Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Transport
Scotland to South America Scotland to South America
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Transport Shipping the vehicle and yourself.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Hill Shipping - Motorcycle and car Shipping Experts!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Mar 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Scotland to South America
Anyone shipped a bike from Scotland to South America (preferably Buenos Aires) recently or have any info on this? Either flying or ship as not leaving till autumn '06. I've had some quotes around £850 flying it from Edinburgh to Buenos Aires however putting it on a ship may be cheaper?

Cheers

mike
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 72
Mike,

I shipped my bike by sea to BA but I had to take it down to England first. Be aware the cost may be cheaper to send by sea initially but the over all cost once you've paid for import and various costs at the other end will make it more expensive.

If you've managed to get the price for shipping the bike by air from Scotland at around £800 your doing very well. If that was me I'd take that quote. Make sure your getting everything for that cost, crating, customs paperwork and such.

Also if your coming back the same way try and keep the crate and store it in BA somewhere.

Costs at the airport in BA are minimal so you should be able to ship the bike for around a grand intotal.

Try doing a search for Fritz on the site, he shipped his bike to BA by air, there's a very good explanation of what to do.

Hope this helps. You'll love the south, I'mabout to fly back after 5 months and it's been truly amazing!

Cheers

Nik

------------------
Life is far too short...so don't waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com
__________________
Life is far too short...so don\'t waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Mar 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Thanks Nick

Yeah, the £850 quote excludes costs on arrival but I also got other quotes for £1000 and £1200 so the price fairly varies from company to company. Is 2m3 about right for the bike in a crate (with panniers etc shoved in too)? I'm just guessing as to the size once wheels/mirrors/screen off.

My plan at the minute is to get to BA for October, south to TDF then up west cost to hopefully end up in Canada about 6 months later but not made any plans on how I'm coming back- will just play it by ear.

Have enjoyed reading your blog by the way- looks like a lot of fun! I'm planning on going to the HU meet in June so hopefully see you there (and pick your brains over a pint!).

Take it easy

Mike
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
Hi Mike

Two cubic metres seems a bit much to me; what bike? Run a tape measure over it, add the depth of a pallet and compute. When you get a quote, the shipper or agent should be able to tell you the volumetric equivalent of a kg so all you have to do is make sure that you're not paying for air!

When I flew my 1100GS to EZE with a friend's similar bike in a double crate I doubt the volume was even three cu. mtrs. We put them nose to tail with the bar clamps, front wheels, beaks, screens and no. plates off. There were no charges at EZE other than $US75 each for one day's storage as they arrived on a Sunday and the cargo bit was closed.

£850 doesn't sound too bad, unless it's for a Serow or CT200!

Regards, Mick
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
FWIW we got two XR60Rs with long-range tanks (v.bulky!) into less than 1.8m3. we had to work to get the height down as they were going on an Ethiopian Airlines 757 with a 1m height limit for the door.
2m3 will be charged the same as 333kg (60 litres is charged as 1kg). I always end up paying by weight and it always seem to surprise the handlers that you can pack a bike so small if you're mean.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Mar 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Hi

It's a R1150GS. I gave the shipping agent the standard length x width x height spec for that type of bike and they have used that to calculate the vol but would obviously be smaller than that, but by how much, I'm not sure. I'll also have alu panniers that I'll put in the crate. I take it it might be easier to take the bike over to the shipping companys place in Edinburgh airport and let them take a look to give me a more accurate price?

cheers

mike
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Mar 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 72
Hi Mike,

Those dimentions sound about right. The crate my 1200GS was in was 3X2X1, I had one pannier, a set if tires and other luggage in with it so there wasn't much spare room.

To be honest you can spend ages worring about £50 here or there but at the end of the day if your happy with the cost and guys your dealing with just go with it...

Yea I'll at the meeting in June, hoping to do a small talk..will have to see! Hope to see you there.

Cheers

Nik

------------------
Life is far too short...so don't waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com
__________________
Life is far too short...so don\'t waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Mar 2006
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
Hi Guys,
It would be very helpful for all people planning to go shortly to South America if you could post details of company etc you used to ship/flight you bike to SA.
Last postage in section "Shipments by travellers" Europe to SA was sept 2005 by a french guy, then next one was posted back in 2004. I'm trying to get some more recent info on this.
Thanks,

Maria
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 Mar 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
Hi Mike

Have a trial dismantle/re-assemble of your bike (you don't want to be doing it first time for real!) and measure up. If you don't trust the manufacturer's weight details (I didn't) ride down to your local weighbridge for a figure. Everything else you're putting in your crate can be weighed on bathroom scales. Don't take separate luggage to fly yourself out, take a pannier (I put an old seat belt through the hoops for a shoulder strap) packed to as near 20kg as possible and have your helmet as hand luggage. Once you have firm weight/volume figures you'll be in a much better position to get accurate quotes.

See you at Ripley.

Regards, Mick
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 21 Apr 2006
sunflowers's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Posts: 96
UK to SA
Along with Maria's request can you please send the details of the company that quoted around £800 as I am also looking at getting mine from London to either Quito or Lima (haven't decided yet).

Thanks,
Annette
__________________
www.alaska2argentina.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Apr 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 44
Hi Mike,
I believe you've been talking to Iain about SA in October. I'm also joining you guys for the first month and a bit. (Unfortunately finances and a non-biker boyfriend are preventing me for going any longer - gutted)
I'm currently trying to get prices for two bikes out of London but if you want I can ask about 3 bikes also - if it makes it any cheaper - and if you fancy heading to London before you leave. There would be a spare bed if needed.

NikB - looking forward to hearing your talk in June. Have been following your blog with interest.

See you both in June.

Michelle
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Apr 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Hi Guys

Yeah, was good to get to speak to Iain the other day. Still so much to sort out! Bike stuff mostly sorted and am now on to getting some decent camping equipment.

Haven't looked at the shipping for a while but the quote I got was from Davies Turner http://www.daviesturner.com/aircargo/

As I said, the £850ish quote didn't include crating the bike or the charges on arrival so I'd expect it might be a bit over a grand or so all told? That was going from Edinburgh to B.A. via Heathrow if I remember right.

Thanks for the accommodation offer Michelle- if you can find out if its cheaper to send three bikes at once let me know otherwise I'll probably try and ship from Edinburgh if possible being a lazy Scot!

Hopefully see some of you guys in at the HU meet in June

Cheers

Mike
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 12:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top