Travelling USA - How to do it?
 

I'm planning to spend around 5 weeks travelling around the USA from late March
to early May 2008 and would love to do it on a HD Road King. I am unsure which is the best option - Rent for around 5 weeks or buy either new or second hand in USA then either sell or ship back to Australia. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

This is the same question I had in Sept '06. After much investigation we found it was cheaper to ship our own bikes (CBR1100XX and a VFR800) ex Brisbane to Vancouver for a short 9 week 18000km ride across Canada and the States. Cost per bike sea freight return was approx. $3400.00 AUD, with us crating and uncrating either end ourselves. A friend has since bought a pre '88 Gold Wing in the States, rode it around for several months then shipped it home and sold it for a profit. Anything after an '88 model is a lot more drama for rego. This might be worth a go!
Enjoy the trip it is fantastic riding country, particularly the Rockies.

Hope this helps
Glen

Travelling USA - how to do it?
 

Hi Glen

Had you done your trip this year I would have charged you $2650 return per bike - we're doing shipments to the USA from Bris, Syd & Melbourne in June. One Way price is $1650. Both prices are all inclusive. Maybe we're too cheap.

davidjs,

Please be aware there are import restrictions on bringing bikes into Australia. If the bike was built before 1 January, 1989 you still need to apply, but in most cases Import Approval is granted - do it before you do the shipping.

If built after 1 Jan 1989 you must have owned it and used it overseas for a minimum of 12 months before you can apply for Import Approval. Talk to DOTARS in Canberra for the info on Import Approval - 1800 815 272.

Kind regards
Dave Milligan GetRouted : Bike shipping and Tour Operator

Bikes in the USA are a bit less than most places. So buying in the US riding around shipping it home and selling can often be done. Used bikes in the US often have little miles on them. HD are more for status here more than a transportation.
Buy or Sell New and Used Motorcycles - CycleTrader.com
eBay
and others all have deals on them not being in to HD I dont know how good a deal they are.


5 weeks off wow ride 66 (gust to say you did) see the Harley-Davidson plant Harley-Davidson
if your in to it.
The Rockies, 101 and 1 on the west coast, the desert South West Tombstone's Boot hill, some of the parks National Park Service - Experience Your America all fun.

Have no fear Dave we will do business one day, maybe shipping to the TT or Noo Zeelund.

Don't go to the Harley factory in Milwaukee like us expecting to see shiny new bikes rolling off the end of the assembly line. It is a drive train factory, so all you see there is engines and gearboxes. Still interesting but not what all the visitors are expecting.

Do not miss Crazy Horse (South Dakota), it shits all over Mt Rushmore IMO. West Yellowstone National Park was also a highlight.

Here is a link to the thread that I started to gain lots of valuable info http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t=trans+canada hope this helps

Glen

Thanks for the info
 

Thanks Glen, Dave and DLbiten - you've given lots of good info and tips - and given me plenty to think about!
Cheers and thanks,
David.