Lets Mix it up -- importing an NT1100 -- is it possible?

Tanksmon

Tanksmon

Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Messages
26
Location
south carolina
Hey 700s, let's mix things up a bit. Reading all the info about the NT1100, I really want to get one and upgrade my ride. Is there anything that prevents me from flying to Canada, buying a NT1100, and driving it back into the USA? Not sure about resident requirements for purchases in Canada, but am curious about how to make this happen. Thanks for your ideas :)
 
Tanksmon said:
Hey 700s, let's mix things up a bit. Reading all the info about the NT1100, I really want to get one and upgrade my ride. Is there anything that prevents me from flying to Canada, buying a NT1100, and driving it back into the USA? Not sure about resident requirements for purchases in Canada, but am curious about how to make this happen. Thanks for your ideas :)
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If we are talking legally, how you gonna get a title and license? Anyone can do it ill eaglely. Truck it to the US, do some creative data plate switching with a wrecked bike....and voila! But lets say you somehow get a valid title and license and insurance in Canada....using a friend's address. Who is to say you cant ride it across the boarder and ride it here? States have different rules, BTW. Say you cant live without a used Kei truck. 1000s of containers are shipped to the US every year full of them but they can only be licensed in certain states..... https://www.kei-trucks.com/
 
Coyote Chris said:
If we are talking legally, how you gonna get a title and license? Anyone can do it ill eaglely. Truck it to the US, do some creative data plate switching with a wrecked bike....and voila! But lets say you somehow get a valid title and license and insurance in Canada....using a friend's address. Who is to say you cant ride it across the boarder and ride it here? States have different rules, BTW. Say you cant live without a used Kei truck. 1000s of containers are shipped to the US every year full of them but they can only be licensed in certain states..... https://www.kei-trucks.com/
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Thanks @Coyote Chris - great insight - I’ve got a friend at DMV - I’ll check it out. I’m thinking that the decision is a Honda business decision, not a safety or standards issue. So maybe, maybe, the 1100 actually qualifies for insurance and a title? Also, I was thinking it was like buying a bike in PA and registering it in SC - except maybe paying an import tax? You really helped a lot and got me thinking of issues that need answers. Stay tuned.
 
You will not be able to get insurance, a title or registration on it. It will also not be listed as a vehicle that has passed US emissions standards.

On the other hand anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.
 
Warren said:
It will also not be listed as a vehicle that has passed US emissions standards.
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Certified/accepted proof of ownership is one thing... bill of purchase, title, the whole shebang...
Then one would need to request/purchase homologation documents at Honda US...
Aimed with that, and parading the vehicle on a flatbed, apply/pay for an 'individual permit/registration examination', at the mercy of the engineers at the DMV assessment office...
Dunno about tax in your corner of the world... if its a "used" maybe only VAT, if it gets rated as "self import" other fees might add up...
(had a similar project attempting to get a Canada spec ST1100 on the road over here; obviously bureaucracy falls into the same schemes across the world...)

I'd drop your DMV office and Honda US email inquiries and see how (helpful) they respond...
 
You got any buddies in a local small town police department?

Honda has offered the NT1100 in the USA for police fleet. Maybe you could get your theoretical department friend to order one (your provide the funds of course), strip all the LE stuff off and offload to you as "surplus" like they do with old Crown Vics.

 
I watch a channel called Vice Grip Garage on YouTube. The host, Derek Bieri picks up old, typically non-running muscle era cars, gets them up and running and drives them to his home in Tennessee. In a recent episode he purchased (or was donated) a car in Canada. He did his usual thing, drove or flew to Canada, got it up and running and drove it home. Yes, he crossed the border. I am assuming he put a/his dealer plate on it. They didn't go into any detail about the border crossing, but a bill of sale, title in hand and the dealer plate must have been enough to satisfy the border guard, although I'm betting the agent spent some time figuring out if there was any reason NOT to let him, and/or the Canadian vehicle to enter the US.

Long story, longer; if a Canadian dealership is willing to give you bill of sale and/or title, and you have a buddy with a dealer plate, maybe it's possible to ride it into the US. Be sure to have a backup plan if the border agent doesn't allow it. Registration in the US becomes the next hurdle, but maybe that (imaginary) dealer buddy who lent you his plate can help?

I wish Derek had gone into more detail about his border crossing experience. I'm sure it was an adventure and not a given that it would be allowed.

YMMV
 
Tanksmon said:
Thanks @Coyote Chris - great insight - I’ve got a friend at DMV - I’ll check it out. I’m thinking that the decision is a Honda business decision, not a safety or standards issue. So maybe, maybe, the 1100 actually qualifies for insurance and a title? Also, I was thinking it was like buying a bike in PA and registering it in SC - except maybe paying an import tax? You really helped a lot and got me thinking of issues that need answers. Stay tuned.
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Its not like state to state. If you want to be legal in this operation, just go or call a dept of motor vehicle registration or, in WA, we have independant stores that do license, title and ? My guess is they will tell you what the monkey wrench is....for that state. The larger question is, do states have to enforce fed law about vehicles being US emissions ready?
 
The thought occurred to me that if Honda is selling the NT1100 for police use here in the US, they must have had it certified by the EPA and DOT for use in the USA. Whether Canadian NT1100's for civilian use will carry the certification label is another question. If of course, Canada becomes our 51st state, there will be no problem...... I'm just sayin'.....
:rofl1:
Mike
 
mikesim said:
The thought occurred to me that if Honda is selling the NT1100 for police use here in the US, they must have had it certified by the EPA and DOT for use in the USA. Whether Canadian NT1100's for civilian use will carry the certification label is another question. If of course, Canada becomes our 51st state, there will be no problem...... I'm just sayin'.....
:rofl1:
Mike
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Interesting thought. Maybe but maybe not officially for citizen street use. Do military vehicles have to meet emissions? A small town police chief can buy a machine gun with just a purchase order....not me.....but no matter....even if they do meet US emissions and safety laws, I bet importing one isnt a piece of cake.....
 
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