The Trans America Trail

**Crim** · 30th July 2010, 15:41

great RR - still going (I think) - also takes you through the build on a couple of DRs

http://seekingzero.com/reise/

**richyrich** · 30th July 2010, 18:07

good work there gav,looks like 2 of us from dunners so far. early days yet.
container sounds like the way to go.

**Phreaky Phil** · 30th July 2010, 18:19

Were these figures return or one way. ? As far as im aware you do not require a carnet for North America. Although there is nothing to say you cant use one as it can be a handy document. I'm not sure if you have to pay any bond if not using a carnet.

Originally Posted by gav24

Just made a quick call to Taurus shipping, and they reckon these are some ballpark figures to go on:-

1 bike in a crate AKL to LA = $1800 - $2000
up to 8 bikes in a 20 foot container = $4500
all riding gear and extras can be added to the crates if needed.

Other extras will be US port fees of around $7-800 per bike or $2000 for a container.

Plus each individual bike will need a Carnet so you dont sell it in the US, $???

Crate storage can be arranged at the port so same one can be used for return shipping, return is about $1200 - $1300 if same crate is used.

...... How does that grab anyone, now a few approx $$$ are known?

seems we need 8 of us I reckon, then we have to get them from LA to Tennessee... Road trip!

This is only one quote - what about air freight to Tennessee direct? Hell, to save $$ I'll pack myself in the crate as well!

**gav24** · 30th July 2010, 19:31

Originally Posted by Phreaky Phil

Were these figures return or one way. ? As far as im aware you do not require a carnet for North America. Although there is nothing to say you cant use one as it can be a handy document. I'm not sure if you have to pay any bond if not using a carnet.

Yeah prices were one way, Cheaper on return as you should already have the crate. I could only find that a carnet was "recommended" for the US. I only had chance for a really quick look at the Taurus website at work todayand it was not that detailed as it covered shipping to other countries as well.
Main thing I got was that its cheaper to just use a 20 foot container if you possibly can, even if theres just 3 of you its still cheaper it seems with 8 the costs get very reasonable. Way better than I thought like $4500 + $2000 to get there split 8 ways and less for the return, Thats about $800 each way, each. Sure there are other lesser costs as thats just crate, shipping and Port fees. So hopefully $2000 each, total shipping there and back, based on 8 bikes.

More research to come...

**Phreaky Phil** · 30th July 2010, 21:48

Yea even $2000 is still cheap. Ours to Canada was round $3500 all up, although we flew them up to make sure they got there without delays. What is worth it is to pay an agent to do all the documentation at the other end and do all the customs clearance so that when you arrive you can just unload and go

**gav24** · 31st July 2010, 08:40

What shipping firm / agents did you use and I'll make a few calls.

**DR650gary** · 31st July 2010, 09:12

Just buy them from a local ADV member and sell em. Bunch of guys did that recently for an OZ trip and a couple actually made money. Even a dealer would do you a special deal with a repurchase. You have to factor in local insurance and from what I read, that may focus your attention.

Sounds like a great trip but it is hardly a Trans Africa saga that would require a specially modified bike. Post a start thread on a US forum and I am certain you would have you bikes sorted in days so all you have to do is get there and fiddle with them a bit.

I may have missed the point I suppose about a man and HIS bike but a trip is a trip and I would rather do it on your bike than miss out due to lack of funds.

Check these out and see how helpful our American friends can be.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

Cheers

**Phreaky Phil** · 31st July 2010, 09:21

We used Greenfreight in Auckland. They specialize in airfreight. I have spoken with them regarding airfreighting bikes over but have not talked $$ It seems San Fran is better to airfreight into as they have stopped flying Jumbos into LA and replaced it with one of these "new fangled" things that cant carry as much freight. !! He said there was a company that is aligned with the airfreight companys that truck freight and could freight to Knoxville , about 80km from the start of the TAT. I have no idea of cost, we were just talking of what can be done.
A container full of bikes is going to be much cheaper.
Have you thought about how to get from LA to the start of the TAT, distance roughly 3000km.
Ride them
U haul
Freight overland
Sea freight from NZ to somewhere closer

**DR650gary** · 31st July 2010, 09:44

Check this out.

http://www.getrouted.com.au/

**Phreaky Phil** · 31st July 2010, 11:18

Originally Posted by DR650gary

Just buy them from a local ADV member and sell em. Bunch of guys did that recently for an OZ trip and a couple actually made money. Even a dealer would do you a special deal with a repurchase. You have to factor in local insurance and from what I read, that may focus your attention.

Sounds like a great trip but it is hardly a Trans Africa saga that would require a specially modified bike. Post a start thread on a US forum and I am certain you would have you bikes sorted in days so all you have to do is get there and fiddle with them a bit.

I may have missed the point I suppose about a man and HIS bike but a trip is a trip and I would rather do it on your bike than miss out due to lack of funds.

Check these out and see how helpful our American friends can be.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

Cheers

I tend to disagree with you there, I think 5000miles of Trans America Trail will be just as taxing on a bike and body as 5000miles travelling in Africa. There may be more in the way of bike shops and services etc in the US, but bike preparation for either trip is crucial to avoid breakages on a trip. Even then there is the unforseen things that youve got to deal with on the way.

**DR650gary** · 31st July 2010, 11:49

My point was that a bike prepared here or there will be vastly better than prepared in darkest Africa. Cheaper to buy and prepare in the USA and then sell than prepare here, ship there and then ship back.

Spoke with a guy this am that did the Cape York trip from Brisbane and they looked at both options but ended up buying and selling in OZ. I really doubt the logistics outweigh the benefits of a locally produced bike. His mate had done the USA thing and shipped their bikes there, his words.."never again".

I reckon the US riders would be so helpful, as are we, that the journey would be much less stressful with local bikes, but I ain't on the trip

Cheers

**Squiggles** · 31st July 2010, 12:23

I'd buy a fully farkled one in the US (Just browsing the for sale @ advrider makes you

at prices) and bring it back here after

**DR650gary** · 31st July 2010, 13:30

Originally Posted by Squiggles

I'd buy a fully farkled one in the US (Just browsing the for sale @ advrider makes you

at prices) and bring it back here after

The best idea by far. The savings on the yummy bits alone would cover the shipping cost home. Check out the rebates possible in buying a European bike, in Europe, riding it and shipping home. Makes you want to go just for the savings, let alone the ride

**Antonio** · 31st July 2010, 15:18

http://www.depot4motorcycles.co.nz

**Squiggles** · 31st July 2010, 16:09

Originally Posted by DR650gary

The best idea by far. The savings on the yummy bits alone would cover the shipping cost home. Check out the rebates possible in buying a European bike, in Europe, riding it and shipping home. Makes you want to go just for the savings, let alone the ride

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