Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

If you imported a bike into Australia via any method, how would the RTA / Dept. Transport know it was an American import?? Or does the motorbike shop that gives the RW cert say the bike is imported?? I was under the impression a bike is a bike, no matter what country it was marketed for. Who does the reaming, and why is it considered bad to import a bike intended for aus roads?

kaneg wrote: my R1 talks too dirty to me every single time I get on board....and I blush too easy
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Pete , that is the most brilliantly expressed understanding of the dilema of modern bikes v mature riders I have ever heard . Bravo . I vote for you to be dictator of Australia

That's all very well Billy,


but who is the mature one ?

kaneg wrote:
two potential compliance issues. one is the head light, having to point to the left rather than right in the USA

maybe replace it with a complete headlight from a wreckers here?

kaneg wrote: and athe exhaust pipe's emmision thingy.
He also mentioned that the USA version has less by 2-3 ponies than the OZ version

the loss of power is probably a direct result of the emission control?
I wonder if it would be as easy as chucking an aftermarket pipe on it to get around it?

Yep, I'll find out the world wide warranty issue.
Having had a chat to the BMW dealer at Worthington's (Ian) , he had made a mention of two potential compliance issues. one is the head light, having to point to the left rather than right in the USA and athe exhaust pipe's emmision thingy.
He also mentioned that the USA version has less by 2-3 ponies than the OZ version......could be just sales spill.

I'll keep you guys posted as I get closer to it.

Having made a mention of it to the mrs, we are a lot closer to painting the house.......funny how things work [/quote]


Regarding the headlight they are easily adjusted by almost any workshop to Australian standards ( it's only a couple of screws )

LachlanMann wrote:If you imported a bike into Australia via any method, how would the RTA / Dept. Transport know it was an American import?? Or does the motorbike shop that gives the RW cert say the bike is imported?? I was under the impression a bike is a bike, no matter what country it was marketed for. Who does the reaming, and why is it considered bad to import a bike intended for aus roads?

The compliance plate has to be issued and stamped. Unfortunately Ebay doesn't sell them.

Not considered bad to import more so to stop every man and his dog doing it, some bikes are made specifically for a particular market and not appropriate for Australia, indicators, exhausts, engine mapping etc may have to be specific for aus. Thus a bike is not a bike, though you are correct we are being reamed

Today, I have taken a standard 1200GS for a test ride and come accross a problem....


























didn't want to give the bloody thing back

It's amazing, just fun, fun and more fun. Fun on twisties, fun on the dirt, on wet road, gravell, the freeway and not bad in traffic.

I rode it for 2.5 hours, the dealer tried to call and see if everything was OK
It ticks all of my boxes, I'd say it's also the safest bike one can have. The entry speed as well as the secure feeling into turns is so much better that anything I rode before.

The GS retails here for $25400 , on road cost is $27500, that's of course not including the panniers, fog lights and a few other extras.

Having established the LIKE factor, the research is now to follow, shall keep you guys posted

they are a great bike Pete - no doubt about it...................but

I have a mate who owns 3 BMW's...........and 6 wallets to pay for the maintenance costs !!!

Strika is dead right - they cost twice as much as a comparable Jap bike to keep in 100% condition, and they *always* need something expensive fixed at almost every service. That has been my mates experience with his 2 GS's and 1 R100/S.