Shipping to the States

[Steppenwulf]

I've been chatting to Trev-Hog about going to Sturgis in 2008, it'll be his 50th and his idea is to get a load of bikes together and ship them out to the States and ride over to enjoy the sites and sounds of what is arguably one of the best rallies on the planet So in the past few hours I have spent a while surfing the net getting ideas on alternative ways of shipping bikes to the US.

With no clear ideas or routes I'm just surfing and getting a feel for the alternatives out there. Air freight gets you closer to Sturgis than sending the bike by sea but works out at about 6 to 10 times the price So I concentrated on looking at sea routes

A quick search shows that the rough distance (via Interstate) from Houston to Rapid City is 1475 miles, San Francisco to Rapid City is 1500 miles and from New York it's 1750 miles. At the moment it's all pie in the sky but a quick look at the area's involved it looks like the ride from SF would be the most dramatic and scenic ride

I also found a good site that gives online quotations for both sea and air freight rates, freight-calculator.com/ what they have come up with so far are these figures-

A 20' container from Southampton to Oakland -$4275.00

A 20' container from Southampton to New York- $3000.00

A 20' container from Southampton to Huston - $2400.00

Before I twist my head anymore I was wondering if anyone has had experience of shipping via container, mainly what's the best way of securing bikes in a container (should they be crated up) and how many could you get in a 20' container? Also any comments on the best way to get from either the West or East coast to Sturgis would be well appreciated.

[BaZa®]

Shipping to U.S.A. ( 1 2)
brunokatz

[Steppenwulf]

Baza thanks for the link but there was nothing there of any help

I think this is worthy of a new thread anyhows ;)

Hi,

I looked in to shipping my road king to the states for a 4 week holiday,the price sh1te the life out of me £2,500.00 gbp,but i was a lone chappie with just a single bike,more bikes and one might of got a deal,needless to say i declined and may go back to my original idea to rent a car,then just get a bike for a couple of days when i reach Arizona/Nevada,still in the planning stage.

The idea to get a complete container is a good one,i believe a few people used this idea for the 2003 anniversary bash out stateside.I guess a 20' container should take about 6 bikes.The worry of the bikes being made secure by the shipping company is a good point,no doubt you have done a google search what about asking HOG for advice/help or is HOG a swear word

Steve

Hi,

A few of our Chapter shipped bikes over to Milwaukee in 2003. They went by sea and we got excellent service from Claridon Shipping www.claridon.com who have many years experience shipping Harleys around the world. You drop the bike off at one of their UK depots and pick it up, ready to ride away, at your destination. Claridon handle all the paperwork. When you've finished your trip you drop the bike back with them and they ship it home for you. They have special pallets and containers that ensure the bikes safety.

If you're shipping by sea you do "lose" your bike for a few weeks either side of your trip.

In 2003 prices were £900 per bike plus about £200-300 shipping insurance. That was for a return ship direct to Milwaukee.

There are specially negotiated rates for HOG members. Try them, see what you think.

While I think on, you can hire a big twin for $89 a day for hires of longer than 6 days. Which means that for anything less than a 30 day trip it's cheaper and easier to rent.

I've been four times to the States and each time I've rented. No problems with insurance, and you don't miss your bike for weeks at home.

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by billynick

I've been four times to the States and each time I've rented. No problems with insurance, and you don't miss your bike for weeks at home.

Hit the nail on the head there..Who would want to loose their bike a few weeks either side of a 2/3 week holiday?

[Steppenwulf]

Thanks for the informative replies fellas, excellent info for us to mull over.

Baza, riding through Monument Valley, the Badlands of Dakota etc. on your own bike, turning up at Sturgis with a UK registered Harely- there are a few of us who seriously think that would be a trip and a party to remember for the rest of our lives.

[BaZa®]

Originally Posted by Steppenwulf

Thanks for the informative replies fellas, excellent info for us to mull over.

Baza, riding through Monument Valley, the Badlands of Dakota etc. on your own bike, turning up at Sturgis with a UK registered Harely- there are a few of us who seriously think that would be a trip and a party to remember for the rest of our lives.

Take a spare reg' plate (Velcrow) with you we all have them for the MOT and of course a .....LOL


Jon don't get me wrong I'd love to do it.....Just can't (only a dream) being a pensioner an' all that!...

[Steppenwulf]

Nice idea about the plate Baza, no doubt it would be easier to ship! As for your advice regarding flags, I was going to pack one of these



one of these



and a pair of these...