3 Essential Tips to Ship a Motorcycle

Motorcycles are rising in popularity. Sales of bikes rose more than 14% from 2020 to 2021.

There are numerous reasons for shipping a motorcycle. You may want to attend a motorcycle show, relocate, buy a bike out of state, or sell your bike to an out of state buyer.

Whatever the reason, you should know that transporting a motorcycle is not as daunting as it may sound.  Here are three essential tips for shipping your motorcycle.

01.

There are two ways to ship motorcycles:

• Open-shipping transport, With this type of shipping, a company straps your motorbike to a trailer that is open on the top and the sides. Transporting a motorcycle this way exposes it to the elements, dust, and debris, and makes it vulnerable to damage.
• Enclosed-shipping transport. This type of shipping, fully protects your motorcycle. If you decide to transport your bike enclosed, a shipping company will put it in a  fully closed trailer. We recommend enclosed shipping when shipping a motorcycle.

02. Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipment

Before transporting your motorcycle, wipe or wash the whole thing, including the wheels.This way, you will notice scratches and make them easier to capture in the photos you take before having your motorcycle shipped – and you absolutely should take photos.

Documenting the state of your bike before sending it on its way will enable you to know if it sustains any damage in shipping and give you the evidence you need to ask for compensation from the transport company. 

Check the fluid levels, battery, and tire pressure and fill them to the recommended levels. Sometimes the shipper will need you to remove the battery. If so, make sure you do. And, if the shipper asks, remove parts such as the handlebars and mirrors. 

Remove worn-out items, too. Fasten loose objects and switch off alarms. Sometimes the shipping company will ask you to empty the fuel tank. If not, fill it a quarter full – enough to transport your motorcycle on and off the trailer. 

Don’t assume the shipping company will safely handle your bike’s keys. Ask if it’s necessary that the company keep them during transport before deciding to ship with that company. 
It’s unlikely that your helmet will sustain any damage during shipment if you pack it in its original container. However you can wrap your helpmet in bubble wrap if the original box is missing and it can then  be safely packaged in a cardboard shipping box.

03. Hire The Experts

Consider working with trusted professionals to transport your motorcycle safely. Your motorbike is a valuable asset, and you want it to arrive in the same condition in which it left. The company you hire should have good reviews and insurance sufficient to cover your bike if anything happens to it.

If it is a credible company, it will have lift gates that load and unload during pickup and delivery, and it will not use crates or pallets. 

ShipLux meets all of these standards. Arrange your shipment electronically with us. Thanks to our online reservation platform and Omni channel communication, we will quickly deliver your motorcycle safely to your driveway. In addition, you will be able to track it from the comfort of your couch!
Are you ready to transport your motorcycle at ShipLux today? If so please do not hesitate to contact us. Our customer service team is prepared to guide you through the motorcycle shipping process and give you the top-notch services you deserve.