Flying with MX bike as luggage

joelbainNZ06
Edited Date/Time 4/11/2016 6:17pm
Anyone got any tips of breaking a bike down and taking it as excess luggage on a plane. Is it touch and go on if you can get it on the plane. Do they have issues with gas in the shock, oil in the forks and engine. How many bags can you break it down to. Moving from australia to new zealand. Anyone got and info or tips
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lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/11/2016 2:27pm
4/11/2016 2:27pm
Had someone mention to me last weekend at Indy that his brand new bike was stuck at the airport. Even though the bike had never had gas put in it the seized it because they smelled gas.
NotCore
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NotCore 4/11/2016 3:44pm
4/11/2016 3:44pm
I would think the answer to all the above is yes. Crate it and call a shipper.
SmoothOperator 4/11/2016 3:52pm
4/11/2016 3:52pm
I had problems with checking a race saw that I had completely dried out because they smelled gas.
I would just crate it and ship it.
joelbainNZ06 4/11/2016 3:56pm
4/11/2016 3:56pm
Yeh its just that i get lumped with paying GST (goods and services tax) when it gets to the port sunce its under 12 months old. Costing me $2500 grand. The bikes are cheaper in ausy by $2800 so theres not much differnece when you go to all the hassle of shipping it

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Brad460
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Brad460 4/11/2016 4:13pm
4/11/2016 4:13pm
Would it be more cost effective selling the bike and buying a new one when you get to New Zealand?
joelbainNZ06 4/11/2016 5:09pm
4/11/2016 5:09pm
Onthemain, nice one. Talking to a shop back home they can take $700 off the price of a 16 and in a couple of months they'll be starting the run out on the 16's because the 17's come out in september. I might just hold off and wait 4 or so months and get the 17 if its got some new stuff on it. Or get a 16 at run out price if its not worth the extra dollars. Anybody heard if the 17's are electric start? Or air fork (hope not)
stone881
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stone881 4/11/2016 6:17pm
4/11/2016 6:17pm
joelbainNZ06 wrote:
Anyone got any tips of breaking a bike down and taking it as excess luggage on a plane. Is it touch and go on if you...
Anyone got any tips of breaking a bike down and taking it as excess luggage on a plane. Is it touch and go on if you can get it on the plane. Do they have issues with gas in the shock, oil in the forks and engine. How many bags can you break it down to. Moving from australia to new zealand. Anyone got and info or tips
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news mate, but it won't work. A couple of years ago I had my YZ 250 broken down into an Ogio gear bag, huge duffel bag and the motor in a box. Was checking it in at the airport and the lady told me that they will confiscate it if there is any trace of gas/oil/solvent etc. and that they WILL NOT return it.

She told me that she would check it in for me, but it was my responsibility. So I took it home put it together, moved down to Chile and bought a new one. I suggest you do the same, it isn't worth the risk.

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