Motorcycle Shipping Tips: Understanding Motorcycle Transport

Scheduling: Having Realistic Expectations
The most important issue for people to understand about the process of motorcycle shipping is that this industry is not like UPS, Fed-Ex or even the Postal Service. Pick-up and delivery dates are estimates, typically not guarantees of pick-up or delivery dates. Unforeseen problems from mechanical break downs, traffic, and weather all contribute to delays. Ironically, the biggest delays for vehicle shipping companies are typically caused by their own customers. Customers fail to show up on time, try to change pick-up or drop off locations at the last minute etc. Patience is required, and most companies want to get your motorcycle to you as soon as you do. Make sure you have realistic expectations about when your motorcycle will be picked up and delivered.

Selecting a Motorcycle Shipping Method: Open or Enclosed?
The vast majority of motorcycle shipping is done using enclosed trailers. This is done for several reasons. Motorcycle shippers can fit dozens and dozens of bikes in an enclosed trailer that may only hold eight autos. Motorcycles are also a little more sensitive to the elements, many people don't want their brand new Harley or Ducati getting snowed on. Finally, motorcycles are more of a security risk on open trailers. For this reason, ShipVehicles strongly suggests using open motorcycle shipping only for shorter distances (under 500 miles) or if you are not concerned about the exposure and security risks associated with the open trailer over longer distances.

Door-to-door Motorcycle Shipping: What it Means
All of the quotes provided by ShipVehicles are for door-to-door motorcycle shipping. Door-to-door should have an asterisk after it, as it does not always mean a truck will be able to pull up to your front door. Door-to-door means that the truck driver will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery spot as he can legally and safely get. Large towns and cities often restrict large trucks and prohibit them from entering into some residential areas. Motorcycle shipping trucks can be up to 75 foot long, and drivers will need lots of room to maneuver and turn around. When access to your residence is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees, speed bumps or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet the truck at a large parking lot nearby, such as a grocery store, school, or shopping mall.

Payment Methods: Be Ready
While some motorcycle shipping companies may not require payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of the total cost) prior to shipping. If a deposit is given, the balance remaining is always required at time of delivery. You will need to have a CASHIERS CHECK or CASH ready when the truck arrives. Some motoryclce transport companies may allow you to pay with a credit card upon delivery, but this is not common.

Make Sure You Are Properly Insured
Your motorcycle should be insured against damage and theft by your motorcycle shipping company. Make sure you request a copy of the motorcycle shipping company's insurance coverage before you finalize shipping and check to see if there is any deductible you will be required to pay if damage should occur. Everything pertaining to the motorcycle shipment should be in writing. It is likely that your personal motorcycle insurance policy may cover your vehicle in transit; and we recommend that you contact your insurance company to verify this coverage.

Before Pick-up

Steps to Prepare your Motorcycle for Shipping
As ShipVehicles provides quotes only for door-to-door motorcycle shipping, you WILL NOT have to drain you gas tank, remove your battery or crate your motorcycle.

Wash your motorcycle thoroughly even if will be shipped on an open trailer. You want to be able to note any chips, dings, nicks or other cosmetic damage accurately.

Some motorcycles have alarms, please disable the alarm for shipping. It is impossible to be well versed in all of the alarm systems available today, make it easy on the company and disable it.

Please make sure to secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items from your motorcycle such as exhaust, saddle bags, tanks bags, hard luggage, fairings etc. Fold your mirrors back if you can as space is always a premium.

Make sure the battery is charged, that the tires have proper inflation and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and let the driver know if there are ANY leaks. Motorcycles leaking oil and especially brake or fluid should NEVER be on the top of a two deck open trailer. This is to prevent leaks onto the paint of vehicles below.

Prepare a careful list of any operational problems with moving the motorcycle such as brakes not working or clutch not disengaging.

Do a Thorough Vehicle Inspection: Document Its Condition
In order to ensure any claims of vehicle damage are accurate and enforceable, make a complete report of any pre-existing damage your motorcycle may have. You may want to go as far as taking pictures (and dating them) of the vehicle prior to shipping it.

Pick-up

Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not only your motorcycle, but also all of the other customers whose motorcycles or cars are sitting on the trailer.

Releasing Your Motorcycle: Do the Paperwork
Prior to leaving your motorcycle with the motorcycle shipping company, be sure you receive an original inspection report. This report provides pick-up and delivery information, the motorcycle's current mileage, and most importantly documents the condition of your motorcycle at time of pick-up - pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked fairings, general paint condition, etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle. If you will not be receiving the motorcycle, you should send a copy of this report to the person who will be.

Delivery

Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers whose motorcycles are sitting on the trailer.

Accepting The Motorcycle: What to Look For On Delivery
When your motorcycle arrives, make sure that you do a slow, methodical inspection of the motorcycle with a copy of the original inspection report in hand. Look for any cosmetic or discernable mechanical damage that was not noted in the original report. If there is any damage not on the original inspection report, note each incident of damage as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. ShipVehicles suggests never accepting a vehicle if you cannot clearly inspect it. Avoid accepting your motorcycle at night, unless you can view it under good lights.

Should Damage Occur: Steps to Take
Motorcycle shipping is typically worry free, and the vast majority of vehicles are shipped with out incident or damage. However, damage does sometimes occur and it is important to understand that process of receiving compensation for the damage. If damage occurs, and you feel it is directly attributable to the motorcycle transport process, note all damage on your inspection report (see item above), obtain the driver's signature, and contact your motorcycle shipping company. The motorcycle shipping company should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your motorcycle.

Dealing With Disputes: Who to Contact, What to Do
If for some reason you feel that you were not treated properly by your motorcycle shipping company, ShipVehicles recommends that you first try to work it out with the company directly. Most companies should work quickly to help resolve any issues. State your case politely, yet firmly as they will likely respond much more quickly if they feel you are reasonable and would like to resolve the issue with minimal fuss. If this tactic does not produce results, you may opt to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You may also wish to contact The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (http://www.dot.gov). The DOT is the regulatory body that governs auto transport companies, but will rarely get involved unless you have a court ruling against the company in question. ShipVehicles is not responsible for, nor do we get involved in disputes between our customers (consumers, vehicle dealers, and vehicle shippers). However, please make sure you rate the shipper using our ShipVehicles rankings and explain what happened in the comments box.

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