The Trans America Trail

[gav24]

Thanks for all that info,

I would be on a very tight time frame at the start and finish of the trip so waiting to sell a bike would be a pain in the behind.

I quite like the idea of buying there and shipping back though.... could be a plan, especially if i can add a few more bike goodies for my old MXers to the crate. I have found heaps of places that will ship back to NZ, not many to the US though...???

I'll spend some time later checking out all the links you posted guys, Thanks for the help and ideas.

No one seems to be saying much about the paperwork / insurance / rego and associated costs of buying and riding a US bike, what about shipping back and deregistering in the US etc? Anyone have any ideas or places to go to find out?

Anyone know anything?

[Phreaky Phil]

I mean shit, theres a guy there whose just finished the tat asking 2800 for his DR


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605245
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596734

I think you misread the price, it was $3900 US which works out to $5400 NZ
you will probably get stung GST on the way back in to.

[Phreaky Phil]

Thanks for all that info,

I would be on a very tight time frame at the start and finish of the trip so waiting to sell a bike would be a pain in the behind.

I quite like the idea of buying there and shipping back though.... could be a plan, especially if i can add a few more bike goodies for my old MXers to the crate. I have found heaps of places that will ship back to NZ, not many to the US though...???

I'll spend some time later checking out all the links you posted guys, Thanks for the help and ideas.

No one seems to be saying much about the paperwork / insurance / rego and associated costs of buying and riding a US bike, what about shipping back and deregistering in the US etc? Anyone have any ideas or places to go to find out?

Anyone know anything?

I have been looking into the insurance and have a lead on something (travel insurance) Most companies will only insure you to ride motorcycles on roads. Some of the trails on the TAT may not fall under this category and you dont want to give an insurance company any reason to deny your claim. The costs of an injury over there are incredible. I believe your bike only needs to be registered here and is ok to ride here but I have to confirm this. In Canada we had to purchase there compulsory 3rd party insurance and that allowed us to be legal in Canada and the US. I assume this will be the same in the US. ?
We will be taking our own bike over as it will be modded and set up for 2up.

[gav24]

Good job Phreaky Phil,
That company "Get Routed" seemed like a go-er for a while but on further reading it seems that a trip from NZ to US wouldnt work with them? Seems alot like you have to fit in with their plans / dates etc anyway.
I like their crateless shipping though, super simple!
Finally, their prices dont seem that much cheaper than using a conventional firm and one of their crates...Less flexibility on dates as well.
Keep us updated on that pesky paperwork and legal stuff though, good to feel like some progress is being made, this trip could happen yet...

[bart]

.............

[clint640]

I'd also give Chris Edwards at Go Logistics a call, they have experience shipping bikes to the US & their prices & service getting us to Oz & back last year were pretty good. For us with 2 bikes in one crate Go Logistics worked out quite a bit cheaper than Get Routed. We got crates from the local bike shop, adapting/packing/unpacking did take a bit of time but it wasn't too big a deal.

The TAT, or a US trip incorporating large sections of it, is definitely on my list for future rides. I'd consider buying a bike over there to do it, then finding somewher to store it & returning for a Southern US/Mexico trip the next year, then maybe again to look at Canada... If I had 6 months off to do a big Nth America trip in one go however I'd probably ship the KTM over.

Cheers
Clint

[gav24]

Cheers, will give them a bell in the next few days.
Seems like an even better idea to put 2 bikes in one modified crate....

Could be a plan Bart - go for a end of June - end of July trip 2013, and back for my liitle guys 5th birthday (He's 2 tomorrow)... Put that popcorn down and get earning points!

Meet us there GPS Man?...Got a bike there already Wade?

[bart]

Mmmmmm, popcorn....

[Eddieb]

After I started this thread and seeing the interest it generated Al bought a DVD he owns to the MMMMM to lend to me.

Published by Motorcycletraveldvds.com it's titled 'How to Prepare for and ride The Trans-Am trail' so I'll be watching that soon.

It looks like the same people also do DVD's for Baja, Moab and NZ.

[navek]

Looks like a must do, looking to plan a TAT/Canadian trip sometime 2011, 2012, anyone thinking same lines for collaboration.

[gav24]

I would love a 2011 or 2012, but due to financial and family (arent they the same thing!) reasons looks like a June / July 2013 trip could be on the cards, the TAT is the first plan, but the Mexico - Canada route may be completely finished (off road) by then and that could be a bit quicker / cheaper...
All just getting info together at the moment so I know whether its in my price range!

Could be keen for a minimum of 4 day training / wilderness camping (no top 10's!) off road ride when the weather is dryer, maybe all those interested would like to join me, and we can see how it goes, after 4 days of smelly riding and smellier camping the idea of 4 weeks of the same may not appeal... and you can save (or sell) some more for motels every night!

[marks]

so I'll be watching that soon.

video night at Eddies

he'll buy lots of beer

[Eddieb]

video night at Eddies

he'll buy lots of beer

While I'd like to do that I'm in the middle of renovating and you wouldn't get more than 3 people in front of the TV due to the mess. I'm living as if in a bedsit in the lounge at the moment.
The vege bin in my fridge is full of Woody's too.

If anyone has another venue it could be arranged.

[navek]

I would love a 2011 or 2012, but due to financial and family (arent they the same thing!) reasons looks like a June / July 2013 trip could be on the cards, the TAT is the first plan, but the Mexico - Canada route may be completely finished (off road) by then and that could be a bit quicker / cheaper...
All just getting info together at the moment so I know whether its in my price range!

Could be keen for a minimum of 4 day training / wilderness camping (no top 10's!) off road ride when the weather is dryer, maybe all those interested would like to join me, and we can see how it goes, after 4 days of smelly riding and smellier camping the idea of 4 weeks of the same may not appeal... and you can save (or sell) some more for motels every night!

Good idea, count me in, be good to see if we can pack sensibly and still live for a week on the trails. Need good lead time though for planning.

[DR650gary]

Not interested in the trip to Cape York? Seems a few guys do that on a regular basis. Certainly closer.

I had a mate do it and he loved it. Plenty of ADV riders in OZ to help out as well.

Don't leave home till you've seen the country, well their's anyway.

After Saturday we'll be welcomed with open arms.

Cheers