Hopefully Buying A Galaxy XTR250

Hi Folks,

I've recently been in touch with Galaxy, and I'm hoping to import an XTR250 as a sample to the UK.

I've been in touch with them today and they've qouted me a very reasonable price due to the USD/GBP conversion rate. I'm just waiting to hear from them with a shipping price by ship to the port of Hull, UK useing their shipping agent.

I really hope it comes off.....I know I could just buy the SMC YB250 which is the UK equivalent, but it's the 08 model with the cast hubs, and I really like the Galaxy branding and CNC hubs on the 09 model I'd be getting straight from the factory. I also get to choose colour option and graphic colours.

I'm not really sure what's got me so hooked on these Chinese dirt bikes.......they're worlds apart from my BMW bike, but they just seem so appealing :rolleyes1:

I'll keep you all posted......the shipping price could be the deal breaker, but I should know that tomorrow. If it's not a goer, then unfortunately I'll have to settle for the Mikilon 250 :frump:

Cheers

Andy

Sounds complicated to me, but if it's worth the deal, including shipping and duties, go for it! It is too bad that SMC aren't carrying the '09 models as that would be the easiest route. Keep us updated on the progress.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by culcune

Sounds complicated to me, but if it's worth the deal, including shipping and duties, go for it! It is too bad that SMC aren't carrying the '09 models as that would be the easiest route. Keep us updated on the progress.

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SMC does have the 09 Models available. Plus you are going to have dealer support if you buy from SMC rather factory direct.

if the price of shipping proves to be prohibitive but you want the galaxy branding, why not just buy a set of stickers and have them sent over with some 09 wheels? shouldn't be that expensive...

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_...46ab9c166c.htm

you can also look into ccm which i think sells those bikes in the uk too. way nicer branding than the smc.

http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/x-tr250/index.php

Good luck on your quest, I think you will enjoy the XTR.

I did see a large number of SMC's going out the door when a few of us went over to the Galaxy factory. Everything had CNC parts, so I'm pretty sure you would be getting the latest and greatest (+ warranty) if you purchase from them.

Cheers!
ChinaV

Thanks for all the replies, and info guys.

I Contacted Galaxy again this morning, I’ve been dealing with a very friendly lady called Lydia Chan. She’s at the Milan Motorcycle show at the minute, so her assistant John is dealing with my request. John’s still waiting to hear from the shipping company for a shipping price.

The price of the XTR direct from the factory is $1400 USD I’m hoping the shipping will be between $100-$150 by ship to the UK, then add on 8% import duty and 17.5% VAT, to clear customs. Finally there will be an £85 charge for an MSVA, which is a Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval test which is carried out at my local DVLA office to get the bike registered and legal for on road use. If all goes well, I should be able to import it for about £1250 GBP. I know there’ll be no dealer back up with it, but at that price, I’ll take my chances.

I could go down the SMC route, but they are out of stock until February, and new price from SMC is £2500 !! To be honest the whole idea of a China bike is to keep the costs down. To me, an XTR is not worth £2500. I’ve already got an £8500 bike sat in my garage not being used, if I buy another expensive bike with Christmas coming, the Missus will chuck me out and divorce me !! :eekers:

By the way, I’ve also been in touch with Xingyu Industry&Trade Co.,ltd about importing the Mikilon XY250-SA which is even better value for money. Price direct from factory is $1185 and shipping to the port of Hull, UK only $40 !!!

I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers

Andy

Some good news......spoke to a shipping agent in the UK today and they've quoted me £225 to get the bike from China to the UK, and they take care of everything, including all custom clearing paperwork I just have to pick it up from their bonded wharehouse at the UK port :icon10:

It looks like the XTR is a goer ! :icon10:

Ill keep you all informed.

Cheers

Andy

Sounds good, I wonder why Galaxy only charges 1400 USD to you in the UK but makes us pay 1760 USD for the same bike in China. Taxes and registration are not included in the China price.

40 USD to ship a bike from China to UK is :bs: , not gonna happen. If Xingyu can do that, I have a ton of freight business for them.

I know nothing about the UK MSVA, but I've heard some rather unpleasant stories about people trying to get their own Chinese imports approved and registered.

Since you're going factory direct, I would suggest adding the extra wheels so you can swap between dirt and street. It's like getting two bikes for the price of one :thumbsup:.

Cheers!
ChinaV

Andy, it will definitely be interesting to see how this goes and I'm sure others will love to know about the process and if it actually makes sense. :WTFamI

:popcorn:

CC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by felix

you can also look into ccm which i think sells those bikes in the uk too. way nicer branding than the smc.

http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/x-tr250/index.php

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CCM sells a rebranded Shuopu Science bike versus Galaxy. Shuopu is the manufacturer for Puzey/Pitster Pro.

http://shuopuscience.com/newEbiz1/Eb...tml/index.html

Hhmm, I’m starting to suspect that everything is not what is seems with Xingyu.
The price of $40 USD for shipping does seem to good to be true. I asked them to give me the shipping agents contact details, and contacted them (Fallow International freight Ltd) direct. The lady I spoke to said that the last time they did any business with Xingyu was in 2005 ! She also told me that no vessels sail from the port of Nigbo to the port of Hull. Port of delivery would either be Southhampton of Felixstowe !
So I asked Fallow International Freight to quote for shipping of the bike, and handling all of the work required to clear the bike through customs. They came back with this :-
Ocean Freight - USD 90.06
UK Import Handling - GBP 51.40
Import Service Fee - GBP 45.00
Port Security Fee - GBP 3.50

Customs clearance - GBP 45.00
Duty / VAT - tba upon clearance. Based on the value and the size of the bikes engine etc.
Deferment Use - GBP 25 or 1.5% total duty / vat
Delivery to Door - GBP 160 if required.
I'll keep you posted.
Cheers
Andy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChinaV

I know nothing about the UK MSVA, but I've heard some rather unpleasant stories about people trying to get their own Chinese imports approved and registered.

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I'm hoping I shouldn't have a problem. I contacted Lydia at Galaxy today to see if the bike has a European Certificate of Conformity, and she has confirmed it does along with Euro-3 emissions. It's the same bike as the SMC, and they don't have any trouble getting them road registered, so hopefully it should be ok.

Cheers

Andy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by felix

if the price of shipping proves to be prohibitive but you want the galaxy branding, why not just buy a set of stickers and have them sent over with some 09 wheels? shouldn't be that expensive...

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_...46ab9c166c.htm

you can also look into ccm which i think sells those bikes in the uk too. way nicer branding than the smc.

http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/x-tr250/index.php

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Cheers for that Felix. Is the first link a chinese equivalent of ebay ? and do they supply to the UK ?

The CCM is an easy option to buy over here, but the price puts it out of my budget.

Cheers

Andy

Subscribed :popcorn:

Well guys, I was really hoping to place an order on Thursday with Galaxy, but they haven't repled to any of my emails. i was hoping they'd get back to me with the telegraphic transfer details, so I could transfer the funds to their bank. :confused1:

Things were looking so promising, now I'm begining to think this might not come off now. If I don't hear anything on Monday, then I'll give them a ring.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

Andy

Some good news....I received a Proforma Invoice from Galaxy yesterday, so will be going in to the bank on Friday to send payment for my XTR 250 :lol8:

Just hope it actually arrives in the UK :eek2:

It's going to take approximately 18 days to produce, then another 40 days to arrive by ship....fingers crossed.

Cheers

Andy

man that's going to be a long wait!
although i guess you do have the GS until then; shouldn't be too hard.

that taobao website is indeed a chinese ebay, but i doubt they ship abroad. i was more just showing you that page to show you could just get a set of stickers from the factory. In fact, in a way, you are getting a set of stickers from the factory.

Good luck with that Andy! I'm sure you'll be anxious to get the crate at your door step!

Did they give any details about how they would ship or guarantee delivery?

CC

Well guys, I sent payment last Friday, and Lydia has been back in touch to let me know that they’ve received payment, and production of my bike will be commencing!
I asked Lydia to confirm that the bike will come with wavy discs and that I’d be happy with the old tank design, if it would speed up delivery.....she sent the following reply:-
1. For the wavy disk, I strongly suggest you don't use it. The reason why we stopped using it is bcz the round one is much stronger. Also, the CNC hubs are with a M8 size, before the old hub is with M6, if we use the wavy disc, we should change it to M8, but if so, the hole on the disc is too big( so the distance betwwen the hole and the edge of the disc is too small) , and will brake the disc easily

2. For the fuel tank, we are trying to offer you the new one. If it will take too much time. We will offer the old one for you.

I was really surprised when I received this reply, it shows that Galaxy are taking a really positive approach to product quality and development, and not just chucking out any old rubbish that you would expect from a Chinese manufacturer.

I’m organising shipping myself Carl, through a UK shipping agent......I haven’t spoken to them regarding a guarantee, but I will ask.

I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers

Andy

Galaxy is supposed to be on the up and up, Andy, so it doesn't come as a surprise to read what they are doing for you, and the explanations. They did win the Taklamaken (sp?) Rally in their class, and 6th overall, '08, so they must be doing something right.

I think guy who is principal, Chris something or another, of SMC is or was running Galaxy, or some kind of consultant position. I had corresponded with him a few times when I wrote inquiries to Galaxy's general email a couple years ago, so that might have something to do with how they do business--they have taken customer service to a new level in China!

Hi Folks,
I’m starting to worry about my bike now.
I’ve sent three emails over the last week asking for an estimated bike completion date, and they haven’t replied yet. Starting to wonder if I’ll ever see my bike :eekers:
Cheers
Andy

Welcome to doing business in China! :lol8:

You may want to plan a two week "holiday" to the factory. :icon10:

CC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrazyCarl

Welcome to doing business in China! :lol8:

You may want to plan a two week "holiday" to the factory. :icon10:

CC

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Oh no, that bad is it Carl ? :rolleyes1:

China V lives near the factory, we might need to send him in to do some ass-kicking! :crider888:

Let's just say I'm only half joking. There could be lots of reasons for their lack of response but I do hope you have their direct phone number.

Could be worse! At least you've got some comrades here you could hang out with if you did go for a visit.

:goodtime:
CC

Bureaucracy runs deep at most manufacturers and there's usually a lack of communication between departments. I won't be over there again for a while, but if I should happen to get someone's ear I will ask them what's up.

Cheers
ChinaV

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChinaV

Bureaucracy runs deep at most manufacturers and there's usually a lack of communication between departments. I won't be over there again for a while, but if I should happen to get someone's ear I will ask them what's up.

Cheers
ChinaV

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Thanks China V, I appreciate it :thumbsup:

Hi Andy,

Whatever happened with your purchase of the XTR :confused1: :popcorn:

Cheers!
ChinaV

Well, communication from the factory was almost non existant, expecially during the Christmas period and I started to really worry that I wouldn’t get my bike.

I left things until after the New Year, and then on the 4th Jan I got an email saying my bike was ready for collection. I contacted the shipping agent and informed them the bike was ready, but they came back to me saying that the manufacturer wouldn’t have the bike ready until next week ! I waited another two weeks, and still no sign, so I wrote a firm email asking what was going on.......I was a bit worried about writing the email, as I wasn’t sure how it would be taken in Chinese culture.....I didn’t want them to take offence, and not deliver my bike at all ! However they replied the next day, apologising for the lack of communication and also informed me that the shipping agent had taken delivery of the bike!

So the bike was loaded onto the ship, the Ever Charming, they sent the bill of lading, and the ship arrives in Felixstowe UK on the 23rd. My shipping agent is taking care of clearing customs, and I should get the bike by the end of Feb. I’ve got all the information and forms for registering the bike, and because it’s a brand new bike and it has European Type Approval, it won’t need any inspection!

So things are looking up....although I don’t want to speak to soon, as it hasn’t got through customs or arrived at my door yet, but I’ll keep you all informed, and when it arrives there’ll be plenty of pictures !

Cheers

Andy

:clap::clap::clap:

CC