Motorcycle Shipping in the US
Have you thought of shipping your motorcycle before? You can't just go to the post office and stuff it into a box with bubble wrap.
If you are willing to spend money to ship your motorcycle, you probably have a very nice bike and do not want it scratched or dented. In addition, you want to be treated with respect and get good customer service. We know how scary it can be to turn your bike over to a company you are unfamiliar with. While your concerns are valid, we want you to know that we take the utmost care into making sure nothing bad happens.
Motorcycle Shipping Security
We take your motorcycle and keep it locked up in an enclosed space. We train our drivers to take security seriously. Our truck drivers know that they must have no criminal background to work for us and that they must follow our safety procedures to keep their job.
Part of keeping your motorcycle secure is to strap it down properly. Our drivers are trained properly to tie down your motorcycle with soft tie down straps at the four corners. Our company uses a proprietary tie down technique to keep the motorcycle extra stable.
Insurance
We highly recommend having your motorcycle insured for the shipping process. Some people have great insurance and don't need a shipping policy. Others will want to purchase extra insurance. You will roughly pay seven dollars on every thousand for shipping insurance. Some companies make you purchase their insurance by including it in their shipping prices and others will let you purchase it as needed.
You should contact your insurance company to see if the motorcycle is covered. A lot of insurance companies automatically cover the shipping expense and you probably do not want to pay for double coverage. Many reports like Consumer Reports think that many companies are dishonestly charging insurance when they know you are probably already covered. Typically, the salesperson will ask you if you want the insurance, but they will rarely tell you the probability of facts about truly needing it. So, check with your insurance company.
Getting a Quote
Most companies charge a fee of $500-$700. However, I have seen rates as low as $320. Some companies ask you a million questions to get a quote. They want to know the motorcycle dimensions, weight, height, cargo space, and more. All these factors are interesting, but it doesn't matter that much. A motorcycle that is a little heavier doesn't take that much more gas and effort to transport than a lighter motorcycle. Likewise, motorcycles are small enough and uniform enough that a larger bike shouldn't be much more expensive to transport.
Some companies provide a grid that gives you a quick idea. The grid will show the prices from location to location. Locations are the main factors that change pricing. Harder to get to areas or out of the way areas will be more expensive.
Another factor about a quote is where the base of the trucking company is. If the trucking company must make an out of the way trip for your motorcycle the charge will be higher.
Delivery to Your Door
Most of the delivery companies can deliver right to your door, but there is an additional fee of around $30.00. When giving an address for delivery, keep in mind that a large semi truck will need to have enough space to pull up. If you don't have enough space on the road, the motorcycle can be delivered to a nearby commercial location.
How is the Motorcycle Boxed Up
The motorcycle is put on a pallet. The pallet is specially designed for a motorcycle and hydraulic forklift. The driver will put the motorcycle on the pallet and tie it down. Then, the driver will lift the motorcycle into the enclosed truck with the hydraulic forklift. The motorcycle is put in horizontally for better stability and so that the truck can use the space more efficiently. Some large trucks can even have a top level and a bottom level.
Palletized Crates
Some motorcycle shipping companies will allow you to purchase a pop up crate. It is basically a motorcycle shipping pallet with plywood panels screwed onto the sides and top. The point of this is to protect the motorcycle for storage. If you want to transport the motorcycle and leave it in a storage unit or garage then this is a great choice. The enclosed crate will also protect the motorcycle better in transport.
The Shipping Process
The shipping process is simple. First you get a quote, second you sign a contract, third you arrange for the motorcycle to be picked up, fourth a driver calls you 24 hours before delivery, and fifth you pick up your motorbike and drive away.
Important Success Factors
The cheapest company and the most expensive company will be within two hundred dollars of each other (usually). If your motorcycle is really important to you, then the two hundred dollars is probably not the best way to choose a company. Look for companies that take securing and tracking the motorcycle seriously. In addition, find someone that will provide you with excellent customer service. It can be frustrating to have a motorcycle in limbo and a company that doesn't answer the phone.
Most people like companies that specialize in motorcycle transport. They know what pallets to use, how to tie them down with soft ties, and know what you are going to be concerned about. If you go with a company that ships about everything, then you will need to know how to get the right pallet, secure it yourself and make sure the motorcycle is put on the truck properly. Like anything else, there is a price to pay for saving money.
Reasons to Ship a Motorcycle
People ship motorcycles for lots of reasons. People like to ship them to rallies, for their vacations, and when they are moving. Wouldn't it be nice to have your Harley on your next vacations without having to ride there for days? Do you love motorcycle rallies? Shipping your motorcycle allows you to take a plane and opens your options to a lot more rallies. Most importantly it's more fun to ride the amount you want to instead of being forced to ride a long ways to a rally or vacation spot.
Good luck in your motorcycle shipping endeavors!
| |
