importing a new or used motorcycle

[David Finlay]

Does anyone have experience importing a motorcycle. Is it easier to import a used (meaning owned but outside of the Philippines), or is it just as much drama to import a new one. Was thinking about 250/400/500 cc road trail. Also which is the prefered point of entry, Cebu or Manila or somewhere else ?

thanks, Dave Finlay

[Teacher]

The tariff's are the same new or used if it is coming from the western world.
if it is used Philippines charge the same as if it was a new one. which is 100% if it cost $12,ooo.oo new they charge you $12,000.00 import tax.

That is why you don't see them. Otherwise they would already be every where.

[Herbalizer]

Dave, If you're looking to get a big bike send me a PM on what you want and I'll help you out.

There are nice bikes here with papers if you know who to talk to.

[garbonzo]

I expect a bit of flack on this one...but what the hell..There is no bloody way I would routinely ride a bike in the Philippines. They are killers on decent western roads and with reasonably good drivers around, but in the Philippines if you hit the road hard you will have the keystone cops medical corps trying to put you back together at some sham of a hospital...I love riding but I gave it away many years ago after all the guys I rode with in my high school and early uni days - died or were crippled....no - I am not joking....dead or crippled...All of them...I came close a few times myself. Got a few scars, but no pins, plates, or a headstone...Get a car or 4WD...with airbags...

[Coyotes]

Originally Posted by garbonzo

I expect a bit of flack on this one...but what the hell..There is no bloody way I would routinely ride a bike in the Philippines. They are killers on decent western roads and with reasonably good drivers around, but in the Philippines if you hit the road hard you will have the keystone cops medical corps trying to put you back together at some sham of a hospital...I love riding but I gave it away many years ago after all the guys I rode with in my high school and early uni days - died or were crippled....no - I am not joking....dead or crippled...All of them...I came close a few times myself. Got a few scars, but no pins, plates, or a headstone...Get a car or 4WD...with airbags...

yer get a car or a 4x4 and cause the deaths, instead of being the injured one, in ur safe metal box, i ain't saying bike riders don't kill bike riders, but in the short time i've been here pedicabs cause most of it, and 4x4 drivers have little or no respect for motorbikes cause there bigger and less prone to being injured in there safe metal boxes

[garbonzo]

Originally Posted by Coyotes

yer get a car or a 4x4 and cause the deaths, instead of being the injured one, in ur safe metal box, i ain't saying bike riders don't kill bike riders, but in the short time i've been here pedicabs cause most of it, and 4x4 drivers have little or no respect for motorbikes cause there bigger and less prone to being injured in there safe metal boxes

You're right of course...one friend taken out by truck driver...another by a little old lady pulling out in front of him in a car...third by a 4WD off road...It does happen way too often - and I don't expect it's any better in the Philippines. In my mind the main issue is that the expat enthusiasts are generally in the 40's, 50's, 60's...and when they break - they don't heal very fast or very well and if they do - it takes a very long time. That's assuming they survive the medical care...

I'll take the semi-safe metal box thanks....much preferred to the wood one...

[Teacher]

I had a pick-up and motorcycle in Philippines. For me I felt much safer on my Motorcycle everytime their was a problem it always happened in Pick-up. Had a bus going up hill on a curve and passing so I had a bus in my lane coming head on so off the road I went. only 10 feet on the edge of the road then a cliff down to the ocean. so many time my ass sucked seat no where to go in the pick-up but I was lucky nothing happened. motorcycle a few things but but nothing much, normal issues. could always get out of the way. But I would not get a big bike not a very good choice just a get a raider it works very well easy to get thought traffic, fast enough to get out of the way. unless it is family day then you need a multicab van. But this is just my opinion.

[David Finlay]

Thanks for the info. I had thought of catching a "passenger freighter" from Australia to the Philippines, and sort of hiding a motorcycle in my bags. About 40 yrs ago I took a passenger freighter from Sydney to Manila, still wince when I think of my hangover after we crossed the equator. Anyway it appears there is no service now and too much trouble. Will end up with a Honda Wave etc.

As for the dangers of riding motorcyles, well every activity has a level of risk. I think a newish motorcycle is safer than the multi cabs. I have/had a few friends who were hit by vehicles when crossing roads. So now I have this portable flashing light with battery backup that I put on my head, when ever I cross a road. I also wave a bright flag and blow a horn. It certainly draws peoples attention and I (at times) feel uncomfortable, but it seems to work. Only incident to date is I have been bitten by dogs a couple of times. I think the light scares them.