Crate size?
 

Hi,
In my efforts to find a way to ship my bike to S Am, I am finding that the cost is highly dependant on the crate size.

I am hoping I can get some ideas of what size a bike will become when crated. I am think of a bike like an f650gs, v-strom 650, transalp etc.

If you can give me an idea how big you crate was & how much the bike was taken down to get there I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Hi Glass

The first thing you need to know is the volumetric equivalent of the weight charged for by the carrier(s). You then need to get your crate below this volume, otherwise you will be paying for them to transport air!

At the least you will need to remove the front wheel and turn the bars sideways having removed the clamps but leaving the cables etc. connected. With little air in the rear tyre (essential for unpressurised hold) and firm strapping down this should do the trick. If you have hard luggage use one pannier with some suitable temporary straps as your "suitcase" to further reduce the crated weight.

Regards, Mick

Freighting a BMW 1150
 

I airfreighted a BMW 1150 Adv to Santiago Chile from Brisbane, Aust in Sept 06 & returned by sea in March 07.
We removed the front wheel, screen & ducks bill etc, to get the crate dimensions down to about 85cm wide x 120cm high & 190cm long. Actual weight was about 310kgs (we used a cut-down & much modified steel Honda Goldwing crate so we could get it back into Aust, as wood needs to be fumigated etc).
Volumetric weight was slightly higher, from memory.
You should be able to get it a fair bit narrower, as the obvious constraint for us was engine width. I was able to keep the bars on as they were slightly narrower than the cylinders.

Mark