Comrades: My partner and I will back in the old country in 2020. Our plan is to pick up some wheels in the UK then spend six months travelling in the warmer parts of Europe (S. France, Spain, Portugal, Italy) from May until late September whereupon we will return to the UK and lay up the wheels for ~18 months until our next trip to other places.

My confession is that it won't be on a Kato. The reason for this is that my partner has a titanium knee that was probably made in China and won't bend past five o'clock. As such, we'll probably buy a Burgman or BMW scoot. This is Ok as the trip will be a little riding then a lot of stopping (for weeks at a time) them moving on to the next place that has beaches, restaurants, wine bars Etc. It's not a riding trip its a very relaxed holiday The scoot is really only to get to the markets, beaches Etc.

On our return to the UK I'd like to just leave the scoot in some place that I know it will be safe until we return after about eighteen months.

In Oz we clearly have storage places that offer containers, large sheds, Etc. All I really need is enough space for a Maxi Scooter that is reasonably located, not too dear and safe. Can anyone make any recommendations?

Any particular reason why the UK will be your base destination?

My thoughts were only that it sounds like your tour is mainly going to be around mainland Europe, and that getting from the UK to there might get tricky in the next few months, if just for a short period.
Also the type of bike you want is much more prevalent over there, especially in the more southern regions, prices might be loads better too.
So I was wondering if maybe flying in and buying a bike over there and then selling it on when finished might be a better plan, or if you are keeping it for future use then store as previously planned.

The language barrier is a hurdle, I can just about fudge enough French together to find the local swimming pool if needed.... but fortunately English is a widely spoken 2nd language.

I don't know of anyone/anywhere to store here in the UK but if you could narrow down the area a little someone might be able to help. I know the UK is actually quite small but it does feel pretty big to us. Do you have base in the UK?

If I have any space in the garage you can just leave it with me if you want.

Didn't we meet briefly at a Cadwel crash fest one year a while ago?

Anyway I'm a bit north of Oxford. Let me know when your plans firm up and if its practical I'm happy to help.

Have a great trip...

Ditto re garage space.

Comrades: You are both gentlemen of the highest order and very generous. Perhaps we could come to some financial arrangement.

Yes Shadowman (John) we did meet up at Crashfest one year. By my calculations it was 6th July 2014 - how time gets away... I was there with my adult son and we had a BBQ.

At this stage my plans are for 2020. I'll buy something in May but won't be back until early October then it'll probably be the year after. I'll PM you both as I firm up my arrangements.

Many thanks.

2014 - wow time does fly!

I will PM you my email address as I don't check the forum as often as I used to.

Happy to help - no financial consideration necessary

Think he means that we pay him.......................

I'm looking at doing the same this year. I looked at shipping my 1290SA from Brisbane and it was going to cost me $6k and I would only have it for 6 weeks in the EU so I figured I could spend half of that and buy a bike over there.
Plenty of high mileage Honda ST1100 or Triumph Trophy with full panniers and MOT around that price. Figure even if I gave it away at the end I would be $3k better off.
The UK is is definitely the easiest place to purchase a vehicle, Germany is probably a little cheaper but you need an address and language skills will help. You will also need an address in the UK but probably not an issue, with either you knowing someone or one of the good blokes here will help out. To take your bike to the continent you have to wait a couple of weeks before you receive the paperwork through with you name on it. Not sure how Brexit will fook things up but I would think it might make it more difficult.
Anyway here are a couple of links with info.
Have fun.




The best site I have found for bike shopping, if there is another one please post it up.

Happy to help if I can.

Bought my first 990 from a Harley dealers in Edinburgh
Happy days...