Choosing a reputable motorcycle mover should eliminate or reduce this risk significantly, but that being said, accidents can and do happen. Sometimes weather conditions or other outside influences that movers have no control over can occur, and that can lead to damage to the bike. Let’s take a look at some common types of damage that can occur and what can be done about it.
Weather-Related Damage
This is a top cause of damage that can happen to a bike during transport, particularly on open vs. enclosed shipping. With open shipping, your motorcycle is strapped down and secured for the trip but it is sharing space with other bikes exposed to the elements. Therefore, your bike is exposed to whatever weather conditions are going on at any particular moment: snow, rain, hail and more. In addition, your bike is vulnerable to any rocks and pebbles that may fly up from the roadway while the truck is driving through those weather conditions. If you’re planning on going more than 500 miles, opt for enclosed shipping instead.
Scratches and Dents
This is another common form of damage to motorcycles. These happen if motorcycles aren’t secured properly during transit. Sometimes transportation can get rough – on the roadways and by boat. The latter can happen easily on rough seas. However, you can get peace of mind for this type of damage by purchasing insurance coverage through your motorcycle shipper. You may have to pay a deductible if damage occurs to your bike, but it’s worth it for peace of mind to protect your bike throughout the shipping process.
What You Can Do
The DMV offers these tips for keeping your motorcycle as safe as possible during transport.
- Research motorcycle shipping companies, getting at least three estimates from three different companies.
- Ask about payment methods and don’t pay the whole amount before the service takes place. Best bet is to pay a deposit, then the balance upon delivery.
- Decide between open and closed shipping. Going more than 500 miles? It’s recommended you go with enclosed shipping which provides much better protection for your motorcycle.
- Ask to see a copy of the insurance coverage before you sign anything.
- Wash your bike and give it a thorough once-over to take note of any existing damage before you ship it. Take out all personal items and deactivate any alarms that may be on it.
- Kick the tires to make sure they are adequately inflated.
- Lock the handlebars and fold in all mirrors.
- Put the bike in neutral.
- For crate shipping, drain the gas tank and take out the battery.
Above all, choosing a reputable motorcycle shipper is absolutely key when ensuring a damage-free ride for your bike.
