Motorcycles from the USA are significantly cheaper than in Europe - especially cruisers and sport bikes. Copart and IAAI sell thousands of motorcycles annually, most from insurance total-loss claims. This guide shows how to import motorcycles from the USA and what to watch for.

Why Import a Motorcycle from the USA?

  • Prices typically 40-60% lower than in Europe
  • Access to rare and limited-edition models
  • Higher availability of Harley-Davidson and American brands
  • Insurance total-loss bikes often have only cosmetic damage

Most Popular Imported Models

Harley-Davidson

The most popular brand imported from the USA. Highest-demand models:

  • Street Glide - flagship touring bike
  • Road King - classic tourer
  • Sportster 883/1200 - entry-level cruiser
  • Dyna Low Rider - classic custom style
  • Fat Boy - iconic silhouette

Honda

  • Gold Wing - luxury tourer
  • CBR600RR / CBR1000RR - popular sport bikes
  • Shadow - popular cruiser
  • Africa Twin - adventure tourer

Kawasaki

  • Ninja ZX-10R / ZX-6R - track-ready sport bikes
  • Vulcan - competitor to Harley
  • Z1000 - naked sport bike

Yamaha

  • YZF-R1 / R6 - track sport bikes
  • V-Max - power cruiser
  • MT-09 / MT-10 - naked bikes

Motorcycle Import Process

  1. Find the motorcycle on Copart or IAAI via broker
  2. Win the auction and pay (typically within 2 business days)
  3. Broker arranges US transport to shipping port
  4. Ocean shipping (crate or container) - 3-4 weeks
  5. EU customs clearance - duty, VAT, excise
  6. Technical inspection (homologation)
  7. Registration in home country

Total Costs

Motorcycles are cheaper to ship than cars. Example total costs for a $5,000 Harley-Davidson Street Glide:

  • Auction bid: $5,000
  • Auction fees: $500
  • Broker fee: $400
  • US transport + crating: $400
  • Ocean shipping: $600
  • Import duty (6% motorcycles EU): $390
  • VAT (23%): $1,584
  • Excise tax: $310 (smaller displacement, lower rate)
  • Homologation: $300
  • TOTAL: ~$9,500

In Europe the same bike costs $14,000-18,000 - significant savings despite import costs.

Differences from Car Imports

  • Import duty is 6% for motorcycles (vs 10% for cars)
  • Shipping can be by crate (cheaper) or container
  • Homologation is simpler - fewer regulations
  • Inspection usually focuses on lights, mirrors, horn

What to Check Before Bidding

  • Frame damage - a bent frame is a total loss
  • Forks - whether aligned
  • Engine - compression, oil, visible damage
  • Mileage - compared to actual condition
  • Service history - always check VIN on BidCheck.info

Summary

Importing motorcycles from the USA is a great way to save 30-50% compared to European prices. With lower shipping and simpler homologation, even with fees the total cost is significantly lower. Before bidding, always check the VIN history on BidCheck.info to avoid nasty surprises.