Moving your motorcycle across the country can be an easy and stress-free ordeal, or it can be a pain depending on your preparation. While some might opt for a grueling long-distance bike ride to transport it, a majority of motorcycle owners opt for other DIY methods or using a professional moving company. Here are a few tips to assist you in successfully getting your bike across the country with minimal stress.
Prepare Your Motorcycle for Transportation
There are some steps you need to check to get your motorcycle ready for shipping. Covering your bases helps prevent any potential damage from happening during transit.
Wash It
Thoroughly clean your motorbike to get it ready for transit. Take special care to remove soil particles on the tires and any other heavy dirt. Inspect it before cleaning it to identify any issues that need addressing before packing it for the move.
Document It
If you opt to use movers to ship your motorcycle across the country or entrust it to a third party to do it for you, you need to note its condition. Cheap Movers Las Vegas (www.cheapmoverslasvegas.com) recommends taking pictures of the bike from all angles. Note any pre-existing damage in detail so that you can later check against this list during the post-delivery inspection.
Empty Fluids
Drain the fuel from the motorcycle and only leave enough to enable you to get it on and off the ramp (around a quarter of the tank). You should also remove the battery to avoid any damage due to exposure to high temperatures or other variables. Some movers might have specific conditions concerning the gas and battery so confirm with the moving company you hire to know what their preference is concerning the issue.
Check Loose Parts
Loose or removable parts on your motorcycle need to be secured or stored separately to avoid any mishaps. A simple way to handle this is to tie them and stabilized them during transportation. Some of the movable parts you need to check include:
- Tank bags
- The exhaust
- Fairing
- Saddlebags
Loading Methods
If you opt to go with a moving company, there are different ways to load your motorcycle for transport.
Individual Crating
The motorcycle is placed into a wooden crate on its own and covered up. This is a preferable option as it ensures minimal damage to your bike in case of any mishap.
Multiple Crating
Your motorcycle in this scenario is blocked and secured in a brace alongside others. Double stacking is a common practice here, but it poses several drawbacks including a bracing/strapping failure by another motorcycle that can cause damage to yours. Additionally, your motorcycle can get leaking fluid spilled on it from another one above it.
For the DIY crowd, loading on your truck bed is a standard way to transport a motorcycle across the country. Another DIY favorite is loading it onto a towing compartment that you then attach to your vehicle.
Conclusion
Transporting your motorbike across the country can be a difficult or easy task depending on how you plan it. Prepare your bike before loading it for transport. Decide on the best loading and transportation method that suits your need to get your prized possession to its destination safely.