kevm99
Guest
Has anyone shipped there bike to USA? What would be the cost of that? I have seen some companies offering tours and the like but I would prefer to ship my bike over and please myself when I got there.
Global Rider
Guest
kevm99 said:
Try some of the shippers listed on the BMW MOA Global Touring - Touring in Europe page. Scroll down to Bike Flight Services.
I use Kuehne & Nagel International Shippers. I left my custom pallet for a GS at Air Canada Cargo at London Heathrow back in June. No reply on that thread...so you might call them to see if they still have it.
I`ve just shipped my bike over to Baltimore from Liverpool but I have cheated a bit..! I ship a lot of product throughout the world and leant on my shippers for a bit of support so the cost was negligable The process though is very easy and there are plenty of shipping companies going across to the US. Try David Grist at HC travel, I used them for insurance and they are excellent! I was advised to avoid New York as it is still Mafia controlled and is just plain difficult. I fly out to meet the GSA next Tuesday for 12 weeks across the US and back so should be a blast. I pick the bike up on the 8th Sept so I`ll let you know if there are any hassles.....!!
Geordietraveller
Registered user
We flew the bike over to Vancouver through HC Travel / Motorcycle Express. No hassles, just leave a gallon or less in the tank, tape up the battery and leave it at the airport. It actually flew on the same flight as us.
Cost was £1000 ish one way or £1500 ish return
Definitely recommend this option, we are away for a year but we've just spend almost 3 months in canada and done 7000 miles going where we wanted. We bumped into some people who had rented a 650GS for $150can PER DAY. We also met a canadian couple who shipped their bike to Portugal and then waited 3 months for it to turn up back in Ontario!
Next problem for us is trying to find someone to take the bike to Aus from North America!
Good Luck
Simon & Fiona
Cost was £1000 ish one way or £1500 ish return
Definitely recommend this option, we are away for a year but we've just spend almost 3 months in canada and done 7000 miles going where we wanted. We bumped into some people who had rented a 650GS for $150can PER DAY. We also met a canadian couple who shipped their bike to Portugal and then waited 3 months for it to turn up back in Ontario!
Next problem for us is trying to find someone to take the bike to Aus from North America!
Good Luck
Simon & Fiona
engine house
Guest
Hi we are fiying to Calgary next May with motorcycle express if and things work out!System Addict said:
can you tell me did you leave your panniers on and did they let you keep your stuff in them and how long did you leave for check in?
Met a guy from Aus at the TT this year and he ships bikes from Aus to UK etc. have a look http://www.getrouted.com.au
paul
Geordietraveller
Registered user
Yes, we left all the luggage on as we left with the BMW 1200 sliding panniers that were narrow enough but officially it all has to be empty.
Unoffically the guys at the the cargo handling point were all bikers and extremely cool about the whole thing. We had already packed our suitcases for the flight but they recommended we leave our lids and tent poles in the bike luggage as we would have difficulties with these being viewed as 'offensive weapons' by cabin crew!
'Check in' for the bike consisted of leaving it at the cargo buildings two days before departure and diconnecting and taping up the battery. Simple as that.
It really was painless!
Now if only getting the bike to Aus was as easy! Still waiting for Dave at Get Routed to return email (along with countless others - grrrrr)
Take care and have fun (pm me if you need any other info)
Simon & Fiona
Unoffically the guys at the the cargo handling point were all bikers and extremely cool about the whole thing. We had already packed our suitcases for the flight but they recommended we leave our lids and tent poles in the bike luggage as we would have difficulties with these being viewed as 'offensive weapons' by cabin crew!
'Check in' for the bike consisted of leaving it at the cargo buildings two days before departure and diconnecting and taping up the battery. Simple as that.
It really was painless!
Now if only getting the bike to Aus was as easy! Still waiting for Dave at Get Routed to return email (along with countless others - grrrrr)
Take care and have fun (pm me if you need any other info)
Simon & Fiona
samwise
Registered user
From what HC Travel replied to me with, this year's return fare to Montreal or Toronto of £1445 for the bike will be going up by about 10% next year (fuel charges, I imagine) - I'm in the early stages of planning to take my bike to the US in summer 2007 (maybe 
) and have worked out that the flying cost plus Motorcycle Express insurance is about the same as hiring an F650GS in Canada for a month, plus you'd be on your own bike with less worries about scratches etc.
) and have worked out that the flying cost plus Motorcycle Express insurance is about the same as hiring an F650GS in Canada for a month, plus you'd be on your own bike with less worries about scratches etc.engine house
Guest
Thanks for the reply the two days to check in we didn't know but can plan around now just have to find some thing to do in london.
sorry to hear Dave's being unresponsive he seemed sound when we met him.
sorry to hear Dave's being unresponsive he seemed sound when we met him.
Paul Narramore
Guest
In 2002 I flew my Pan to Vancouver, rode across the US and flew back via Toronto - 7000 miles later. I also used David Grist of HC Travel, a very well organised little outfit. I flew out with the bike in the hold in an Air Transat aircraft, a lengthy flight, from Gatwick. The following morning, it took the entire morning to get the bike released from customs and immigration. Panniers had to be empty and a spare key left somewhere on the bike. Gatwick Cargo didn't insist on disconnecting the battery. Word of warning - the bike had to be scrupulously clean, and I mean extremely clean. This was shortly after the foot & mouth outbreak here and the Canadians were very touchy over the disease stpreading. Remove both wheels and any plastic bodywork and go over the entire bike with soapy water, a sponge and even resorting to a toothbrush. Any dirt found will be jet-washed, and the mud taken away to be incinerated - and you will have a hefty bill. It's cheaper to land cargo in Canada than the US. Cost for bike alone = £1700.
Next year I'm returning again to the US but this time for three months, and using the Wallenius Line ro-ro ferry (www.2wglobal.com) which leaves Southampton every Wednesday and sails to a number of east coast ports. Cost = about £500 single.
Have a look at http://uk.msnusers.com/USCoasttoCoastMotorcycleTrip2002
Next year I'm returning again to the US but this time for three months, and using the Wallenius Line ro-ro ferry (www.2wglobal.com) which leaves Southampton every Wednesday and sails to a number of east coast ports. Cost = about £500 single.
Have a look at http://uk.msnusers.com/USCoasttoCoastMotorcycleTrip2002
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