Shipping bike to UK from USA and riding in UK

pierodn said:

I will wayt for you in Italy next year.
Bikes are ready to ride in any moment, our weather never go down 15 degree in the winter, now is 22.
Ciao
Piero

Click to expand...

Of course all the other members are welcomed.
Cio
Piero

There is one major risk of riding in the UK - being on the other side of the road on a single track machine. It's the major reason I never went back to bikes after we came to the US. I rode other folks' bikes off-road a couple of times and my "opposite-hand" reactions really bothered me. In a car, you're sitting on the other side, so you get a continuous reminder that things are opposite-hand.

It sounds as though you spend quite some time in the UK on a regular basis, so this might not be an issue for you.

Fast Eddie said:

Have you seen how cheap used 1200 Thruxtons can be had for?

Winter is coming too, that’s the time to buy...

Click to expand...

For some reason the used 1200rs are quite expensive over here in Western Canada.
They are only a couple of grand off new.


I heartily agree with your suggestion Nigel, the R is the best bike I've ever ridden.


Power band like a Commando x 2

Handling like...well it lapped the IOM at 109 mph.

Dead reliable.

Comfortable for multiple 700 km days with 63 year old rider.

And the seat comes off and on with the click of a key....


Glen

Funny, we've found the opposite as far as driving vehicles in the UK. For both of us, riding a motorcycle on the "other side" is easier than doing the same with a car. Maybe the reason is that the controls on a moto don't change so I don't have to think about anything as far as actually operating the vehicle. The car has the shift lever in the left hand instead of the right and it adds another thing for me to think about. But we spend 5-6 months of the year here (UK) beginning last year so I'm sure we could get used to a car BUT...we don't plan to own a car here - don't really have any need for one in general and if we really wanted one to take a trip or something, we would just rent one for the period necessary.

Re the Thruxton - I sat on one in TX a couple of years ago and we mutually agreed we did not care for each other. I also sat on a Bonnevile and didn't care for that either AND I rode a friends Triumph Scrambler a few months ago and I didn't like ANYTHING about it. I do completely agree that the Thruxton looks great! So does the street twin/cup but I have not yet seen either one in the flesh yet. I hope to check them out when we are back in TX and then, based on what I conclude, I'll buy the bike in the UK. Interestingly, the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe is hard to find in the UK at the moment but they are readily available in TX. But,TBH, a cafe-style NOT being popular in TX doesn't seem surprising.

FWIW...my wife DOES like the look of the Norton 961...

One thing I noticed transitioning to a bike in UK from USA was that I checked the non existent left hand side mirror now and then!
And if you come here as a newbie Id say the car is a safer bet to get sorted with than a bike. After 50 years driving on the opposite side
it isnt easy to break the mindset. If you are a young guy probably a lot easier.