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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. |
I once drove from Tijuana to Guatemala in 9 days! :scooter::rofl: (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) bier |
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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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Excellent, I'll have to get in touch once in Argentina.
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How about buying used in B A?
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Sounds like a fair amount of hassle. i.e waiting for the right bike to come along (could take weeks/months), registering the bike, getting local insurance, taking the bike out of the country, returning to the country, then sitting around for weeks/months, waiting for someone to buy it)
On the plus side, you save maybe £2000 off having to transport your bike, and you get a bike that you know can be repaired locally, especially handy since it'll probably be a bike you have no knowledge of working on. If I was from AUS, or USA, and wanted to ride Europe/Africa I'd probably buy in Europe. If I was from Europe and wanting to tour AUS I'd probably buy there. For everything else, at least for me personally, it's better either ride there, or ship. The cost of shipping isn't going to make or break my trip (that won't stop me moaning about it though :-) From what I've read, if buying, most buy in Chile, perhaps it's easier there. |
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It's funny that you talk about 2000GBP to ship a bike. it is not too hard to buy and completely outfit a bike for a South America trip (on road) for that money. A good early 2000s Japanese bike will cost $1500-$2000 leaving another $1000 for whatever. You can often get them with bags and accessories. you may not get the off roadies with the 1/2 Touratec catalog on them but you'll get a trouble free ride to the end of the earth, and that's worth something.
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Slightly off topic, but one courier/forwarder has said that the motorcycle will need a certificate to state that all flamable liquids have been remove from the bike.
I thought it was common to ship with 1/4 of a tank of fuel and without any draining of the oil. Otherwise how the hell are you going to use bike at the other end. |
shipped my bike to valparaiso, only drained fuel but left some 2-3l in there to get to the next service station. was not necessary to drain the oil / anything else, only to disconnect the battery.
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I guess that makes sense from the US.
From Europe Buenos Aires has to be cheaper. I received a good quote for Montevideo, but from what I've read, all of the agents there want $1000 to sort out the customs. |
Ted,
Contact Kathy at International Motorcycle Shipping and Transport - Moto Freight She was very helpful when I was looking for prices to get bikes to the USofA so should be able to give you an accurate low down on costs to South America Just for interest, she quoted me £1100 airfreight London to Nashville and £800 by sea LA to Felixstowe a couple of months ago. Laters |
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