Motorcycles are one of the most wanted vehicles in the transport industry, 8 out of 10 people want one even though 9 out 10 are afraid of them and 6 out of 10 actually own one. Most believe that riding a bike, especially a race bike is one of the most dangerous sports in the country and would rather hand out a gun than a bike. Although, many would agree motorcycles are very accident prone, many also secretly desire they could feel the adrenaline of riding one. Throughout the years this desire has built up so strong, that most of these desires have become realities and hundreds of people have joined clubs and have started cruising and speeding through the streets. Due to this increase in bike ownership, bikes are moved from all over the world to their eager buyers, giving motorcycle transport a very hectic agenda.

How To Ship A Motorcycle
How To Ship A Motorcycle

Motorcycle transport is very similar to car transport; however it requires a lot more attention as bikes need more accommodations in order to avoid accidents and damages along the way. Here is a quick and simple step to step guide that can assist you with the proper transportation of your motorcycle.

  1. Provide full details. When you are shopping around to get a quote, make sure you provide as much details as possible regarding your bike, make, model, modifications, measurements, and most importantly the weight of your bike. Most carriers are limited to a certain amount of weight they can carry from trip to trip. Even though they might have space for 3 more bikes left, if their weight is at its limit, they will not risk taking it. To avoid misunderstandings and extra fees it is important you provide as much details as possible to the agent, especially the weight of the motorcycle.
  2. Choose the carrier. In the industry there are two possibilities, whether you ship your bike on an open carrier or an enclosed. Although most companies offer enclosed services to safeguard the bike from all environment factors, the final word is given by you. Enclosed carriers are more expensive, however 100% recommended. A bike does not have a hard chassis to protect its insides as a car; it will need as much protection as you can give it to avoid any damages along the way.
  3. Full tank? Ask your agent what are the policies regarding a full gas tank. Due to weight issues, most companies require the tank to be drained up to ¾ of a tank to save a couple pounds towards the full shipment. Don’t let them surprise you with extra fees later on, take care of these free small details when you can.
  4. Kodak moments. It is recommended you take snap shots of your bike as a thorough inspection; this will serve for insurance purposes later on in case of any damage or loss along the way. This is a very important step especially if it is a custom bike you are shipping and details are very important. Once bike is delivered it will be easier to rely on the pictures to make sure no damage has occurred.

If you follow these steps and take care of every detail and don’t wait until last minute, your bike shipping should run as smooth as possible. Be prepared for unexpected inconveniences such as a flat tire or bad road conditions that may cause delays, as this is part of the industry. These things can be avoided to a point, however not controlled completely.

 

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How to Ship a Motorcycle – By Heritage Motorcycle Shipping