How to Import a Vehicle from Japan
Japanese imports are extremely popular these days. For this reason alone, Japanese used vehicle imports are done more and more each day. Many people may be overwhelmed with the very thought of it, but fail to realize that it has gotten easier to be done by following the right steps. So, instead of getting overwhelmed with the idea of it; put in the research and effort to get it done so you can have the Japanese import of your dreams.
First, you will want to do is find an exporter. Exporters can be find by searching online as there are many lists available of exporters in Japan on the internet. Once you have found the exporter you wish to go with, you can begin your search for the Japanese import of your dreams if you haven’t already done so. Once you have found the import you would like, get in contact with the exporter and make them an offer to purchase the vehicle from Japan. The exporter will then send you a Pro-Forma Invoice. This is your legal agreement to purchase the vehicle from Japan. Sign the document and send it back as quickly as possible. After that, send your payment to the exporter. Do this by performing an electronic transfer from your bank. This is the easiest and fastest way to complete payments overseas.
Once the exporter receives your payment, they will book the vehicle onto a ship from Japan and will clear the it for shipment. This process is often referred to as FOB. Once the ship has left port and the vehicle is on its way to you, the exporter will then send you the shipping documents as well as any documents pertaining to the vehicle via first class mail. Once you receive those documents, you should pay any remaining balance owed to the exporter. Then, get in contact with a shipping agent who will be handling the receiving of your Japanese import and passing it through customs. Once the imported vehicle arrives, you will pay the shipping fee. You will also pay the 10% import duty, 17.5% VAT, the customs duty, and the shipping agent for their services. The vehicle will then be released from customs and available for collection.
While it may seem like a lengthy process to import a vehicle from Japan, it is worth it. It will get you the car of your dreams from Japan safely and securely. It may be costly, but you will be happy to own a vehicle straight from Japan that may not be available where you reside.
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club – The Roots of This Enigmatic Bike Gang
Hells Angels Motorcycle club is an outlaw biker gang that finds its presence across the globe in many countries. The riders are mainly characterized by the Harley-Davidson bikes, logos and skulls. Their roots can be traced back to the 1940’s, when the club was founded by Otto Friedli in 1948. They have often been accused of carrying several criminal activities like racketeering, drug dealing, trafficking and extortion, but the group has always maintained that they are just a gang of bikers who love to ride and also raise funds and organize social events like parties along the road.
They have always been a subject of great debate and controversy, with one group of people portraying them as urban legends, while another accusing them of being a menace to the society. Their very origins are not entirely clear. It is believe that the group started in 1948 in Fontana, California. It may have originated from other previous bike groups like “The Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington”. The name “Hells Angels” is almost certainly derived from the World War concepts of the deadly flying machines or the fighter planes. In fact, the third squadron of the “Flying Tigers”, a voluntary fighting unit of America during WW2, was named Hells Angels. For this reason, some people say that the group must have been formed by disgruntled ex-military men-turned conmen. But the bike gang itself denies such allegations and they rubbish claims that the group has deep connections with such military people or communities. Coming back to their origins, another version says that the group was formed in 1953 by San Bernardino Hells Angels member, Rocky Graves.
It is also possible that the group itself was formed by a merging of smaller chapters like the ones in Oakland under Ralph “Sonny” Barger, San Francisco, Fontana and Gardena.
Where to shop for a Harley Davidson motorcycle in Japan
Muraoka Inc. is located in Shimada city, Shizuoka, the center of Pacific ocean coastline in Japan, the distributor of custom parts of the Harley-Davidson. Since they have a machining plant in each sales shop, they can handle any requests from Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.
Following is the directory of international dealer of Harley Davidson in Japan:
1. Akira Shokai, Ltd. 1059-6, Nagakuni Tsuchiura, IBR, JPN 300-0817 81-29-822-6666 81-29-822-6677 (fax).
2. Auto Land Sapporo Co., Ltd. 1, 43, 1 Chome Atsubetsuchuohsanjo Atsubetsu-ku Sapporo, HKD, JPN 004-0053 81-11-892-3373 81-11-892-3349 (fax).
3. Auto Rec, Ltd. 564, Seisei-Cho Matsusaka, MIE, JPN 515-0039 81-598-51-5322 81-598-51-7222 (fax).
4. Balcom Motors Co., Ltd. 4-26-7, Nishihara Asaminami-ku Hiroshima, HSM, JPN 731-0113 81-82-871-4180 81-82-870-2010 (fax).
5. Bike House Co., Ltd. 2-26-18, Usuki Kagoshima, KSM, JPN 890-0073 81-99-251-8990 81-99-286-6103 (fax).
6. Central Motors Co., Ltd. 1-4-23, Suehiro Kawaguchi, STM, JPN 332-0006 81-48-222-2828 81-48-222-2848 (fax).
7. Champion Co., Ltd. 2-71, Kanarebashi Chikusa-ku Nagoya, AIC, JPN 464-0002 81-52-771-8080 81-52-777-8282 (fax).
8. Futaba Kogyo Co., Ltd. 174-1, Toga-Cho Hikone, SIG, JPN 522-0042 81-749-24-5567 81-749-24-8668 (fax).
9. Good Wood Nirin Shokai Co., Ltd. 16-8, Sekigashima Ichikawa, CBA, JPN 272-0105 81-47-358-8403 81-47-358-8749 (fax).
10. Goto Motors Co., Ltd. 1924-2, Ohuchi-Mihori Yamaguchi, YGC, JPN 753-0214 81-839-22-0747 81-839-22-0749 (fax).
11. Harley-Davidson City Co., Ltd. 4-7, Udagawa-cho Shibuya, TKY, JPN 150-0042 81-3-5458-0080 81-3-3477-5762 (fax).
12. Harley-Davidson Sendai Co., Ltd. 5-7-27, Koriyama Tashiro-ku Sendai, MYG, JPN 982-0003 81-22-746-8838 81-22-746-8839 (fax).
13. Hattori Motorcycle Shokai Co., Ltd. 5-21-12, Esaka-cho Suita, OSK, JPN 564-0063 81-6-6386-3690 81-6-6386-9246 (fax).
14. Hawg House, Ltd. 3-5-23, Chuoukita Ueda, NGN, JPN 386-0011 81-268-27-1157 81-268-27-1178 (fax).
15. Hayasaka Cycle Shokai Co., Ltd. 81-1, Matsumori Ushiroda Izumi-ku Sendai, MYG, JPN 981-3111 81-22-374-8880 81-22-874-7777 (fax).
16. High Side Co., Ltd. 107-1, Hirai, Sakai, OSK, JPN 599-8251 81-72-281-8789 81-72-281-8788 (fax).
17. Hirooka Jidosha Kenkyujo Co., Ltd. 1757, Hirookanomura Shiojiri, NGN, JPN 399-0702 81-263-52-1075 81-263-54-2823 (fax).
18. Honda Auto Center Aomori, Ltd. 3-8-7, Aoba Aomori, AMR, JPN 030-0846 81-17-739-8255 81-17-739-8216 (fax).
19. Inoue Co., Ltd. 292-1, Shimotakasago Minami-Alps, YNS, JPN 400-0202 81-55-285-7880 81-55-280-5225 (fax).
20. Kamada Cycle Co., Ltd. 4-17, Araya-Yutakamachi Akita, AKT, JPN 010-1612 81-18-883-1853 81-18-883-1873 (fax).
21. Kawasaki Freedom Nana Co., Ltd. 51-1, Ohtsuka Hachioji, TKY, JPN 192-0352 81-426-70-5307 81-426-70-5305 (fax).
22. Keiyu Co., Ltd. 4-1-22, Higashi-Fuchinobe Sagamihara, KNG, JPN 229-0003 81-42-751-2121 81-42-751-2128 (fax).
23. Koizumi Seima Co., Ltd. 1-2-1, Shinzaike Minamimachi Nada-Ku Kobe, HYG, JPN 657-0864 81-78-811-8090 81-78-845-8617 (fax).
24. Kokuryu Motors Co., Ltd. 4-64, Kitauzura Gifu, GFU, JPN 500-8287 81-58-271-8795 81-59-275-2415 (fax).
25. Kyoto Motor Club Co., Ltd. 11-1, Chibe-Cho, Fushimi-ku Kyoto, KYT, JPN 612-8374 81-75-602-3780 81-75-612-8041 (fax).
26. Leo Tanimoto Co., Ltd. 18-2, Furukawacho, Kamitakano Sakyo-Ku Kyoto, KYT, JPN 606-0043 81-75-721-0051 81-75-721-0337 (fax).
27. Makinose Co., Ltd. 11-2, Nakamaru-Cho Itabashi-Ku, TKY, JPN 173-0026 81-3-3530-8019 81-3-3530-8021 (fax).
28. Map Run Co., Ltd. 1-43-3, Kameido Koto-Ku, TKY, JPN 136-0071 81-3-5627-3050 81-3-5627-3054 (fax).
29. Marutomi Auto Hanbai Co., Ltd. 6-30-26, Rokkakubashi Kanagawa-Ku Yokohama, KNG, JPN 221-0802 81-45-481-5500 81-45-481-8885 (fax).
30. Maruyasu Motors, Ltd. 6-8-1, Kaihotsu, Fukui, , JPN 910-0842 81-776-57-8800 81-776-57-8811 (fax).
31. Moto Garcon Co., Ltd. 1-13-15, Momoi Suginami, Tokyo Suginami, TKY, JPN 167-0034 81-3-3396-9700 81-3-3394-7888 (fax).
32. Motoroman Ltd. Amori Nagano, NGN, JPN 380-0955 81-26-227-1318 81-26-223-9091 (fax).
33. Murayama Motors Co., Ltd. 2-6-3, Sasazuka Shibuya, TKY, JPN 151-0073 81-3-3378-0181 81-3-3375-6666 (fax).
34. Pacific Showcase Co., Ltd. 68, Shuku-Machi Nagasaki, NGS, JPN 851-0121 81-95-838-6915 81-95-838-6916 (fax).
35. Take, Ltd. 4-6-2, Fukushima, Fukushima-ku Osaka, OSK, JPN 553-0003 81-795-66-0815 81-795-66-0566 (fax).
36. Taoka Motors, Ltd. 8-10, Hiramachi Numazu, SZK, JPN 410-0036 81-559-52-2203 81-559-52-4581 (fax).
37. Umeda Motors Co., Ltd. 255, Nakajima Chigasaki, KNG, JPN 253-0073 81-467-83-9000 81-467-57-3981 (fax).
38. Yabuki Motor Shokai, Ltd. 3-171 Asaka Koriyama, FSM, JPN 963-0107 81-24-947-0100 81-24-945-6151 (fax).
39. Yanase Auto Co., Ltd. 1527-1 Koyagi-cho Takasaki, GMA, JPN 370-0071 81-27-362-8234 81-27-362-6301 (fax).
40. Yao Kawasaki Co., Ltd. 1-16-24, Mikuriya-Naka Higashi-Osaka, OSK, JPN 577-0035 81-6-6618-7272 81-6-6618-7356 (fax).
41. Yoyo, Ltd. 2-24-7, Ukima Kita-Ku, TKY, JPN 115-0051 81-3-5392-3411 81-3-5392-3413 (fax).
2011 New Harley Davidson model: XR1200X
Each year, Harley Davidson introduces new, exciting models for its customers, hundreds of customization options, and exceptional quality. Let’s explore one of the 3 new models for 2011. It’s sure to please loyal Harley Davidson fans and new motorcycle shoppers alike!
2011 XR1200X
The Harley Davidson XR1200X is a part of the brand’s Sportster line. The changes made for the 2011 bike promise to make the motorcycle sportier still. The 2011 model will be offered in the USA at a starting price of $11,799. This model was previously only available in Europe, but as of 2011, it will also be available in the United States.
The 2011 XR1200X features a combination of an air-cooled and fuel-injected, 1200cc V0twin engine, 74 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpms, and 40-degree lean angle capabilities. The 2011 model can be adjusted to match rider weight, riding style, and even the conditions of the road. Enhanced front brakes and a high compression engine make this bike a stunning, efficient street motorcycle.
The Harley Davidson 2011 XR1200X will be offered in two colors: Black Denim, and White Hot Denim. Some of the key features of the new model are:
- Showa Big Piston Front Fork
- Showa rear shocks
- Nissin dual front brakes
- Isolation-mounted XL Evolution 1200 cc V-twin engine
- High performance chassis with mild steel frame built to enhance handling
- Wide handlebar for ease of steering and comfort
- Optional Harley Davidson security system
This motorcycle promises to be a pleasure to ride and a pleasure to own for the Harley Davidson fan!
Harley-Davidson in Japan
The Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand has been recognized as one of the United States’ most iconic symbols. “Harleys”, as they are called for short, have been easily noticed cruising around on American highways for over a century. They are most coveted for their distinguished design and customizing. Another highly distinctive quality of the Harley-Davidson brand is their extremely loyal following. Harley-Davidson fan club, organizations, and group continue to emerge worldwide.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles set the pulse racing of every single individual around the world. There is something very special and grand about these motorcycles in particular, which makes them stand apart from the other leading motorcycles. It is classy, striking, and extraordinary. Whether it is the style, brand or price, Harley-Davidson is a motorcycle people aspire to own and reckon with. When people are crazy for it around the world, then how can our very own Japanese people stay behind? The creators of Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and many other striking and imposing motorcycles just can’t resist getting impressed with the Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Though these Harley-Davidson bikes are an integral part of American culture and living style in particular, in Japan they are popular as well. Since 1913, Harley-Davidson bikes have been imported in Japan and in the year 1938, Harley-Davidson Japan was set up. In Japan as well, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are considered a luxury item, owned and flaunted by the rich and moneyed class of the population. During the past 5 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the sale of Harley-Davidson bikes in Japan. In the year 2008, around 15,698 Harley-Davidson bikes were sold and this number is increasing swiftly each year.
Among the many models of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, in Japan the Sportster is the most famous and recognized model. Among the other favorites in the same list, the Touring and Softail models are the most popular. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been in Japan for a very long time and thus have managed to magnetize and lure thousands of people. It is considered to be a status symbol and just the name Harley-Davidson manages to make people go crazy and want to own one.
The age group that typically buys a Harley-Davidson in Japan is in between 40-41 years. Around 40% of the total customers of Harley-Davidson bikes in Japan are in this age group. Women customers are just 8%, while the male customers account for 30% of the total sales. These bikes are most popular among the travelers group. People who travel a lot and want to use a motorcycle as their mode of trasportation buy Harley-Davidson bikes. In Japan, there are around 202 Harley Davidson outlets and 137 dealers.
Harley-Davidson’s Sportster model is the best selling group in Japan and therefore the most popular as well. It is a very popular myth that only old and rustic people ride Harley-Davidson bikes, but this myth is gradually shattering in Japan as more and more youngsters are buying this motorcycle. Apart from the three very popular models of Harley-Davidson bikes in Japan, there are various others like VRSC, Dyna, and Softail, to mention a few.
The pride and satisfaction that comes with owning a Harley-Davidson magnetizes people from all over the world, and in Japan the situation is no different. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are considered entities that proffer dignity and honor and showcases how rich and affluent you are.
If you would like to know more information about Harley-Davidson Japan, please visit their website at Harley-Davidson.co.jp.
