Buying a US-spec Royal Enfield in India

SpeedBlitz · 01-13-2007, 01:03 AM

I will be travelling in India for a few months starting mid to late February this year and I would like to buy a Royal Enfield in India to travel with and import it back home after the trip (Canada in my case). After researching this topic, I have found many people that have thought of doing this, but this appears to be legally impossible due to Federal laws (both in Canada and US), unless the bikes are of a certain age, which means they can be imported as vintage bikes (15 years in Canada).

Hence, I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a US-spec RE in India, which would then (hopefully) be eligible for import back home. Has anyone tried this before? Does anyone know if it is possible? I have sent an email to the US Enfield distributor (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/) to see if they have any knowledge of this.

Also, does anyone know of any other possible loopholes?

Any leads would be helpful.

Thanks,
SB

SpeedBlitz · 01-13-2007, 01:58 AM

I guess I found the answer on the Indian Royal Enfield Website:

http://www.royalenfield.com/app/IN/private_imports.asp

"Export models are not sold in India. The Indian model motorcycles cannot be registered in any other country other than India as it does meet the statutory norms prevailing there."

There goes that idea!

woodgrain · 01-13-2007, 05:43 PM

Thank God for small mercies!

Woodgrain

Lornce · 01-15-2007, 03:14 PM

If you're going to be there two months and you want to ride a bike just buy a decent used unit and flog it before you leave. I'm sure talking to a few independent repair/used bike type shops would produce a suitable mount. The right shop could probably be encouraged to buy it back from you, too. There's a few guys from Delhi who post amazing travel reports in the Ride Report section. Contact some of them and see if they'll put you in touch with some locals who could help you out.

That's what I'd do.

Buy a Canadian market bike when you return home. (I didn't know they still sold them in Canada?)

gaspipe · 01-15-2007, 04:52 PM

If'n I was to have one of those Bullets, I guess I'd have to go for this version:

I'm planning to get to the Himalayas in the next year or so, and I planned to just buy one there and then sell it when I left. It's a fairly common thing to do, unless you really want one back in Canada.

AceRph · 01-15-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaspipe

...and I planned to just buy one there and then sell it when I left.

Golly Gassy!

Got too many bikes?

McB · 01-15-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lornce

If you're going to be there two months and you want to ride a bike just buy a decent used unit and flog it before you leave. I'm sure talking to a few independent repair/used bike type shops would produce a suitable mount. The right shop could probably be encouraged to buy it back from you, too. There's a few guys from Delhi who post amazing travel reports in the Ride Report section. Contact some of them and see if they'll put you in touch with some locals who could help you out.

That's what I'd do.

Buy a Canadian market bike when you return home. (I didn't know they still sold them in Canada?)

This seems the best advice to me, especially if you can make a connection with someone who can protect your interests in the deal.

gaspipe · 01-16-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AceRph

Golly Gassy!

Got too many bikes?

As shocking as it sounds

- es la verdad!

01-13-2007, 01:03 AM	#1
SpeedBlitz ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2007 Oddometer: 7	Buying a US-spec Royal Enfield in India I will be travelling in India for a few months starting mid to late February this year and I would like to buy a Royal Enfield in India to travel with and import it back home after the trip (Canada in my case). After researching this topic, I have found many people that have thought of doing this, but this appears to be legally impossible due to Federal laws (both in Canada and US), unless the bikes are of a certain age, which means they can be imported as vintage bikes (15 years in Canada). Hence, I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a US-spec RE in India, which would then (hopefully) be eligible for import back home. Has anyone tried this before? Does anyone know if it is possible? I have sent an email to the US Enfield distributor (http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/) to see if they have any knowledge of this. Also, does anyone know of any other possible loopholes? Any leads would be helpful. Thanks, SB

01-15-2007, 03:14 PM	#4
Lornce Lost In Place Joined: Aug 2003 Location: Way Out There. Oddometer: 15,990	If you're going to be there two months and you want to ride a bike just buy a decent used unit and flog it before you leave. I'm sure talking to a few independent repair/used bike type shops would produce a suitable mount. The right shop could probably be encouraged to buy it back from you, too. There's a few guys from Delhi who post amazing travel reports in the Ride Report section. Contact some of them and see if they'll put you in touch with some locals who could help you out. That's what I'd do. Buy a Canadian market bike when you return home. (I didn't know they still sold them in Canada?) __________________ Across Canada on a '83 R80G/S-PD Across Canada on a '71 R50/5 My Garage Of Doom *Wear The Fox Hat*

01-15-2007, 04:52 PM	#5
gaspipe Just a dude.... Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Pickwick Lake, Tennessippi Oddometer: 11,205	If'n I was to have one of those Bullets, I guess I'd have to go for this version: I'm planning to get to the Himalayas in the next year or so, and I planned to just buy one there and then sell it when I left. It's a fairly common thing to do, unless you really want one back in Canada. __________________ gaspipe [the original] I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -- Winston Churchill

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01-13-2007, 01:58 AM	#2
SpeedBlitz ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2007 Oddometer: 7	I guess I found the answer on the Indian Royal Enfield Website: http://www.royalenfield.com/app/IN/private_imports.asp "Export models are not sold in India. The Indian model motorcycles cannot be registered in any other country other than India as it does meet the statutory norms prevailing there." There goes that idea!

01-13-2007, 05:43 PM	#3
woodgrain In-Dented Savant Joined: Jan 2006 Location: east of Scarbaria Oddometer: 757	Thank God for small mercies! Woodgrain