Transporting Bikes to Europe for a Year Long Adventure

[NatalieTisha]

Hi everyone!

I am new to this forum but signed up because I hope someone can help guide me in the right direction and provide some much needed advice.

My boyfriend and I are planning a YEAR long trip on our sidecar motorcycles next year. We want to start in Europe and see every single country in Europe (I'm aware of the vigorous planning that must be done) and make our way to Thailand (where I am from). But throughout many hours of research I have yet to find a decent way to get our bikes across the Atlantic and a price quote.

I know there is a way to ship via freight liner where we can ride across as well, but I cannot seem to find a company to contact. If you know of any ways, price quotes from past experiences, company names and phone numbers I'd appreciate that very much! Also I am open to suggestions regarding the matter.

P.S- if there is anyone that would like to join my boyfriend and I please let me know. The more the merrier!

Thank you,
Natalie

[Wildman]

Every single country? You know there's 42 countries, right?

Have you tried James Cargo?

[NatalieTisha]

Hey!

Yeah we are quite aware and are ready! The only issue is getting our bikes there :(
Thanks for the link I will check them out right away!

[MichaelJ]

Have you looked at Horizons Unlimited's site?

A LOT of info there, and also the forums on the "HUBB" (Horizons Unlimited Bulletin Board).

[wheatwhacker]

I have a 40 container going to Ireland in a few weeks. Plenty of room for more bikes.

[jetjackson]

Most of the countries are doable if you don't include the likes of Cyprus, Malta, Iceland etc. etc.. I mean there are a lot where you would just stop in for coffee and a chat, like San Marino, Andorrad, Lichtenstein etc.

HU is the bet for finding freight.

[mtmc]

I used Motorcycle Express with no problems at all. The time predictable nature of being on the same plane made the price difference worth it.

[SevenFifty]

There is also a norwegian company, http://www.jetcarrier.com that has specialized in transport from New Jersey to Scandinavia, they do a lot of freight from the states to scandinavia, and I use them when I order bigger stuff that is expensive to ship UPS, I've seen on their homepage that they do cars, motorcycles and boat too, you could check with them. I have no affiliation with them what so ever other then that I've used their services at several occasions for sea freight...

[teizms]

http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Welcome.html

Knopf is your best bet.
They also have a container coming from LA in Oct 2012

feel free to msg me at ghazi@teizms.com with any questions as i have used the service and have experience going around EU by shipping my own bike.

[on2wheels52]

Hey tz, that rug looks familar



I didn't use Stefan's shipping service but can vouch that he's a stand-up guy.
Jim

[bobobob]

http://www.carexshipping.com/index.html

[Luckies_AUT]

Try it there: www.intime-ham.com
We paid 1250 Euro from Bremerhaven to L.A. (may 2012) via Ro-Ro (4 weeks)
The way back it was about 1000 Euro from L.A. to Bremerhaven via Container (6 weeks)

Just one warning ... the guys in the U.S. had problems with customs and so the container leaves ONE MONTH later.

If you plan to visit Vienna, let me know. We live a few minutes away from the center and there wi'll be a place in my garage where you can park the bike. ;)

[BenThere]

Hello, I'm hoping to get a little more info on shipping a bike over from Florida to Germany. I've seen the Knopf website, but it looks like their container from Orlando doesn't leave until March. I just hate to pay $75 a month to store it until then (although I realize the riding season is pretty much over until the spring anyway - well, it will be by when I get there in Nov.-Dec.).

I'm just wondering, being 100 miles from the big port in Miami, if there aren't any other options around here that anyone might know about.

A few more questions when you ship your bike:

Do you pack things in the top and side cases (helmet, boots, apparel, tools...) and, if so, are they safe from theft?

Do you have to drain the gas tank, disconnect the battery...?

When you go through the customs in Germany, did it cost an arm and a leg? My bike is a 2004 BMW R1150R - will that mean it's more likely to comply with the German regulations (blinker colors, mirror sizes...)?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by BenThere

Do you pack things in the top and side cases (helmet, boots, apparel, tools...) and, if so, are they safe from theft?

Do you have to drain the gas tank, disconnect the battery...?

When you go through the customs in Germany, did it cost an arm and a leg? My bike is a 2004 BMW R1150R - will that mean it's more likely to comply with the German regulations (blinker colors, mirror sizes...)?

Answers in order are:

Yes - and they were.

No and no

N/A* and if you're going to keep your US tags - i.e. being in Tourist Mode, matching German regs isn't a factor.

* - I shipped with Stefan and the process was:

Write check
Drop bike off at shippers in Orlando
Load sidecases in Heidelberg and ride off.

"Old Faithful" (far right) ready and awaiting departure outside my room at Stefan's:

[BenThere]

Thanks for the quick reply, Michael.

Doesn't sound like it could get much easier than that - you just basically rode up and dropped the bike off? No building a crate or having it delivered to them already on a palatte...?

I would be going over for an indefinite amount of time (job related) so I will need to get the bike to pass whatever inspections (TUV?)...

Edited; Never mind, I see Knopf's first name is Stefan...

So, as far as paperwork for your bike, did you have to give them (Stefan) anything (copy of registration...)?

Thanks,

Ben