VFR12 on the boat from Oz

[unOz]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of putting the bike on the boat and visiting UK for the IoM TT this year.....all the way from Perth W Aust. Planning on visiting friends in France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Netherlands after.

One thing I'm concerned about is finding an insurance company that will insure a temp imported bike for UK and Europe.

Does anyone know of an insurance company that may do this?

How much do you guys pay for comprehensive insurance. Good record and in my 50's. Need to know what the going rate is for locals. I pay about AU$1000 here.

Cheers

Euan

[DaveH]

Don't know about insuring imported bikes but as for fully comp insurance I pay around £200 on a 7 year old VTEC which seems a good bit cheaper than you're paying if that's any help.

I'm sure others with better info will be along shortly.

Have a good trip:beer:

[dom_f]

I'd give these people a call and ask...

http://www.carolenash.com/


Dom

[MSGT-R]

Wow, I always thought it would be a lot of fun to visit Europe and take the motorcycles along!

[Schtum]

Wow, I always thought it would be a lot of fun to visit Europe and take the motorcycles along!

There is, I'm told, a sealink between Baltimore and the UK. I'm currently investigating this a bit further and will post more details when I have them.

"She said the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night....." Gram Parsons.

[sort_it_oot_man]

I'd give these people a call and ask...

http://www.carolenash.com/


Dom

I was going to say that - so instead, here's a handy link.

Temporarily importing a vehicle (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_10014623)

Seems as long as you don't overstay your welcome... :rolleyes: and you fill out the required paperwork - To use a non-EU vehicle in the UK on a temporary basis, the driver of the vehicle needs to contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on entering the UK. The decision lies with HMRC whether a visiting vehicle from outside the EU can be used. - You won't need to pay VED (UK road tax), but you will need at least 3rd party insurance to stay the correct side of the law.

BTW. Don't come all that way and miss out on Scotland.

[xrdracer]

Why not just rent something in Europe? It may not be VFR12, but you can rent just about anything, big BMW, Hondas, KTMs etc. You won't have the worry of shipping damage to your bike, break-down is usually covered by the company you rented from or by a third party and host of other pluses.

[MSGT-R]

There is, I'm told, a sealink between Baltimore and the UK. I'm currently investigating this a bit further and will post more details when I have them.

"She said the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night....." Gram Parsons.

Wow what a trip! San Diego to Maryland, then a quick float to Southhampton (?) :five:

[zzrwood]

Hi Euan

I've shipped a bike to the UK twice, last year and in 2007 - and rode all around Europe on a couple of different BMWs, absolutely fantastic. Have just sold the BMW and got a VFR1200 to do it again next year (after working like a drover's dog this year to stash away enough money!)

Anyway, I got insurance last year through Carole Nash - however I didn't organise it myself, it was done by the guy who runs the shipping company (the cleverly named "Get Routed"). From what I understand there are very few companies who will insure foreigners for comprehensive insurance.

I do know it was dearer than it would have been for a resident.

Give me a PM and I'll give you more details.

Cheers

Robert in Oz

[unOz]

thanks for all the info guys. In the end I chose to use Get Routed too so all organised.

Bike's arriving in May and ships out in September so 4 months of IoM TT, a few MotoGPs and many miles skipping between friends places.

cheers

Oh....and can any of you UK guys suggest a few really good accessory type shops in london? Name and suburb would be great.

PS: luckily I've got an RC51 in the garage to ride while my bike is on the ship

[fotodadi]

How is your bike shipped? Do you need to get a special crate or what?

[zzrwood]

The bike is tied down in a cradle which is then bolted onto the floor of a shipping container - works very well. See The GetRouted website (http://www.getrouted.com.au) for details.
Cheers from Oz

[Allanvfr]

Oh....and can any of you UK guys suggest a few really good accessory type shops in london? Name and suburb would be great.

PS: luckily I've got an RC51 in the garage to ride while my bike is on the ship
You could try Hein Gericke or Infinity Motorcycles. They have several branches across town, so you might as well check out their websites for locations and the sorts of things they stock.