Importing new 2018 Honda Ruckus/Zoomer (NPS50) US to UK

[taylorzay]

Hello folks,

Just seeking some words of wisdom here. I am looking at importing a new Honda Ruckus/Zoomer NPS50 Scooter to the UK from the US. I have already been in touch with a dealership who has the model I wish for and I also have a relative who lives nearby to collect the bike.

My query comes to registering the Bike for UK use - I've already a company who will crate and ship the bike, deal with import taxes and fees, however when it comes to registering the unit that's where I've got myself in a quandary. I had initially called up some UK dealers to see if they can arrange import, however one of them mentioned I may not be able to register it if it does not meet Euro 4 standards. Again I've been unable to find a concrete list as to wether or not the ruckus would meet the regs. Its a 4-stroke liquid cooled 49cc with linked drum brakes - It does have fairly low emissions so I can find.

My main point is that I wouldn't want to go through the business of getting it over to UK soil to go through the trouble of being unable to register it for road use - any help or feedback that anyone could provide would be most appreciated.

[Plate spinner]

Welcome to a PH. Really sorry I have no idea about the process.

But... I really do want a vehicle with either the words Ruckus or Zoomer on its V5.

So thanks for the heads up, to be investigated further later this evening.

[CoolHands]

Advice? Don’t waste your time. Why on earth would you bother importing a 50cc bike. Useless.

[taylorzay]

CoolHands said:

Advice? Don’t waste your time. Why on earth would you bother importing a 50cc bike. Useless.

I'm simply asking if the Euro 4 Regs would let me be able to register it mate - with all due respect It's my own money and if other folks feel its wasted then so be it, I just would like to know if its possible.

[Matttrakker]

These little zoomers are so cool, I’d love to have one over here. The custom ones are awesome looking. I’m guessing they’ll win no speed awards but I’d rather ride one of these than a little moped

[LuS1fer]

Cars and motorcycles have to have to pass the SVA test if the bike is up to 10 years old, before it can be registered:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-t...

As for emissions, mopeds seem to be subject to a visual examination only

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/motorcy...

Edited by LuS1fer on Sunday 10th June 14:18

[taylorzay]

LuS1fer said:

Cars and motorcycles have to have to pass the SVA test if the bike is up to 10 years old, before it can be registered:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-t...

Thanks! Having had a quick read of this, am I right in thinking as long as it passes those basic checkboxes I.e has indicators, braking systems etc it will be issued with a certificate which would allow for a registration application.

This dealer I spoke to earlier may have been talking hot air, he was trying to sell me their 15 year old units with over 7k miles on them. If that SVA test also covers amateur built vehicles and mopeds then surely the 2018 Ruckus model should pass?

[LuS1fer]

taylorzay said:

Thanks! Having had a quick read of this, am I right in thinking as long as it passes those basic checkboxes I.e has indicators, braking systems etc it will be issued with a certificate which would allow for a registration application.

This dealer I spoke to earlier may have been talking hot air, he was trying to sell me their 15 year old units with over 7k miles on them. If that SVA test also covers amateur built vehicles and mopeds then surely the 2018 Ruckus model should pass?

I'm no expert but the first thing that springs to mind is that I can't find the power output of the Ruckus. A moped, in the UK has to belmited to 30mph so you would probably have to register it as a motorcycle.

Don't forget that the bike will also attract shipping fees, 8% import duty and 20% VAT on top. In short, on top of the purchase price, you're going to have a significant additional expense of shipping, import duty, VAT, MSVA test and registration.
http://shippio.com/import-motorcycles-from-the-usa...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/trip-paperwo...

You may also find it hard to insure an import or at least have to pay more.

Have you see the new Honda Monkey bike they are releasing here? it may be a better bet.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/mcn/20180502/285477...

[taylorzay]

LuS1fer said:

I'm no expert but the first thing that springs to mind is that I can't find the power output of the Ruckus. A moped, in the UK has to belmited to 30mph so you would probably have to register it as a motorcycle.

Don't forget that the bike will also attract shipping fees, 8% import duty and 20% VAT on top. In short, on top of the purchase price, you're going to have a significant additional expense of shipping, import duty, VAT, MSVA test and registration.
http://shippio.com/import-motorcycles-from-the-usa...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/trip-paperwo...

You may also find it hard to insure an import or at least have to pay more.

Have you see the new Honda Monkey bike they are releasing here? it may be a better bet.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/mcn/20180502/285477...

I had until now considered all the expenses, apart from actually insuring the bugger. I might have to make a few more calls, thank you for the eye opener.

I did have a look at the monkey, but I’m sure a 220lb 6ft3 chap might look out of place on such a rig, something which (with foot pegs) the ruckus would have done quite nicely.

I do like the styling of the new monkeys, however they’re asking $4k USD and probably the same in pounds for us across the pond.

[LuS1fer]

The MSX125 "Grom" going for about £3300 new so the Monkey which uses cheaper components, should be less. I understand the sixe point though

The problem is that a 110cc Honda or Suzuki step through is about £2200 and an electric bike is already around that price. This came up on a feed this morning at £2200 (WTF and that is without "accessories" like mudguards) but at least you don't have insurance or tax to worry about.
https://urbandrivestyle.com/

[anonymous-user]

Ohhhhh they're cool! I fancy one now just to muck about on There's bike already imported on ebay.

I sat on a MSX a few months back, it felt a bit bigger than I expected and I'm 6ft + and chunky.

[taylorzay]

LuS1fer said:

The MSX125 "Grom" going for about £3300 new so the Monkey which uses cheaper components, should be less. I understand the sixe point though

The problem is that a 110cc Honda or Suzuki step through is about £2200 and an electric bike is already around that price. This came up on a feed this morning at £2200 (WTF and that is without "accessories" like mudguards) but at least you don't have insurance or tax to worry about.
https://urbandrivestyle.com/

I feel like you’re in mind. I’ve been eyeing up the Unimoke for ages too, the only that concerns me is range anxiety. Obviously they still ship the 750w versions to EU addresses as long as you “promise not to use them on the roads and only on private land”.
I’m looking for something to speed up my gridlocked commute in my car.

The monkey does look like fun, I could actually fit it in the back of my estate to go on road trips with, I just about about it actually being too small lol. I do like the rise of the bikes such as the Super 73 and the Unimoke. I guess I’d just always be fearful of running out of juice, especially when purchasing a second battery pack and then asking a few hundred euros for it. I suppose I have a budget of about £3.5k, that’s why I initially eyed up a ruckus as I could use it as a project bike too.

P.s not to mention the moke 750 comes with knobblys and doesn’t even let you pick slicks, you have to pay to upgrade to Slicks. I’d really want to ride one first before I plunked down that much cash.

[anonymous-user]

taylorzay said:

I feel like you’re in mind. I’ve been eyeing up the Unimoke for ages too, the only that concerns me is range anxiety. Obviously they still ship the 750w versions to EU addresses as long as you “promise not to use them on the roads and only on private land”.
I’m looking for something to speed up my gridlocked commute in my car.

The monkey does look like fun, I could actually fit it in the back of my estate to go on road trips with, I just about about it actually being too small lol. I do like the rise of the bikes such as the Super 73 and the Unimoke. I guess I’d just always be fearful of running out of juice, especially when purchasing a second battery pack and then asking a few hundred euros for it. I suppose I have a budget of about £3.5k, that’s why I initially eyed up a ruckus as I could use it as a project bike too.

P.s not to mention the moke 750 comes with knobblys and doesn’t even let you pick slicks, you have to pay to upgrade to Slicks. I’d really want to ride one first before I plunked down that much cash.

You're full of cool ideas lol. I've never even heard of a Unimoke. What kinda top speed do they do 'unrestricted'?

[Krikkit]

CaptainMorgan said:

You're full of cool ideas lol. I've never even heard of a Unimoke. What kinda top speed do they do 'unrestricted'?

750w is near as dammit 1hp, so not fast. What's a 50cc 'ped make? 5hp? Lots more weight obviously, but I'd guess similar drag.

They do look like fun to potter about on mind.

[poo at Paul's]

You can buy the zoomer in the UK. Is it going to be that much cheaper doing it all yourself? For £100 or so, surely just easier to buy one here?

[huckster6]

Plate spinner said:

Welcome to a PH. Really sorry I have no idea about the process.

But... I really do want a vehicle with either the words Ruckus or Zoomer on its V5.

So thanks for the heads up, to be investigated further later this evening.

ebay in UK is offering a Japanese import with a 250 engine! Couple of years ago I had an online chat with a man in the original Newcastle area who rode a 50cc Zoomer all the way to Verona down that Italy. Plus they'd be ultra nifty on the back of a Winnebago.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Big-Ruckus-PS250-...B4AAOSwFmxajaAb

[Dibble]

huckster6 said:

ebay in UK is offering a Japanese import with a 250 engine! Couple of years ago I had an online chat with a man in the original Newcastle area who rode a 50cc Zoomer all the way to Verona down that Italy. Plus they'd be ultra nifty on the back of a Winnebago.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Big-Ruckus-PS250-...B4AAOSwFmxajaAb

That looks ace! Although I think if I was on it, it’d look like a cushion stuck up my arse crack after getting off the sofa, IYSWIM.

Been idly Googling these and Groms today as a possible next bike while I commute through the winter again...

[LuS1fer]

Dibble said:

Been idly Googling these and Groms today as a possible next bike while I commute through the winter again...

Just bear in mind that small bikes have small lights. My MSX125 ended up with bicycle LED lights stuck on the bars to complement the candle. Additionally, in 5000 miles, mine wore it's chain out and the adjusters stripped so all were replaced - cheap enough, mind but I they'd put a decent chain on it.

Years ago, Harley used to offer a drive akin to a cambelt which would be far more practical IMHO.

[taylorzay]

CaptainMorgan said:

You're full of cool ideas lol. I've never even heard of a Unimoke. What kinda top speed do they do 'unrestricted'?

The unrestricted ones can actually pop out at 26-29 mph, but then again it is a bicycle! I just want something small and nippy I can commute on and pop in the back of my car!

The only reason they’re not selling the zoomer in the Uk is down to European regs. Who knows....come brexit time Honda might be able to start selling them again if we don’t adopt the European guidelines on scooters.

Also, we might not be bound by the European 250w limit on leccy bicycles. The Zoomers/Ruckus do look terribly fun! Have you seen some of the mods people have done to them?

[LuS1fer]

The problem with unrestricted is they then have to be registered, plated and insured and you have to wear a crash helmet and it has to be MOT'd.