Hi Herbert:

Welcome to the HUBB.

I've shipped my Canadian-plated ST1100 back and forth to Europe numerous times over the past 10 years. The first time one does this, it is a bit of a steep learning curve, but once you get all the protocols figured out, it is less of a logistic headache than you might think is will be.

Some thoughts for you:

1) Shipping it - I've always used Motorcycle Express to organize the shipping of the bike. Gail Goodman is the person I speak to, she has been doing this work for at least 10 years and has it all figured out. This company is based in the USA (Syosset, NY), so, you can pay in US dollars and use your US credit card, etc. They provide good service and will make sure you don't encounter any unexpected surprises.

It is cheaper and a lot more trouble-free to ride the bike up to Canada (Toronto or Montréal) and then ship from there to Europe. Shipping it out of Canada to Europe will allow you to avoid all the fear, uncertaintly, and doubt associated with air transportation in the USA. Basically, you just ride the bike up to the air cargo building (making sure you have 1/4 of a tank of gas or less in it), disconnect the battery, then the cargo staff will load the bike into a container for you. Bring a spare key, which you attach to the gas tank flap with a string - this to allow the cargo staff to verify that the tank is 1/4 full or less.

Sometimes, Gail can make arrangements for you to travel to Europe on the same flight as the moto. The best I ever did was land at 6:30 in the morning, and be on the road (on the moto) at 8:30 in the morning... but if you are doing this for the first time, plan on about a half a day to get the bike through customs, out of the container, and on the road.

Moto loaded in shipping container


Although you are not supposed to have anything in the saddlebags, etc., in practice I have never had any problems loading the saddlebags up with clothing and stuff like that. Just be sure you don't include any motorcycle supplies (e.g. chemicals) that would be considered 'dangerous goods'. The moto itself is not considered dangerous goods.

2) Insurance - if you are doing this for the first time, best to get the insurance from Gail at Motorcycle Express. It's a bit more expensive there than other alternatives such as getting it yourself in Europe, but since you are doing this for the first time, make life easy and get everything from Gail. Have the proof of insurance with you when you go to pick up the bike from the cargo building in Europe. My experience has been that the customs guys don't have any interest in the moto (they have never bothered to go and visually inspect mine), but they do want to make sure you have it appropriately insured for operation in Europe.

3) Gold Wing - there are a few Gold Wings in Europe, but they are uncommon and certainly considered to be a 'very large' motorcycle. Make sure you have fresh tires and brakes on it and have all the maintenance done before you leave, because it may be difficult to find a service facility that is familiar with this size of bike outside of major cities.

4) Trailer - honestly, I wouldn't recommend bringing one. It is very rare to see a moto towing a trailer in Europe. I think you would encounter headaches shipping it (getting it into the container), headaches insuring it, and headaches driving with it (the roadways and parking spots are a lot smaller). Plus, as one other person has already mentioned, why would you ever need a trailer if you are travelling solo on a GW? Just get a big duffle bag to hold your camping stuff and lay it across the passenger seat.

On the topic of camping - I'm 55, and I just don't camp. I stay in hotels, pensions, or hostels. The hostels in Europe cater to all ages, in fact, there are even Elderhostels (Google it) that cater specifically to the 55+ crowd. I think that camping is too much of a logistical headache - the tent, the groundsheet, the sleeping bag, all that crap - plus, if you don't camp, then you can carry everything you need in the enclosed saddlebags and trunk on the moto, and that eliminates a big worry about theft of stuff that is strapped to the bike (not to mention that the bike is easier to ride if you don't have an external load on it).

5) Where to go - I don't know if you speak any languages other than English. If you don't, then I suggest you ship your bike out of Canada into either Germany (preferred) or France (second choice). Most people you encounter there will be able to communicate with you in English. I don't suggest you ship into England - the place is too crowded, it is expensive, the customs paperwork is hell, and they drive on the wrong side of the road.

6) Traffic Laws - If you are not familiar with Europe, you really should do a LOT of studying of what the traffic signs mean and what the traffic laws are. In Europe, drivers are expected to have a high level of competence - consider that it takes less instruction to get a pilot's licence in the USA than it does to get a driver's licence in Switzerland. Doing something that is fully accepted in the USA, such as passing in the right lane of a multi-lane road, or turning right on a red light after a full stop, will get you into a heck of a lot of trouble in Europe.

7) GPS - I most strongly recommend that you purchase and install a good quality (i.e. top of the line, with audio input to your helmet) motorcycle GPS, and make sure that you have current cartography for Europe in the GPS. This will give you great peace of mind and dramatically reduce the stress of driving in the unfamiliar environment - not to mention greatly reducing your chance of having an accident, because you won't need to divert so much of your attention to navigation.

Hope these suggestions help. Feel free to PM me if you want, perhaps we can talk on the phone.

Michael