Parallel Imports

[bigtwin]

I am looking to buy a 749s in the very near future and haven't decided yet whether it will be new or used. However, I have seen various ads (Taz etc) in MCN for new parallel imports at between £1k and £2k less than franchised dealers.

Any views on the pros and cons of buying through parallel dealers?

:puzzled:

[madmav]

wait for the barrage!!!!!

i personally would buy 1 these days !;)

[madmav]

but remember you cant have it both ways !

when you come to sell it............ mav:D

[bigtwin]

Quick response Mav!

As I say, I haven't decided whether it will be new or used, parallel or UK. I have reservations about the parrallel route for the very reasons that you cite but wondered what views experiences others might have.

[ericthered40]

go and get it tomorow and buy a van to take it to the track with :saint:

[madmav]

No worries mate!

there will be lots of does and dont's

but in the end the bikes come out of the same factory made by the same people ! but are usualy destined for other markets, in the early days of parrallel imports, we had big problembs with Fireblades that were for the california/ canadian markets

some of which we even had to change camshafts to get them up to full power for the uk!

not upto spec these days but i bet it's only a jig about with a pc to do it!

whatever, it's your decision !..........mav

[Bianchi]

Go the import route. And save yourself a stack of money, YOUR money.

What really sickens is why a dealer, and possible private punters too should offer you less for the same bike, coming out of the same factory.

Why is this any less a bike.

Even private buyers should not fear an import, especially if the bike has been serviced by an approved dealer, who incidentally should not turn you away because its a parallel import. They are contravening EU legislation.

If I bought my bike in Germany, for example, is this less of a bike than one bought in the UK, I think not.

A huge proportion of bikes in this country are imports, except for Triumph.

You know the way to go, don't get ripped off in ripped off Britain.:flame:

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

Same thing happens here in Japan. There is a difference in warranty and the 2-year Ducati service that is part of a new bike through an authorized dealer. Also, you need to worry about afterservice, EU regs notwithstanding, in finding good knowledgable work. A dealer may agree to service your bike, but take a long time in getting that necessary part for a parallel import bike. Duke Dealers are not in the businees of ripping people off, but there is a whole lot of infrastructure to support.....costs that are relflectd in the price of the bike.

[pedro]

as soon as you get the bike you can take it to a ducati dealer,they do a check on it (is it a hdi? carnt remember) cost around £200-£300,then once ok you get a live 2 year warrenty with ducati,you can talk to ducati uk about it,i looked into it some time back with a 998s

[guest1]

But then again, check out the deals on last years 999.
2005 = 11,250
2004 = 9,995

Ducati manchester had deals with last year + extras

[Mad Dog Bianchi]

Good info Pedro. Nice to know Ducati is doing something like that. Makes customers a little more secure. Doubt they would have that here, but I can check.

[JPM]

Originally posted by Bianchi


A huge proportion of bikes in this country are imports, except for Triumph.


I actually went to KJM years ago and they were re-importing new Triumphs for several thousand pounds less! That does take the preverbial

[Ray]

You might be surprised at how much an official dealer will move on price at this time of year, it will get less as spring approaches though.

Whether you go official or parallel just be carefull about how old the "new" bike is that you are buying, it it could be a 2004 model or even older. Check out the differences on www.ducati.com

Do lots of research before rushing in, check out www.autotrader.co.uk and MCN for new and nearly new prices. You might be able to pick up a bike with loads of extras and still with some manufacturers warranty for a very good price.

I bought a Ducati from a parallel dealer, no probs, I also bought am official bike a year old, again no probs. I just looked around for the righ bike at the right price and was prepared to travel a bit to view and buy.

Ray.

[misterpink]

i bought a 900SSie parallel - no problem, and when you buy secondhand it makes no difference - they are all imports, it is the service history and ownership record that is important - why not save upto £2k on the same bike?? all parallels have to be modified to suit UK, usually headlight and speedo - i haven't heard of any power differences on ducati's for different markets?? i think other manufacturers do though.

[regular 72]

As a former employee of a Dutch car-im/exporter I have dealt with a lot of UK customers. Buying tax free in The Netherlands or even better Germany is still worthwhile doing.

Due to EU regulations the UK Ducati Importer is obliged to service your new bike. Same for any warranty claims...

Make sure you get the CoC and original invoice. It will also be possible to get temporary plates to drive it back home.

I would go for a model 2003/2004, I'm sure you will save a lot of money!

Try this one http://www.kalsbeekmotoren.nl and loof for the... NEW 999 (2004) + Ohlins

Need any help, feel free to ask!

[misterpink]

best value i have seen in UK for a 999 is a 999Bip with Ohlins for £7,995 at TAZ motorcycles advertised in last weeks MCN. how does that compare to EU prices??

[ian johnson]

i`ve just bought a 999 from dk in newcastle.it was my money so i got to choose where i spent it and i feel it was the right deal for me.
i`m happy with bike and it will be serviced by either main dealer or trusted people recommended on this site so i`m not worried about probs.

whatever you decide just ride and enjoy.

[jobr]

I am new to the DSC and this is my first post.
Back in November I purchased my first Duke after many Hondas.
I was keen to get the best deal on a 749S with loadsof extras, after going to many Ducati Dealers and parallel guys I gave my cash to Ducati Leeds despite living in Surrey as they came up with the best deal and the whole experience / service was second to none.

[ducv2]

Bought my bike 5 years ago as an import for £4000 less than the official Ducati price. 2 months later the official price dropped to £500 above what I paid. How happy would I have been to see that much value wiped off my official bike ignoring depreciation?. Its your money, but if Ducati ever produce a good looking bike again, I would buy an import.