Royal Enfield Madurai.

[woundedjohn]

Hi Guys
Just go back from a few weeks away in southern India to escape the worst of the British weather.
While in Madurai, Tamil Nadu I called in a Royal Enfield dealership. Incidentally, one of three almost identical Enfield dealerships within a few miles of each other.
As I approached the glass entrance door, it was opened for me and I was greeted with 'Good morning, Sir'
Now be honest, when was the last time you walked into a bike shop in this country and someone called you 'Sir' let alone opened the door for you? 
I shiny new Himalayan caught me eye and I enquired the price. '180,000 rupees, Sir' was the reply which converts to just under £2,000. Half the price of here.
As I left, the door was once again opened for me and I entered the street to 35 degree heat and the thud of Enfields. Bliss.

[Moto63]

35 degrees of heat and the thud of motor siccles..... just rub it in why don't ya😁😁... good story tho.
Cheers, Michael

[timbo]

Nice one! Moi, jealous? Never 
I wonder what price the new 650 twin will be? Ive heard rumours of £5500 or there abouts.

[manxie]

Hi woundedjohn.

I wonder how easy and what costs would be involved in bringing one in direct from India? I`ve bought from the US before which cost a few quid in duty`s etc. and bought from Holland from a dealer which was easy (apart from my money disappearing as some of you may remember?) I suppose with Brexit on the horizon this will change too?

Just curious, you never know what the future holds.

Cheers, Steve.

[timbo]

I've always wondered about this. Everyone says it can't be done, cause you'll never be able to get it registered. Sounds like a challenge!

[manxie]

I've always wondered about this. Everyone says it can't be done, cause you'll never be able to get it registered. Sounds like a challenge!

Hmmm? Some research needed I think Tim 

[Andy M]

You have to do SVA, a glorified MOT. They look for E marks or other component approval info on a lot of significant components. As you don't have the whole vehicle approval they do it my component. On a Bullet you'd need to buy tyres, mirrors, lights, speedo and a fuel tank then present it to the SVA person . Cheaper to just buy pre-approved from the importer.

Andy

[manxie]

You have to do SVA, a glorified MOT. They look for E marks or other component approval info on a lot of significant components. As you don't have the whole vehicle approval they do it my component. On a Bullet you'd need to buy tyres, mirrors, lights, speedo and a fuel tank then present it to the SVA person . Cheaper to just buy pre-approved from the importer.

Andy

Cheers Andy. I also just been reading something about emissions. A bike direct from India wont pass EU / UK laws (open loop FI and closed loop FI) what ever that is??   

Some good reading here ........


https://royalenfield.com/private-import/   ......... god I like that Continental GT TWIN 

[timbo]

Even with that list of parts Andy, surely it would still work out cheaper ?What about importing into Ireland. Then into UK?

[Guzziless Steve]

Even with that list of parts Andy, surely it would still work out cheaper ?What about importing into Ireland. Then into UK?

Would be expensive if you registered it in Ireland Tim.  They have higher import duties and VAT than we do.  The VRT for bikes is €2 per cc up to 350cc and €1 per cc thereafter and VAT is 22%.

[timbo]

Yep, its one of those things. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. On emissions, I was told by a designer from RE at Bruntingthorpe, that emissions for new bikes in India are to become some of the strictest in the world.

[Guzziless Steve]

The Himalaya gets a good review on Motorcycle.com in the US.  I usually find their reviews pretty good. http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/royal-enfield/2018-royal-enfield-himalayan-first-ride-review.html

[Steve Lake]

Yep, its one of those things. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. On emissions, I was told by a designer from RE at Bruntingthorpe, that emissions for new bikes in India are to become some of the strictest in the world.

Now, me, being a devious bu55er and a shade dishonest at times .... I'd buy a clapped out dirt cheap non-runner uk enfield, then I'd nip over to India, buy my shiny new Model, ride it home, then deftly put the plates of the 'basket case' on my new bike.... send V5 off with frame change details... bingo

what could go wrong ?? :-)

[Moto63]

Yep me too Steve.... who's gonna know?? Think you might be on to a winner there😁😁👍
Cheers, Michael

[timbo]

Like your style Steve. I once did something similar to get rid of a Q plate