September 19th, 2008 by R.J.

Whether you’re buying a new bike, moving to a new house, or just wanting to take your bike with you the next time you go on vacation, shipping your motorcycle may be necessary in many situations.

1) Check with Friends - For short distances, there is bound to be someone you know that will let you borrow a trailer to transport your bike. If not, perhaps they have also needed to ship a motorcycle in the past and know of some good carriers.

For longer distances, you will need to consider a long-distance or air cargo carrier.  CargoLogic USA is the only one I’ve used before. They offer air shipping, truck freight, and even sea freight, to ship your motorcycle door-to-door anywhere in the world.

2) Check References - Be sure to get a list of the company’s references to verify they are a reputable operation. Good companies will be more than willing to provide this information to you. If they won’t; take your business elsewhere.

3) Open or Enclosed - Motorcycles can be shipped two different ways: on an Open or in an Enclosed trailer. Shipping motorcycles Enclosed is the best way to ship your bike, but also the most expensive. If your motorcycle is exceptionally valuable, or you need to ship it through inclement weather, an Enclosed trailer will probably be your best bet.

4) Insurance - Your personal automobile insurance won’t cover your bike during transport. The carrier will offer a minimal amount of insurance which is often not even enough to cover the bike’s trade-in value. In such instances, or if your bike is valuable, you should purchase extra insurance from the carrier.

5) Take Pictures - Buy a disposable camera, take pictures of your bike how you shipped it, and get them developed. Carrier’s say they aren’t responsible for lost or damaged bikes, but if you have pictures that clearly show them at fault, a judge might see it otherwise.

6) Prepare Your Bike - Many carriers will require you to drain your gas tank and disconnect your battery before transporting it. Be sure to ask them about any conditions before it comes time to ship your bike, so you have plenty of time.

Hopefully you can use these tips to get your motorcycle to it’s destination safely.