Worried Pom shipping 1956 Matchless to Auckland

**Robhj** · 7th May 2010, 05:58

I'm moving from London to Auckland in August and will be shipping my 500 Matchless single for later arrival. Given that it's my Pride and Joy, and will cost 650 quid to ship here, I'm a bit worried about NZ stories of bikes robbed at gunpoint by gang members who like the look of it, and the lengths taken to steal from lock-ups e.g. deadlocks, ground anchors, alarms no problem. I'm not saying it's worse than Blighty, as I had a bike stolen from a lock-up 2 years ago, but would be grateful for opinions or advice. Also, advice on shipping, as I haven't chosen the company yet. Thanks Rob

**YellowDog** · 7th May 2010, 06:30

OK - So I moved to NZ a few years back so I may be able to give you some perspective on this issue.

I would say that if you want to compare crime in London and Auckland, if you look at London as 100%, Auckland is around 15% on the same scale.

On this scale I am comparing Shepheard's Bush with Manurewa.

The not so nice parts of Auckland are nowhere near as bad as London and in general there is very little crime.

Where in Auckland are you moving?

Great to hear you are bringing a Matchless to Auckland. A great addition however not the sort of bike that gets stolen. The sort of bikes that get taken tend to be off-roaders and modern sports bikes. And if you have an Hardly Davidson then you are going to attract a specific kind of crim looking to add to the herd.

Good luck, and don't worry about this risk which is comparatively minimal.

**Dodgyiti** · 7th May 2010, 07:13

Agree, the Matchie will not attract undesirable attention- only train spotters at classic meets

**Grubber** · 7th May 2010, 07:20

Originally Posted by Robhj

I'm moving from London to Auckland in August and will be shipping my 500 Matchless single for later arrival. Given that it's my Pride and Joy, and will cost 650 quid to ship here, I'm a bit worried about NZ stories of bikes robbed at gunpoint by gang members who like the look of it, and the lengths taken to steal from lock-ups e.g. deadlocks, ground anchors, alarms no problem. I'm not saying it's worse than Blighty, as I had a bike stolen from a lock-up 2 years ago, but would be grateful for opinions or advice. Also, advice on shipping, as I haven't chosen the company yet. Thanks Rob

Got it sorted....you could just ship it to my place if ya like. I will take care of it till you arrive.
My shipping address is "Warehouse number 5' down at the docks, Resplendent Ave, Somewhere in Auckland.

Yup...send it on over.

**Voltaire** · 7th May 2010, 09:48

I shipped a couple of bikes back from the UK over the years, and more recently a Kombi in 2004, used a firm in Nth London...they advertise in the Kiwi mags there...can't recall the name. If there are any issues its gonna be this end, mainly MAF ( agriculture) and customs.
With these guys the more paperwork you have the better.
Make sure its very very clean....everywhere and be prepared for getting it cleaned again.
Bring a book along and your Ipod as they like to keep you waiting

You will need your rego docs for registering here and it will have to be 'vinned' like a in depth MOT....easy enough if you go to right place.
Good news is that if its over 40 under $100 a year in Rego...and join the Vintage Car Club and get insurance for about $120.
Easy peasy....then you can do battle with the great Kiwi drivers.......

**CookMySock** · 7th May 2010, 10:04

Yer not many people will watch to steal your matchless. More like stop and have a cuppa and talk to you about it.

It's the high-end harleys and motocrossers that go missing.

Steve

**jim.cox** · 7th May 2010, 10:38

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Yer not many people will watch to steal your matchless. More like stop and have a cuppa and talk to you about it.

Yeah - what he said

I'd still chain it down though...

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 7th May 2010, 12:32

I moved to NZ, from the UK, about 5 years ago now. I can honestly tell you that there is far less crime than in the UK. Yellow dogs figures sound about right to me. Best thing is that the perception of crime is really low in NZ - in other words the majority of people don't live in fear of it.

Not heard of "bike jacking" going on in NZ, someone might be pulling your leg with those kind of stories. If it did really happen then it is extremely rare.

Way I see it is that there is no perfect country. All countries contain gits (for want of a better word), there seems to be a lower proportion of gits in NZ - but there are still gits here. Don't expect to be bike jacked but also don't expect everyone to be as pure as the driven snow.

I've also just read that there are approximately 225,000 British adults living in NZ now. That's about 5% of the population - there goes the neighbourhood!

**YellowDog** · 7th May 2010, 19:08

Originally Posted by wild_weston

I've also just read that there are approximately 225,000 British adults living in NZ now. That's about 5% of the population - there goes the neighbourhood!

Ah that's where the crims have come from

**firefighter** · 7th May 2010, 19:44

Originally Posted by Robhj

I'm a bit worried about NZ stories of bikes robbed at gunpoint by gang members who like the look of it,

I've never, ever heard of that here! In Aussie yes but not here, maybe once? I would'nt forget hearing about something like that! This of-course could possibly have happened generations before me....

**UNNA** · 7th May 2010, 19:49

Someone has been feeding you a load of malicious fiction. Some selected bikes in some areas are stolen to joyride, spare parts or a quick flick to pay for drugs. No crims would ever steal a Matchy because a. they would know how to start it b. there is no market for them outside the classic enthusiasts and c. parts are plentiful anyway. Ride it, enjoy it, and relax about it. Love to see you out and about on it. Has there ever been a Matchy stolen in the history of NZ? Well not in the past 40 years anyway.

**Paul in NZ** · 7th May 2010, 19:51

Man - If I was a gang member and was going to steal a bike to do a quick get away.... um.... well speaking as an ex AJS 500 owner, your matchless might not be first choice...

Decades ago - there was a real shortage of bikes and yes, Triumph twins, commandos etc 'sometimes' had a short life in the hands of the honest BUT thats ancient history...

**pete376403** · 7th May 2010, 19:52

What model Matchie? I used to have a G9. (the "break-a-crank-a-day" model, even though my one never did)

**Paul in NZ** · 7th May 2010, 20:04

Oh - you need to join up with these dudes - they have an awesome annual rally and organisation

http://www.jampot.co.nz/

Erm - your bikes going to get very dirty on some of their rides ;-)