Shipping a bike internationally

[DarkLeftArm]

Good morning.
I posted this way down on the UK section of this forum, but I want to know what folks in the rest of the world know that would be of help.



I have been starting to plan a trip to the United Kingdom next spring, to go to the Isle Of Man for the Tourist Trophy races. I also have a friend who lives up on Shetland island who has invited me to come to their big motorcycle rally called Simmer Dim. I looked into renting a bike for a month, and holy catfish, that was enough to make me start looking at shipping my own bike over there. I have been real surprised how inexpensive it is to ship from L. A.
The shippers I have contacted talk like there are possibly fees and taxes I'll have to pay. I attempted to contact the British consulate, but had no luck with that, yet.

Just figured I'd float this here.
I know this forum has a lot of experience with a LOT of different topics.
Thanks
Bert

 

[MoFarkle]

Hi Bert,

http://www.jamescargo.com/motorcycle_transportation/

Popular on HUBB, not used them myself.

 

[Checkswrecks]

The shipping is just the half of it. The other half are the fees and hoops that you will need to learn and go through. The couple of times I looked at shipping mine, I figured that the breakeven of cost and hassle was at about 3 weeks.

The two resource threads you want:
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909345&highlight=shipping

and

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=868979

Similar threads are in HUBB

 

[markjenn]

I agree with the previous. I've rented in Europe about six or eight times and I know folks who motorcycle internationally extensively. For countries were reasonable rentals are available, its cheaper to rent except for a very long periods or unusual circumstances. The hassles of shipping, customs, temp registration, insurance, etc. can be monumental. Rental bikes in Europe are much more available and cheaper than the US. And you throw the keys at them and head for the airport when you're done.

And for longer periods, there are buy/buy-back deals where you purchase the bike from a dealer and they agree to buy it back at the end of the period. At a month, perhaps you could do better shipping, but I'd still tend towards other options just to reduce the risk and hassle factor.

- Mark

 

[bloodline]

I did some fairly extensive research on this matter and came to the following:

1. It's cheaper to rent.
2. You will probably NOT be able insure your bike while it's over there.
3. If you intend to go to europe regularly, buy a bike with US registration that's already there. There are a few warehouse outfits that specialize in this. Sell it to someone like yourself when you are done with it.
4. You can fly your bike out of Canada, pretty easily. It's nearly impossible to fly a bike out of the US, now.
5. Due to #4, bikes leave the US on ships. This is where the various customs requirements come into play. Not a big deal in western Europe, but still need an agent to unload and take possession of your bike. You are kidding yourself if you think you can do this unless you have all the time in the world.
6. Can't think of his name right this second, but there is a guy in Germany that ships to and from the US every 6 months. He comes here, load a container personally, ships it, flies back home, receives the container of bikes and puts them in his warehouse. His fee is quite reasonable and long term storage is too. Got a spare bike and possible 6 months to wait on it to arrive in Germany?

In other words, rent something you've always wanted to try out and leave your baby at home...

 

[DarkLeftArm]

Boy, I went to the thread that Checkswrecks gave me above. This guy has it down to a science, and it looks to be WAY cheaper and less hassle than shipping my bike. He is a forum member here that goes by "wheatwhacker" in Ireland. I wanted to go to Ireland, but just didn't have a good reason before. Now I do. Seems Ireland's rules are more comfortable than other places in the EU.
I find the bike I want on the Irish version of craigslist, and he does the rest. Brilliant.

 

[snakebitten]

Flying abroad and then turning it into a 2-wheel adventure is a lifelong memory maker.

My Australian S10 adventure is all documented around here. And renting was very easy in Melbourne. But I've done it in Europe too. Went to a wedding in Positano Italy. Might be the most beautiful town I have ever been to. Anyways, on a whim I grabbed a scooter from a local rental shop.

Ended up traveling all over southern Italy 2-up on a scooter. 10X's as much fun as I would have predicted.

Then rented a car and took the autostrada to northern Italy. Grabbed another scooter and soaked the territory up! No itinerary. Just looked for houses with the blue sign hanging that meant they had rooms to rent.

The wife and I will never forget it. (The movie "Under the Tuscan Sun is filmed in all the exact same places we visited. It's a hoot to watch the scene where she is standing in a white dress and the Mediterranean waves are splashing behind her. We watched the sun come up sitting where her feet were)

It might be worth it to ship your bike. But you can see the world riding almost anything on 2-wheels. Jump on and join the natives. Then as the poster said above, throw em the keys and fly home. The part that really mattered, you will own. Forever.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Also remember that in most of the world, a 650 VStrom is a really big bike, and that smaller lighter bikes are far better for tight narrow roads.


Or the old cliche that: It's more fun to go fast on a slow bike than the other way around.


::012::

 

[Roge]

Ask your dealer what happens to the delivery crates that their new bikes com in most get thrown out but can be useful for shipping.

 

[DarkLeftArm]

Also remember that in most of the world, a 650 VStrom is a really big bike, and that smaller lighter bikes are far better for tight narrow roads.


Or the old cliche that: It's more fun to go fast on a slow bike than the other way around.


::012::

You know, I was looking at that Irish Craigslist and started remembering the '70s. A guy on a 750 Honda was hot stuff back then. Funny how perception changes. Been looking at BMW GS models, 650 I think. Lots of locking hard luggage going really cheap. Looking pretty good to just go there and start riding.

Flying abroad and then turning it into a 2-wheel adventure is a lifelong memory maker.

My Australian S10 adventure is all documented around here. And renting was very easy in Melbourne. But I've done it in Europe too. Went to a wedding in Positano Italy. Might be the most beautiful town I have ever been to. Anyways, on a whim I grabbed a scooter from a local rental shop.

Ended up traveling all over southern Italy 2-up on a scooter. 10X's as much fun as I would have predicted.

Then rented a car and took the autostrada to northern Italy. Grabbed another scooter and soaked the territory up! No itinerary. Just looked for houses with the blue sign hanging that meant they had rooms to rent.

The wife and I will never forget it. (The movie "Under the Tuscan Sun is filmed in all the exact same places we visited. It's a hoot to watch the scene where she is standing in a white dress and the Mediterranean waves are splashing behind her. We watched the sun come up sitting where her feet were)

It might be worth it to ship your bike. But you can see the world riding almost anything on 2-wheels. Jump on and join the natives. Then as the poster said above, throw em the keys and fly home. The part that really mattered, you will own. Forever.

I have rented scooters in Mexico on Isla Cozumel, and also in Honduras on Roatan. Those trips are what got me thinking about this head circus. Those trips stand out in my travels as some of the absolute finest.

 

[Big Blu]

A few years back I shipped a bike to Heilelberg Germany for a summer of fun in the Alps. The bike remains in Heidelberg for summer fun in the Alps when I please...... and have the $$$.

My bike was ship from Orlando Fl by Stefan Knopf, cost was about $1.2K one way and all the paper work and B. S. was taken care of by Stefan.
Take a look here: http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Welcome.html

He'll store the bike and keep the battery charges for $300.00/year, he had a full maintanence facility with 2 lifts and tools to use at no charge. He has a mechanic that can do service and minor repairs for a reasonable fee. If the bike needs attention at a dealership he'll provide the transportation to and from.

I call or email him about 6 weeks before my trip and and make reservations at his B&B for 2 night after my arrival and 2 night before my return. At your request he will arrange for your green card and other stuff(road side asst., health insurance, etc.) you may need. NO BS here, he's the best....... in a German sort of way! ;- ) When I arrive my bike is parked in fromt of my room, washed, battery charged and ready to ride. All requested paperwork is done and there is no fee for his efforts. A DAMN GOOD DEAL!

Drop him an email, he may be able to elp yiu with your shipping requirements. Also check out the buy/sell topic on his web site, there are usually US registered bikes for sale. By it, ride it, flip it..... or beter yet store it there and plan to return for an annual European adventure.


As I write this I'm reminded how nice it is to be retired, in good health, and without attachment! LIFE IS GOOD, VERY GOOD!

Regards, Paul

 

[Checkswrecks]

A few years back I shipped a bike to Heilelberg Germany for a summer of fun in the Alps. The bike remains in Heidelberg for summer fun in the Alps when I please...... and have the $$$.

My bike was ship from Orlando Fl by Stefan Knopf, cost was about $1.2K one way and all the paper work and B. S. was taken care of by Stefan.
Take a look here: http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Welcome.html

He'll store the bike and keep the battery charges for $300.00/year, he had a full maintanence facility with 2 lifts and tools to use at no charge. He has a mechanic that can do service and minor repairs for a reasonable fee. If the bike needs attention at a dealership he'll provide the transportation to and from.

I call or email him about 6 weeks before my trip and and make reservations at his B&B for 2 night after my arrival and 2 night before my return. At your request he will arrange for your green card and other stuff(road side asst., health insurance, etc.) you may need. NO BS here, he's the best....... in a German sort of way! ;- ) When I arrive my bike is parked in fromt of my room, washed, battery charged and ready to ride. All requested paperwork is done and there is no fee for his efforts. A DAMN GOOD DEAL!

Drop him an email, he may be able to elp yiu with your shipping requirements. Also check out the buy/sell topic on his web site, there are usually US registered bikes for sale. By it, ride it, flip it..... or beter yet store it there and plan to return for an annual European adventure.


As I write this I'm reminded how nice it is to be retired, in good health, and without attachment! LIFE IS GOOD, VERY GOOD!

Regards, Paul

Great resource!
Thanks Paul and congrats on the rest. As Buddha said, contentment is the greatest wealth.

 

[snakebitten]

Fantastic idea!!
That fella makes it all painless.