How to import an ADV150?

[Kenny]

I like the PCX but here in the UK you can only get the 125cc version.
The new ADV150 is far more attractive to me with a bit more torque and power, better brakes yet still lightweight with great economy.

I’ve previously owned two Hornet 250 bikes (grey imports) and wondered if it is possible to import an ADV150. I don’t want the extra weight of the more powerful Forza and the ADV150 looks perfect for my needs.

Has anyone on the forum had any experience of importing a bike?

[Jge64]

Import a bike and you have no warranty, parts avail or tech savvy as they are not trained on it.

If none of that matters, then have at it.

[Kenny]

No warranty wouldn’t bother me, It’s a Honda after all .
I had no problem keeping my grey import Hornets on the road.

Just wanting to know if importing an ADV150 is possible and affordable.

[Yorkie150]

I imported a BMW motorcycle and had no issues - local dealer were more than happy to undertake service work / warranty etc.....
I would try and locate a European model - if there are any as at present All vehicles sold within the EEA have reciprocal agreements on warranties

[Kenny]

Hi Yorkie150. Did your import the bike through your Dealer?
Maybe that should be my first port of call.

[Yorkie150]

no, I bought mine in Germany and brought it back myself...it was from a dealer in Germany ..and I had no issues ..

my mate bought a NEW Ford Mustang from the States 5 or 6 years back and again had no issues over warranty etc and it was serviced at a local ford dealership here in the UK...

There are several issues when importing from non EU countries. VAT...Import tax...Will it conform to UK specs ( lights / emissions etc ) and will they issue a certificate of Conformity etc....It can get expensive when the tax man wants his share

[RuffStuff]

my mate imported an underbone from thailand a few years ago, he needed customs declaration, then it had to do customs at both ends, a nova or equivalent for the tax etc then it had to have the clocks converted to mph and an sva test, light dip and indicator widths were pulled up on so another chunk of change to go away, make brackets and retest.
might be worth posting the question to one of the importers that bring jdm cubs into the country as they will obviously be up to date with current requiremnets

[Kenny]

Thanks for the informative replies.
Guess it’s not an easy process.

[Yorkie150]

If you buy a vehicle in Europe ( at the moment ) you can register it in the country of sale and they will supply export plates to ride it back to the UK ...You have a limited time to swop your export plates and register it in the UK.......Riding it back and putting petrol in it on the continent ( spending money on it in its country of origin ) reduces the amount of VAT / Import Taxes you pay in the UK.

I did that with my BMW...I rode it back from Germany over two weeks - bumbling around Germany / Belgium / France etc ....spending a few quid on fuel / oil top ups ( its a BMW thing ) - and kept the receipts to present them to the tax office in the uk - reduced what I had to pay - cant recall how much I paid as bike now gone...but I recall it was cheaper

[big bear]

i think there only sold in the asian market right now as long as the shipping costs arent to high you could do it but youre going to need help from a honda dealer

[Mel46]

I wonder how much would be added to the original cost when you consider transportation, import tax, assembly, inspection etc. before you even pick it up.

[gn2]

I wonder how much would be added to the original cost when you consider transportation, import tax, assembly, inspection etc. before you even pick it up.

Its not going to be cheap.
£500ish for freight, £2450 + 20% VAT, registration fee £55, sva fee £85.
As its not an EU model, might need a different headlamp if standard headlamp dip beam pattern is wrong.
Also, probably going to have to pay full cost up front, so could be money transfer fees.
So I reckon at least £3600 if all goes well.
And of course there's the issue of trying to get insurance for it.
Whole thing is a nightmare for what is basically a PCX on stilts.

[marval]

Funnily enough, every word that Kenny said is absolutely identical to what I would have said and would love to own!
Sadly I think, as was said that as it is only available in Asia, it would be near impossible.
No doubt Honda would never add it to the UK line up, as it wouldn't fit learner laws. I expect they would say that there is a 300 version mooted but if we wanted the bulk of the 300 we would already own a Forza!!
Well there's two they could sell, any more??

[dick the den]

And ved [uk] as its over 150cc [153cc] higher tax bracket

[big bear]

find an import and export company they could do it they might even know if you could registar the bike once its here. But im guessing it might add 2000 or more to the price

[marval]

VED rates are not affected unlike the earlier PCX which was 153cc the new ADV is149cc

[Kenny]

Just contacted my local Honda dealer Victor Devine in Glasgow.
The very polite and helpful salesperson informed me it’s a very commonly asked question.
Unfortunately Honda dealers are not allowed to import non UK models.
You can import one privately but I wouldn’t know where to start.
Any advice? Anyone imported from Asia?

[RuffStuff]

My mates was imported by someone local who's wife is thai, when they went over there.
Maybe ask in battle scooters on adv forum as some of them live in Asia

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Mel46]

I am sure that if one showed up in The United States there would be quite a bit of interest in it, but I am just as sure that Honda Would not take the hint and start importing them. Honda, as well as most of the other scooter manufacturers, look at the market where there is the most sales and highest probably of success before sending a new product out. Neither North America nor Europe fall in line with the highest distribution of scooters. The Asian market is, so that is where the new items will be distributed first. I am still waiting for that experimental PCX that had dual disc brakes. Some were sold in Thailand, but that is as far as they seemed to have gone, market wise.

[big bear]

ive read that honda has CARB certified the ADV150 not sure what that means does that mean its coming here anyone know what CARB certified even means