International Rallies

[dhatft]

Hi there,
someone mentioned at one of our get togethers here in the U.K. that one of you guys from over the water was interested in going to the European XS1100 rally, and was looking for someone with a spare bike, If anyone knows who that was, I might be able to help.

Dean.

[scoobes]

welcome deano,lend me your bike please? i will look after it honest i will.

[btdtdan]

Anyone know what the shipping costs might be? What are the import laws/rules. Could I sell it after the meet? Do these XS's bring more over there or would I just be whistling in the dark.
Dan

[ratbyk]

Old Farts

btdtan, sorry man. You are not the oldest. I've been around since 1933. I do believe I saw someone else who claims he is 74 and still riding his XS. I think Denny Zanders Dad is in the 78-79 range and still has his XS but he isn't on the Forum. (I DON'T THINK HE IS ANYWAY)
Ken/Sooke

[btdtdan]

Awwww Geez,
I never get to have any fun. But check it out I did have a question mark after the statement. Okay can you top this...I have 7 year old daughter that rides with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ratbyk]

Off Spring

No 7 year old daughters. A 37 and 35 year old daughter and a 7 and 1 year old grand sons. I'm the only one in the family riding at the moment. Daughters used to ride on the back from the time they were 7 until 19. Had more import rant things to do after that like university and boys. Besides there families they are to busy with their jobs now. One is an elementary school principal the other a litigation lawyer for the Ont. Security Commission nailing frauds and inside traders. ( I bragging now!)
Take care,
Ken/Sooke

[btdtdan]

Nice to meet you Ken!
My big ones are 45,44, 42 and 40. Then the surprise in 1998.
My boys are 44 and 40. Neither own a bike now but...since Dad has 5 why should they. They like to say I am losing it since I have so many. I just tell them ...Pick out the one you want cause that's what your getting when I'm gone. My oldest is a goat herder,oldest son has his own P.I. agency,the next was a drug dealer and now stays at home tormenting her children,the boy wonder is in sales. I have Eight grandchildren ages 6 to 18. Five boys and three girls. Ain't that nice?
Okay I'll come clean. The oldest raises ,sells and Judges Nigerian dwarf goats. I believe she has shipped some of her stock your way. The middle girl sold drugs for Bayer and the young lad sells photo copy machines and such. Pretty normal. I am the only one operating outside the norm...therefore the XS11's

[bikerhawk]

Originally posted by btdtdan
Okay can you top this...I have 7 year old daughter that rides with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took my 5 1/2 year old daughter for her first ride a couple of weeks ago. OK, so it was on the GS400...it's the only one where she can reach the pegs just yet. I took my 2 1/2 year old son for a very slow, short ride last fall on the 750, with him in front of me gripping the tank for all his life. Only had him on there for about 30 sec. or so...not exactly something I want to make a habit of. I'm glad we now have an old beater trail bike ('74 GTMX) for the wee tikes.

My two older kids (11 and 9) ride with me semi-regularly.

[scoobes]

has this thread gone of the topic or what?????????????

[btdtdan]

Off topic? Only slightly. Okay we are on a major detour. Waiting for some one to hop in and tell me about shipping a bike over to the Mother land so I can ride,attend rally's and sell.
So while we were waiting...we just talk about kids and crazy crap we have done. Hey Tom I am a EX jayhawker Ark City. I took my kids for rides at about the same age you started yours, never thought I would be doing it again at 68 and a 7 year old.
Move south ride longer. I have friend in Hutch that I sold a MNS to last year and he has yet to ride it. It was a full full dresser. I think he is going to sell once you all get the spring thaw.
Dan

[beechfront]

dan not sure if it is you that he was referring to, but i have been inquiring about attending an international rally.

i have also been wondering about shipping/selling a bike overseas.

[btdtdan]

Hey Beechfront,
I guess the thread is dying or no one know the answer to the question. I thought these old bikes might bring a good price over there but perhaps I am wrong. Parts apparently do. They may sell at about the same price as here depending on condition. I know slow boat will probably be cheapest way to get one over. I guess we can ask Jeeves he may point us in the right direction.
Dan

[ratbyk]

Bike Transport

My experience may not be of much use to you but. In 1976 I flew to London and bought a new Gold Wing. I had the dealer set it up with large Krauser saddle bags, luggage rack and a small windshield. I had brought a dunage bag with me with all my camping gear a helmet, gloves, boots and a leather jacket. At the time in England tourists like me could buy a new motorcycle absolutely duty free. Not one cent of tax. The only rule that I can remember was that I and the bike had to be on our way home (to Canada) within 1 year. The day I bought the British pound was down to $1,60 Cdn. The lowest the pound/Cdn dollar had ever been. It cost me $2234. Cdn to buy the new wing. In Canada the same bike was about $3200.
I wandered around England, Wales, Ireland, rode the TT curcuit on the Isle of Mann then went over to Belgium by ferry. I spent 45 days and was through 14 different countries and principals. Had a great time. On returning to England the dealer I had bought through had a local who for $112. pounds put the bike on a pallet and air freighted to Canada for me. It arrived three days after I got home. Unmarked. To ship they had told me that the tank would be drained, tire pressures reduced and the battery disconnected. When I heard that it was at the airport I took a large screw driver, a hammer, 1 gallon of gas and an aerosol tire bomb to blow up the tires with me. Caught the local airport bus and had him drop me off at the air freight terminal.
Went in and claimed my motorcycle. Had to pay $360 Cdn in duties etc. They used a fork lift truck and brought the bike out to the loading dock. I pulled it off the pallet, hooked up the battery, put my gallon of gas in it and blew up the tires. Flashed it up, rode down the ramp at the end of the dock heading for the closest gas station to fill it and check my tire pressures. One of the workers on the dock agreed to take care of the old pallet for me, (fire wood for him)
Rode home on my English license plate. Next day had the local Honda dealer do a safety check for me so I could license and insure in Ont. Best holiday trip and motorcycle purchase I ever made. I sold the bike 2 years later for $3000. Cdn. The only reason I sold was my 79 CBX had come in
Ken/Sooke.

[Lamric]

Rally Ride

If any one fancies flying over from the US to go to the rally in Belgium this summer then one of the UK owners - Dean - is offering a spare bike for you to ride on.

There's me, Dean and half a dozen UK owners going there, you'd be welcome to join us. Fly to UK, pick up bike, ride to south coast (150 miles), ferry to France then ride to Belgium rally (200 miles).

PM Dean (aka DHATFT) with begging letters.

[Lamric]

UK Prices for XS11s

Well, eBay tells me ...

in the UK over the last fortnight 4 XS11s were sold (excluding non runners, partsers & chops) the average price was £911.
= $1,750

in the US over the last fortnight 8 XS11s were sold (excluding non runners, partsers & chops) the average price was £672.
= $1,290