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Anyone who's run a dealership, a custom workshop, or a parts and accessories business knows the frustration of a delayed shipment. A customer's bike sits half-stripped on the ramp, a restoration project stalls waiting on one obscure bracket, or a busy season arrives and the stock that should be on the shelf is still somewhere in transit. For motorcycle businesses, importing parts isn't a side issue: it's central to keeping customers happy and workshops running.
Whether you're sourcing OEM components from Japan, aftermarket exhausts from the US, or a complete project bike from Europe, getting parts and machines into the UK reliably takes more planning than most people expect.
Why Importing Motorcycle Parts is More Complicated than it Looks
Motorcycle parts cover a huge range of goods, from tiny gaskets and electrical components to engines, full fairing kits, and entire crated machines. That variety creates real complications:
- Small, high-value parts (ECUs, carburettors, branded components) need secure handling and proper insurance
- Engines and heavy components require correct freight classification and careful packing
- Aftermarket and performance parts sourced from outside the UK and EU may attract import duty and VAT
- Vintage or classic bike parts often come from niche overseas suppliers with limited shipping options of their own
- Whole motorcycles being imported, whether project bikes, restorations, or new stock, need specialist crating and handling to avoid damage in transit
Get any of this wrong and the costs add up fast: damaged stock, customs delays, unexpected charges, or a shipment held at the border while paperwork gets sorted out.
Shipping a Whole Bike: Why Crating Matters
For businesses bringing in complete motorcycles rather than just parts, the logistics shift up a gear. A bike isn't like a pallet of boxed parts; it's an irregular shape, often has fluids that need draining or securing, and frequently has a level of value that makes any knock or scrape an expensive problem.
This is where crated bike shipping comes into its own, since proper crating protects the bike from the kind of handling damage that's all too easy during loading, transit, and customs inspections. For dealers importing classic or collector bikes, or workshops bringing in project machines for restoration, this isn't a luxury. It's the difference between a bike arriving ready to work on and one arriving with new problems to fix before the original job has even started.
Choosing the Right Freight Method
Most motorcycle businesses end up using a mix of freight options depending on what's being shipped and how urgently it's needed.
- Air freight suits small, urgent, high-value parts, particularly when a workshop is waiting on a specific component to finish a job
- Road freight works well for regular, planned restocking from European suppliers
- Sea freight is usually the most cost-effective option for larger or heavier shipments, including crated bikes, where transit time matters less than overall cost
For UK-based businesses, sea freight UK routes are well established and tend to offer the best value for bulkier imports, especially when shipping from further afield such as the US, Japan, or Australia. It's slower than air freight, but for stock that isn't needed overnight, the savings can be significant.
Customs, Duty, and Paperwork
Importing into the UK means dealing with customs declarations, correct commodity codes, and potential import duty or VAT, depending on where the goods are coming from. For motorcycle parts specifically, this can get fiddly:
- Engine components and complete bikes may be classified differently to standard parts
- Country of origin affects whether preferential tariff rates apply
- Incorrect documentation is one of the most common reasons shipments get held at the border
- Businesses importing regularly benefit from working with a forwarder who understands motorcycle-specific classifications, rather than starting from scratch each time
Getting this right the first time saves money and keeps stock moving, which matters most during peak riding season when demand for parts and finished bikes is at its highest.
Building a Reliable Supply Chain
For motorcycle dealers, workshops, and parts suppliers, the businesses that handle imports smoothly tend to share a few habits. They plan ahead rather than scrambling for urgent shipments, they use freight forwarders who understand the quirks of bike and parts shipping and they build in realistic timeframes rather than assuming everything will turn up exactly on schedule.
Getting the logistics right behind the scenes means fewer headaches, fewer disappointed customers, and a workshop or showroom that keeps moving at the pace the UK's biking community expects. 
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What began in 2016 with a single route in Portugal has grown into one of Europe's largest adventure motorcycle communities: Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The idea was simple yet ambitious: to provide motorcycle riders with legal, carefully researched adventure and off-road routes through some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes. Ten years later, ACT routes span multiple countries and connect thousands of riders through a shared passion for exploration, adventure and responsible travel.
From Portugal to the Pyrenees, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Romania, as well as a growing number of new destinations, ACT has continuously evolved over the past decade. Throughout this journey, the focus has never been solely on the routes themselves, but also on the people behind them: volunteer route developers, partners, supporters and a community that actively embraces and promotes the values of ACT.
"Ten years of ACT means ten years of friendships, shared experiences and unforgettable adventures. We are proud of what has grown from a small idea and grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey," says Elvio Andrade of Adventure Country Tracks.
A key element of the ACT philosophy has always been responsible riding and respect for nature, local residents and the communities through which the routes pass. The principles of #ride, #respect and #enjoy have guided ACT from the very beginning and continue to play a vital role in preserving existing routes and enabling future projects.
As ACT celebrates its first decade, the organization is not only looking back on its achievements but also focusing firmly on the future. New routes, innovative concepts such as ACT Ride & Train, and international partnerships will help shape the next chapter of the ACT story.
To mark the 10th anniversary of Adventure Country Tracks, ACT is celebrating the developments of the past decade with a special retrospective on the origins, growth and the people behind the movement. The highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the release of a film telling the story of ACT and its community.
The YouTube premiere will take place on 5 July 2026 at 8.00 pm (CEST).
You can find the link to the premiere here: Link to the YouTube premiere
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With the all-new DUSTRIDER, Touratech rounds off its range of rider gear with a textile motorcycle suit designed for a particularly wide range of uses. The model combines excellent ventilation with a high level of protection and a versatile weather protection system.
Whether it’s brisk road trips, long-distance journeys or challenging off-road sections – the new Touratech DUSTRIDER is the all-rounder among textile suits. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in the premium rider gear sector, Touratech’s developers have combined modern textile materials, high-performance protection and practical details into a functional design that appeals to touring riders as well as off-road-oriented adventure bikers.
Excellent ventilation on hot days
Large 3D mesh panels on the chest, sides, back and thighs give the Touratech DUSTRIDER excellent breathability. Additional ventilation openings in the shoulder area and a double zip at the cuffs improve air circulation, particularly when riding slowly and in high temperatures – perfect for demanding off-road adventures.
In terms of material selection and construction, Touratech relies on a functional combination of abrasion-resistant base fabric, elastic inserts and targeted reinforcements. Areas subject to particular wear, such as the seat, the inner thighs and other contact zones, are reinforced with ripstop fabric. Leather trim on the inner knees improves contact with the bike when standing or riding in a sporty, active style. Anti-slip materials in the seat area optimise grip on the seat.
High-quality protective gear
The Touratech DUSTRIDER comes as standard with state-of-the-art protectors, ensuring maximum safety both on and off-road:
• Shoulders and elbows: Seeflex Level 2 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
• Knees: Seeflex Level 2 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012), adjustable
• Back: Seesoft Air Level 2 protector (EN 1621-2:2014)
• Hips: Seesmart Level 1 protectors (EN 1621-1:2012)
Both the jacket and the trousers are certified to the particularly high protection class AA in accordance with EN 17092-3:2020.
Comfort, versatility and functional benefits
The Touratech DUSTRIDER is designed with a regular fit, offering the perfect balance between mobility off-road and a streamlined fit at higher speeds. Adjustment options on the sleeves, cuffs and waist allow for a personalised fit. Stretch panels in the shoulder and arm areas improve freedom of movement, whilst long leg zips make it easier to put the trousers on and access boot fastenings; the elasticated leg cuffs allow the trousers to be worn both over and inside the boots.
Another key focus during the development of the Touratech DUSTRIDER was on ensuring maximum practicality for everyday use. The system features a total of 15 pockets: eight on the jacket, four on the trousers and three on the waterproof outer jacket. Several of the pockets are water-repellent. Touratech has also incorporated a hydration bladder holder with a hose feed-through on the back of the jacket.
A smart weather protection system
And the Touratech DUSTRIDER isn’t just impressive in summer temperatures. For bad weather conditions, a suit made from high-quality three-layer Hydratex laminate is included. Particularly clever: the rain jacket and trousers – both waterproof and breathable – can be worn over or under the DUSTRIDER, depending on preference. This innovative ‘over-under’ concept offers users maximum flexibility in changing weather conditions.
The rain cover is designed to be compact when packed away and can be stowed away neatly. Long zips running the full length of the legs make it easy to put the rain trousers on, even when wearing boots. A two-way zip also allows access to the pockets of the trousers worn underneath.
Reflective panels on the chest, arms, back and legs improve visibility in the dark and in poor visibility conditions.
Remarkably versatile
The Touratech DUSTRIDER is designed for a wide range of uses. A special feature is that, for more off-road-oriented tasks, the protectors can be removed from the jacket and replaced with a separate protection vest. In this configuration, the jacket serves as an additional protective outer layer.
The all-new Touratech DUSTRIDER at a glance
- High-quality textile suit for a wide range of uses
- Jacket and trousers certification: EN 17092-3:2020, Class AA
- Extensive mesh panels and stretch inserts for ventilation and comfort
- Ripstop reinforcements and leather trim
- Standard protectors on shoulders, elbows, back, hips and knees
- Fully removable weatherproof layer made from a 3-layer laminate with Hydratex membrane
- Weather protection layer can be worn either under or over the suit
- A total of 15 pockets
- Connecting zip between jacket and trousers
- Pre-fitted for braces and hydration system
The Touratech DUSTRIDER is available in sizes S to 4XL. Further information can be found in the Touratech webshop.
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FERMÍN ALDEGUER #54
“We can be satisfied. Yesterday we didn’t do very well in qualifying and it made the whole weekend a bit more complicated. Today as well I didn’t start well and by the first corner I was at least 15th. Then I did well to react immediately and find a good pace. It’s a sixth place that definitely gives us confidence, but in Assen we really need to make an important step forward, especially in qualifying.”
RACEDAY
FERMIN ALDEGUER 6º
ALEX MARQUEZ DNS
STANDINGS
FERMIN ALDEGUER 9º (76 Points)
ALEX MARQUEZ 10º (67 Points)
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FERMÍN ALDEGUER #54
“Qualifying was definitely the weak point of the day. Starting 11th was not ideal in itself, and considering the start I made, getting into the points was already a good result. The pace was honestly good, especially in the middle part of the race, so looking ahead to Sunday’s race we have to stay positive. We will definitely go with the medium rear tyre, which will give me more stability.”
ALEX MÁRQUEZ #73
“It was definitely the best training session of the last few weeks. That said, together with the team we decided that the smartest move was not to take any risks in the race. Often crashes during a race don’t depend only on you, so we preferred to use all the available sessions to check my condition, and I think we are in a good place. Honestly, I thought I would be further behind, and at Assen we will continue working to keep improving.”
SPRINT RACE
FERMIN ALDEGUER 8º
ALEX MARQUEZ DNS
STANDINGS
FERMIN ALDEGUER 9º (69 Points)
ALEX MARQUEZ 10º (67 Points)
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