The quotes I got were air cargo... More research required.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Mark, relax mate... Its just the internet..

Thing is.. I only have three months to spend in south America. I also have a budget of about £3000 for EVERYTHING inc return flights. I also have to meet some people in bsas, equador and Bogotá on set dates. So, I'm not as footloose and fancy free as I would hope..

So, buying a bike is just too expensive unless I can guarantee a sale of close to what I paid for it.. And it adds a lot of potential drama to an already tight schedule.

I have a lot to consider... I'm constantly flipping metaphorical coins. Trying to make the most out of hard earned money and trying to judge how best to use my time.

First world problems I know but problems all the same..

Thanks for the tip about Suriname.. I will definitely look into it. Any idea if the company ???

Next time I'll have cheese to go with my whine

Cheers, Ted

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I'm relaxed.

Easy search, although it's Amsterdam, not Rotterdam: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...suriname-71635 .

Yip.. I might have yo rethink my whole two year plan. If I'm going to pay for bike shipping then I might as well make the most of the time. Maybe I need to work a few months more and save the extra dough..

Three months is not long enough to warrant costly shipping or the logistics of crossing half a continent just for a cheap shipping deal.

First world problems..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I thought you were having the year off Ted?

First world problems indeed. Sheeesh! Another reason I should avoid world news. BLOOD Pressure!

You may be on to something there Ted. Maybe hang on to the job for the time being? 3 month long trip and blow all your savings?

Yup... But got A LOT of things to do and a lot of places to go. Can't be spending all my time and money on one continent. I've got a lot that I want to do over the next 12-18 months.

It's not ALL my savings. Just what I've set aside for that trip. I've got another three months planned in South East Asia, a few months in Aus/NZ and I also need to get my arse on a trip down the silk trail to Mongolia.

It's going to be tough to afford it all, that's why I have to be very strict with myself.

It's incredibly tough to try and judge expenses and budgets for a super flexible unplanned trips

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

For me now there are only three options for bringing a bike to south america.

Suriname.. However, I contacted a few companies and they are now not interested in non commercial freight.

Find a container share from Europe.

Buy a bike in the USA and ride it there. For me this is a good idea if you're European as everything is cheaper and you get to see central America too.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Did I get this right – You have actually sent a MC from the UK to Buenos Aires by air for £850 total? If so, then that was quite cheap. Maybe this is no longer possible.

But I also remember back in 2008, when I was looking to send my bike back to Europe from Oz by sea, I got quotes from many companies, and the one that I chose, offered its services at about 50% of the price of the next cheapest company (and the others were not far from each other). First I thought, that it can´t be right, but then luckily I heard of a few others, who had used this very same company, and with positive experiences, so I decided to go for it. Glad I did, as I payed roughly 500 euros at the Australian end, and about 180 to pick up at the port in Helsinki (although that latter one did feel a bit ridiculous, compared to what the ocean freight from another side of the planet had cost me – sort of Welcome to the EU, I guess!!)

Of course I do not know, what they would charge me now. Just meant to say, that the prices can (or at least they could!) vary - a lot - and it seemed extremely critical to be able to find the right guys to do business with. If I had not been lucky enough to get in contact with this one particular company, then it looks very likely, that I would have payed nearly double. Why they were so much cheaper than everyone else that I found, I have simply no idea. Just pointing out, that it could be worth it to still keep searching for a better offer.

....But if you really do have the possibility to fly into the US, and buy there and go, then I´d seriously consider doing exactly that, as looking from the EU, bikes are almost ridiculously cheap over there!

Buying a bike is the USA is indeed low cost vs. UK/EU. But seems a lot of riders really put heart, soul and pound into outfitting their ride. Some have a history with their bikes, have done many long journeys. They know their bike well, have a cache of spares for it and proper luggage that fits and has been tested. And on and on it goes.

So coming to US to buy a bike can mean starting over. Different bike, different luggage, new things to learn. The new bike will have to be learned, parts sourced, modification done, parts and luggage added.

One of the biggest hurdles for US buyers can have is having no place to live whilst setting up the new machine. If paying a Motel, you'd go broke. But if you can stay with a fellow HUBB'er or friend, then it's more doable. Also, having access to a garage and tools will be important if setting up a new bike. No matter how good your new bike is ... it will need modification for overland travel.

There's also the fact that if you want to tour South America and don't the time or inclination to travel through Central America, which could double your trip (and cost) then it doesn't make much sense. Especially as you need to get it back to America again.

Otherwise sure, why not. Though I don't think bikes are (much) cheaper in USA than UK

You are right though. Heart overhead when comes to someone's dream trip. There's also something romantic about riding your own bike.

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My blog about touring and adv riding

I once drove from Tijuana to Guatemala in 9 days! (VW Van)

Suggest reading through Craig's list adds for San Francisco Bay Area
and Los Angeles area. Lots of crazy good deals. "Give aways" in some cases.

Far as new bikes go ... we pay in Dollars "roughly" what you pay in UKP. Also, here, it's rare to have to pay MSRP. There is always a "discount" of some sort.

But certain bikes are cheap-ish in the UK. I spent 6 months following UK ads before my trip there. I decided a Triumph Tiger was the best deal vs. 4 or 5 other bikes I considered. The Tiger would have cost MORE here in the USA at that time. Seems they depreciate more in UK than in USA. BMW's were also cheaper in UK, cheaper still in Germany. They bring top dollar in USA.

The other factor is that USA is full of the common, inexpensive dual sport bikes that are somewhat rare (and unsold) in UK: Suzuki DR650, Kawi KLR650, XR650L Honda. These all still sold NEW in USA.
Also, many 200 to 250's too. (KLX, CRF, YZ, NX, Serow, XL ... on an on)

See freight mate. Took about 24 days. I used Sandra from Dakar Motos to do all the customs clearing for me. Took her half a day compared to 4 days of other people who didn't want to pay her very reasonable fee. ...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Good price.

Did using Sandra add a few hundred extra onto the price? Presumably someone needs to be a port/customs, does she come down to the port and sort everything out?

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My blog about touring and adv riding

Yes she came with us and did everything but ride the bike out.. I don't know what they charge for customs clearance now. Best email and ask. Certainly was worth the money in my eyes... But its possible to do yourself if you don't mind it taking 3 days and waiting around a lot.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.