| Author | Message | ||
     Whitetrashxb |
So i have a line on a bike i really want, problem is it's in Wisconsin, 1250 miles away. I figure no biggie, me and a buddy can blaze straight up and back in the Ram in roughly 38-40 hours. But then i started thinking about having the bike shipped, and weighing the pros and cons of each scenario. I've never dealt w/ shipping a bike. Expense wise, if i drive it, i'm looking at roughly $400 in gas, plus the loss of a day and a half's income from missed work, estimated at about $250ish. Then there is the wear and tear on the truck (at the very least a synthetic oil change: $50).... If i decide to have it shipped, it looks like the estimates from a couple of websites put it around $600. I'm totally unfamiliar with any reputable shipping co's, and not too keen on buying the bike un-seen, however i do trust the seller. Also curious as to how long it would take to get here. On the plus i wouldn't have to miss work income or put the miles on my truck. Oh decisions, decisions  If i decide to ship, anybody got recommendations? thanks | ||
| Snake_oil |
I sold a bike to a guy on the opposite coast, the shipping co. showed up strapped it to a special pallet and off they went, I don't see the shipping as big of deal as buying sight unseen. | ||
| Geforce |
My buddy purchased a 07 Bolt with fairings from a guy on the West Coast and had it shipped to his door. I was there when it arrived. A Husband/Wife team drove up in a truck with an enclosed trailer and off loaded it into the driveway and he signed the invoice. Not sure what the cost was but I was very impressed with the handling and care put into the process. If you want to do the shipping thing, look around at mom/pop services or big carriers to see how they handle that sort of stuff. Good luck! | ||
| Sifo |
I've heard good things about the places that specialize in MC shipping. You do need pick up and drop off points where someone will be there on the shippers schedule. It's a bit like waiting for the cable guy. Cost wise it sounds like a winner and will probably get better care than you can give it in the back of a pickup truck (not that the back of a PU should be a concern). | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
I've used this outfit a couple of times; happy with it. You get a LOT of bids. www.ushipit.com | ||
| Ljm |
I've shipped a couple bikes with contractors I got through uship too with good results. Two from Alaska to Arizona. Sent them crated for $650 each (I had to get the crates but found them on craigslist and paid $50 for both of them). I also sent the 1125 from Georgia to Arizona via a uship contractor and he picked it up in an enclosed trailer, took it door to door for $485. Licensed, bonded, insured. Great service both times and CHEAP. | ||
| Kyrocket |
A co-worker just bought a bike in Texas and had it shipped to Kentucky. He used JC Motor (?) I think was the name of it, it was one recommended by ebay. $488 and just under three weeks to his door. Not a bad deal when you consider fuel, food, lodging, missed work etc. | ||
| Hootowl |
I have had good luck with forwardair.com Think I shipped my blast to Portland for right around $350. You have to drop off/pick up at their shipping facility, but they're typically right next to major airports, so that wasn't a big deal for me. They provided the shipping container. | ||
| Pwnzor |
+1 Forward Air, the containers are solid, nothing will happen to your bike in transit. | ||
| Sdecp |
I used JC Motors to pick up a bike site unseen. They were at the pick up and delivery points when promised (called the night before to confirm). I think it took a couple of weeks between pick up and drop off. I wished it would have only took two days for delivery, but that was me just being anxious. They told me the exact pick up and delivery times before I even agreed to the pick up. I think it cost me 600 dollars to ship from Madison, WI to Dallas, TX. I am sure there are cheaper options that are just as good, but my experience with JC Motors was fantastic. | ||
| Slaughter |
Read the ads in Amercan Motorcyclist - there are a couple companies that advertise. One thing to check - they MAY require shipping it completely dry - NO oil, NO fuel. (some do, some don't) $600-ish seems to be the going rate. | ||
| Hootowl |
ForwardAir requires no gas, no oil. I complied, but they didn't check. I rolled it off my truck and into the container and put my padlock on the door. They never even glanced at it. Draining the gas tank seems like a no brainer prior to shipping a bike though. | ||
| Steeleagle |
+1 on Uship.com I've recently had 2 bikes shipped cross-country and if you stipulate your conditions and communicate well with the bidders (and they communicate with you!) you can get what you want (enclosed shipping, palletized, etc.) for a decent price. Flexibility with your schedule on both ends of the shipment is key. The bidders on my projects were both small guys simply trying to utilize a trip back from somewhere to pay expenses, so they try and fill their pickup, trailer, etc. Again, patience and flexibility and I think it's the way to go. If you're twitchy about using a part-time shipper with maybe just a little experience shipping bikes, some of the big dogs bid also. All bidders have profiles and user comments. | ||
| Svh |
Another option to consider is a one way plane ticket and ride it home. Can get those tickets for less than $200 often. | ||
| Mr_wizard |
Talk to nevrenuf, he had his M2 and blast shipped back to his house from Wisconsin. I don't know where in Wisconsin it is but I live in the Manitowoc area, if you need any help just let me know |
