Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a parallel import and a grey import? My mate has a bike that is made for the Californian market but is first registered as new in the UK. The subject matter confuse's me and I think it also does my mate 

                                                                                                                                                                             

It's the same thing, usually brought in by a bike shop specialising in imports rather than the maker i.e. Suzuki...
 

                                                                                                                                                                             

Thanks feistygirl... but if it's the same thing why give it different names? Or is that a ploy by the bike shop/ insurance companies especially the latter just so they can get more money out of you.                                                                                                                                                                             

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always understood that a parallel import was a UK-spec bike bought abroad to special order from an overseas dealer and then imported personally by the buyer, while a grey import was a non-UK spec bike, such as a lot of japanese 400s only available here as 600s, such as a Suzuki SV400.
But then I could be wrong!

                                                                                                                                                                             

A parallel import is a non-counterfeit product imported from another country without the permission of the intellectual property owner. Parallel imports are often referred to as grey product, and are implicated in issues of international trade, and intellectual property.
The practice of parallel importing is often advocated in the case of software, music, printed texts and electronic products, and occurs for several reasons:
Different versions of a product are produced for sale in different markets. E.g.: Top Gear Magazine (UK Edition) is officially sold in UK and Top Gear Magazine (Australian Edition) is officially sold in Australia. However some unofficial distributors in Australia also sell Top Gear Magazine (UK Edition).
Companies, either the manufacturer or the distributor, set different price points for their products in different markets. Parallel importers ordinarily purchase products in one country at a price (P1) which is cheaper than the price at which they are sold in a second country (P2), import the products into the second country, and sell the products in that country at a price which is usually between P1 and P2. See arbitrage.
Consumers who are able to obtain more competitively priced items, and can choose to avoid local sales taxes which may not be regarded as entirely appropriate, are placed on an even footing with consumers who have less access to overseas sales online.[1]
Some advocacy groups support parallel importing on the grounds of enhancing the free flow of information.[2]

Grey import vehicles are new or used motor vehicles and motorcycles legally imported from another country through channels other than the maker's official distribution system. The synonymous term parallel import is sometimes substituted.
Car makers and local distributors sometimes regard grey imports as a threat to their network of franchised dealerships, but independent distributors don't mind since more cars of an odd brand bring in money from service and spare parts. Also, car makers frequently arbitrage markets, setting the price according to local market conditions so the same vehicle will have different real prices in different territories. In order for the arbitrage to work, there must be some means to reduce, eliminate, or reverse whatever savings could be achieved by purchasing the car in the lower priced territory. Examples of such barriers include regulations preventing import or requiring costly vehicle modifications. Grey import vehicles circumvent this profit maximization strategy. In some countries, such as Vietnam and Australia, the import of grey-market vehicles has largely been banned[citation needed].

Hi Wills, wouldn't dare correct you as that's why I'm asking the question, lol and I doubt that you're wrong. So why do insurance companies make a big deal as to whether the bike is an import? Is this for replacement parts in case of a claim especially with a grey import?

Wills has got it. Mine (XVS1100A) are both Californian Parallel imports as the same spec bike used to be available in the UK also (albeit without the always-on lights and anti-spill device on the fuel tank).

The XVS400A was only sold in Asia (I believe) so would be a grey import. Insurance should be cheaper for a parallel than a grey as parts and repairs will be easier to come by.                                                                                                                                                                             

ohhh Wills....looks like we were both kinda right and kinda wrong...
 
A 'grey import' is a vehicle which has been built to a non European specification and is therefore, not EU Type Approved, for example a car built for the Japanese home market. A 'parallel import' refers to vehicles purchased from abroad, built to EU type Approval and therefore compatible with UK specification
 
My gixxer is an import and never had a prob with insurance

Wow, wheelbarrow you had me more confused for a moment and so I had to read it all again, doh. You've certainly shed some light on the matter that's for sure. Thank you.                                                                                                                                                                             

Thanks to all who have contributed to helping define the difference. x                                                                                                                                                                             

wheelbarrow you have me totally confuse, think i like Wills explanation better, but don't know which is right, or are they both the same?????????                                                                                                                                                                              

Hey Bill how you doing, great to see you back                                                                                                                                                                              

Ok, rode my bike to the farmyard rally this weekend so i'm back on the road again [sounds like a good line for a song] but how about you is your bike on the road now
                                                                                                                                                                             

Don't thank me gg that's the Wikipedia definition. I think the main difference is a parallel would be same spec as a uk bike but purchased abroad. Whereas a grey is specific to another country because the maker does not officially import them to the uk.

Then why didn't you say that in the first place .... cos I agree.

Bandit 400 and XJ400's (grey imports) try buying down pipes for them in the UK!!!                                                                                                                                                                              

You picking on me shadow.                                                                                                                                                                              

Hey Bill, bike not back on road but hopefully get it mot'd Saturday .... back permitting, lol. 

WB - thanks for the enlightment past the confusion and Shadow, I totally agree...

Thanks again to everyones input. Your wisdom (and humour) is appreciated.                                                                                                                                                                             

Humour and Shadow dont go together do they                                                                                                                                                                              

Humor???

With my reputation???