10Likes
![Reply](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/buttons/reply.gif) |
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
12 Aug 2018
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Okotoks, Alberta
Posts: 1
|
|
Twist on shipping a Bike to Europe
So a friend of mine had suggested that we would order Motorcycles in the next year or so. We want to get some upgraded Adventure bikes. But as the twist we thought we would have the new bikes delivered to a European Dealer and assembled for pickup there. The intent was to only have to ship the bike to Canada and not receive a new bike only to turn around and ship it back to Europe. We want to ride around Europe once we pick up our bikes. Has anyone done this before? I know this has been done because it is actually written in one of Neil Peart's books. He did this with one of his BMW motorcycles while on tour in Europe. But then he has probably a lot more pull with BMW then I would.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
12 Aug 2018
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,940
|
|
This used to be common, at least for Americans; people flew to Europe, bought cars or bikes there, toured around, and returned home with their new vehicles. It's rare these days because specs on European vehicles (of all sorts) are different from what is legal in the US, and the bureaucratic processes for importing unapproved vehicles so expensive, that hardly anyone wants to bother.
Besides, cars and bikes are generally cheaper in the US anyway, although who knows how this will change with the current upheavals in international trade. How this relates to you as a Canadian I don't really know....but I bet the economics and bureaucratic considerations are pretty similar.
The other key piece is that it's nice to spend some time getting to know the idiosyncrasies of your chosen bike, fitting needed travel accessories, and working through any warranteed defects before leaving home. For the thousand dollars or so it'll cost to ship your bike to Europe, that's not a bad deal. The Air Canada program is one obvious possibility; I'd also check into Stefan Knopf's shipping and storage offerings if you can be flexible about time and place.
Someone else will know better than I which manufacturers still offer North American spec bikes for sale in Europe. If you happen to be extremely wealthy and one of the best rock and roll drummers of all time, well, that's probably going to smooth the way to some extent!
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
13 Aug 2018
|
![Grant Johnson's Avatar](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/customavatars/avatar10401_1.gif) |
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,278
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by cwevenson
So a friend of mine had suggested that we would order Motorcycles in the next year or so. We want to get some upgraded Adventure bikes. But as the twist we thought we would have the new bikes delivered to a European Dealer and assembled for pickup there. The intent was to only have to ship the bike to Canada and not receive a new bike only to turn around and ship it back to Europe. We want to ride around Europe once we pick up our bikes. Has anyone done this before? I know this has been done because it is actually written in one of Neil Peart's books. He did this with one of his BMW motorcycles while on tour in Europe. But then he has probably a lot more pull with BMW then I would.
|
Mark has it right on this, with the addition of the following:
- What you got when you picked up your bike in Europe was a CANADA or USA spec bike, produced and held just for you, and sold BY YOUR LOCAL DEALER to you.
- With the huge increase in numbers of bikes made and sold by BMW, they cancelled this program years ago. I BELIEVE but am not certain that some of the reason for cancelling was also due to tightening restrictions on shipping bikes in, and in Canada for instance the extremely tight regulations on importing a bike into the country, even one made for Canada. If it didn't come in to the OEM distributor they don't like it.
- Currently to my knowledge there are NO European delivery packages available. As Mark says, there are advantages to not wasting your vacation time messing about setting up a bike and dealing with a 1000km first serve etc.
Hope that helps clarify it!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
![Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.](/stuff/ripcord/ripcord-logo-250.jpg)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
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
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
![Five books by Graham Field!](/stuff/grahamfield/graham-field-2021-280.jpg)
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
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.
|
|
|