Why are certain motorcycles not available for sale in the States?

Question

For example, 2 motorcycles I'm interested in include:

Honda CBR125R

Aprilia RS125

Neither of these are available in the US. What's the deal?

Answer 1

The US doesn't have the same national graduated licensing that the UK does. A 16 year old can get a motorcycle license, and legally ride a Hayabusa the next week. Since there's no restriction on the license, there are fewer buyers for the small bikes and manufacturers have less incentive to import small bikes. There's also been less demand ffor small-engine bikes because fuel prices have been low in the US compared to Europe. As gas prices rise in the US, small bikes may be seen less as recreational vehicles and more as budget transportation, and the 125's may get imported.  

Answer 2

The Aprilia is a 2 stroke, so the previous response is likely relevant. But the Honda you mentioned is a 4 stroke so that shouldn't be an issue. And the first responder must not have noticed that the bikes are 125 ccs and therefore would not have governors.

I'm not as familiar with the laws regarding bikes as I am cars, but I suspect it's a similar problem.

For many years US lawmakers have tried to help the US automakers (by help I mean they were paid handsomely for the help by automakers' lobbyists) by creating laws that make it difficult for foreign automakers to get their vehicles into the states. For instance, there are laws governing how many models any foreign company can import in a calendar year. Surprise! Foreign automakers got around this issue by creating alternate labels, such as Honda & Acura, Nissan & Infinity, Toyota & Lexus, etc.

Similarly my bike, a 1985 Honda Shadow, is 694 ccs while the 1983 model is 749 ccs, because the US lawmakers raised import tariffs for all bikes over 700 ccs, as a way of helping Harley Davidson who were starting to get their butts kicked by the Japanese Big 4. Surprise! The Japanese makers just put a slightly narrower bore in the cylinders until the law expired.

Again, I'm not certain, but I suspect that similar issues are going on with the 125cc bikes that are available in Europe & Asia, but not in the states. The Shadow 125cc is another example.

Answer 3

They may not come with a governor or speed regulator within U.S> standards.

Answer 4

other countries are more lax in air polution, sound or safety issues, These bikes do not meet these std's in the us, but are cheaper to make because of that. They are only exported to countries that allow the lower std's.

Answer 5

EPA issues, 2 strokes havent been allowed sence the 80s for road bikes, there working on getting the 2 stroke dirt bikes out of here too

and they've accomplished the feat with outboard boat motors just recently, but lucky me has a 79 GT 750 Suzuki 3 cyl 2 stroke thats grandfathered in, but its a bit much for most riders, if you look you can still find a few Yamaha RDs out there, had a 350 years ago, stupid fast!

Answer 6

Only one reason! The manufacturer/ distributor does not think it would be profitable. Any bike can be "americanized" for some $ amount, but then it may cost too much to be marketable here.