Exactly what I referred to as "ready to go".
It is not much of a deal nowadays with modern bikes that have flat beam headlights that dip directly downward rather than left, or right + modern clocks are switchable between MPH and KmPH.
However, there is a long traditional in the UK of importing LHD vehicles in to the UK for all manner of reasons.

Incidentally, I once did a quck and dirty calculation; about 40% of the world's population drive on the left of the road for historical reasons.
It used to be more but some, such as Sweden, capitulated.

PR.
Not al all.
I know of Bridge Moto via:-
They have advertised on UK ebay for some years - as mentioned earlier, they specialise in imported bikes including a rather good looking CL400 brought in from Japan recently (althought it was, last time I looked, at an asking price way above that of another CL400).

Their shop is located on a main road in the outskirts of Reading en route to Reading railway station, the town centre and even the local main dealer for BMW motorrad.
I do have an eye for bike shops though.

In a nutshell, that is how I know of them.

ps
Bridge Moto is located right next to a bridge (funny name for a bike shop) near a key road junction; probably been there since the premises were used for shoeing horses pulling carts.

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Dave

"PR. Not at all"
Followed by potted history of the place, models sold, a turn by turn of how to find them and even a pretty visual of the shop next to a Bridge.

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have fun with your helmet!

The "potted history" is a guess, tongue firmly in the corner of mouth at the time, based on a slight acquaintance with the need to shoe horses.

My ref to CL400 is because I quite like the look of them and there were two for sale on ebay last time I looked including one at Bridge Moto - the same Bridge Moto that let you down quite badly.

My knowledge of the road layout in the area is based on visiting Reading hospital which is also in that general area.

Yep, well spotted, I am indeed acting as a secret agent for Bridge Moto along with my part-time employment there on Sundays, washing and polishing the bikes and making the tea for the thousands of customers flocking to the premises to view the latest arrivals from the USA and Japan.

I can also get you a really good deal with DK bikes in Stoke on Trent who import loads of stuff - just name what you want - I am well acquainted with that emporium.
I only wash their bikes - my mate has the polishing role.


What do you want to know about the bike shop scene in Swindon?
There is lots going on there.
More
Probably enough for one day.

Incidentally, it's your thread - delete whatever; just say the word.

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Dave

This is a soap opera. I'm sure they have sold a lot of bikes to a lot of happy customers I'm just saying they let me down badly with total disregard. I'm not into deleting posts or blocking people but perhaps you could find another place to hang your pop posters on the wall. I'm glad you finally cracked and confessed about the weekend job, my hunches are usually right and as for your friend and his polishing role well all I can say is each to their own. So if I can reboot the thread I need to fit a tiny white light to replicate the pea light fitted to uk bikes. Ordered one and it's coming from honk Kong so a dash to Halfords may be on the cards this weekend. Booked in for SVA ON the 27th then it's hopefully all done and dusted!

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have fun with your helmet!

Haven't done that since Eagle comic centre page pullouts of half a century ago.

Bon chance for the SVA; looking forward to hearing about how that process goes.

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Dave

When I registered my Australian DR in the UK, I just had to get the 5w running light installed and put an MPH sticker on the speedo. After riding it from Australia to Scotland, all the hassle and expense of getting the UK plate on it, it was stolen the following week...sods law. But be mindful this is exactly the kind of bike the thieving b*stards like to help themselves to in the UK so do please take extra precautions if its parked outside.

For the life of me, I have no idea why Suzuki make these bikes so hard to get hold of outside of North America and Australia, I'd buy another in a heartbeat

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Eventually got the forms off to good ole DVLA with the cheque obviously and had it returned three weeks later, the wanted another fifty five pounds for something or other so re submitted and waiting. The paperwork has been a ball ache tbh but seeing the bike standing in the garage makes it worth the hassle and I'll be going to the UK meet on it. As to why they're not available in europe, I heard it failed the emissions tests with it's stinky old carbs etc but surely USA has as strict if not stricter regs?
Also the fashion aspect, lovable as it is to the well informed like us, it doesn't have enough fantastic plastic to sell to the masses I guess

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have fun with your helmet!

Shipping my 2012 DR650SE over to UK in a couple of weeks. Have a lot of mods done so will have to check it all before I begin to register in UK. It won't arrive until end April so plenty of time to get the necessary parts to pass MOT.

I'm surprised it's taken so long Alan. Sounds like the UK DVLA are not encouraging non UK based imports. Have you been able to ride the bike while you wait? What do you think so far?

Regards the DR650 passing an MOT ... it should. Unless MOT testers are now doing smog tests (done in many US states on cars but NOT on bikes ... yet).

The DR650 should pass save the headlight pointed for right side drive. So you'll have to get an Aussie or Japanese market headlight (I think?).

In the USA the DR650 is sort of "Grandfather'd" in by current EPA regulations and just barely passes.

Suzuki have leaned out the stock DR650 as far as they dare and used all sorts of Carb tricks to have it run cleaner. Somehow the EPA let it through ... along with the KLR650 and Honda XR650L ... all Carb'd bikes that are still sold NEW in USA.

It's a Bullshit deal really ... you could breath the exhaust from a DR, KLR, XR-L and not get light headed, all super clean burning, super lean. The KLR is cleanest due to liquid cooling, tighter tolerances. A lawn mower or Weed Whacker puts out FAR more pollution than any of above bikes.

EU harmonisation regulations require Fuel Injection. That was a few years ago - now it is compulsory ABS.
Most of this technology is likely manufactured by the industries that lobby the EU - Bosch for instance?

ps
Frau Merkel clicked her fingers and the VW "scandal" is now forgotten, and forgiven, by the EU folks.

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Dave

Alan, some good news on the MSVA, in case it helps. Collected my new DR650SE 2015 in November and rode it a bit in West Aust, then crated it up myself and shipped it without problems to the UK, arrived in December(many thanks to Ivan at Bikes Abroad and to Roddy at Motofreight for a hassle free experience). As I am resident, I needed to pay the 20% VAT and 6% import duty, even so it is still good value to get a new 'old school' bike I can still work on myself. Then I got a low mileage MPH original speedo from Ebay USA. And also a 12V running/pea/position LED lamp from Amazon UK which then I fitted under the headlamp (drilled a 13 mm hole), plugged it into the vacant electrical connector that is already there. Lamp remains lit when the key is on, same as the headlamp. This running/pea/position lamp is needed to pass the MSVA but not needed for future MOTs I was told, but I think it will stay as it helps with being seen better. And more good news, an MOT wasn't needed in my case due to the bike being newer than 3 years. The bike passed the MSVA easily, CO at idle was measured at 1.63%, well under the 4.5% limit, carby completely stock. It was a very cold day, which possibly may have helped with the low CO reading, not sure (air more dense? who knows). Note there was no blanking plate for the fuel mixture screw as mentioned on forums, and antway it didn't need any carby adjustments to pass. Lights, brakes, mirrors, exhaust, everything was stock and new and everything passed easily.

Contrary to what others have said on forums, I did have to transport it in a van to the MSVA site as Carole Nash wouldn't agree to it being ridden on the WA plates.

Got the V5C from DVLA within a week, and got the plate made up. I am enjoying riding it around on those rare sunny cold days we sometimes have at the moment.
As funds slowly allow, I will be looking to start playing with mid pipes, GSXR cans, carby 'BST magic', suspension upgrade, seat and tank mods etc. What a great way to enjoy retirement. Steve

Enjoy the DR650 Steve, Its a great all-rounder


They are also a bloody good deal at the moment, I can go and buy a brand spanking new one for just over 3 thousand quid here in Canada

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

[QUOTE=steve3z;532181] As I am resident, I needed to pay the 20% VAT and 6% import duty, even so it is still good value to get a new 'old school' bike I can still work on myself.

I guess you had to pay tax due to not owning it for 6 months prior to shipping?

I used ProCycle in the US for the myriad of parts I have added to the bike. I too am retiring to while away my days adventure travelling (when the Mrs allows). Its a fantastic bike and I have really enjoyed it out here in Dubai and Oman.

[QUOTE=BobH;532335]I brought a car into the UK from Europe in 1998 after working there for a while.
6 months was the rule at that time and I think the idea was that the vehicle should show some mileage as evidence that it was not brand new; I did not pay any futher duty on that basis.

Nowadays, all those rules must be on the gov website?

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Dave

Well we get a chance to have our way soon regarding European Union. I want out not because I hate other countries, on the contrary. I just hate politicians and leaving that club removes a whole layer or blood sucking unelected interfering parasites. My concern is that most political party leaders want to remain so I guess ther will be some number binding so they get their way. They already have the media on board

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have fun with your helmet!