Importing bikes from Japan

I've been looking to fill a two stroke hole in my life. 
I have found a bike that I desire, but they were only sold to the Japanese market. 
A few grey imports exist, but they are rare. 
Yamaha SDR 200. A single cylinder two stroke with a claimed output of 34hp and tipping the scales at 105kg. 





Known in the UK with the nickname of "The Whippet" they are a superb skinny bike. 
I'm in love with the chrome plated frame and minimalist styling. 








Has anyone ever imported a bike from Japan? 

There are rules and regs to follow. Luckily these bikes, made only in 1986 & 1987, fall into the pre '89 category. 

There are brokers that do it all. Can anyone recommend one.

I can't help you Bosco, but I like the thought of that bike at that weight.
Awesome!!!

I was watching Daryl Beattie in an interview on Sunday, talking about the 500's,
and saying they weighted 115kg, with 180-200HP....I can't really get my head around that.

Yeah i had an 87 honda nsr 250 that thing was a beast so much fun around 70-80 hp and 120kg 
Had a vtwin 2 stroke only 250 ive ever riden that went up onto the back wheel at 100kph scared the shit out of me the first time 
Really came to life at about 6000rpm when that pawerband kicked in 

meggens85 wrote:Yeah i had an 87 honda nsr 250 that thing was a beast so much fun around 70-80 hp and 120kg 
Had a vtwin 2 stroke only 250 ive ever riden that went up onto the back wheel at 100kph scared the shit out of me the first time 
Really came to life at about 6000rpm when that pawerband kicked in 

 
Yeah, gotta love that kick in the pants when they come on pipe. 
I haven't ridden an NSR, but have owned a few RGV's and an RS250, which I sold because it was mint and I was too worried about adding km's or binning it at the track. 
I should never have sold. 

meggens85 wrote:Yeah i had an 87 honda nsr 250 that thing was a beast so much fun around 70-80 hp and 120kg 
Had a vtwin 2 stroke only 250 ive ever riden that went up onto the back wheel at 100kph scared the shit out of me the first time 
Really came to life at about 6000rpm when that pawerband kicked in 

Unless yours was highly modified or they got fat and slow in 1990 these were about 46hp at 9500 rpm and 135kg. Still good power to weight ratio. 
I remember some older bikes as being better than they probably were too 

https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/

Basically, if the vehicle is manufactured Pre-89 AND is in original condition THEN you can obtain an import approval, (basically a document you can flash at Customs (Border Protection) and local registration that confirms that the vehicle is NOT subject to the MVSA (Motor Vehicles Safety Act)).  There is a $50 fee.  You can apply online using the link above.  There is a new online application system coming soon that should make this a lot quicker and easier.

I heard something recently that the government is going to make private importation of vehicles easier. Something to do with the decline of Australian car manufacturing. I would assume these new rules would also apply to motorcycles.

Thanks guys.  
Chook and Dekenai. I have researched and spoke with that particular department.
You are correct. If the bike is stock,  it's pretty straight forward.  If it's had forks swapped or other mods, more than just basic stuff like exhaust, then the govt engineers have to assess it. 

2WA. The MC16 was indeed lighter. 125kg. But as you said 45 ponnies stock. Unsure of what a good tuner could get out of them. But as an Aprilia RS250 was pushing 70hp, I too think that Megs memory of a great little bike is a little rose tinted. But hey we've all caught fish that were THIS big :cheers: . Lol

I think someone before me had some fun with mine had race farings solo seat and had some fancy things in the engine (pistons, flat top heads, exhaust) one thing i know it was fun but not to cumfy at 6'6" i think i was a bit tall lol

Okay maybe not 70hp-80hp but was definently not the stock 50hp but god what a lot of fun 
Theres nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning 

meggens85 wrote:Okay maybe not 70hp-80hp but was definently not the stock 50hp but god what a lot of fun 
Theres nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning 

 
There are some very talented people who can unleash the full potential of the two stroke engine. Sadly, it's a  dying art. 
With race glass your bike would have been lighter than stock. Probably geared for the track. Chambers and engine work will certainly produce a substantial increase over the stock 45 horses, which was a mandated max power for the Japanese market. Making a fun bike into a track weapon. 
I agree with you about the wonderful two stroke perfume. It is something that I miss, terribly, when attending a bike race. It used to be one more sense stimulus, that added to the overall immersion experience of being there live as opposed to watching on TV, that made bike racing so exciting. 
I still have a big sniff when the odd smoker goes by on the road, these days.

Bosco15 wrote:

meggens85 wrote:Okay maybe not 70hp-80hp but was definently not the stock 50hp but god what a lot of fun 
Theres nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning 

 
There are some very talented people who can unleash the full potential of the two stroke engine. Sadly, it's a  dying art. 
With race glass your bike would have been lighter than stock. Probably geared for the track. Chambers and engine work will certainly produce a substantial increase over the stock 45 horses, which was a mandated max power for the Japanese market. Making a fun bike into a track weapon. 
I agree with you about the wonderful two stroke perfume. It is something that I miss, terribly, when attending a bike race. It used to be one more sense stimulus, that added to the overall immersion experience of being there live as opposed to watching on TV, that made bike racing so exciting. 
I still have a big sniff when the odd smoker goes by on the road, these days.

I'll let you mow my lawn.

I do the same bosco goota have a big sniff of that awesome 2 stroke smell 
Grrr wanna buy another 2 stroke now lol

Re-Cycled wrote:

Bosco15 wrote:

meggens85 wrote:Okay maybe not 70hp-80hp but was definently not the stock 50hp but god what a lot of fun 
Theres nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning 

 
There are some very talented people who can unleash the full potential of the two stroke engine. Sadly, it's a  dying art. 
With race glass your bike would have been lighter than stock. Probably geared for the track. Chambers and engine work will certainly produce a substantial increase over the stock 45 horses, which was a mandated max power for the Japanese market. Making a fun bike into a track weapon. 
I agree with you about the wonderful two stroke perfume. It is something that I miss, terribly, when attending a bike race. It used to be one more sense stimulus, that added to the overall immersion experience of being there live as opposed to watching on TV, that made bike racing so exciting. 
I still have a big sniff when the odd smoker goes by on the road, these days.

I'll let you mow my lawn.

I'll bring my old Victa "Toe Cutter" around and we can both have a laugh.

You could get one of these:



One proposed change is that the current Pre'89 rule will become a rolling 15 years; so today we could look at vehicles manufactured before 14 Apr 2001...which opens it a fair amount! (Such as the ultimate RGV250, the VJ23:1997-1998: quoted power; 1997=70 hp (from the very special 'SP' model (sports production) with new 70° V-Twin engine)).  However, there are unlikely to be any changes in the life of the current government.




 P.S. I have a Kayto EXE 300 two-stroke for the smell and that manic two-stroke power.

Dekenai wrote:You could get one of these:



One proposed change is that the current Pre'89 rule will become a rolling 15 years; so today we could look at vehicles manufactured before 14 Apr 2001...which opens it a fair amount! (Such as the ultimate RGV250, the VJ23:1997-1998: quoted power; 1997=70 hp (from the very special 'SP' model (sports production) with new 70° V-Twin engine)).  However, there are unlikely to be any changes in the life of the current government.




 P.S. I have a Kayto EXE 300 two-stroke for the smell and that manic two-stroke power.

There's one for sale in Adelaide, atm. 
He has a bit of a blurb about it possibly being the only one left in Aus after the initial import of six by Yamaha Pitman in the 80's. 
He's asking $6900

http://www.muamat.com/classifieds/753/posts/2_Vehicles/19_Motorcycles/11349508__YAMAHA_TDR_240_cc.html

I had an EXC 300 in my youth. It kept throwing me off. Awesome bike. Loved it.  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba5OUdzYdwU

Here's a nicely sorted TDR. 




https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=THwr2bQaYLc

And watch this 10cc two stroke come "on pipe"