Help! Address in LA area needed for importing R1200GS - Customs Requirement.
 

Hi,

Would any good soul help please. Just informed that I need a forward address to import my bike to the States (LA). The address I was planning to use was of a local motel, but now am told that it needs to be a proper address.

Details:

R1200GS from Brisbane Qld Aust. to LA California.

Bike is leaving Thurs 1st May 08. Need the address by the Weds moring prior

My flight is Tues 6th May 08, (arriving an hour before I leave on the same day ?????)

Please PM me if you can help and I will be forever gratefull.

Kind Regards Ben.

55 miles north.
 

I am 55 North of LAX in Oxnard. I will PM.

Thanks, Rick. I was going to give him my in-laws' address in Camarillo, or my parents' address in Northridge, but I don't know how they would have reacted to a strange bike showing up at their homes, without their knowledge, LOL...

Ulterior Motive.
 

Well, there was an ulterior motive. If you recall I am heading for Australia on Aug 27th for a 3.5 month tour! :=) www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/rickmcd Seriously, I hope I can help. I sent a PM to him but haven't heard back.

Rick,
 

I've sent you a PM with my email - Cheers Ben.

Back Atcha
 

Ben, I replied with info in PM and also email. Let me know what else you need. I have a room, garage, tools, pickup, and lots of time (till Aug 27th). :=)

Bigfoot made it to USA!
 

Ben made it here to the good ol' USA. VERY nice guy (maybe bit shy, I'd say). Managed to get his bike after dealing with the "US Customs Agent from Hell" :=) Stopped by my house for a GREAT visit. We went over maps (both Oz for me and Western US for him). His general route is Death Valley, Zion/Bryce Canyon, Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Moab, Flaming Gorge, Yellowstone, Beartooth Pass, Lolo Pass (Idaho), Central Washington then up to Prudhoe Bay and back to the HU meeting in Merrit. If you see a big bloke on a 1200 GS with all three Jesse's and Australia plates, be sure to say "Hi". He's planned a LONG trip (2 maybe 3 years).

Who did you ship with?
 

Hi,

Ben - hope you're having a great trip round USA. I plan to ride across USA and Canada for three months next year, after three months in Oz. Was looking to fly the bike from Brisbane to LA just like you did.

If you have a chance on the road - could you reply or PM me with who you used to ship the bike from Oz to USA with - and were they any good? Any contacts/recommendations would be really helpful.

Cheers,

Joey

Shipping to USA
 

Joey, I am sure Ben can give you many more details but since they called me twice, I know that he shipped his bike using Qantas Freight. I ask him to keep in touch via email during his travels so if/when he does I'll refer him to your post.
Rick

Rick, good to hear you got him off to a good ride (whether or not you had ulterior motives ;) for doing so). Wish I had known, since he's in the northern AZ area, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay") is highly recommended by me, and the old stand-in, Monument Valley (near Canyon de Chelly) is always good for a ride to/through.

Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly!
 

I left Monument Valley out of the general course I posted but we did include it and the Mexican Hat area (don't you just LOVE route 261 North out of there) on the route we planned for him (after Zion/Bryce). I admit I forgot Canyon de Chelly (but it is a bit south of his course), and I love the place also. I "accidentally" found it on a trip to the Four Corners Rally some years back. Got an excellent horseback tour (little problem riding the moto the next day)! :=)

Bigfoot spotted in the Colorado mountains
 

Hi all,
Just a short note to let you know I'm still alive. Currently I'm just north of Denver. I took the scenic track from Mesa Verde (Silverton etc) through as many snow covered mountain ranges as possible - I highly recommend Gerbings heated suites by the way. I would like to get up to the Crazy Horse / Presidents Monuments via Nebraska starting tomorrow (15/5/08).

I will have to work out this blogg thing and start posting pictures.

Rick - been having trouble with my email account - am able to download but not send anything. I will organize a hotmail account soon.

Cheers Ben.

PS Qantas Freight were great to send the bike with. Total AUD1780 for an uncreated 316Kg bike - Will have to post details on the HU shipping page some time soon.

Qantas
 

Joey,

when I get my finger out I'll put the details on the shipping page for all to see.

Basically:-

All the places you need to visit are close to each other in Brisbane airport area

1. Oz customs - permission to take your bike out (you will probably be on a Carnet)

2. DGM - Dangerous goods management - a business that will check your bike and issue a document saying it's ok to fly.

3. Qantas - 1 or 2 litres of fuel + battery taped off + really clean.

4. Try not to sob loudly as you walk away from your pride and joy ( I failed ).

Cheers Ben

Cheers for that info mate, it seems like our travels are quite a long way away, but the clock is ticking, and all this info will be very useful when the time comes... Quantas seem like the people to try first from what i've heard.

Safe travels

Joey