Shipping a bike overseas?

Turbo Ghost · 04-16-2012, 02:25 PM

Does anyone here have any experience shipping a bike overseas? Most specifically, shipping one from the UK to the US? I'm looking for companies and prices and time to ship. I have a friend visiting in 2014 from the UK and we're going to ride Route 66. While I plan on having a bike for him to ride, I think it would be nice if he could ship his here and ride his own. Thanks for your input!

Trip · 04-16-2012, 02:26 PM

I would ask ADV, those guys do it all the time.

derf · 04-16-2012, 06:37 PM

also look up horizons unlimited. There are ways to make shipping cheap or expensive, and there are some times where it is actually cheaper to go by air than by sea.

Rangerscott · 04-16-2012, 09:13 PM

Air should be a lot faster. I cringe at the thought of boating it.

Dnyce · 04-16-2012, 09:57 PM

How far are you taking route 66? That's a ride I've always wanted to do

Rangerscott · 04-16-2012, 10:07 PM

I can meet you at the half way mark.

Gas Man · 04-17-2012, 12:20 AM

I think it's easiest if you use an importer... They have guys that do just that for you.

Turbo Ghost · 04-17-2012, 12:38 PM

Thanks for the tips guys! It's going to be in 2014 but, I want to start getting things lined-out as early as possible to avoid problems down the road!

The plan is to leave here (TN) and head to Chicago then the coast from there with some stops along the way like the Grand Canyon and family and friends. Then, haul-ass back by way of I-40 to home. Hopefully, we can iron-butt the trip back!

I'll have a bike for him to ride but, if at all possible, I'm sure it would be better for him to ride his own so, I'm looking at rates to see if it's feasible.

derf · 04-17-2012, 01:18 PM

You are looking at $600 cheapest each way between the UK and the US, but that is most likely to a major port, like Newark or baltimore or LA

Rangerscott · 04-17-2012, 01:58 PM

Will his bike have to be registered and emission tested here? I'm sure it'll pass emissions no problem since the UK has higher restrictions.

04-16-2012, 02:25 PM	#1
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	Shipping a bike overseas? Does anyone here have any experience shipping a bike overseas? Most specifically, shipping one from the UK to the US? I'm looking for companies and prices and time to ship. I have a friend visiting in 2014 from the UK and we're going to ride Route 66. While I plan on having a bike for him to ride, I think it would be nice if he could ship his here and ride his own. Thanks for your input!

04-16-2012, 06:37 PM	#3
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	also look up horizons unlimited. There are ways to make shipping cheap or expensive, and there are some times where it is actually cheaper to go by air than by sea. __________________

04-16-2012, 09:57 PM	#5
Dnyce flyin high Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cali Moto: 10speed huffy w/cards in the spokes Posts: 2,318	How far are you taking route 66? That's a ride I've always wanted to do __________________ "Racing Is Life, Everything Before and After is Just Waiting" Steve McQueen

04-17-2012, 12:20 AM	#7
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	I think it's easiest if you use an importer... They have guys that do just that for you. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

04-17-2012, 01:18 PM	#9
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	You are looking at $600 cheapest each way between the UK and the US, but that is most likely to a major port, like Newark or baltimore or LA __________________

04-16-2012, 02:26 PM	#2
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	I would ask ADV, those guys do it all the time.

04-16-2012, 09:13 PM	#4
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Air should be a lot faster. I cringe at the thought of boating it.

04-16-2012, 10:07 PM	#6
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	I can meet you at the half way mark.

04-17-2012, 12:38 PM	#8
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	Thanks for the tips guys! It's going to be in 2014 but, I want to start getting things lined-out as early as possible to avoid problems down the road! The plan is to leave here (TN) and head to Chicago then the coast from there with some stops along the way like the Grand Canyon and family and friends. Then, haul-ass back by way of I-40 to home. Hopefully, we can iron-butt the trip back! I'll have a bike for him to ride but, if at all possible, I'm sure it would be better for him to ride his own so, I'm looking at rates to see if it's feasible.

04-17-2012, 01:58 PM	#10
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Will his bike have to be registered and emission tested here? I'm sure it'll pass emissions no problem since the UK has higher restrictions.