Bringing the Blackbird from Ireland

[Gangle]

Moving over to New Zealand in August and was considering bringing my Blackbird with me. Bought it about 8 months ago and spent a load on it. If I was to sell it now with the market the way it is here in Ireland I would loose a huge amount!

So basically what I'm trying to find out is how much it would cost me to replace her with a bike of similar spec to see it it makes sense to ship her over.

Here is the spec;
'00 Blackbird, 37k miles on the clock, blue, pretty much spotless.
Carbon Can Company cans
Alarm & immobiliser
Rear hugger
Double Bubble screen
R&G schrooms

So how much would I expect to pay for a bike like this over there?

Cheers lads

[Blackbird]

Well at least you've got taste! Have a look at http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/ or www.trademe.co.nz for some pricing. If you import, you also have the issue of imperial speedo, not that it's a huge deal as an Irish friend of mine still rides his 'bird with the imperial setup. Still, you could always fit Illumiglo metric dial faces to overcome that.

With respect to aftermarket stuff, most 'bird riders buy their stuff from either Jaws in the UK or through the U.S and it only takes a week to get here. The best aftermarket seats are made here in NZ. You can literally ride 1000 miles in a day without a twinge. Mind you, it's a different story for your arms and wrists

[Gangle]

Nice on mate. Used Jaws a lot myself, always go out of his way to help you. I'm used to mentally converting the miles to kms, although its just so bloody hard to keep the bird below any speed limit!

[Molly]

Hi. There's loads of info on shipping bikes in the 'Visitors Coming & Going' part of this forum.

I've brought out a few bikes. The first, a new Harley was damaged by the shippers and the second, a Guzzi V11 made it OK. I'd spent a lot on the Harley and grown attached to the Guzzi. If it wasn't for that it wouldn't have been worth bothering (after you calculate the cost of shipping, insurance, registration / compliance etc).

Anyway, good luck with the move.

[Blackbird]

Nice on mate. Used Jaws a lot myself, always go out of his way to help you. I'm used to mentally converting the miles to kms, although its just so bloody hard to keep the bird below any speed limit!

Having been here before, you'll know that the cops are fairly hot on speeding so you do tend to choose your time and place. Get a good radar detector. Not so important to get a (reputable) laser jammer as police laser use is currently less common than Ka band mobile microwave.

Of course, you could solve the problem by buying a Harley

[Freebird]

Hi Gangle,

I'm the Irish friend Blackbird mentioned, I brought my BB with me because I have owned it from new, 1999, and looked after it like a child so it's woth more to me then I would ever get for it. I also moved here with a job offer and relocation package so it was just a case of throwing it in the container with everything else. Bear in mind that if you don't bring it, it may be hard to find an equivalent bike out here.

Where are you moving to?

[Hitcher]

If you're importing a bike to New Zealand, make sure it's fastitiously clean and devoid of mud, dirt, plant and animal matter. Check behind side covers to ensure that Insie Winsie Spider hasn't nested there.

Failure to check may result in your bike being detained by border biosecurity and you being stung for cleaning and compliance costs. Or worse.

[Gangle]

Of course, you could solve the problem by buying a Harley

haha, I think I'd rather loose my license!

Hey Freebird, yea I just cant make up my mind. I think I'll see how much I can get for it over here closer to the date. Theres not much sentimental value attached to it, but its near impossible to sell bikes here. Another thing is that it'll take nearly 2 month for the bike to arrive, not happy about being without a bike for that long!

Hoping to settle down somewhere in Canterbury, close to Christchurch but not in the city. Can't wait

[Freebird]

It took 3 months for my stuff to arrive, it was a killer, had to resort to test rides to get my biking fix.

[Gangle]

Sweet, that sounds like a good idea if I end up in that position!

[Road Warrior]

Here is a good thread about bringing bikes in. One thing I have learned on there is about the cleaning and a steel pallet. A wood one will be growing mold by the time it gets there and thus a fumigation, pallet destruction, and steam cleaning will be added to the bill
Gary
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=89108

[Hitcher]

Go to your local Harley dealership and ask if you can acquire a crate that a new Harley arrived from Milwaukee in. Preferably a Road King crate. These are just the most perfect thing for transporting bikes in, and you Blackbird will require minimum disassembly.

Here's what an FJR1300 looks like in a Road King crate http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...pictureid=1462