Sorry for the delay. I have answered each one under your question:
It looks probable that I'll be moving to Seattle in Spring 06 form England. There are a few questions I'd like to get answers to:
1. anyone got shipping info they could pass on
Shipping for belongs and apartment / home I found Allied (Pickfords) to do it well but you need to get them to write everything they promise down. Bishops (Shepards street, Battersea) are also very good. If the company are paying then put some extra stuff into the quote(they will come to your house and assess the load.) You can always go and change it, we did several times.
INSURANCE FOR Shipping - This is daylight robbery, but imagine your all your belongings falling into the ocean off the container ship, it happened to one of my Sales Managers in LA a few years back. Even though she got a cheque for 70 thousand, there are things that she lost that will never be replaced.
You can include you bike in the shipping. They will crate it and take it from your house IF(I will come on to this) you decide to take it.
2.what's the legal requirements for riding in the US, do I have to re take a riding test?
The USA will not recognise you licence if you wish to OWN a bike in the USA on a USA licence and title(V5 docs) You will be required to sit a multiple question driving test, something like 14 out of 20 right gets you a pass and the right to take your driving test. The driving test consists of a number of very basic moves, but if you get any wrong you fail So a foot dab on a figure of 8 will mean a fail. What I ended up doing as you need a bike for this test (USA DOT tested and insurance etc) I went for a training session. How this works is 1 half day of theory and then 2 days of riding a 250 around a car park. At the end you have a test that is so simple it is amazing. It is NOTHING like the test at home. This will cost you around 300 dollars to do and the bikes are included (I did mind whilst awaiting my USA bike)
3. registration for the GS, how does that work
Now this is difficult to accept. I looked into this for many hours with MAX BMW and they where very good. You can bring you bike to the States BUT consider this. If you import is tempory you will need to leave within 1 year. You will keep your bike on a UK plate etc.
If you are staying for longer.......honestly you may wish to sell your bike and start again. You have a UK (Euro spec) bike. USA bikes have to be Department of Transportation (DOT approved) Here is the list for you to check your bike:
DOT stamps required on the following:
Brake lines
Fuel lines
Head light
Tyres
Brake pads
Charcoal emissions cannister (you do have one of these)
Exhaust pipe
That's about it and you will need most of it to register the bike. You will be applying for TITLE (V5 at home) registeration (to ensure, insurance coverage and your tag (licence plate)
If you import your bike and the immigration and DOT inspectors are in a bad mood (Your risk) you bike can be:
Returned to exporting country at your expense
Destroyed
Inpounded and fixed at your cost by a dealer (around 3000 to 4000 dollars)
This is what I did. Sold UK bike (03 Adventure) at home for 6500 quid, then raped the exchanged rate added a few quid of my own and bought a BRAND new bike
4. what are insurance rates like and can anyone advise on a good company
Geico.com is the cheapest.
INternet froggle search will help you
Washington state has no set insurance guidelines, I have to use a special dealer in MASS as it is a real wierd state!
5. what's the GS scene like in Seattle
Very good I believe and from what I read on ADV rider there are plenty in that area. I nearly bought a bike from one of the guys there.
6. are there any dealerships you'd recommend
PAss I am on the wrong coast, but the Beamer dealers are A LOT different to home, very very helpful. Remember the USA is all about SERVICE SERVICE
7.anything else I haven't thought of, that you'd want to give me help with
A Importation handler. Seems stupid but this person managed my shippment and dealt with the US muppets at the ports.
I will PM you my details if you need to chat.
