Moving a bike from Andalucia to UK

[Mike]

Hello

I need to get my dead-or-at-least-very-poorly Bonneville from Almeria to the UK.

I'm going to look around the ex-pat community to see if there are any options with regular removals firms.

Or I buy a van or car/ trailer in the UK and come out to collect the bike.

... unless one of you kind folk have a better suggestion? Know anyone who happens to be driving back to the UK this summer with space for my bike..?

--Mike

[chris]

There are freight companies who move bikes to/from UK/Spain for track days at places like Jerez. Maybe they can help.

Chris

[Tony P]

You could ask Giles at James Air Cargo for a price. Motorcycle Shipping, Transport and Freight

I know they fly motos to Malaga on their way to Morocco for those who consider France and most of Spain to be too much of an 'adventure' for them!

Probably more appropriate for those with more cash than time - but you never know unless you ask.

[Rory799]

I used this (ebay 300708016238) motorbike carrier when my BMW died in Paris last year. The bike tows like a dream behind the car. Plus eurotunnel did not charge me for the bike. (but the M6 toll did)
A great bit of kit
Rory

[Mike]

Three great suggestions in a couple of hours -- I love the HUBB, me.

Rory, that carrier looks brilliant. I've contacted them to doublecheck the specs -- I'll be driving a little Renault Modus; in ideal circumstances, it'd be quicker to tow the car behind the Bonnie -- but that could well be the way to go.

Thanks to all.

[Tony P]

Rory's suggestion could save me a lot of miles/hassel getting my UK car and bike to Moscow at the same time.

I would probably have to take one across the EU/RUS border then walk back to EU to bring the second across then connect up again. But that would save me 6 days on the road and many times the cost.

I will in due course ask the supplier, but for now -

- am I right in thinking the car needs a normal tow-bar and ball - possibly with removable ball? The video is not clear.

- also, what is the Road Tax, MOT and insurance position regarding the bike?
Having a wheel on the road is it liable for all three - or is the whole set-up covered/included by the car?

[Rory799]

Hi Tony,
Your car needs to have a traditional tow-bar with 2 bolts holding the tow-ball onto the tow-bar. You remove the tow-ball and place the "base unit" between the tow-ball and the tow-bar. this base unit becomes a perminant fixture on your car. you can still use the tow-ball as standard. When you want to tow a bike ,simply fit the extention bars and bike carrier to the base unit and push your bike onto the wheel support. The whole job takes less than ten mins to complete. I can do the whole process on my own but I suggest you get someone to help you steady the bike the first time you use it. As for tax purposes your bike becomes a trailer. I can't fault the unit. I towed my bike from Paris to my home on the Isle of Lewis . It never once stepped out of line.
Don't try to reverse with the bike on it.
I have it fitted to Toyota Surf. I tryed it on an XJ6 but Jag's dont like tow bars (to low).
Rory

[Matt Roach]

If you do go for the ebay carrier referred to above, you might want to remove the chain before you commencing towing, otherwise the transmission will be under load when you tow.

I have used a similar homemade carrier for a few thousand kms offroad and it worked very well.

[Rory799]

Totally agree.
For a long distance I'd remove the chain.
No point in having the gearbox turning or putting extra mileage on the chain.
I had a shafty so had no choice.

Rory

[Tony P]

We, two well known Hubbers and I, were discussing this very point (disconnecting the chain) over a 10 hours ago.

Not only would it save wear to chain, sprockets and connected transmission parts, but such wear would otherwise be from force in the 'opposite direction' to normal, which could possibly be a further adverse factor.

[chris]

A mate of mine once fitted an Yam xj900 into the back of a Fiat Punto. Both wheels and forks off and back seat out of car and it fitted, with the boot closed. I saw it, so it ain't an urban myth.

Do the same with your Bonnie?? Would save the rear tyre too if you didn't tow it.

CHris

[Mike]

Originally Posted by chris

A mate of mine once fitted an Yam xj900 into the back of a Fiat Punto. Both wheels and forks off and back seat out of car and it fitted, with the boot closed. I saw it, so it ain't an urban myth.

Do the same with your Bonnie?? Would save the rear tyre too if you didn't tow it.

CHris

Ha ha ha! That may not happen.. don't want to get the rear seat too messy, after all.. but you've cheered me up on a crap day. Cheers!