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For lovers of adventure, the open road, and unrivaled freedom, knowing how to ship a motorcycle will help you shift into gear and enjoy all the wonders that a road trip brings for you. To make this a reality and ensure your Suzuki, Harley Davidson, or Yamaha is with you wherever you go, you need to look into reliable motorcycle transport companies that you can trust to get your motorcycle wherever you need in fantastic condition.
It’s not as easy as just booking a seat on the plane. Depending on where you are shipping your motorcycle, whether across states, to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Europe, you’ll need approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure you pass emissions tests. If you need to know how to ship a motorcycle, here is the information you need.
Motorcycle shipping can be done in a variety of ways. Once you find a company that specializes in motorcycle shipments, you can determine which option is the best for your situation. Some of these methods include door to door service, whereas you may also opt for a pick-up and drop off procedure if that is more convenient.
The most common method for motorcycle shipping involves:
You can transport a motorcycle by air, road, or rail. If you are traveling to another country, territory, or state, then the airplane method is the most convenient. However, other methods are also useful for short-term visits or when you have a lot of other luggage and items with you. Regardless of which way you select, you can often ride with the motorcycle to its destination in the passenger cabins so you can check its condition as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Motorcycle shippers have a variety of ways to transport a motorcycle. While many motorcycle owners have their preferred method, it’s challenging to ascertain which way is truly the best. Despite this, most owners prefer the roll-on/ roll-off approach as it is more straightforward and allows them to retrieve their bikes as soon as possible.
Typically, this method is done through truck or car shipping. It’s the method that many shipping companies may also prefer, as they do not require a lot of equipment, and therefore save money on materials, as they only need a ramp or lift-gate and something to tie the bike down to secure it. The roll-on/ roll-off method is also one of the speediest ways to go about shipping a motorcycle. So if you’re looking for convenience, this could be ideal for you.
However, if time is on your side, then you may prefer to use palletized shipping. This method is especially useful for those traveling in a group with multiple motorcycles. With freights that offer more space compared to other options, they are ideal for longer trips. In some instances, palletized shipping will also surround your motorcycle with a wooden, cardboard, or even metal box to ensure the cycle is protected in transit and minimize the risk of damage, which is particularly beneficial for those riding classic bikes.
One of the most critical elements of shipping a motorcycle is ensuring that you prepare it correctly for shipping. It is not as simple as dropping the motorcycle off at the depot or freight company and expecting it to arrive at your next destination. Instead, you need to take the correct steps to make it suitable for transport.
Prior to shipping the motorcycle, owners must ensure that they have adequately cleaned the vehicle and make sure any soil deposits of heavy dirt are thoroughly removed. You should also check the wheels and tires to ensure cleanliness, too.
Following this, inspect the bike for any dents and scratches and make notes. It’s also beneficial to take photographs. If you plan to use the bike at the next destination, check it for fluids, battery condition, and tire pressure, while you should also take the time to remove loose accessories and store them somewhere safe.
Run the gas tank down to around a quarter-full at the most. When you arrive at the shipping company, take photographs to confirm its location and speak to the company regarding any insurance to protect you in the event of an accident or theft.
Whether you are using an open trailer or one that is enclosed, you need to understand the best way to pack your motorcycle before shipping. Once you have completed the preparation for shipping, you can start thinking about which is the ideal way to pack a motorcycle for transportation.
Unless you are a specialist, it’s not recommended to pack the motorcycle yourself. However, you can still assist in working out the best ways to pack your bike ready for your move. Working with a professional packing company will ensure you minimize the chance for damage to the bike, which is a particular concern if the motorcycle is required for exhibitions and similar events.
It’s vital that you do not work with a standard home-removal company, as they will not understand how to best anchor the bike to prevent it from tipping over when in transit. The specialist will either attach your motorcycle to a pallet, or they will use the non-pallet option. In both instances, the sides of the bike are strapped down to secure it and prevent wobbling. However, non-pallet packing will not involve covering the motorcycle. If you want additional protection, pallet-style shipping is your best bet.
If you want to ship your motorcycle within the United States, this is something that many motorcycle owners take advantage of regularly. While the idea of a cross-country road trip is always appealing, you don’t always have the time. Instead, you’ll need to think about enclosed transport options to get your motorcycle from Point A to Point B anywhere in the country.
Shipping your motorcycle across the US is safe, secure, and convenient. So, whether you want to attend a motorcycle convention or meet up with your old friends for one last ride, motorcycle shipping freight options are the best and most economical way to do it. The benefits of state-to-state shipping include:
Whether you’re heading from New York to Las Vegas, Florida to California, or Wyoming to Kentucky, it’s easy and reliable to transport your motorcycle across states so you can enjoy the thrill of the open road or visit your favorite conventions wherever you please.
If you need to know how to send a motorcycle to Hawaii, it’s best to understand that the service follows much of the same procedure as state-to-state transport. However, because of the distance between mainland USA and Hawaii, it will take more time for the motorcycle to get there. Typically, this is as much as 25 business days, so it’s essential to make arrangements to ensure that there are no further delays once the motorcycle arrives.
Shipping to Hawaii shares the same benefits as shipping within the US, and this provides peace of mind for you regardless of the additional distance that the motorcycle needs to travel. To add further peace of mind and confidence, motorcycles delivered to Hawaii are typically contained in protective casings to prevent in-transit damage. The shipping service will also not need the keys or the registration. As with most vehicle transportation overseas, this is your responsibility. Regular preparation procedures, such as draining the tank to no more than a quarter full and perhaps removing the oil too, will still be in effect. It’s also beneficial to take plenty of photographs of your motorcycle before dropping it off at the terminal.
With such a range of motorcycle riding opportunities all across Hawaii, it is a popular destination for motorcycle owners who have enjoyed most of the mainland U.S. roadways and are wanting to experience something that combines exotic scenery and the familiarity of home.
Shipping a motorcycle to Puerto Rico is both comfortable and affordable. While it is not an official state of the U.S., its designation as a territory still makes it a straightforward destination for motorcycle owners looking for a change of scenery. You can transport a range of motorcycles to Puerto Rico, including Standard, Cruisers, Touring and Sport Touring, as well as Off-Road and Custom Builds. No matter what motorcycle you prefer, you can ensure there is a way to transport it to Puerto Rico safely and securely.
Some of the benefits to shipping your motorcycle to Puerto Rico include:
While the shipping may take place primarily from Florida, there is the opportunity to pick up and drop off directly from your door to save you the time transporting your motorcycle down to the Sunshine State. When the ship arrives in Puerto Rico, you can collect your motorcycle from the port in San Juan.
To export a motorcycle to Europe, you will need to find a company that specializes in motorcycles and shipments of motorcycles for overseas transport. Despite the extra distance, there is still a variety of options for motorcycle owners who want to ship their motorcycle to mainland Europe or the UK.
Much like shipping from state to state, to Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, you can ship a range of motorcycle types, including street bikes and cruisers. There are also plenty of destinations across Western Europe. These include:
Some European ports are inaccessible or do not offer direct service. In these instances, it is best to send your motorcycle to a nearby port and arrange additional transport from there.
When shipping your motorcycle to Europe, you will need to ensure you have the correct documentation. Otherwise, you will encounter issues at the port and borders. The most common documents required include the original clear title, a bill of sale if you have not owned the bike for longer than six months, and a valid passport or identification. Depending on which port you decide to ship your motorcycle from, you may also need proof of power of attorney.
While you could argue that anyone can ship a motorcycle, this is not the case. When arranging to transport your motorcycle across the country or to another continent, you must arrange to do so using dedicated motorcycle shipping services.
Going through these services rather than trying to do it yourself will ensure that you can minimize the risk of potential damage, theft, or loss when in transit. By working with professional transport services, you give yourself the peace of mind that your motorcycle will arrive at its destination in top condition.
However, it’s not merely about the condition that the motorcycle arrived in. There are other issues that make working with a qualified freight service appealing. Some of these issues involve the legality of transportation.
When arriving at new ports, you may be required to demonstrate ownership of the vehicle, as well as any insurance documents depending on the destination. It might also be that there are regulations in place for transporting motorcycles, and you may require an official freight license to do so.
Failure to present these documents on demand could result in fines or being turned away at the border, especially if it is a country that is not the US. For these reasons, it’s essential that you consider working with a qualified freighting company to make your motorcycle transportation smooth and straightforward. It reduces headaches and guarantees every part of the process is completed above board, with no room for surprises or mistakes in between.
The overall benefits of using dedicated and qualified motorcycle transportation services include:
With these benefits, working with a qualified motorcycle delivery and transportation service only makes sense. If you want to guarantee that there are no incidents or hiccups along the way when shipping your motorcycle, you must seek out a proper transportation and freight service. This ensures the prevention of problems such as theft, damage, or detention at the border should you not have the correct documents on you upon arrival.
As you’d expect, there are rules and regulations regarding shipping your motorcycle, whether that is across the country or the ocean to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Europe, or other destinations.
Much like it is vital to work with a dedicated shipping firm, it’s also crucial for you to understand the rules and regulations that are required when shipping your motorcycle. Knowing what you can and cannot do will save you, the shippers, and the customs officials a lot of hassle and will make the process much more straightforward for everyone involved.
By guaranteeing that you have everything organized and arranged correctly, you will avoid delays, entry rejection, and interviews that could be stressful and overwhelming.
Before organizing your motorcycle shipment, get in touch with local authorities at both ends of the journey. This will help to save you precious time during the whole process. If your motorcycle is being collected at your door before being transported to an airport or shipping port, you should speak with the shipping company to understand precisely what they are doing.
Similarly, it’s crucial to get in touch with those at the final location, even if you plan on adding further transport onto your journey. Once you have a clear idea of what to expect at the final destination, you will be able to retrieve your motorcycle with ease. Different destinations may have different rules in place regarding retrieval of goods, so keep this in mind, even if you have used a motorcycle freight transport service previously.
There are main methods of shipping motorcycles to appeal to a range of different needs. Whether you are transporting your motorcycle across the country or overseas, you can find services available to ensure your motorcycle arrives in time and in perfect condition. By working out which method of transport is the best option, you can have the confidence that your motorcycle and any additional parts you needed to remove will be free from scruffs or even more noticeable damage.
Methods of shipping motorcycles include:
The method you select will depend on which is most beneficial for you. Air Freight methods are ideal for getting the motorcycle from one place to another quickly. This is the better option for when you are short on time, such as booking a trip at the last minute, or to keep to a schedule that ocean methods could not honor.
However, it can also be more expensive, and you may encounter issues depending on where the destination is, such as no freight airplanes undergoing flights there when you need them. You may also find that, while the destination is not exactly what you need, it is close enough that you can work out alternative transport from the airport to the final location.
Conversely, ocean freight is another alternative for overseas shipping and transportation. It is slower than air freight, but also much cheaper. If you are not sure on time, it is ideal for saving money while also ensuring your motorcycle arrives at the final destination at the time you need it to. There are options for long ocean freight trips, such as across the Atlantic Ocean, if you need to ship the motorcycle from the USA to Europe. Still, you can also use it for transporting your motorcycle to Puerto Rico and Hawaii. With plenty of ports available, you will have an array of options to choose from, depending on the location of your final destination.
When selecting both ocean freight or air freight, you will need to provide evidence of ownership when collecting your motorcycle or motorcycles from the depot to ensure a seamless experience and prevent delays.
In some cases, you may need to use freight trains or trucks. These methods are suitable for cross-country and state-to-state shipping when you don’t want to ride your motorcycle there yourself or are sending a collection to an event or convention.
Regardless of which method you choose, you can guarantee your motorcycle shipping experts will pack and transport your motorcycle with the greatest of care. This ensures there is minimal risk of damage and also prevents your motorcycle from being misplaced or getting stolen during transit.
Enclosed motorcycle transport is the best way you can guarantee your motorcycle does not experience any damage when in transit. Considering how much motorcycle owners pride themselves on their vehicles, it’s important that they do everything they can to avoid their motorcycle being damaged during transport.
By opting for enclosed transport, you give yourself, the confidence that the motorcycle will arrive at its destination in perfect condition. If it is a new model, then this is vital. However, the same can be said for second-hand or antique motorcycles. No matter what type of motorcycle you transport, having the peace of mind that it will arrive without scuffs and scrapes will make you more confident of using a motorcycle shipping service.
The alternative is using open-air shipping. However, because the motorcycles are not covered during this transportation, there is a higher risk of suffering damage from debris. If you want to guarantee your motorcycle arrives in the best condition possible, then choosing enclosed motorcycle transport is the best option for you.
Several factors go into determining the cost to ship a motorcycle. The most obvious factor is the distance, with general prices ranges from $400 to $600 per 1000 miles. If you are planning on shipping your motorcycle across a shorter distance, it is likely to be anywhere between $180 to $300.
However, distance is not the only factor that decides how much the motorcycle will cost to ship between states or overseas. Shipping companies will also factor in the type of motorcycle, with more expensive or more extensive options costing more. These options are high-value motorcycles or they have a larger footprint, which reduces the amount of space for additional freight products.
There may also be other issues that affect the cost of motorcycle shipping. This can include the type of crate or packaging used to transport, as well as the distance traveled to collect the motorcycle if you request door to door service. Companies will offer coverage up to a specific amount, but you may be able to purchase additional coverage should you feel the need to do so, especially for high-cost motorcycles. It’s essential to keep these potential costs in mind when deciding how to ship your bike.
Along with your motorcycle shipping quote, it’s vital to consider motorcycle shipping insurance. Like any insurance policy, this guarantees protection should unexpected circumstances arise during transit and will help to mitigate any issues should they come up. For motorcycle shipment, there is a range of reasons why you should consider investing in insurance, and it’s not just to help you, but also to benefit the vehicle, too.
Key reasons to look into insurance when shipping your motorcycle, either across the country or overseas, include:
If possible, you can include additional insurance costs to provide even more peace of mind for when the motorcycle arrives. For anyone who has experienced issues with the delivery of any goods in the past, they understand how crucial shipping insurance can be. While it is rare that anything goes wrong during motorcycle transportation, there is always the potential for accidents.
Different companies will offer different levels of insurance, but the general rule of thumb seems to be anything up to $7000. Regardless of how much your motorcycle cost, taking out shipping insurance will prove to be highly beneficial for you, your motorcycle, and the end-user if you are shipping your motorcycle as part of a transaction.
To ensure a seamless and satisfying experience when shipping your motorcycle, you must understand the best practices to make the process straightforward for you and anyone else you interact with during the transportation.
From the carrier who will collect your motorcycle if using door to door service to the officer working at the depot at the final destination, you want to ensure you are prepared for each scenario sufficiently. Not only will this make the whole situation much more straightforward and create less hassle, it will also make their jobs easier, too.
The ways in which you can ensure you undertake the best practices for motorcycle transportation, and therefore keep the process speedy and efficient are:
Much of this is common sense, but keeping everything in mind and striving to do what you can to keep the process simple is something the carrier and depot officer will appreciate.
Motorcycle owners, sellers, or collectors who need a motorcycle shipping company that understands everything you need to know about how to ship a motorcycle can get in touch with R+L Logistics today for an instant quote and high-quality customer service.
Contact us today at 866-322-1381 for all the information you need about motorcycle shipping. We also transport cars, boats, RVs and more. Enjoy a dependable and secure experience that ensures your motorcycle will arrive at its destination in fantastic condition regardless of whether you’re planning on taking a road trip or displaying it at a convention.
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