Originally Posted by
Doug64
Costs for shipping a bike depends on whether it is a domestic or international trip. IME it is cheaper to take the bike on the plane for international flights. It has been almost a wash between shipping my bike or taking it in the planet for domestic flights.
Not only cheaper for international to fly with it but less hassle too. Shipping to another country can be a huge hassle in customs. A million times easier when flying or just riding across the border. Several times flying to Italy, the customs guys never even looked in the box.
And Italian TSA is scary lax, Or used to be. I remember once they x-rayed my box then instructed me to take it to the oversized luggage area unescorted ! I was still on the non cleared side of security!
Inside the US, even if it is cheaper to fly with I would still opt to ship. You don't need to mess with the box at airports and if you ship you know it got there if you were smart enough to ship ahead. Plus if you pay to have it built it will be ready for you when you get there.
The downside of shipping to a shop (like what almost happened to me on my recent tour in Oregon) is that if the airlines screws up your flight the shop might be closed by the time you get there. Plus there is something to be said for starting your tour right out of the destination airport.