Renting a bike in Europe vs shipping from US, then to N Afri
 

I'm wondering what sort of luck people have had renting or purchasing bikes in Europe and taking them to North Africa versus shipping a bike over from the U.S.

First of all, if it's through a commercial establishment, is it legal to do so? I have found some shops that rent XTs around Europe, but I'm not sure if they'd allow me to take them overseas.

Are there any shops that rent overland-prepared bikes in Europe that people have had good experience with? If not, I guess the alternative is to find someone here who might rent a bike of theirs.

I'm asking because I'm trying to do a cost/risk analysis of shipping my XRL over versus getting a bike in Europe, preparing it, ensuring its reliability (if it's used) and taking it down with me.

Also, for those who have purchased bikes and then re-sold them after a trip, do most shops have any special agreements for this type of arrangement?

Cheers,
Wright Bagwell

David Lambeth Engineering (Tel: +44 1892 668280 Fax: +44 1892 611883) in the UK say they have fully prepared XT600Es and Teneres for hire for overlanding in their advert in UK Trail Bike Magazine.