Harley Davidsons in Japan?

sabro · 17 Oct 2004

How much do Harleys sell for in Japan? Is there a market for them? Are there any barriers to bringing large cc motorcycles in?

openup · 17 Oct 2004

bike bike bike!!!

I don't know if you can access this site.
http://goobike.com/cgi-bin/search/search4_summary.cgi

It's a search result for Harleys sold in Japan in Japanese. :sorry:

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.
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oh wait, I found Harleys Japan.
http://www.harley-davidson.co.jp/index.html

Mike Cash · 17 Oct 2004

sabro said:
How much do Harleys sell for in Japan? Is there a market for them? Are there any barriers to bringing large cc motorcycles in?

They sell for a pretty penny. There is quite a market for them. I have seen more Harleys on the streets in Japan than I ever saw in the US.

I don't know anything about importing them, other than to say that you'd have quite a bit of competition. You may already know that the primary limiting factor on large bike sales is the difficulty of obtaining a large bike license.

sabro · 18 Oct 2004

Thanks, I was thinking of building some choppers this Summer break, and although the market here is strong, it is quite crowded. (Slooowww sales). I thought someone in Japan might want one.

Does anyone there want a '65 Buick Wildcat?

Mike Cash · 18 Oct 2004

You might very well be able to sell your custom-built choppers in Japan. There is a market for them.

Moto · 19 Oct 2004

I have been riding motorcycles for 15 years in Japan and the US.
I have Yamaha Royal Star (1300cc V4) now.
http://www.liveinusa.net/moto/bike.htm
Please let me reply.

When I got motorcycle drivers license in Japan, it was hard to pass test.
Getting driver's license for big bike is easier now, though.
So, many person is riding big bike more than 1000cc.
I think you can sell your custom-built choppers in Japan, but you have to think about their vehicle inspection.
Their law for vehicle is so restricted. For example, you cannot attach anything pointy, must meet their very strict emission regulation, noise level from exhaust pipe, etc.

Good luck!

sabro · 19 Oct 2004

Thanks

Custom assembly is not that precise. I have no idea if it would pass smog or noise (they usually have straight pipes) and the shipping is probably prohibitive.

It was an interesting idea while it lasted.

Moto · 19 Oct 2004

You can sell your bike and ship to Japan, but they cannot ride without passing vehicle inspection.

It's crazy that they cannot ride my bike in Japan.
Even though it's a Yamaha (Japanese bike), the Japanese motorcycle dealer cannnot make that bike meet the emission regulations.

TwistedMac · 19 Oct 2004

sabro said:
Thanks

Custom assembly is not that precise. I have no idea if it would pass smog or noise (they usually have straight pipes) and the shipping is probably prohibitive.

It was an interesting idea while it lasted.

don't give up on it too quick.. who knows, you might become the "crazy gaijin workshop legend", stinking rich and with a reputation for the best custom bikes in Japan!

Mike Cash · 19 Oct 2004

Moto said:
You can sell your bike and ship to Japan, but they cannot ride without passing vehicle inspection.

It's crazy that they cannot ride my bike in Japan.
Even though it's a Yamaha (Japanese bike), the Japanese motorcycle dealer cannnot make that bike meet the emission regulations.

You seem to be in America, so I'm not very clear about your meaning. Are you referring to Japan's emission regulations? Or America's?

kirei_na_me · 19 Oct 2004

He's referring to Japan's emission regulations.

His Yamaha Royal Star can't be sold in Japan because it can't pass inspection.

Sorry, his English isn't perfect.

niku kudasai · 19 Oct 2004

Sabro, you actually build custom choppers? That's awesome if you do, I actually just got into it myself. I live in Daytona Beach, Florida so we have no shortage of bikes of any kind. Have you ever been to Bike Week or Biketoberfest down here? I don't know about Japan, but if you're good there sure as heck is a good market down here.

Mike Cash · 20 Oct 2004

kirei_na_me said:
He's referring to Japan's emission regulations.

His Yamaha Royal Star can't be sold in Japan because it can't pass inspection.

Sorry, his English isn't perfect.

It wasn't his English that confused me, believe me. It's just that I never heard of Japanese emission standards or tests on bikes, while I know that US emission standards from the 80s pretty much killed 2-stroke bikes. May the RD-250 rest in peace.

DoctorP · 20 Oct 2004

Sabro if your really good, why don't you run a website with some of your creations? Focus promoting your site in Japan and see what kind of feedback you get...if it works well, that may help you find a business partner here that will help you get a storefront set up! There are quite a few custom bikes here, but not quite like what you find in the States. These are usually smaller cc bikes dressed up like the choppers of the 70's! That, and I've seen a few trikes here too!

Elizabeth · 20 Oct 2004

openup said:
I don't know if you can access this site.
http://goobike.com/cgi-bin/search/search4_summary.cgi

It's a search result for Harleys sold in Japan in Japanese. :sorry:

And a brief story from today's Asahi News about a Taiwanese gang just apprehended for theft of "high class" foreign-made bikes such as Harleys, and BMW's, in Japan. ☝

高級バイク窃盗団摘発ハーレーなど100台超盗む

ハーレーダビッドソンなど高級バイクばかりを狙った台湾人窃盗団が、警視庁に逮捕されました。
捕まった埼玉県熊谷市の李志祥（リ・ジシャオ）容疑者（28）ら台湾人の男7人は、今月15日に東京・渋谷区の路上で、ハーレー1台を盗んだ疑いが持たれています。このグループは、ハーレーやBMWなど外国製の高級オートバイばかりを狙っていて、被害は100台を超える見込みです。熊谷市の資材置き場で分解して保管していて、その後、台湾にひそかに送っていたとみられています。

テレ朝news

sabro · 20 Oct 2004

I have to build the bikes first. I've just been tinkering with a couple of old hondas and and old suzuki- which I sold and now miss. I found that you can get a Buell fairly cheaply and buy a custom frame and tins to assemble into a classic looking chopper. I am a teacher and I have a few teacher friends. We do this kind of thing during our summer vacation.

gsxr-1000 · 19 Nov 2006

2006 Suzuki Gsxr 1000

I have a 2006 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 with America Emitions will this pass a Japan Emissions please let me know Also I will be living in Yokokuska where is the Emitions station located at

gsxr-1000 · 19 Nov 2006

Bringing 2006 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 to Japan from America

I have a 2006 Suzuki Gsxr 1000 with America Emitions will this pass a Japan Emissions please let me know Also I will be living in Yokokuska where is the Emitions station located at

Ewok85 · 20 Nov 2006

Mike Cash said:
It wasn't his English that confused me, believe me. It's just that I never heard of Japanese emission standards or tests on bikes, while I know that US emission standards from the 80s pretty much killed 2-stroke bikes. May the RD-250 rest in peace.

Shaken conditions for big bikes changed recently, theres still the sound restrictions (something like 95 decibels at 4000RPM), but also an emissions test for bikes newer than 2003. They are pretty picky about mods too, apparently engine mods and the sort are not allowed.

Harley Davidsons in Japan?

sabro

後輩

openup

先輩

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

sabro

後輩

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Moto

後輩

sabro

後輩

Moto

後輩

TwistedMac

後輩

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

kirei_na_me

Where I'm Supposed to Be

niku kudasai

後輩

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

DoctorP

先輩

Elizabeth

先輩

sabro

後輩

gsxr-1000

後輩

gsxr-1000

後輩

Ewok85

先輩

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