I was thinking of bidding on a bike on ebay. Anybody have experience with shipping a bike across country? Besides cost, I was wondering about possible damage and whatnot.
Forward Air everytime Darkside, I've shipped 3 bikes in the past year using Forward Air and I can't say enough how good they are. They use steel containers you roll the bike into and tie it down and then you lock it up, done. Alright, its almost that easy. I highly suggest them. It was $500ish from Columbus, Ohio to Albuquerque. Let me know if you have any questions. Loren
Last winter, I shipped a Harley Road King from Forked River New Jersey to Thousand Oaks, CA - from the sellers driveway to my driveway, used www.Haulbikes.com, it cost about $500 including insurance ($50 deductible) bike had 70 miles on it, so basically new, arrived without a scratch. Bikes are transported in an enclosed trailer. From placing the order to delivery took about 2 and 1/2 weeks. Most of their drivers are bike riders. Mike
There's www.Uship.com It's a 3PL style website. (Third party logistics). You post up what, when, and where you want something shipped and you'll get all sorts of quotes. I havent used it but I certainly would try it. I have set up a few posts when I had a bike or two lined up but the deals fell through before I got a chance to use them. I did get a bike off ebay once. I had the guy break it down and put everything into as small a crate as possible. It ended up being like 4' x 4' x3' ISH... I shipped it through my work's FEDEX account and it was just under $300 from GA to UT. retail cost couldnt be more than $400 though, so dont be afraid to explore that option. Alsooo.. You could try delta cargo. If you can empty/dry out all the fluids, then you might be able to pass the sniffers.. It ranges anywhere from around $0.60 to $1.00 per pound for most of the Continental US flights.. Other Air cargo companies may work too. The one downside is that it must be dropped off at an air cargo terminal and picked up at the other airport. This is NO door to door delivery, but it is cheaper in some cases
I've shipped 3 bike across the country. I've used Day & Ross each time with great success. Around $200 each time. Only thing is you need it created before pick up and some how to load/unload it (like a forklift) once it reaches its destination.
Hall's used this place to ship my TE630 to me: http://www.motorcycleshippers.com/ Everything went very well; it was delivered right to my door!
I have a company I have used several times with no issues. First priority services 866-940-6321 Ask for Greg
Sorry I did not notice you were in Canada. The most I ever paid was $400.00 It has been as low as 200.00
sounds like i got hosed. i had a bike shipped from mich to calif, on a skid, insured quite well, 600 and change .. and that was few years back. nobody on the other end is usually interested in breaking it down and crating for you. add the cost of the crate, labor for the crate and bingo. i tend to think it sort of come out in the wash. now a new bike still in the crate would be sweet. it would be ready to go......
I've been asking several places and 600 is not too bad from the feedback I have gotten... 400 - 825 is the range I have gotten for WY to WA ... But you consider I shipped a bike on a ship from Seattle to the other side of the globe for ~700 and it does seem high ... Only 650 for that trip now ... Bike shops normally have crates to give away ... Just a flimsy, 4 sided hinged plywood shell that sits on a sturdy pallet ... remove the front wheel and bars and strap it down is all that takes ...
