I just shipped an NSR from Japan to California and it cost around $ 1,500 dollars, took two weeks to show up and cost another 450 dollars in taxes and duties. Bikes are now expensive to ship...I heard you can ship bikes from Japan to North America for 800 dollars but I believe that to be a bunch of crap. I'd agree with Andy, fly out, pull the bike apart and bring it home and put it back in your living room...thats what I did with a few bikes....but then again that was years before 9/11 and tough laws and fuel and baggage service charges....it would probably end up costing the same to bring it home and more work I guess......pay for the shipping and save yourself a hassle. Good luck to you