Temporary motorcycle storage in Albania, Greece or thereabouts...
 

Hi all,

***Please excuse the repeat post -- I had an emergency medical procedure a few weeks ago and we've had to postpone our trip from May to September, thus changing where we will end this leg of our travels and therefore our storage plans.***

We are a Canadian couple exploring eastern Europe on Canadian-registered 2002 Kawi ZRX 1200R and 2016 Honda CB500x motos. Our bikes are currently stored in Budapest, Hungary.

We plan to return to Budapest in September 2023 and continue the ride. We'll be spending about 5 weeks riding from Budapest through Romania, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania. We hope to leave the bikes in Albania from early-October 2023 to April 2024 (~6 months).

Does anyone have any information on temporary storage options in Albania? Countries adjacent may also work, such as Greece or Kosovo.

We're not looking for anything fancy - just something safe and secure and out of the elements, ideally within a few hours of an international airport.

Please message me if you have any ideas. (And in the spirit of reciprocity, if we can help with motorcycle storage on southern Vancouver Island, send me a PM!)

Thanks,

Beaudin & Kathryn

Victoria, BC, Canada

If you can't find any parking in Albania or Greece, I strongly recommend a day's ride from there at Motocamp Bulgaria: MotoCamp Bulgaria | motosapiens.org

MotoCamp in Bulgaria would be a good choice, because they are set up to provide motorcycle storage for travellers - along with accomodation, insurance for North American bikes, and other needs. I've had a lot of business dealings with Ivo at MotoCamp and can recommend him wholeheartedly.

If Bulgaria is too far off the path for you, try searching for a large motorcycle dealership (any brand) near the area where you want to store the motos. Most European dealers provide storage for bikes over the winter season. I've organized storage (both summer & winter) at various dealers in Europe in the past, never had a problem doing that. Costs vary, typically about CAD $100 per month per bike.

MotoTouring in Milan also offers storage for overseas bikes. I've used them before, they also provide insurance and other facilitation. I think Air Canada has flights in and out of Milan, which might be advantageous. It's not too much of a ride from Albania (port of Durres) to Milan - take the ferry from Durres to Ancona, Italy, then it's a short ride to Milan. If no Air Canada flights out of Milan, take the train to Zurich (3 hours) and fly home from there.

Michael

You can also try Knopf www.knopftours.com from Germany he's looking at expanding to Greece this year from what I was told and could maybe help for that area this fall. I do agree with PanE that Sofia Bulgari might be your best bet cheaper airport to fly out of then Albania I have booked 3 flights this year out of there.

I find I like storage units more than dealerships, it's like having a mini apartment where you can store things and have access in and out as often as you like and can leave things if needed while touring. Google Storage connexs, or units and then mass email everything, then and importantly follow your gut but I have had good luck so far.