I've been thinking of taking a trip to Ireland and the mainland for 3 weeks or so next year. I currently own two bikes and while I would like to own a third, who wouldn't, can't afford it. So I've got a couple of questions that need some IMHO answers.

The two bikes I own are a 96 Honda Shadow VLX 600 and a 2000 Kawasaki Concours. The pros and cons that I've thought of are listed below.

Shadow: Pros: light, much better gas miliage, smaller.
Cons: Smaller, or harder to see, much smaller gas tank only 2.9 gallons, no locking luggage and none that I know of will fit.

Connie: Pros: faster, more power etc, much larger gas tank 7.5 gallons, has locking luggage, I have more miles and know more about the bike than the Shadow.
Cons: Heavy, almost GoldWing heavy, in a tip over usually broken footpegs and plastic, so much so that I now carry spare parts, worse gas mileage, much wider.

How much difference in shipping will it be? I know there's no exact amount right now but I think the Shadow is around 300-350 pounds and the Connie is at least 600. Is there going to be a major difference in shipping or will they be about the same? Both have the advantage and disadvantage, the Shadow will be easier to move/park in cities, the Connie can hold more stuff. The other thing is that the Shadow is in need of some major repairs, or would be for that, while the Connie is good to go. I also know how to work on the Connie since I now do most of it myself, something I have not done on the Shadow.

So I guess I really want to know is, is the shipping price THAT much different, if it's not a whole lot then I'd probably take the Connie. Also do most flights for Ireland go from NYC and Boston? Most that I have seen do, does this mean the best way would be to take the bike to NYC and fly with it? I'm in the DC area. Any opionions are welcome.

Hi Edward

Check out Motorcycle Express http://www.motorcycleexpress.com/express/home.asp for a fast online quote on your two bikes, so you can do the cost comparison.

They are also recommended as a shipper, with lots of experience. I recently was told by Mike Mandel, the head of the company that shipping out of Canada was considerably cheaper than out of the USA, so you might want to consider that option. He did also say that 4 weeks was about breakeven on shipping vs. renting a bike in Europe.

Good luck and please let us know how you go.

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Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

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


[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 18 July 2002).]

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Susan Johnson

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

Thanks for the reply. Going to Canada is an option as I'm not that far from the boarder. But I've tried their express quote and they said they do not do either Shannon or Dublin, though they are listed in the list.

When you get a few quotes you will see from the cost breakdown that the actual volume is only part of the cost , sometimes less than half .

Factor in customs clearances , document charges and so on which are the same price for a 125 or a goldwing .

If you are having problems flying the bike into Ireland you could always fly it to London and take a ferry from Wales to Dublin, Rosslare, or Cork.

As for choice of bike the tank size is not very important as there are lots of gas stations, and the trip will not involve huge inter-continental riding. Take whichever bike you enjoy the most!

Don't make the mistake of trying to ride around Ireland in four or five days. Distances are not great but travel times can lengthy. Avoid the first two weeks in August which is when everyone is on the road.

Have a great ride.

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