Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge To ship or to buy

As some of you know, Sandy and I are going to move to Massachusetts in the future.

Has anyone shipped a bike to the USA or would it be more cost effective just to sell mine here and buy over there?

Any thoughts please.

My first thought was - just give it to me and save yourself all the aggro!!

(Actually ,that was my second thought, but Sandy will kill me if I put down the "real" first one!!)

I haven't shipped a bike but the cheapest way has to be to send it by sea - are you sending any household goods & if so can you crate the bike up & include with them?

On top of the shipping costs, you may have to pay import duty to the US government - you will have to pay fees to the Mass. DMV. You will also need to get it inspected which may need replacement of the headlight lens among other things.

Just found this which is about importing vehicles inot the US.

Taking all of these into consideration, I would say that it is probably going to be cheaper/easier to pick up a used one, rather than take yours.

Worst thing you have to worry about on bringing any kind of motorized vehicle. Bringing it isnt that bad, the cost of making it pass US DOT standards is what could cost you the most. Emissions, lighting as stated above. Shouldnt cost you much more then $1000 US to have it shipped, cause of its size and weight. So do you think it is worth keeping, or can you sell it and get enough to buy what you want here?

Ship it to Mexico , and then one night , just ride it on in here !

Welcome !

there was some very interesting info on that gov. sight. looks like you need to contact the ici., and the EPA. to get the right answers to your questions. I would imagine if you have your AI. in place and working, you'll just have to pay the import tax and the tax at the DMV.

Where in MA? Western part? Just curious. I was born in Boston, and moved west during the years. Got as far as Winchendon before moving south.

You'll find more Triumphs, of all varieties, in the eastern part of the state, I think.

Here's another link that might help, at least to get you started re: MA.

http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/community/import.htm

As for shipping vs. buying, I knew of a guy who brought over his MG (right hand drive one) and I believe he was able to drive it unchanged for at least a year. Don't know what the time limit was, I lost touch with him and some others after I sold my MG. I'll try and find his address.

Sorry,

I forgot to say thank you for the advice.

Some of it I had already seen but was generally looking for opinions (and lets face it there are lots of them on here).

After looking again at the prices and converting them there really isn't any difference.......oops!

something you must rember to ship ok

TENT POLES

You can see why I'm leaving the UK can't you.

I'll never live that one down.

Both... ship the one you have and get another when you get here.

Lol... We'll miss when you go, mainly as it'll be pack to taking the pi$$ out of me......


But back to the subject. Depends. How much do you love the bikes you have? I know what it would be for me... If you could live with out one or both of them then sell and buy when you get over there. If you can't (as it is for me) then a container is in order.

I got a price a couple of years ago for about 400 quid to ship it to NY.