What's the general opinion on imported bike, is a SPS, R etc version much less desirable than an UK bike. How much less would you expect to pay for an import and are they harder to sell.
Can't imagine it would make any difference once it's a few years old and any warranty etc. is gone, especially if you get something special. You might want/need to change the speedo and headlight but otherwise what's the difference? They're all imports anyway...
Having been observing the market for several years, for no apparent reason whatsoever, genuine UK bikes seem to command a premium over imports. In the long run, the import is still from a limited world wide distribution that has become a scarce commodity. The one issue is of course finding the parts that are needed to make the bike comply with UK road taffic construction and use legislation if you want to ride it. Andy
Good day, I've just imported my 748s from Australia. I've had no issues bringing to the Uk. I had to replace speedometer from klms to mph but no others modifications were required. As for resale, mines called a748E in the UK, if I read correctly they only made 600 with the Testsa Massa heads. So I would assume it will hold its value and also increase in value.
Unless from the EU and of a certain age - then the CofC covers the EU countries - not sure what date that was from but at least 2009 and probably a good few years before? Difficulty with offshore bikes is proof of mileage unless a full stamped dealer history - we have our MOT's to cross reference but not sure what the likes of Japan / USA and other countries have. It is very easy now with modern bikes to select kmh or mph thankfully...and all headlights point forward now too.
Good day, I have kept all my Australian paper work regards to registration. Also have kept old speedometer, and have the original Ducati log books and reciepts. Australia drive on the left like here, and to be honest australian design rules are mad.
Hi genuinely curious here but what are Testa Massa heads ? Also the 748E in the UK was the lowest spec entry level version so not sure if DVLA have it right, might be worth checking as an S in the UK was further up the food chain. Regardless good honest bikes will hold money but I wouldn’t expect much appreciation.
Pinched this info from elsewhere. It's actually testa bassa, the heads are different and the exhaust cam is lower for front wheel clearance in other bikes. Steve First of all, it is good to emphasize that 748 2002 have different heads than previous years (excepted for R model). In fact, that's the shape of head you find on ST4, ST4S, S4R: the desmoquattro "testa bassa". Recognizable to his dissymetrical shape compared to previous desmoquattro heads (and compared to R/SP/SPS heads).
If imported bikes were an issue why is just about every Japanese bike not officially imported into the uk going through the roof value wise? Just wondering.
As far as I'm aware, something to do with front wheel clearance they changed the heads on the last run of the 748s the heads were used on other models I offer a correction it's testa bassa not massa. I'll find the reference and send you a link if it's any help.
