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21 Mar 2010
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Contributing Member
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 74
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To Ship / Buy / Rent?
U.S. citizen interested in touring to undeterminrd destinations connected through europe.
Can you buy a bike in europe and have all the necessary docs to travel unrestricted? Or is it easier to ship from the U.S.?
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21 Mar 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Isle of Lewis
Posts: 153
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I have a mate from the USA doing just that.
There are a few hoops to jump through but very do-able.
Rory
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23 Mar 2010
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 53
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I asked the same question last year. Have a look at the following:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ip-store-40908
In short, shipping my bike to Germany, storing my bike there indefinitely, and buying a replacement from the States was the best/cheapest option for me because I knew I wanted to return and do the trip more than once.
Let me know if you have any more specific questions that I might be able to answer.
- Jeff
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23 Mar 2010
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 103
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We shipped and left it there for three years with people we met along the way. We flew it to Frankfurt and we arrived the same day. We rode the S-bahn to town and got insurance from the ADAC using a friend's German address, went back to the airport and passed customs, then rode off that afternoon. Easy to do.
Two weeks rental rates equalled shipping costs, by air, from the US west coast to Germany. I can't imagine what three years would have cost!!
We didn't explore buying and riding. I imagine it would take a local address and maybe a local driver's license. And bike prices for the same bike as we shipped were double the cost of it in the US. We bought a second, identical, bike to ride while at home between trips.
However you do it, DO IT! The trips we made totaled about 45,000 miles amd covered most all of Europe from Norway to Morocco and Ireland to Greece. It is an experience we'll have forever that cannot be duplicated in the US. And we have toured it form Alaska to Guadalajara, Mexico west of the Great Plains. We hope to do the East Coast someday, but returning to Europe is the priority when we get some more money.
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23 Mar 2010
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Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
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Per the above posts, the key is that bikes are far cheaper in the States than in Europe, all things being equal. In most cases the price difference is greater than shipping and storage; you save money by bringing a bike over from the States and either leaving it there or even shipping back home again (or both in succession, which is what I did). Meanwhile, you get to use your own bike with your own chosen upgrades, and you save the trouble of shopping for a bike on unfamiliar ground. Since AFAIK you can't bring a Urpian bike home and register it in North America, you also save the trouble of selling when you're finished.
Hope that helps.
Mark
(from South America, riding the same bike which lived in Europe for 16 months)
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
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Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
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Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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