was the RG500 on sale in the us

[two-stroke-brit]

Was the RG500 offically imported by suzuki to the US or was it a grey import.
and how do you go about importing one from say canada and registering it .
thanks mark

[mnellis]

Was the RG500 offically imported by suzuki to the US or was it a grey import.
and how do you go about importing one from say canada and registering it .
thanks mark

Grey Market only in the U.S.

Can't answer the second part of your question.

[GT500Andy]

So you want to try a RG Mark "hold on tight"
Good luck
Andy

[two-stroke-brit]

So you want to try a RG Mark "hold on tight"
Good luck
Andy

cheers andy

[Suzsmokeyallan]

I dont know what the issues are with a bike coming into the US from Canada but I do know whats involved with it going the other way, as in to Canada from the US.
Canadian customs may be more lenient than the US customs, either way you will need an inspection of some sort and road worthy certificate, because of the age you may or may not have to pay some sort of duty on a declared value.
You better check on all of this 100% before you consider any grey market bike.

[two-stroke-brit]

What about registering that's already in the states but is unregistered with only a bill of sale.
I know it will vary from state to state but would it have pass the latest strict emission test is california ( that's a toughie) .
Where should I bee looking for this info ?
Is it the county court house?
Or somewhere else ,
Thanks for the help
Mark

[mnellis]

What about registering that's already in the states but is unregistered with only a bill of sale.
I know it will vary from state to state but would it have pass the latest strict emission test is california ( that's a toughie) .
Where should I bee looking for this info ?
Is it the county court house?
Or somewhere else ,
Thanks for the help
Mark

I see you're in Texas where it's pretty easy to get a bonded Title on unregistered bikes. The problem is going to be with the VIN number, specifically, the number of digits in that number. I don't recall exactly, but I think the US VIN's got 17 digits and non US bikes had 11.

I've had good luck with Lawrence Auto Title here in texas. This guy used to work with Texas Dept Of Transportation and really knows his stuff.

Lawrence Auto Title, Lawrence Auto Title Service Inc
2210 Southwood Hills Drive
Taylor, TX 76574-4871

Phone: (512) 352-2788

[two-stroke-brit]

thanks mike thats really helpfull.
i will contact him and see what advise he has.
cheers mark.

[advant63]

The problem is going to be with the VIN number, specifically, the number of digits in that number. I don't recall exactly, but I think the US VIN's got 17 digits and non US bikes had 11.

that was the story back when rg's/rz's were current. when you went to your local (u.s.)dmv you would get as far as the short ser. # and the blank stares would commence.

[TLRam1]

I have never had an issue with the VIN's I've done in Texas, for a bonded policy the cost is 100.00.

[husson73]

a RG 500 is awesome bike

[KraigG]

Here's one already for sale in the US. Buy this one, or ask him how he got it in. And, BTW, CA doesn't require smog for bikes (Not yet, anyway):

Name: Craig
Email: blackdogfarm@hotmail.com
Country: West Coast, USA
For Sale: 1986 Suzuki RG500, numerous upgrades including newly installed Nova tranny (have complete original tranny in nice condition) and Dyson straight cut primarys (on new NOS clutch hub), GSX wheels, EBC brakes, TC pipes, pods, Ohlins, GSXR calipers, ride height adjuster, Airtech fairing painted in original design, new Metzlers, under tank oil/battery, shift shaft support, etc.

I have all the original parts bubble wrapped and boxed as well as NOS parts and extra carbs, billet RV covers, mirrors, wheels, Miline Lucky Strike racing leathers, etc.

RG is currently registered and titled in Oregon. A very nice, complete, and never abused RG500 that can be ridden as is or returned to bone stock.

Serious inquiries please email above. Thank you.

[two-stroke-brit]

Cheers i dropped him a line ,
mark

[mnellis]

Cheers i dropped him a line ,
mark

Let me know how it turns out. I've got access to an RVF400 that I can get pretty cheap.

[iagsxr]

I've been looking. In Iowa the easiest's going to buy one already titled. Texas doesn't look like it's any big deal to title anything. They are cracking down on people from other states getting Texas titles though.

I was mostly concerned about insuring one. Had my agent check into it. Progressive had no qualms with insuring one, fully disclosing that it was a bike never sold in the US. As long as it's still using the original VIN. They didn't want anything to do with a bike that has a state-assigned VIN.

There was a $3500 Gamma on Chicago CL about a month ago. I called the guy. He said the first caller was the first to get there to look. Said the guy just walked in and handed him the money.

There was a super trick 500 in Austin on eBay last summer. It was listed a couple times, don't know if it sold.