Hello all,

Long time lurker, first post.

I currently live in Japan and have a lovely 94 MC28 that I would love to take back to the States with me when I move next month.

I've been wading through the EPA and NHTSA regulations for importing a "non-conforming" vehicle, and think I might be able to do this legally - IF the bike was originally sold in Canada.

Because the bike is 21 years old, it doesn't need to meet emissions requirements. So... with that out of the way, it only has to conform to US safety standards. Since the bike was never sold in the US, there is no way to prove this without going through a registered importer with costs $texas. There is a stipulation though, that if the bike was originally sold in Canada, a letter form the manufacturer stating that the bike meets US standards (aside from a select few that are different in Canada) will suffice, and it can be imported.

Thus my question: was the MC28 sold new in Canada?

If not, then I guess I'll put the bike in storage here in Japan for 4 years. When it hits 25 years old, i can import it with no restrictions as an antique.

Hi, none of the NSR250s were ever sold here in Canada.
Sorry for the bad news.

Oh well. I am a patient man. I'll just put it in storage for the next 4 years and import restriction-free when it's 25 years old. Plenty of other bikes to ride in the mean time.

Thanks.

That's a long time to be storing up goodies for the bike

what state do you plan on moving to?

I haven't decided yet. Planning to wander for a bit before getting another job.

I'm being told that if I break it down to parts, and re-assemble in the US, in certain states I can register it as a kit bike. I also have heard that in Vermont I can straight-up register it, no questions asked.

Cholla,

Even in four years, the 25 year deal may do you no good, especially where things are going in the US in terms of hippy tree-huggers hating on such fine inventions as 2-stroke motorcycles.

As was mentioned, the NSR250 was never sold in Canada. It was a Japanese market bike only by Honda. Unofficially it was brought into other countries as a grey bike by individual Honda Dealers.

You can bring it into the US as a competition use only vehicle. Only problem with that is you may never be able to get a road title once it's been tagged. Bringing it in as parts is doable, but can still get tricky. You don't want to bring the entire bike in the same crate broken down. Some inspectors will catch it. Then there is how to register it once you get it together. Many different ways to do that and many more ways to not do it.

Just depends on the state you live in. About a third of the states make titling something like that relatively easy even as comp only. The others can be difficult or impossible like mentioned above. In Michigan you need head light, tail light, dot tires, horn and left hand mirror. You gets these on and get an inspection then you can plate your dirt bike, quad or whatever. There are a few that require nothing but a bill of sale and you get a street title.

cholla wrote:

I'm being told that if I break it down to parts, and re-assemble in the US, in certain states I can register it as a kit bike. I also have heard that in Vermont I can straight-up register it, no questions asked.

IMO that would be your best bet..