2009 Honda CB400
- Thread starter Jimi_CB
- Start date
pawn
Over 1,000 Posts
that would be nice. I wish we could get a w650 here new again, or lots of other bikes. I wonder if marketing studies are generally that accurate? Consider we are now getting Smart cars in the US and they were thought to never be able to sell here, or the Nissan Cube and the like (Micro cars being too small for US roads as has been said.) A CB400 brand spanking new would be awesome.
Disliked23
Been Around the Block
Which sucks. Really, really sucks. wonder how much they would be new...
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
I would buy that bike in a flash. I have been pouring over new bikes and there really are so few mid displacement standards out there that are affordable. I love the Triumphs and the Ducati's but I have no money for them, here in Canada they are all 9K and up and all bigger displacement. We didn't even get the TU250 Suzuki's, if Honda could bring that here and sell it for the price of the Rebel 250 or the CBR125 I would swallow payments and grab it. They already bring in Euro only models like the Varedero and the CBF1000. Why the F not the CB400SS??? I should have one shipped here then take the VIN off my 81 and rivet it to the new one and say I retored it. That might work if I can get the crate through customs. Maybe have to ship it over in parts then put it together with the 81 VIN and Title. MMMM maybe??? Now if only I could find someone in Japan to take it a part and box it up.....?
I don't know about Canada but in the US you can legally register JDM cars. I would imagine you could also register and insure a JDM motorcycle. Maybe? What you need to do is find make a friend that's in the navy then hope they end up in Japan. I've heard that people in the Navy can (affordably) crate over large items like cars and whatnot.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
We can here in Canada if it is 15 years old or older on cars and bikes, but I have an old bike now and like it, but it is old and is a project all the time. I want to also have a new, reliable machine. I think a VIN swap and some dirt would work as that bike is exactly the same as the old 70's bikes. I might be able to pass it off as a 81 400T. But then I would have an untiled old bike. Have to get a frame from a junk yard or something.
pawn
Over 1,000 Posts
yes it is misinformation. It's possible that skylines are here because someone had the money and the knowledge of the market to take the gamble on federalizing them with US crash testing, etc. But they may not be legal, or registered as grey market. Are you in Florida? Few years ago Motorex in FL was importing these and selling them country wide only to have their fleet of cars sought out and repo'd. Things may have changed, but that was then. Now it's a matter of age, federalization, and money. You can't simply pic a car from Japan and import it here, if you could you would see lots of different cars here and not a few Skyline's or Sylvia's.Jimi_CB said:
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
Jimi_CB said:
If they are older then they likely are, and Nissan released the new skyline in the US as the GTR or something, can't remmeber what they called it. People may be re - badging with the JDM badges. Unless they are right hand drive and brand new then someone has found a loophole to import. or like pawn said, have cash and don't care if they get caught.
904cafe
Been Around the Block
There are legal ways around this sort of stuff. I live in Jacksonville and I know several people who have bought REAL RHD cars, some were already in the states others where imported by companies for them. They are legit, tag, title, everything. I'm pretty sure they are registered under "kit cars" but no certain. I'd say there are atleast 10 Skylines, 3 or so Toyota Soarers, a Type-R Civic (older style) and a few other random RHD's here.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
Yes, we get those here too, but they are all 15+ year old models. RHD out of Japan. If they are Brand new 2009, you can get them here but at a huge cost or grey market that if someone wanted to look into it they could seize the ride. Your average joe can't do it. I am a buyer by career and spent many years importing many things and I have looked into the car thing and the red tape for anything new is insane. IF you have money, time, and can be creative, you can get through it, but you always risk someone noticing and asking questions. If that CB400SS has the same frame as a vintage bike, I am not sure it does, but if it did you could buy one and ship it over as parts and put it on the old frame and have a brand new honda. IT would be awsome. I know you can do the shipping in parts thing and if you have a valid VIN you could get it registered. If anyone asks, you restored it with JDM parts. IT would just be better if Honda Canada/USA would get the point that we all don't want choppers and cruisers and we all can't afford 13-20 grand for a bike. I think they would sell a shit load of the CB400SS.. Especially if gas goes way up again, which it will I am sure. I know if the used them in the MSF courses as well, people would want them.
Disliked23
Been Around the Block
Shocks look like eye-to-eye but I wonder if the whole swinging arm is compatible? We need more specs on this bike.
