How much did you pay for the Honda? Sounds to me that you don't regret to buy, and it would be an option for me too, but i'm still thinking back and forth.
I mean I'm in the same boat, I really want to take my bike with me to Europe sometime this year. I am just not sure about the best option. Renting is out of the question, it would cost me way too much as I plan on spending a few weeks and possibly months out there. Buying/selling is possible but there are too many what ifs, unless I find a real good deal and then just leave it there somewhere for the next time around. I live near Buffalo, NY so I am considering air freight from Toronto to Europe (anywhere.. cheapest) OP if you find some other options, please do post for the rest of us.
Hey guys. If you decide to buy bikes in Europe, there are plenty to choose from. If you need any help, I'm here. Check out this thread I started to answer all your questions. This is not my main business, just a way of spending my spare time and meeting some great folks. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=868979
>How much did you pay for the Honda? Sounds to me that you don't regret to buy, and it would be an option for me too, but i'm still thinking back and forth. < I'll sell the Varadero and get a newer bike - maybe - in year or two. YES, I'd do this again - no worries at all. The only thing I'd do differently is allow more time to ride around Ireland. I got a 2003 Varadero with Hepco & Becker top case and side cases for $4300and it has been like a dream. I could have gotten other bikes for less, but this is what I wanted. Bullet proof deal from beginning to end; Martin checked it out and let me know the condition was exactly as represented in the ad; I paid the seller after agreeing on the price; Martin picked up the bike and got his mechanic to install new tires prior to my arrival and he stored it until I got there. He even had it delivered to my B&B near his place. And he knows the area and where the beers are best. He can help you tremendously. You will have your bike at home safe and ready to ride whenever you wish and you will have a bike over there ready to go, too. Registration? Martin can help with that. Insurance? Doug has liability insurance for only 60 eur/month - a LOT less than anyone else. There are only 2 underwriters for Green Card insurance, so if you pay more, you get no better service or coverage - you just have less beer money. BTW, at the Horizons Unlimited meeting in California last November, I met a rider from The Netherlands who sent his bike to Vancouver from Amsterdam (Motorcycle Express) with the promise of arriving with his bike so he could spend 4 weeks riding the west coast. Well, he spent 4+ expensive nights in Vancouver awaiting his bike, plus he blew an afternoon waiting for it to be unloaded and cleared into the country. That screwed up his plans and ate at his wallet pretty badly, too. Then he had to be back to Vancouver in time ( a day and night early) to make sure his bike was loaded up for the flight home. All that screwing around effectively took off another day or two of his vacation and more money from his wallet. YMMV, but he never realized his dream of riding his 100PDGS in Baja. But he did spend a lot of dough that was totally lost to the shipping company and hotels. Yes, I am very happy to have avoided a lot of troubles and delays -- and I have a bike instead of just a credit card bill for shipping services.
Reading all the posts on the web, Motorcycle Express is not as reliable as they want to be. I'm still disappointed that it is so complicated to ride/ship (insurance/regulations) your bike between North America and Europe. I'm thinking of renting again (i did all my previous years) and pay a bit more, but no headaches.
Shipping is always a hassle, even when everything goes to the plan (and more often than not something doesn't!)... But first time is usually the hardest, after you've done it once, it'll be much more clear to you the next time. Buying overseas, can be done, too,but not without a bit of effort. And what you do afterwards, sell it? Ok, but that´s yet another unknown. All these can be done, if you´ve got the time and a bit of patience. In a hurry (or don't want the hassle), then just simply rent. For shorter trips, it might well be cheaper overall, too.
Have you thought about doing a bike swap? I met a guy a few years back from Victoria BC who placed an ad in a Australian bike mag. for a one month swap, worked out really well for both parties, he said the following year he had a swap set with a German guy. just found this http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/bike-swap-or-rent/ and this http://www.bikeshareworld.com/