ro-ro north America/Canada

[stephen.stallebrass]

Has anyone had any negative experiences with WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN?

I am shipping my bike with them (via HC Travel) and am just a little concerned having read the terms and conditions on their website, about what can be on the bike (remove number plate to stop souvenir hunters is their advice!). My bike has a fender bag and handlebar bag, panniers and top box, and tools and spares taped inside the side panels; is this going to be any problem when I take it to Southampton (they say the bike should be as supplied by the manufacturer without personal belongings, I presume that this doesn't include locks, GPS bracketry etc?), where it is leaving from to Halifax?

Also, any idea of if there any problems riding from Canada and into USA, regarding US customs/immigration. I have ESTA, and the bike will be returning by ship from Galveston (or what happens if I leave the bike in USA with a friend for a future trip?).

I have previously had my bike shipped to Alaska, and gone into and out of Canada without any issues, but just wonder if the Americans have any problems with bikes coming from Canada with a UK registration?

Any help , info or tips would be most welcome. Cheers, Steve

You should check out Horizon Unlimited, they have a wealth of information on this type of thing but you should especially have a look at their shipping page. You can check for reviews... Not that up to date if I remember correctly but interesting and informative nonetheless.

I've not used them but I've heard nothing be good things about WW. I have also heard that Aladdin Frieght, from US-UK is excellent and very cheap too.

xXx

 

[mrsroynie]

Roynie and I shipped our bikes Southampton - Halifax in 2009 with WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN. It was ro-ro in that the bikes were ridden onto the ship rather than being palleted, but I wouldn't know about being able to travel with the bikes. I don't think you can book direct with WW. We needed an agent both ends, which brings me to a potential complication.

The outward leg was booked through HC Travel. We've dealt with them many times and they were as efficient as usual. However, unlike in '06, when we shipped our bikes by air into Toronto (Transat airline) HC Travel were unable to organise our return shipment by sea at the same time. We needed to have a local agent in the US/Canada and make our return arrangements once we got there. Also to bear in mind, the ship is not a ferry running between two or three ports. The routes can vary between the outward sailing and the homebound sailing. Our outward shipment took about 7 days, but the return was more like 3 weeks.

I'm not a good flyer. Roynie and I drive all over Europe rather than get on a plane. I get very emotional on take off and am terrified of the least bit of turbulance. Even so, I would say that the experience of motorcycling in the US is worth the temporary inconvenience. There are therapies and courses out there that can help you overcome your nerves. You don't need to spend days or weeks looking at the empty ocean. Look into overcoming your fears and enjoy your holiday.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Has anyone had any negative experiences with WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN?

I am shipping my bike with them (via HC Travel) and am just a little concerned having read the terms and conditions on their website, about what can be on the bike (remove number plate to stop souvenir hunters is their advice!). My bike has a fender bag and handlebar bag, panniers and top box, and tools and spares taped inside the side panels; is this going to be any problem when I take it to Southampton (they say the bike should be as supplied by the manufacturer without personal belongings, I presume that this doesn't include locks, GPS bracketry etc?), where it is leaving from to Halifax?

Also, any idea of if there any problems riding from Canada and into USA, regarding US customs/immigration. I have ESTA, and the bike will be returning by ship from Galveston (or what happens if I leave the bike in USA with a friend for a future trip?).

I have previously had my bike shipped to Alaska, and gone into and out of Canada without any issues, but just wonder if the Americans have any problems with bikes coming from Canada with a UK registration?

Any help , info or tips would be most welcome. Cheers, Steve

Steve

You won't have any issues but don't leave anything valuable on your bike. I've shipped mine a few times and not had any issues but know a few people who have. The shipping line is covering it's arse so if you do leave anything on the bike, it's down to you but don't worry too much. My advice is to lock everything in your panniers which is OK. Leave your sat nav bracket on and take your sat nav with you. I've shipped mine with tank bags and other bags attached but all have been empty. Removing your plate is bollox

You will have a temprary import permit for your bike which will give you 2 months in USA and Canada. You HAVE to get it out before then. The US authorities on the border won't care to be honest but if they want papers, make sure you have your shipping paperwork handy. Most of the US customs guys and cops I've come across don't know if it's legal or not so will not give you any hassle. ESTA is for you only.

Have a great trip as it's the best place on the planet to ride. That's why I do it every year without fail

 

[mrsroynie]

Steve

You won't have any issues but don't leave anything valuable on your bike. I've shipped mine a few times and not had any issues but know a few people who have. The shipping line is covering it's arse so if you do leave anything on the bike, it's down to you but don't worry too much. My advice is to lock everything in your panniers which is OK. Leave your sat nav bracket on and take your sat nav with you. I've shipped mine with tank bags and other bags attached but all have been empty. Removing your plate is bollox

I played by the rules and left my panniers empty, but I did leave my tank bag attached as I couldn't be arsed to pack it in my luggage. It was fine ... and I was never advised to remove my plate.

One slight embarrassment is that, bringing the bike back, some jobsworth in Baltimore stamped my original registration document (in my case my 'Carte Grise'/Certificat d'Immatriculation) with "EXPORT APPROVED, US Customs & Border Protection ..." I'm looking forward to seeing how that is received by the Russians in June!?

 

[snakebasket]

Thanks guys

Thanks everyone for the comments, it is all very reassuring. I will put my riding gear in my hard luggage, and hope for the best. Can't wait to go and start the ride.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Thanks everyone for the comments, it is all very reassuring. I will put my riding gear in my hard luggage, and hope for the best. Can't wait to go and start the ride.

Keep us posted

 

[snakebasket]

Wallenius to halifax

Could have sworn I wrote a version of this last night, but must have had too many beers and sent into hyperspace somewhere.

Anyway, all went really well with WW shipping the bike (not my 1100 , but the XT660 I bought from Adventure Boy of this parish, excellent bike). It was all good on collection, and although the process of shipping agent and customs clearance took a little while, at the docks they were really helpful sorting out a flat battery.

If anyone is doing anything similar and needs any details , I'm happy to help.

Have done the ride thru Nova Scotia (Cabot Trail etc), across Newfoundland, and now in Labrador City having done the Lab highway: to be recommended.

 

[Steve B]

Could have sworn I wrote a version of this last night, but must have had too many beers and sent into hyperspace somewhere.

Anyway, all went really well with WW shipping the bike (not my 1100 , but the XT660 I bought from Adventure Boy of this parish, excellent bike). It was all good on collection, and although the process of shipping agent and customs clearance took a little while, at the docks they were really helpful sorting out a flat battery.

If anyone is doing anything similar and needs any details , I'm happy to help.

Have done the ride thru Nova Scotia (Cabot Trail etc), across Newfoundland, and now in Labrador City having done the Lab highway: to be recommended.

How long are you on the road for? Would like to pick your brains when you get back as this is a planned trip of mine going from East to West coast of Canada (maybe including going up to Alaska, weather permitting).

Cheers

Steve

 

[snakebasket]

pm me late aUGUST, HAVE DONE THE dalton and down thru the yukon on a previous trip; happy to bore you.......

now in edmonton, going uy to yellowknife, and then across.......

 

[Steve B]

pm me late aUGUST, HAVE DONE THE dalton and down thru the yukon on a previous trip; happy to bore you.......

now in edmonton, going uy to yellowknife, and then across.......

Thanks Mate

 

[ahebron]

Have you ever seen the A-Team? the big black dude.................... thats me................. well a white 11 stone version. Me not fly man.

You might have heard about these 2 guys who rode theirs bikes from Scotland to New York and only flew for a wee bit.
Now if you could ride to Nunyamo on the east of Bering Strait/Chukchi Sea and get a fishing boat to take you to Wales on the west of Bering Strait/Chukchi Sea you have no flying needed.
Might take a wee bit longer than anticipated so if you have any leave due it could be handy.
Probably wouldnt advise doing it on a 1200.

Adrian