(Hungary, 9,1,2005)
Greetings,

Im totally new and green!I know NOTHING of heading overseas, or especially with a bike. Outside of camping and bike gear,I am selling all my possesions. The Lord has revealed his call upon my life as a missionary. Here's my story:

Well, it's official, Im selling out. As in literally selling everything I own that isnt bike or camping/outdoors gear. The Lord has revealed his call upon my life for full-time missions, err.. that is to spread the gospel of Jesus to the people of wherever he sends me. It appears he is sending me to a type of on the job training in Hungary come late summer, so me and the KLR will be going. Looks like I will be there for about a year, then on to who knows where... (If God were to ask my opinion of where to go I would say the Amazon/Brazil, or the Africa deserts, or.....)
Anyway, here's my questions and concerns. I will be in a new and unfamilar place, with no option for transportation other than the bike, bus or boots. Per my research the area of Vajta, Hungary has year round temps very similar to what I have been used to here in E. Tennessee,USA all my life, but they get quite a bit more snow/ice. I plan on taking studded tires as well.

In closing, I ask all those willing, to pray for my ministry- seriously, I request a permanant place on your daily prayer list for "Knobby Tire Ministries" or K.T.M.
(KTM ministries on a KLR?? )
This thing is much larger than I and a task Im simply not smart enough for, good enough for etc, but God is big enough to supernaturally more than fill in my gaps. All I know is he called me, and Im willing. If I where he I would have chose someone else (BETTER!), but I am not he! Im just a poor east Tennessee hillbilly with a heart for God and a love for people. My greatest prayer need is that God would help me get out of the way(my flesh, my shortcomings & faults), so he can use me. Secondly I need to be equipped to do this task for him, spiritually first and physically second (the gear, the ongoing required finances support, and that doors be opended to countries, to hearts.) Thanks and I look forward to reading your answers to my questions.
-------------
So that's the cut-n-paste of my story...

It appears im going for training in (Vajta,)Hungary September 1,2005. I have searched thread after thread and can find no "beginners info" or specific info pertaining to shipping my KLR, I can only find a list of carriers. I have a few questions I really need answered.If anybody has any tips, tricks specific info or "been there, done that" wisdom on how and with who to ship a bike, costs, etc. Please let me know, Im on a shoe string budget. Im told it may be cheaper to sell my KLr and buy one there. Is this true or possible? Will I have to put a European registration on my bike when it gets there? Will it have to pass some kind of noise/emmissions testing? What about insurance?

Thank you for reading my long post. ANY info and help will be greatly appreciated.

Tres
Knobby Tire Ministries
Romans 10:14,15

__________________
_ _______ _
Tres MonCeret
\"It is not dying man should fear, rather at his time of death he should fear never having lived\" - Marcus Aurelius

Hello Tres, and welcome to the Horizons Unlimited Bulletin Board (HUBB), which is part of a whole website full of useful information, much of which is accessible via the menu to your left, or the 'Search' function on the top right of every page. Here goes!

Shipments by Travellers (left menu or click on this link) will take you to a page where you can search by continent (recommended) or by country for actual shipments by travellers, with their recommendations, contact details for the shippers they used, and frequently information about paperwork etc. when they arrived. No shipments direct to Hungary, but you can get to Europe from the US by either plane or ship.

Air or Sea and links to useful tips for shipping

The only issue might be registering the bike if you don't have a local address. If you are residing in Hungary legally, then you should be able to buy a bike there and register it. As to price, Soviet-era bikes are quite cheap and crappy, Japanese bikes will be more expensive, possibly more than in the US.

Depends on how long you are staying in the country - if you are just passing through, no need to register it. If you are staying 6 months or more, you may have to register and get a local drivers license, etc. If possible, avoid local registration because there may be duty, taxes and reams of paperwork involved.

Only if you plan to register it. See above. Unlikely anyway, but your bike should easily pass if it passes in the USA.

Liability insurance, also known as 'Green Card' insurance, is required throughout Europe and is available through several agencies. See this link). If you ship your bike through Motorcycle Express, they will arrange it all. Otherwise, try Knopf Tours.

Good luck!
Susan




------------------
Susan Johnson

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

And almost forgot to mention - there will be a Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting in North Carolina June 17-19. See the Travellers Meetings 2005 page for all the details.

Maybe we'll see you there...

------------------
Susan Johnson

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks so much for the info/help. I appreciate you being so gracious.

God Bless,
Tres
K.T.M.

__________________
_ _______ _
Tres MonCeret
\"It is not dying man should fear, rather at his time of death he should fear never having lived\" - Marcus Aurelius