Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 May 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1
Ship or buy ... Australians in USA

Spent three years in USA in the early 2000s

Eager to go back and spend some more time there (6 months) ... discovering new places and visiting old friends.

Toying with either freighting my bike from Queensland Australia to USA or buying a bike locally

Interested to hear from others about their experiences re either option

Geoff and Jill, Queensland
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: lobethal south australia
Posts: 37
I have only ever shipped my bike over. It can be difficult to get insurance when you are not a citizen. From my experience you have to have a U.S license to get insurance and an address etc. There is also the issue of registering a bike if you are not a citizen.
I use a shipping company and basically ride on to a container and ride off 4-6 weeks later. All paper work is done for you. No customs to deal with and you do not have to try to sell your bike at the end. Cost is about $3000 round trip all included.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 May 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
There are many bikes to buy. I went there when the Aussie dollar was 62c, so I had no choice but to buy there. That said, I bought a Vstrom for $4600, rode it for 90,000km and sold it in BaAs for $4500.

It was CA registered and I did buy insurance. That was a few years ago now, it may be worth your while to check out the cost of buying first, and then compare to shipping there (and back) of your own bike, I think you will be surprised how cheap it is to buy a bike.

Cheers
TS
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 May 2013
Registered User
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 377
G'day Geoff & Jill,

I keep a couple of bikes overseas, simply because the thought of shipping, the cost, paperwork, crate, customs, time factor getting the bike to and from the ports ect. ect. is simply a non event and a no brainer for me.

Having mates in the US possibly with a shed to store a bike and your riding gear? Buying would be IMHO a far better option. You'd save thousands on shipping alone and .... You can always head back to do the bits you missed or didnt have time for.

Good luck with it ;-) Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 May 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
I am from Australia and starting a trip in a few months, I plan to buy a bike when I get there and insure with Progressive (I think....).
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 May 2013
Bennett's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: FORBES N.S.W. AUSTRALIA
Posts: 97
I bought in the US in 2007, you need to choose a state that allows foreign ownership and a US address. I still have then KLR there stored now in Canada at a friends place. Last year I considered leaving the bike in Oregon and asked the Horizons community if there was some where I could store the bike. I got 5 offers within 24 hours.
IMHO I would not even consider shipping to North America.
Regards Ben.
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buy in USA and south or buy in Chile and ride north? Daze55556 South America 2 31 Jan 2013 13:54
USA to EU - ship or buy matloik Trip Transport 4 6 Jul 2012 14:58
Is this bike worth the price? Walace Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 26 Apr 2012 18:06
Raising the V-Strom: Buy raising links in USA & Ship to Colombia or find them there? arooni South America 5 3 Mar 2012 21:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:44.