to buy a used machine, especially since second-hand motorcycles are offered for sale by both private individuals and dealers. Such motorcycles can be found in many American online advertising services. An undoubted advantage of buying from a private individual is the possibility of lowering the purchase price to reduce the amount of tax. Moreover, this option is not associated with the need to pay additional fees, which is also an extremely beneficial solution.

Price

Buying and transporting a motorcycle from the USA can be more profitable than purchasing it in Poland! Similar to cars, motorcycle prices in the USA are lower, making vehicle importing an excellent option.

Condition

In the secondary market in the USA, it is much easier to find a motorcycle in very good technical condition at a great price. This is one of the main reasons why importing motorcycles from the USA is so popular.

Documents

Fewer formalities, easy procedures, the possibility of buying a motorcycle and importing it without leaving home through a Polish agency like AuctionCars which will handle the purchase and transport.

Time

Regardless of whether you decide to buy at auction or plan a personal trip to get the motorcycle, the waiting time for finalizing the transaction will be similar. It is estimated that delivery along with fulfilling all necessary procedures takes a minimum of 3 weeks.

Damaged Motorcycles at Online Auctions

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, but your budget doesn't allow you to buy a new machine, then buying a used motorcycle offered at an online auction in the United States may seem like an interesting option. Online, you can find numerous offers of both functional and damaged single-track vehicles for sale. It's worth knowing that motorcycles are most often entered on the list of damaged vehicles when an American insurance company writes it off, for example after involvement in a traffic accident, fire, flood, theft, or for many other reasons. The insurer believes that repairing the vehicle will cost too much, so the single-track vehicle is sent to online auctions where it is then determined whether it is suitable for repair, and if so, they are listed on damaged motorcycle auctions. They can be purchased by both private individuals and dealers.

In the United States, online auctions are the simplest and at the same time cheapest way to acquire a motorcycle at a reasonable price. Through the internet, we can easily search auction sites, sorting models by brand, year, color, or even the location from which we would like to import a motorcycle from the USA. Online vehicle auctions provide information and photos about each motorcycle, so the buyer can learn about the technical condition of a given single-track vehicle before entering a specific auction.

If we win an online auction and become the owner of the selected motorcycle, all necessary documents will be made available to us. The motorcycle will be waiting for us at the Auction House's warehouse, from where a company specializing in importing motorcycles from the USA can pick it up for us.

How Much Does Importing a Motorcycle from the USA Cost?

When deciding to import a motorcycle from the USA, one should be aware that the machine comes from outside the European Union, which means that customs and tax fees will have to be paid at the border. Other costs we must bear include fees for transporting the motorcycle within the United States and across the Ocean, as well as possible auction fees. The type, brand, year, and technical condition of the motorcycle have a significant impact on the final value of costs.

Approximate costs in the USA are as follows:

• auction fees – around $500 (they are charged only in situations where we decide to buy a motorcycle from an auction house),
• transport of the single-track vehicle within the United States – on average at a distance from the port, this is a cost ranging from $100 to $500,
• shipping the motorcycle from the USA in a container – usually costs from $300 to $400,
• possible insurance of the motorcycle from the USA for the period of transport across the Ocean – on average about 2.5% of the vehicle's value; in the case of purchasing a damaged single-track vehicle, it is possible to insure it only against loss or total destruction.

Among importers, purchases of motorcycles at exchanges such as Copart and Insurance Auto Auction are the most popular. These are most often motorcycles for parts or accident-damaged ones for renovation at very attractive prices. A very broad motorcycle market, as well as low prices, mean that an increasing number of people decide to import a motorcycle from the USA in any technical condition, new and used, accident-damaged and without accidents.

Recommended Motorcycle Models

When deciding to import a motorcycle from the USA, it's worth doing proper research on the models produced and sold there. First of all, it's important to know that individual brands produce and deliver motorcycles with different parameters to the American market than in Europe. A tiny part of the American offer will reflect what we can find in Polish and European motorcycle showrooms or commission shops.

It's certainly worth considering several models:

• BMW 650 GS – excellent for long distances, comfortable and economical. Fuel consumption 3.2 liters on the road – 4 liters per 100 km in the city.
• Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 – large and heavy motorcycle, rather for more experienced motorcyclists.
• Kawasaki KLR 650 – an engine with a capacity of 650 ccm and power of 42 HP may not guarantee the desired performance, but the motorcycle has many advantages. Large fuel tank and simple construction. Great riding pleasure.
• Suzuki DR 650 – ideal for both road and gravel riding. Light, easy to drive, agile. Its great advantage is the not too complicated construction, thanks to which we can perform minor repairs on our own.
• Harley Davidson – the most known to motorcycle enthusiasts

New or Used Motorcycle

For importing a motorcycle from the USA to be profitable and beneficial, it is certainly worth buying vehicles from the higher price range, or the cheapest ones available at car exchanges. It's worth familiarizing yourself with the offers of American auctions, where you can find a used motorcycle in excellent technical condition, often requiring only minor modifications or small repairs. Buying a new motorcycle also involves many additional fees that are not present when buying a used motorcycle. Transport costs, unloading, preparation of the motorcycle, and of course tax must be taken into account.

Motorcycle from a Private Individual

When deciding to buy a motorcycle from a private individual, we have the possibility of finding a machine at a lower price than from a dealer. Private individuals also sell accident-damaged machines or ones for renovation, so if this is not a problem for us, we can import the machine we are interested in at an attractive price. The advantage of buying from a private individual is the lack of additional fees. Unfortunately, it's difficult to accurately check the technical condition, so we have no guarantee that the motorcycle has no hidden defects.

Motorcycle from a Dealer

Dealers sell motorcycles only in good technical condition, properly checked and prepared for use. There is rather no risk that a motorcycle bought from a dealer will have some hidden defect. The downside is a higher price and limited possibility of negotiation.

Registration - with Information about Fees for Motorcycle Registration

The costs mentioned above related to shipping, sea transport, and loading into a container do not constitute all the costs that must be incurred when deciding to import a motorcycle from the USA. There are also registration fees, paid on-site, in Poland. Mandatory fees that must be expected include:

• fee for translating documents – 100 PLN,
• technical inspection – 60 PLN,
• fee in the communications department – 190 PLN.

We have a registered motorcycle, ready to ride!

Is It Worth Importing a Motorcycle from the USA?

The answer to such a question seems simple: yes! Of course, provided that we buy a top-shelf motorcycle - then even including all additional fees, we can save several thousand PLN. However, it's worth remembering that regardless of whether we are buying a motorcycle at an auction, or a motorcycle from a private individual or dealer, it's worth thoroughly checking the technical condition of the machine and its documentation to be sure that the equipment meets our expectations.