Is it worth it?

There is a high probability that I will be moving to Japan in less than 2 months, so I was thinking... should I take my dear GS or just sell it and get something else over there?   

I am sure it costs a LOT of greens to ship a bike that far... but after 8000+ miles, I still have not dropped it  so the thought of somebody else taking a dive with it is not very pleasant.

Hi there,
Wow, what a conundrum.
Honestly, with all the cool bikes over there, I wouldn't even think of shipping my bike over there, especially because it will cost you a fortune.
I'd either sell the bike here or store it and have it waiting for me upon my eventual return.
Then imagine all you can choose from over there!
Besides, as an American in Japan, you'll have to find out what kind of license you can get there. I think there are different licenses for different skill levels, as in the UK.
Would you even be able to get a license for your 500 or will you have to ride something smaller? This is why there are so many cool small bikes there, because not everyone can get a license for a larger bike right away.
I'd check these issues out and see what your options are. It just doesn't seem to make financial sense to me, and there are soooooo many cool bikes to chosse from there, including many that we never see here in the U.S.
It would be a drag to ship your 500 over there for $2000 then find out you can't even get a license to ride it.
Perhaps it is different for people from other countries who are coming there to work and live.
Why are you going there? (Just curious!)
Good luck,
Todd

going there because the US doesn't want me here 
i'm latin american btw (all legal and stuff).

So I guess my best bet is just to get something else there... (even my gf says there are some cool bikes over there, so I guess she was right).
Well that sucks... I like the GS and already got used to it. Maybe there is somebody selling a GS in tokyo  I will be bidding if that happens.

Thanks! $2000 is a bit too much.

I looked into shipping my bike with me to New Zealand from Pennsylvania last spring, and it was over $1,300 I believe - plus all the headaches with crating and customs.  Although, there it would have been worth it; you don't need insurace because there is no such thing as personal liability there (which is why parents there have no problem buying beer for their 10 yr olds, WTF), and American licenses are accepted without question.... ain't nothing like riding fast on the wrong side of the road, and whooping the pants off the small 2-stroke bikes they have there!!!  But no, not Japan

It cost $1400 to ship my SV to Hawaii. If I was going overseas, I would look into buying one there. If I did come back to the US, I would then look into shipping it back.

Dude. You're going to Japan.

SV400. GSZXYZCBRRRRRRRRR400. And much much more!

'nuff said.

Quote from: calamari on February 06, 2007, 10:58:49 AM
going there because the US doesn't want me here 
i'm latin american btw (all legal and stuff).

Why doesn't the US want you here?  Ever think about Taiwan?  English is taught in primary schools there.  English teachers are in demand.  If the US ever kicks me out, I'm going to Australia or Taiwan. 

Sentimental value is over rated.  The only things I would never sell are my animals.  Anything else is for sale at all times for the right price.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 06, 2007, 08:25:44 PM
Dude. You're going to Japan.

SV400. GSZXYZCBRRRRRRRRR400. And much much more!

'nuff said.

A big +1 to this post.  Enjoy the variety that living in Japan offers in terms of motorcycles, because you'll never see a ZXR 400 or whatever stateside:
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_zxr400%2090.htm
Look at that Buddha Loves You, a standing 1/4 in 12.2, try pulling those digits from a GS... ha!

Do what you feel right.

However, Alpha is right.  LOTS of neat bikes over there.  I'd see if it made sense to sell your GS here and buy a little sportbike over there. 

Oooooo not only will you get a good choice of 4 Strokes but you will get to try out some Super Neat Home Market 2 Strokes.

Great then! thanks for the replies... I was feeling a bit sad that the GS had to go, but now that I know better, I think I should be getting something else over there 

as far as the US not wanting me... what I meant is that they don't want me to work (have a full time job and all), until I get my residence papers (which I already got approved 2 years ago). But thanks to the priority list the US has of countries wanting to come here, I still have to wait another 7+ years before is my turn (I've waited 5 years so far). I can stay, but can't work legally starting in a couple of weeks... and bills do pile up 


the way I figured, I'm better off learning japanese and going to a country whose economy is similar to the US. Time will tell

You can find a nice GS400E in Japan. It's the same with even less power 

Quote from: Affschnozel on February 07, 2007, 07:30:48 AM
You can find a nice GS400E in Japan. It's the same with even less power 

now, you are just being mean, lmao 

Quote from: SmartDrug on February 06, 2007, 11:59:52 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 06, 2007, 08:25:44 PM
Dude. You're going to Japan.

SV400. GSZXYZCBRRRRRRRRR400. And much much more!

'nuff said.

A big +1 to this post.  Enjoy the variety that living in Japan offers in terms of motorcycles, because you'll never see a ZXR 400 or whatever stateside:
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_zxr400%2090.htm
Look at that Buddha Loves You, a standing 1/4 in 12.2, try pulling those digits from a GS... ha!

Dont you feel jealous My zxr400 is sitting in my garage right now. Might take her for a spin in abit just cause i know you'd love to. 

It is my understanding that most of the bikes on the domestic market in Japan are 250s and 400s or smaller. Bigger bikes are discouraged by license requirement and prohibitive insurance.

Having said that there are some tasty 400s about. I have no idea of the cost of a bike in Japan but it is generally reconed to be an expensive "cost of living" place to be. I would do two things, first try to get a handle on Japanese prices and check out one or two of the bigger container operators who probably offer a "groupage" service, there must be a lot of empty container space going east accross the pacific given the imbalance in traded goods so you might get a better deal on shipping than you think.

Logic says you will sell your GS and buy again in Japan but you never know......and as I said to Kerry before he came to UK last year, driving on the left is dead easy, try it for a couple of weeks before leaving home  .......Good luck in Japan.

Honda CB400 Super Four:


and the CB400 Super Bol D'Or:


VTR250:


Hornet 250:


Kawasaki ZRX (400cc):


Kawasaki ZRX II (400cc):


ZZR400:


D-Tracker (250cc motard):


Balius II:


Suzuki GSR400:


Impulse (400cc):


SV400 and SV400S:



DR-Z400SMZ:


Yamaha XJR400R:


RZ50:



Need I say more?

the GSR400 wins