Buying a VFR in the US and importing to Canada

I'm pretty set on a VFR and have found several 2007 Dark Red VFR's in the US for $6999. Not partial to the RWB. This is perfect considering they are listed at dealers here for $11-$12K. I figure I will take the opportunity to add colour matched hard bags at the time of purchase. My challenge is most of the dealers offering it at this price are in NC, TX, CA etc. I have tried a few in NY but they are not willing to sell for export. I would prefer to drive down and pick the bike up with a trailer vs. shipping across the boarder and risking delays with customs and damage.
Does anyone know of NY, OH, MI, PA dealers with stock of 2007 VFR in Dark Red for a good price? I would take an ABS model for more if competively priced. Otherwise, I will move on with a NC dealer in Charlotte who has a few at this price.

thanks.

 

There is apparently some agreement with Honda that the US will not sell to Canadians to protect Honda's Canadian dealers. So...for a few bucks, open a post office box in the US and go buy your bike. When they ask for your address, give them the post office box. I am sure the dealers in the US want to sell you the bike, but they have to document things according to what they are given and there could be reprocussions to them from Honda is it showes a Canadian address.

 

Providing a US address is not an issue. I will still need the dealer to provide appropriate docs to clear customs, avoid US tax (paying tax in Canada), turn the lights on feature on, etc. I am finding some are much more cooperative than others. Problem is the cooperative ones are not close to me. I may have to truck it to Buffalo and pick it up there.

 

Pay cash use my address......
I will make sure you have your bike in one piece

 

i know of a few that have done it and its worth it, my bike is a us import. just be aware honda canada will not honor warranty. however they do honor recalls if there is one in the future, providing you can find a local dealer thats willing to do extra paper work.

 

I wish I did it, and will certainly do it next time if the need arises.

 

I brought a used ( 06 with 460 miles on the odometer) one into Canada. It was painless with some planning. The lights on issue is not one as the headlights come on with the ignition as is required in Canada and the odometer changes settings to kilometers. Used or new-any vehicle leaving the US has to clear out through US Customs. As such a fax of the title must be at the crossing point 72 hours before the bike arrives and you must arrive within business hours, during the week. When you get to the Canadian side, you must attend Canada customs where tax must be paid. There is no duty to be paid on Hondas. PM me if I can answer any other questions and good luck. I'm looking for Honda hardbags, what do US dealers want for them?

 

US dealers want $1091
Craigslist deal Honda VFR Saddle Bags
David Silver Spares - Honda Accessory Catalogues wants $586 GBP plus freight. $1200 Cdn delivered.

If anyone knows where I can get dark red to match a 2007 VFR shipped to Canada let me know. thanks.

Carvin

 

I have just done it. I bought my bike from Olympia, Washington. Candy red 2007 VFR800 with ABS. Straight forward and easy to do. Below are the steps.

1. Pay for the bike, always the best thing to do.
2. Get the dealer to fax you all the paperwork. You will need bill of sale, title of ownership, any recalls (Honda US and Canada WILL NOT give you this. Get the dealer to do one for you.) and Federal sticker stating bikes coforms to all US federal etc must be on the bike.
3. Complete RIV on line info and fax to them Registrar of Imported Vehicles
4. Fax all documents to US border crossing at least 72hrs before going through border (you must wait 24 hours from when you fax everything to phone them to confirm all is good and also be aware that not all border crossings import on weekends.)
5. Hire a van to keep your bike clean, safe and secure. I went through Budget, rented ramps from Home Depot and used a wheel chock to support the bike when I tied it down. No need to compress the front forks.
6. Go to the border. Go to the US side and they will need the proof of ownership and bill of sale. They stamp the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin.
7. Go to the Canadian side. Hope he's not a jerk like mine was.
8. Give them all your paperwork. You will then fill out Vehicle Import Form and take them to the bike to show them the tag with date of manufacture on it.
9. Pay your duties.
10. Go home and wait for RIV to email you your Canadian Tire Import form to get your inspection done. Take your bike to Crappy Tire. (do not ride it yet)
11. Go and get Out Of Provience inspection form. Get the bike inspected.
12. Go and register your bike.
13. RIV will send you a sticker to put on your bike to state it conforms to Canadian Standards.
14. You have 45 days from when you import it to getting the inspections completed.
15. Enjoy the bike.

The guy I went to didn't want a US address. I just paid the state taxes and thats it. Honda Canada and Honda US will not help you out in any way with this. All in I paid just under $9500 CDN

Luggage http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HONDA-VFR800-...mQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item2eaa68de04

 

Here is a dealer in NJ. I know that auction is for a RWB but if you look in the back ground there is a candy red. I'd just give them a call and see if it's still for sale.
Honda : Interceptor : eBay Motors (item 280453555240 end time Jan-28-10 15:22:45 PST)
:cheersaf:

 

I bit the bullet today and put a deposit on a 2007 dark red VFR800 with OEM hard bags. Still working out the details on shipping. Likely a couple weeks before I get the bike delivered to Ontario but I can't wait for warm weather and salt/sand free roads so I can take it for a rip.

 

Does anyone have a comment on what a recall clearance letter looks like? I printed one today from Honda.com and it does not contain the VIN in the document. An official letter from Honda take 2-3 weeks and they require a whole list of details like US drivers license, US address, etc. I just want to be sure the recall details off the website specific to my VIN and a printout from the dealer are adequate for RIV.

 

I got the dealer where I got mine from to print one off for me. Its something they can do for you. Honda US and CA will not help you with this as they have some sort of protection thing going on.

 

Can the dealer not provide you with that letter, I would think as long as it has the bikes VIN it doesn't matter who's name's on it. Just a thought...

 

Well I just got my 2007 Candy Red one yesterday and the dealer told me the only other one he had was purchased by a guy in Canada that paid cash and is shipping back to Canada. This is Charlotte, NC Honda.

 

That's likely me. I dealt with Steve and Trent and so far pretty happy with the process at Charlotte Honda. Overall I saved about $5,000 versus buying in Canada as the best price i could get up here was $12,000. I added the OEM bags to match and hoping to ship it up here next week. No doubt that I will be loading up on accessories liike a Sargent seat, bar risers, GPS, hand warmers, etc in the near future.

 

Yep, you would be the one:biggrin: Steve sold me mine as well. I added the OEM bags and the HELI Bar risers too. Hopefully those will come in soon and I can go over there and get them installed. I do not know where they were hiding your bike. I never saw more than one red one on the floor at a time, although I have seen more than one RWB on the floor, and I have been going over since the beginning of the year. Must have been upstairs. I got about 100 miles in this weekend. It was in the mid 60s. This winter has been brutal by Southern standards, so this flash of spring was welcomed, and right on the weekend I get my bike. I am not use to the sporty riding position coming from a cruiser, so I got fatigued after about 50 miles. I am hoping the Heli bars will help in that area. I am sure I will get use to it. I better, we have a weekend trip to North Georgia scheduled for April:wink:

 

Thanks for taking all the winter weather in the southern US. I just got back from Texas and it was COLD but no snow in Toronto! When I was at Charlotte Honda in January they said they had the bike on the floor and a couple in crates in the back. I would be interested to hear how the Heli Bars are after they are installed. I have ridden a VFR without the bars without issue but not on long rides. I'm guessing they would be a nice addition.

Enjoy the bike. I won't be riding mine for some time as it's near freezing here and snow is coming, I can tell.

Cheers.

 

If you contact RIV and inform them you are importing a Honda they will tell you they already know about Honda USA not giving Canadians recall clearance letters. I imported a used 06 in December and I was never asked for a recall letter at the border or the MTO office when I transferred the Ownership from Virginia to Ontario Registration. When RIV emailed me the inspection form for Canadian Tire to complete the Recall clearance letter box was already checked off on the Form.

Save yourself some Hassles and worries and just give them a call
Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Contact Us
They will be able to tell you if you do in fact need any sort of recall letter.

 

There is a dealer in Port Huron that will import bikes for a fee .They take care of all the paper work for customs and deliver the bike to the Canadian side with all the proper forms etc. Great people to deal with and have lots of expierience with this makes it really easy process. Pay GST and fee and you can ride it home as long as you have proof of insurance without plates . Good luck !