hi there
I would like to know if anyone has a clue where to buy a XR650L in Italy or in another Country in Europe and if this is not possible where is the nearest place I can fulfill my dream of owning the beauty. Thanks a million for any info.
Tarisius

As far as I know they are only available new in S Africa, Australia and North America - although there are a few used ones around in Europe (UK). Or you can have mine in a year

Chris S

Desert Riders 2003
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Thanks a lot Chris, but I need it this october . Can you believe that I decided to get one,not only because I love it,but because I couldn't get a CDP for my Dommie that is registered in Nigeria?(I am Working here)No one a part Mr Carnet is able to issue a CDP for my bike but I am a bit scared of going to Egypt with one of those, so I decided to import one in Italy get it registered there, because I am Italian, obtain the CDP and than flying it to Nigeria from where my trip will start in Nov 2002.
Do you know if the XR650L meets the EPA laws so that it can be officialy registered? otherwise no CDP again, or change of bike, which will be more than disappointing. I am about near desperation because of this stupid piece of paper.
Anyway where did you get yours?
Alessandro

Hi Alexandro, the XRL will meet EPA laws so well that it can hardly breath and needs work to make it run properly (see Desert Riders on my website).
We got ours in Australia for about 3000 pounds - with shipping and tax 4000 pounds.

I M P O R T I N G T O. T H E .U K

Ê

Once we settled on XRLs from abroad I did the following:

Got on the web and found Australia was cheaper than Canada (we wanted metric speedos). Did not think of South Africa which may too have the XRL.

Spammed all the Honda dealers in Western Australia asking "how much for 3 XRLs in crates?"

Got the best quote and service by far from The Honda Shop near Perth - 8100 AUD each without the GST (Oz version of VATax) which we didnt pay.

Jim Thomas there also offered to organise the sea freight - 800 AUD for all three bikes in a shared container to UK shippers. Amazing price. He also quoted air freight about three times as much (5 days against six weeks by sea). We weren't in a hurry. Total loss insurance would have been another 1250 AUD. We felt lucky.

Honda Shop are not allowed to sell outside of WA so needed a bogus address in WA to make out the invoice to - no risk to that person.

I got the money together and transfered it to Honda Shop's accounting late Feb.

Mid April the UK shipping agents in Kent told me the bikes were at Southampton. They needed the invoice with frame numbers to clear Customs - got that from the shop and faxed it with the payment of 850-odd quid per bike (VAT + 6% on Aust price WITH shipping - think about it if you go by air...).

Bikes were ready to pick up two days later. I paid an extra 60 quid to get the bikes delivered to my door instead of going to Kent. One metal frame crate a bit bent, but bikes all in order.

To assemble the bikes takes a couple, of hours - dead easy. Needs engine oil, battery acid. tightening down and pumping up. Not pillion footrests supplied (bikes fails Aust braking with a pillion, apparently). Anyone got a spare pair?

Received the Customs receipt form (C&E 368?) via Kent proving I had paid the duty.

With this form I filled out a V55 (white lies required re: kph speedo), Insurance cover note (quote the chassis #), Cert of Newness and invoice I sent to my local DVLA with 12 months tax plus 25 quid fee and got a tax disc with the reg number on it two days later. No problematic inspection required for bikes (as yet...). Ask the DVLC for the Import pack and they will send it. Not all forms are needed.

Note. Even with a reg the bike may not be technically UK road legal type approved, according to some pedant at the DoT. There are certain frame stamps required re EU braking or something? But obviously if it can be sold in California, it's OK for us sad Brits.

Waiting for new logbook from DVLC.
Ê¥

Of course the bike will have no service history or warranty that you can do muchg about, and spares may be a slight pain in the UK - a mix of XR and NX. Try www.partsfish.com.

But all in all, no harder than buying anything off the web or importing from the EU. I suspect US import (no cheaper) would be more hassle - but SA might be easy too, at a guess. Honda Shop service was as good as it gets.


------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

thanks Chris
I will keep you posted

I just ordered the XR650L as a powered rolling chassis for my "40 litre" Acerbis tank. the prices for the bike and shipping have gone up a little at the HondaShop, but the Aussie dollar has weakened to nearly 2.9 to the pound. for those importing to the UK, the taxes are 8% duty on everything plus 17.5% VAT on top of everything. so, take HondaShop's 8200 for the bike and 950 for airfreight, convert it to pounds and then add 26.9%. with 2.9 A$ to the pound (last week), its £4000 all in.
Richard

rich ,$950+tax sounds agod deal for air freight oz-uk ,have you got any names/contact details?
thanks

try contacting Brett Rayner at Continental Freight Services (brayner at connect.net.au) or Phone +61(8)93314404 /Fax +61(8)93314405
Richard

richard,
thanks for the info, i'll let you know how it works out

Brett Rayner shipped my new XR650 L from oz to Lagos in just 3 days. His services are excellent and highly professional. Last year I shipped a Dommie from Italy to Lagos and I paid exactly double than Rayner's charges.Beside that it took about two weeks to arrive.

Brett did his bit, but the Brits goofed their bit and, some hours later, I got the XRL through customes (customs, but with a pantomime theme) and into my van. just under £4k incl air freight. I've already got the 37litre acerbis so ... RTW, here I come!