The Trans America Trail

**Sputnik** · 20th September 2010, 12:39

tri boy. anytime. excuse spelling errors and mistakes in my previous post. One eye on Stoner at Spanish MotoGP. Yep no tent gear, lighter bike. Cheers

**Drogen Omen** · 20th September 2010, 12:49

Check out Compass Expeditions trips around South America.

www.compassexpeditions.com

nice short 14 day ride and cheap for an all inclusive tour is HIGHLIGHTS OF PERU.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PERU: Peru & Bolivia
15 days: 26 Jul - 9 Aug 2011 - 4 BIKES LEFT / 20 Aug - 3 Sept 2011 - 1 BIKE LEFT
Rider: US$ 5,590 / US$ 3,490

Best trip i recommend is PATAGONIA EXPLORER

PATAGONIA EXPLORER: Argentina & Chile
18 days: 10 March - 27 March 2011 - 3 BIKES LEFT
Rider: US$ 7290 Co-Rider: US$3690

**marks** · 20th September 2010, 12:51

Originally Posted by Sputnik

Yep no tent gear, lighter bike.

sounds like my kind of tat
I'm a cheap motel whore

Originally Posted by Drogen Omen

Check out Compass Expeditions trips around South America.

can you say the word SPAM?

**Drogen Omen** · 20th September 2010, 13:04

Originally Posted by marks

can you say the word SPAM?

???

just putting it out there...

**Phreaky Phil** · 20th September 2010, 17:09

Advertising for commercial rides have a place, its not here though

**Phreaky Phil** · 20th September 2010, 17:16

Originally Posted by Sputnik

Have done the TAT 1 and half times. GO FOR IT - Bloody good ride!
First trip I shipped the KLR to and from the states. Not costl at all. Second tirp I bought a KLR n Boulder Colorado and went 2 up with my wife. No way I would get away twice on my own!! Shipped that machine back to NZ.

As the GPS man says a couple of the Colorado pases would pose a challenge 2 up and note they are rarely open much before mid July.

Camp if you want however we flagged the camp gear and used motels. Cheap, good bed, showers and air-conditioned. Great after riding in 110degree F all day. The best part... you are not carrying less weight. Those passes are 12,000 feet plus.

Shipping: Contact KIWI SHIPPING based in Los Angeles. They have agents here in NZ and have there own containers. Current costs $350 handling cost NZ. US$700 for shipping plus AG and Customs charges at US end. Do the ride and drop the bike bike back to Kiwi Shipping depot in LA. No crate required as they strap it into a container, usually with a car or two. They handle a lot of bikes going to and from the USA. Wih Dept of Homeland Security getting invovled with imports there is a little more paperwork required. Fairly sraight forward. Have details if anyone wants them.

If you have time to spare allow some days to explore more of Colorado, and Moab trails.

GPS man. Chris and Spice in Boulder say we should get together sometime. Like to hear more on The Shadow of The Rockies route.

Great ride, nice people, amazing country, incredible amount of wildlife encountered. Take your cameras ..... and helmet cam! .... Camelback absolutely essential.

KLR,s now sold and New Tenere parked in the shed. Best bike for the route? .. doesn't matter! If its a trail or enduro or dual-sport it will make it. something with a reasonable fuel range helps.

If I can add to the GPS man info feel free to ask.

Thanks Good info. Were those figures you were quoting for 1way or return ?
Dawn & I dont want to camp as it will be to much gear to carry. Want to travel light as possible. Camping gear for us adds another 10kg minimum and theres only 1 place to put it, out back where it f**ks up the handling

**Drogen Omen** · 20th September 2010, 18:37

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

Advertising for commercial rides have a place, its not here though

good point, sorry didn't think of that...

**Sputnik** · 20th September 2010, 21:54

Here are some updated costs. I would still all at least us$700 for shppinfg to and from USA and ag & Customs charges on the US end.

Here is the response I got:
"Thanks for your query, please find attached a costing to get your bike
ex Chch depot to Los Angeles.
The return cost in one of Kiwi Shipping's containers will be USD495 plus
NZ landed fees of NZ$450"

Something to consider. If you are going as a group I suggest you may be able to negotiate a cheapercontainer rate.

The person to contact at the NZ end is :
Jeff Larsen
Mainfreight International Ltd

**Sputnik** · 20th September 2010, 21:57

oops computer probs.

Jeff is in The Wellington office.

Would be worth talking to Rossco's team when they get back to compare costs. Rossco uses another shipping agent I believe.

**Phreaky Phil** · 21st September 2010, 07:37

Thanks, I have met one of the guys on Rossco's crew who is from here in NP and I intend to "download" as much info as possible from him when they get back. Those prices sound quite good. I will look into it further.

**trustme** · 21st September 2010, 07:59

I'll find a 20' box rate for you to Long Beach including return & a box rate out of Philly if you are too tired to ride back across the country. Should get 10 bikes & certainly 8 in a 20'er . Will give you the info on Friday night.

**Phreaky Phil** · 21st September 2010, 12:01

Originally Posted by trustme

I'll find a 20' box rate for you to Long Beach including return & a box rate out of Philly if you are too tired to ride back across the country. Should get 10 bikes & certainly 8 in a 20'er . Will give you the info on Friday night.

Ride starts in Tennessee and finishes in Oregon

**Phreaky Phil** · 4th October 2010, 20:52

Originally Posted by trustme

I'll find a 20' box rate for you to Long Beach including return & a box rate out of Philly if you are too tired to ride back across the country. Should get 10 bikes & certainly 8 in a 20'er . Will give you the info on Friday night.

Thanks Paul for the info. It compares with the others. About $5k-$5.5k seems to be the going rate for a 20 ft container. The info Paul gave me has a breakdown of the costs. If anyone wants to see it I can scan it and email or post it here