How would you like a BRAND NEW 250cc bike for $3000 or so?

Ben (wazza1234) told me on the weekend that you can buy the GN250 brand new in New Zealand for $3300NZ. I checked it out, and it is true! (not that I doubted Ben...) So why do the New Zealanders get the bike and we don't? The cheapest Suzuki 250 roadbike is $7500 in Australia- the 250 Intruder. Granted it is a far, far better bike but at more than DOUBLE the price.....
How many bikes would the dealers sell if you could buy a brand new one for $3k or so?
I contacted two Aussie Suzuki dealers about getting me one or two of these, and one said a flat 'no'- the other is looking into it for me via some importers- not Suzuki, coz I got a flat NO from Suzuki head office in Australia too. I also called Suzuki NZ and they said I would have to purchase from a NZ dealer and get it shipped over here- surely it would be easier (cheaper) to get one sent from Japan to Australia, or at least I would have thought so. He did warn me that it might cause some problems at the Aussie wharves when it arrives and I might be up for some import duties.
I have a GN250 at the moment, and it is an excellent learner bike. It is roadworthy and safe, but a bit rattly in the engine which annoys me so- I am a bit of a perfectionist, and I hate engine rattles. I don't really want to cough up for an engine rebuild, when the bike runs well, and the bike is fairly worthless as it is- not worth sinking too much dosh into it. I got quotes from Suzuki to replace some parts here and there on it- and the bill was approaching $2500- not worth doing. As you can see a new one for $3k is very appealing- probably using my current frame with new bits attached. NZ Gns have mag wheels which look 'orrible- wanna stick to my current wheels.
Has anyone else tried something similar? (Imported a NZ bike or the like?) How hard (expensive) was it? Thanks!

http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/details.html?id=212

Hummmf doesn't go to the page I wanted. Go 'models'-'commuter' and GN will be in the list.

You might be able to get this road registerable, theres the thing about a private import if you go direct, but then again going through a 3rd party importer might be the go.

Let us know what investigations reveal

Having lived in NZ I was bloody SHOCKED when buying a bike over here...

The reason... grey imports... they drive the price of second hand bikes down... and the price of new bikes too...

Having lived in NZ I was bloody SHOCKED when buying a bike over here...

The reason... grey imports... they drive the price of second hand bikes down... and the price of new bikes too...

Is that because the grey imports are (a) in really good nick, (b) relatively very cheap, and (c) have really low mileage ?????

Having lived in NZ I was bloody SHOCKED when buying a bike over here...

The reason... grey imports... they drive the price of second hand bikes down... and the price of new bikes too...

Is that because the grey imports are (a) in really good nick, (b) relatively very cheap, and (c) have really low mileage ?????

Dunno.. but in 2001 I bought a 99 CBR600F3 with 12,000 on the clock for $8,7000 (nz) and it was a grey import...

I have a pic here somewhere... I have to admit... it did have some scratches...

Ben (wazza1234) told me on the weekend that you can buy the GN250 brand new in New Zealand for $3300NZ. I checked it out, and it is true! (not that I doubted Ben...)

Aren't I a nice bloke...I meet you for 5 mins and give you nice helpful info I might be new to the bike game but I know what I know and 5% of the time dont bullshit.

Suzuki would probably upset honda or the scooter market if they sold the GN here.