Can someone give me an 'official' answer to this question.

I have a 2001 KTM 640 Adventure. The bike was purchased in Australia. Are the KTM Adventures manufactured for the Australian market identical to those manufactured for the Canada/USA market.

There is a bike crusher at the Canadian Customs just dying to know the answer. Apparently, If my bike is made for the Australian market only it gets crushed since no motorcycles manufactured for Australia can be permanently imported into Canada (unless they are 15 years old or older).
Another option would be to send it back to Australia.

HELP

I'd check with KTM Canada first, they might know if there are any differences, and also of course KTM Australia - they should know best if it's a special version. It WILL be slightly different - the headlight for instance is for driving on the left side of the road - and that could be the only difference, except of course for the appropriate certification plates.

Check with the local MVB on required specs and see if the bike will pass Canadian Standards. You should be able to get it in if passes.

I suspect the customs guy is getting carried away as they often do.

"no motorcycles manufactured for Australia can be permanently imported into Canada (unless they are 15 years old or older)."

Is that the LETTER of the reg or is it that they're saying no mc not made for Canada can be imported unless it's 15 years old? In which case, it's possible - because it's been done.


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Grant

Thanks for the quick reply. OK here is the whole deal.

I read in the Revenue Canada pamphlet about Importing A Motor Vehicle Into Canada. There is a blurb saying (most) vehicles from the US are ok, and (most) vehicles made for the USA are ok for bringing into Canada. However not all are eligible.

I then tried to reconfirm this with Transport Canada in Ottawa. I was told that if I purchased the bike in Australia it could not be imported onto Canadian soil. I tried to find a way around this, but all I could come up with was that if it was a racing motorcycle it could be brought in under 'special circumstances'. I contacted another agent from Transport Canada about this and he said that the bike is not classified as"competition use only" therefore it can't be brought in. Ironically neither can the XR 650r for the same reason.
I mentioned that there were others who have done it before, and when he began asking for names of these people, my phone line went dead. Hmmm

I contacted Customs in Vancouver and they gave me the same mantra about contacting Transport Can to see if my bike was eligible. So much for 'horse before the cart'

I am now trying to contact KTM USA, KTM Canada and KTM Australia to see if the bikes are indeed the same. I hope that if they are I can explain this to Transpo Canada.

My bike does have a BC plate on it and I was just hoping to flash some photocopies,come up with a little story for 'the man' and ride off, but hey this ain't travelling I am here for good.

Nuts.

Strange,

But each country has their stupid laws. I'm in Australia and they are very strict on imports. They often require a 'Letter of compliance' from the manufacturer (e.g. KTM Australia) to say it complies with all the local laws. Perhaps you can get one from KTM Canada - the bikes should be very similar.

I'm currently in the position of having extended the carnet for another year for a UK KTM in Australia. So it is here 'temporarily'. I rang the Road Traffic Authority and mentioned that I was now a legal (on a permanent visa). They asked me where the bike was, I said 'in the country', they said - 'We will not issue you with an import permit because the bike is in the country?', I said 'so what am I supposed to do?', they said 'you have to send it out of the country, apply for an import permit, then ship it back in', I said 'Why can't I just take it down to the customs, pay the tax, get it cleared?', they said 'You just can't', I said 'where do I ship it to?', they said 'New Zealand???', I said 'But I don't know anyone there', they said.... etc... So I just extended the carnet for a year.

The customs were great, can't understand the issue and are very happy for me to pay the 10% tax, the RTA are idiots with bic biros...

JT

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KTM LC4 640 Adventure-R 2001

Previous bikes...
KTM Duke II 2000
Kawazaki ZX-6R 1998
BMW F650 1996
+ others...
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hi lost1

is it possible to strip the big KTM right down and take it to Canada as "spare parts"
i know thats how they get big roadies into Thailand,dunno if it will work but it might get your bike past that evil crusher

good luck
Slugnugget

Did you check into bringing it into the US first then cross the border into canada from the US? It might be a way to circumvent the rules. You would not be breaking any laws, just manipulating them for yourself. Good luck with the id...err I mean customs officals.

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John

"The older I get the better I was"

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John

At least it should be possible to obtain a "temporary import" for the bike (following memory 1 year long)...we done it w/o any hassle & problems for 2 yamaha XT with Italian plates (but long time ago:-(( )
then export+import going in USA ?