Sysie

Shipping to the USA was a right PITA, but now I have done it once it's not that hard.

On the way out to the US I shipped on my own and had to pack the bike so that it could go in with general cargo in a container and have stuff loaded on top of it. This cost around NZD2,500

On the way back I hooked up with the eight other Kiwi guys who were doing the Trans Am Trail and all the bikes went into a single private container and thus did not need the same level of packing and protection. This cost the same as the outward trip, but had I travelled with the Kiwis both to the US and back that cost would have covered both directions. I essentially had to pay for the reserved space I didn't use on the outward journey. This only came about as I wanted to do a lot of travelling around the States prior to the TAT which was the objective of the rest of the Kiwis.

The physical bit was the easiest...
Had to box up the bike to protect it in transit. (Crate can be got from a local Harley dealer free or for a small fee), and I added external bracing and wrapping myself.......


As it shipped out to the US....



and stripped of plastic wrap ready for unloading...



I found that the Ten strips down pretty good and can get under the 1050mm or 1150mm (can't remember which) height restriction without taking the front wheel off.

Essentially I took off the front guard, inserted a prop and pulled the bike down onto the crate with ratchet straps. Then removed the indicator pods, and undid the two bolts holding the front fairing / instrument assembly on. By easing a few cables and turning the whole front assembly upside down, it can be rebolted back in place and the whole thing is securely attached but lower than the top of the fuel tank - bingo - nice one Mr Yamaha.



Finally, took off the bars and again by easing cables etc, I was able to strap the assembly with suitable protective packing along the top of the tank and again keep it below the minimum height.

The battery had to be disconnected and the fuel tank practically empty - just enough to get me to a fuel station the other end.

For the return trip the packing was less and took about two hours from riding into the freight depot to walking away leaving my soul mate of the past three months to the hands of the shippers....

This time I strapped the bars along the right hand fork leg after removing brake assembly....


and again....



The paperwork side of things was a little more stressful. IMHO it is essential to use a shipper who has actually shpped a motorcycle to your destination and is familiar with all the hoops that have to be jumped through. I thought I had done that, but the staff members at each end were bike virgins and I repeatedly had heart failures when I thought everything was sorted and I kept getting phone calls ... "Urm we need some more documents otherwise the bike can't go on the boat next week, tomorrow, this afternoon ...etc..etc."!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't stop there. I even got the phone call...." Hi .. you know that bike we were shipping for you, well it can't be unloaded tomorrow and clear customs unless ....more sodding paperwork etc. etc." and this hours before I'm getting on a plane for three months away.

The documentation is all pretty straightforward and can mostly be done online and then sent hard copy to the shippers, but do it in plenty of time and there will be no stress.

I started dreaming of my trip in November 2009 (I didn't own a Tenere then) and by the time I had researched bikes, bouhgt it, modified it, planned the trip and arranged all the details, I only just made it to LA for a 1st July 2010.

Allow 3-4 months beforehand minimum to get quotes and arrange shipping and documentation.

Then allow 1 week to deliver the load and get it consigned to a shipment, 3 - 4weeks from NZ to LAX and a further week to clear customs etc. in LAX and take delivery.

Then go for a ride and enjoy.

Hope this answers.

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Cheers

TUSCAN

If you're not riding - what ARE you doing?





'10 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere
03 Honda XR400R
03 Honda XR400RL
04 Honda XR250R
01 Honda XR250
94 Honda TLR260 / Montesa Cota 314

Excellent report and pictures Tony!

And it looks like you got to ride pretty much every pass in Colorado - certainly a highlight of the trip I imagine?

I'd repeat what you've said - to have a fantastic off-road road trip, you need two things - a Tenere, and a ticket to the USA!

Rock on!

Jenny xx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com