How to prepare your motorcycle for transport

You might want to prepare your motorcycle for transport due to various issues. Perhaps you are suddenly moving to another state or you simply need to sell it and ship it. Maybe you want to buy a new one. Regardless of the reason for it, your motorcycle will require transport. And you need to prepare it for such. You can also make use of storage containers Columbus Ohio if you so wish, though to get maximum benefit you would need more things to transport. From transportation options through preparation, all the way to choosing the moving company this article will have it all! So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Prepare your motorcycle for transport – Step one

Your first step is to figure out what kind of transportation is best for you and your motorcycle. There are several options.

Rent a truck and a trailer

Obviously, if you have a truck and a trailer handy, you can skip the renting part. However, if you do decide to rent out, you are looking at around $400. Additionally, you will do all the work. Furthermore, you will need to acquire several items that are necessary for the transportation. Items like straps, wheel chocks, and other essentials will also need to be purchased.

Drive it yourself

If the distance is short, and you have a way home, you can simply drive your motorbike to its destination. Be sure to include the fuel cost and to account for the weather. You will also need to check for weather conditions and the like. But it actually is the cheapest option. You can use the money you’ve saved to acquire packing services from a moving company if you are also relocating. You will spend time driving, instead of packing. Depending on your preferences, this might be a great deal. Or you can just pocket the money, your call!

Hire a moving company

The option with the least amount of work for you. Hiring a moving company to transport your bike is simply the easiest way. You will not have to worry about anything, you simply sign the moving contract and everything will be taken care of. However, you may want to see if there are any hidden moving costs. Again, depending on how much your time is worth, this may actually be the best option for you.

Step two – Transport preparations

Regardless of the transportation method that you will use, you will need to prepare your motorcycle for transport. Here are the steps that you will need to follow:

• Clean the bike
• Make sure there are no loose parts
• Inspect the motorcycle thoroughly
• Make sure tire pressure is good
• Have at least a quarter of the tank filled
• Remove all your belongings

Cleaning the bike

Obviously, the first thing to do is to clean your bike. It will make the inspection easier, helping you to identify any dents or chips. You may want to use some of the motorcycle cleaners for the job. While nothing should happen to your bike during transport, you never know and it is good to cover all the bases.

Loose parts

There may be many loose parts on the motorcycle itself, such as saddlebags. Loose parts may cause damage to the bike during transport and. Either remove them or secure them but never leave them loose. If any damage occurs during transportation, you will be held liable for it.

Inspecting the bike

Inspecting the bike comes next. You need to assess if there are any issues with your bike, either cosmetic or mechanical. This is the time to take several pictures of the vehicle, from various sides and angles. You will also want to record the mileage. The bike needs to be in working condition (unless you are transporting a broken bike, obviously) and not to have any fluid leaks.

Tire pressure

This is really important to warrant a section of its own. Each tire needs to be properly inflated during transport. Many people overlook this part and leave their tires as is. Don’t be one of them!

Fill 1/4 of the tank

While not really mandatory, filling the tank a bit will make it much easier for the bike to go on and out from its designated container. However, do not fill up the tank, as it will increase the weight and will add more expenses. A quarter will do.

Remove your belongings

You may have personal items beneath the seats or in the saddlebags, or anywhere else. Make sure that all of them are removed before you transport your bike. While it is most likely that nothing will happen to them, you never want to take any chances.

Prepare your motorcycle for transport – Moving company

You want to have a reliable partner for the transportation of your bike. You want great customer service, affordable prices, and timely arrival. Your best bet is to go online, read some reviews and do additional research, or perhaps read some tips for choosing a moving company. There are two major ways to transport your bike: open transportation and enclosed transportation. The difference is obvious, open transport is quite cheaper but less safe. Depending on the distance involved, you may wish to go with either option, they both have their pros and cons.

For example, if you need to move your bike over short distances in nice weather, you would definitely want to go with open transport, due to the better price. When it comes to long-distance moving, however, the risks of bad weather increase and enclosed transportation might be a better idea. Unless you are moving in the summer and the weather forecast is clear for weeks, then you don’t need it. All in all, it depends on the situation, choose the most appropriate method for yours. Simple as that.

There is also the door-to-door shipping option. Some moving companies will offer such a service, delivering the vehicle right to your doorstep. Unless your doorstep is in a residential building on the 5th floor, then it might get a bit tricky.