Importing a Motorbike

[MartinW]

Hello
I've seen a few post of people discussing the import of a bike (or car), but I have not seen a post of anybody doing so successfully. If there is anyone who has done this and can share some experience would be great.
I have already taken the first hurdle and got my bike imported (not that expensive btw), but now have to get it on the road. The instructions from the official website say the bike needs to be tested and the electronic parking thingy fitted, but I have not yet found a garage willing to do this. The website does not give anymore information unfortunately.

Any pointers would be appreciated

[sundaymorningstaple]

We had a member here back in 2008, curiousgeorge (search engine will locate his posts for reference). He imported a large motorcycle himself to Singapore but I am sure things have changed since then. However this will probably guide you sufficiently...

https://onemotoring.lta.gov.sg/content/ ... rcycle.pdf

[Lisafuller]

Hello
I've seen a few post of people discussing the import of a bike (or car), but I have not seen a post of anybody doing so successfully. If there is anyone who has done this and can share some experience would be great.
I have already taken the first hurdle and got my bike imported (not that expensive btw), but now have to get it on the road. The instructions from the official website say the bike needs to be tested and the electronic parking thingy fitted, but I have not yet found a garage willing to do this. The website does not give anymore information unfortunately.

Any pointers would be appreciated

You can get an IU (electronic parking thingy) installed at VICOM.

[PNGMK]

What year bike is it? You're in for a world of pain if it is more than 3 years old and not yet old enough to be a classic I believe. However I may be wrong.

Let us know how it goes. I'd love to import a CB500X.

[Myasis Dragon]

What year bike is it? You're in for a world of pain if it is more than 3 years old and not yet old enough to be a classic I believe. However I may be wrong.

Let us know how it goes. I'd love to import a CB500X.

Exactly right. If it's more than 3 years old, the LTA won't consider the bike for import.

[Lisafuller]

What year bike is it? You're in for a world of pain if it is more than 3 years old and not yet old enough to be a classic I believe. However I may be wrong.

Let us know how it goes. I'd love to import a CB500X.

Apparently OP already brought it in.

[Lisafuller]

What year bike is it? You're in for a world of pain if it is more than 3 years old and not yet old enough to be a classic I believe. However I may be wrong.

Let us know how it goes. I'd love to import a CB500X.

Exactly right. If it's more than 3 years old, the LTA won't consider the bike for import.

Is there a reason for this? Do they only allow brand new or old vintage bikes?

[PNGMK]

What year bike is it? You're in for a world of pain if it is more than 3 years old and not yet old enough to be a classic I believe. However I may be wrong.

Let us know how it goes. I'd love to import a CB500X.

Exactly right. If it's more than 3 years old, the LTA won't consider the bike for import.

Is there a reason for this? Do they only allow brand new or old vintage bikes?

Homologation rules I think for newer ones. Older ones come under the classic scheme.

[Lisafuller]

Just learnt a new word. Never knew this was a thing... is this the case for cars too? Though I'd assume if so it'd be much rarer.

[PNGMK]

Yes cars and motorbikes need to be part of a homologation scheme or system. This is why it is so hard and expensive to do it for one vehicle. The local importers have a rule or thumb that they need to bring in 10 bikes for a homologation exercise to make economic sense.

[Lisafuller]

Must be why I've never heard of anybody importing a car from overseas (though I know it's happened). Would be so much cheaper and easier to buy one of the mass imported ones.

[PNGMK]

I was talking to my motorbike dealer friend. The cost of approval and homologation for a batch of bikes is now around 40k. It used to be less and they were allowed to import under the same approval unlimited numbers provided they were the same model. They cannot do that any longer and have to redo the paperwork for every shipment. This is partly why bike prices are now nuts and there ia a much smaller range of bikes around.

[Lisafuller]

I don't ride, so I am not knowledgeable on any of this. I will say that I don't really see a huge variety of bikes on the road, and very rarely see an exotic one like a Harley.

[sundaymorningstaple]

There is a very active HOG (Harley Owners Group) here in Singapore. Often are seen doing charity rides, etc. Friend and financier of my son's Barber shop also has one. Another of my son's friends has a Sportster.

[x9200]

I don't ride, so I am not knowledgeable on any of this. I will say that I don't really see a huge variety of bikes on the road, and very rarely see an exotic one like a Harley.

I see Harleys at least once a day but they are not of the big ones variety. So if you mean a make, they are pretty common, but larger bikes, inclusive other brands, e.g. Honda Wing, pretty rare. A bit more common are some larger Yamahas, eg. FJR-1300 or Kawasaki Concours. And that's I believe it.