motorcycle shipper
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,083
Likes: 1,958
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Glad you got it resolved.
A riding buddy moved back to SoCal from NC and was going to fly back and ride his bike x-country, but went overseas for a few months for his company soon after. He heard some stories similar to yours and had asked if I could ride his bike back for him, and was glad to do. Got all oils changed and a detail when I got to his place. He was stoked when he heard about that.
A riding buddy moved back to SoCal from NC and was going to fly back and ride his bike x-country, but went overseas for a few months for his company soon after. He heard some stories similar to yours and had asked if I could ride his bike back for him, and was glad to do. Got all oils changed and a detail when I got to his place. He was stoked when he heard about that.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 187
Likes: 107
From: galway ireland
I have bought lots of bikes overseas (I am in Ireland). Always hopped a flight and ride home the long way.
I know bike shipping is a big thing in the US but genuinely if a you buy a bike 1000 miles from home isn't that an excuse to ride?
It would be my prefered oprion rather than messing about with shippers and paperwork.
I know bike shipping is a big thing in the US but genuinely if a you buy a bike 1000 miles from home isn't that an excuse to ride?
It would be my prefered oprion rather than messing about with shippers and paperwork.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,214
From: San Diego, CA
I have bought lots of bikes overseas (I am in Ireland). Always hopped a flight and ride home the long way.
I know bike shipping is a big thing in the US but genuinely if a you buy a bike 1000 miles from home isn't that an excuse to ride?
It would be my prefered oprion rather than messing about with shippers and paperwork.
I know bike shipping is a big thing in the US but genuinely if a you buy a bike 1000 miles from home isn't that an excuse to ride?
It would be my prefered oprion rather than messing about with shippers and paperwork.
I would agree... except, I live in SoCal.
If I bought a bike in the NorthEast US, the drive could be 3000 miles.
Plus, regardless of distance, if you bought that bike between late October through April, it could be a very miserable (if not impossible) ride due to the weather...
I bought a bike in February from a place in Wisconsin, 1900 miles away. They were snowed in when we negotiated price. I had the bike shipped for $650. I got it 6 weeks later. There was no riding in freezing temps, no one-way plane tickets/fuel/overnight hotel bills, and I didn't have to wait 3 months to go get the bike... Cost me less than flying out and riding back, even if it was during the summer.
I would always prefer to ride, but sometimes it makes more sense in terms of cost & logistics to ship a bike...
Last edited by hattitude; Oct 24, 2023 at 09:46 AM.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
I bought a Road King and had it shipped from Florida 2 yrs ago. I had hell finding a shipper, they were that busy. When I bought my Shovelhead in Wisconsin, same issue. Couldn't find anyone. They were weeks behind.
All those guys that ship saved my number I guess, because I get texts almost weekly wondering if I have anything to ship. Tells you a little about the market I guess.
Do your due diligence when hiring a shipper. I've sold bikes that I've helped load, and you wouldn't believe the bullshit that's pulled in my driveway to load an immaculate bike....
All those guys that ship saved my number I guess, because I get texts almost weekly wondering if I have anything to ship. Tells you a little about the market I guess.
Do your due diligence when hiring a shipper. I've sold bikes that I've helped load, and you wouldn't believe the bullshit that's pulled in my driveway to load an immaculate bike....