Towing a Bike from NY to Cali?

[aspin]

I'm moving from NY to California, and I need to figure out how to get my bike from one coast to the other.
There's several sites on Google offering freight/towing services, with the cost hovering around $600-$800.
Is it safe to use such sites, or is there an alternative method you guys can recommend?

Any light you can shed on the matter is appreciated.


PS: I have considered selling the bike in NY and buying a replacement in CA, but I would much rather prefer to transport it. Driving it myself cross-country is out of the question, as much fun as it'd be I just don't have that much free time.

[MFolks]

Can you fit it in a small U-haul trailer and then tow it to Ca.? A covered one would be my choice to protect from prying eyes.

[Always4Kawis]

I've never personally used one of those services, aspin, but I've read on this and other forums to see that people have spent roughly $600 to have their bikes shipped and arrive damage-free from a few of these companies. I'll post up some links if I can find them.
What options do you have available? For instance, are you using a moving company or doing it yourself? Would renting a trailer from U-Haul work? Ditto for a truck.
If none of these (or similar) things are practical for you, don't be afraid to use a shipper. Of course, just do your homework in choosing. Don't forget to check out insurance options, including your own policy.

[badlandsbrett]

There are several companys that do that and are insured so if anything happens its taken care of. My Brother bought a Harley in new jersey and shipped it to LA. when They pick it up you go over the bike and list every nick and scratch and when you get it you do the same. you can even take pictures. its not a problem.

[Always4Kawis]

Look at post #4:
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...-shipping.html
There's a bit of info in this thread:
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...otorcycle.html
And again:
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...need-help.html
These were the most recent threads I could find. Hope it'll help get you started. Good luck!

[cjp91068]

Talk to your dealer where you may have bought or have your bike serviced. They may be able to provide a shipping crate for your bike and maybe recommend a trucking company to ship your bike for you.

Option 2: Ride it across country yourself and have all your other stuff shipped!!

[meanie]

How are you having your furniture and other possessions being sent? Are you doing it yourself or having a company ship it?

I see three options. Shipping it yourself, having it shipped with another or riding it.

If you are doing it yourself perhaps with a Uhaul, you can put the bike in the truck or you can rent a trailer for the truck and strap the bike on the trailer. If you are driving your car/truck, again with the trailer and bike.

You can have it shipped by a dealer or independent shipping company, which most will do as long as the bike it prepped. A dealer will do the prepping at a cost such as strapping it on a pallet and removing the tank (which is required by law), then you pay for the shipping.

The last is riding it. Since you are unable to ride it yourself, perhaps a trustworthy friend who can do so and you can pay for his return flight.

Only you can decide what options is best for you based on your criteria whether it's financial or time consuming. Start making phone calls and weigh all your cost. I don't know any specific motorcycle shipping companies, but even the regular freight companies will ship it providing it's prepped properly (say that fast 3 times) at a decent cost. In general, most freight companies will be competitive. The only advantage to motorcycle friendly freight companies will be them taking better care of your machine. But even the well known larger ones will do the same.

Good luck.

[aspin]

What's the process behind prepping the bike? Is it something I need to do myself or does the shipping company take care of it for me?

Should I call my insurance company and let them know I'm shipping the bike cross-country?

My other stuff is being moved via FedEx and UPS.

[meanie]

Originally Posted by aspin

What's the process behind prepping the bike? Is it something I need to do myself or does the shipping company take care of it for me?

Should I call my insurance company and let them know I'm shipping the bike cross-country?

My other stuff is being moved via FedEx and UPS.

A motorcycle specific shipping company usually prep the bike. A non-motorcycle shipping company will not which is where a dealer comes into play. You can ride the bike to a dealer and they can prep and crate it. You would then notify your choice of freight company the bike is ready for pickup.

Preparation depends on the freight company. Motorcycle specific companies may allow the bike to be transported with all intact (tank, battery, etc.) In general, prepping can consist of removing the tank, removing the battery and removing all removable parts such as saddlebags, windshield, etc. but again, it depends on the company. Some shipping companies will take the bike without a crate and roll it as is. It is also recommended you thoroughly check your bike for any minor/major damage, nicks, chips, mars, etc. before hand and make note of it with a shipping rep to confirm all damage, if any exist. Overall, the bike is then crated in a big box on a pallet and strapped down, then enclosed.

Your insurance company does not have to be notified. Most shipping companies have their insurance and/or offer extended coverage, but ask.

Bottom line is to contact shipping companies and ask them questions. They all vary with their methods and pricing. Be thorough and don't be afraid to ask about their method of handling your bike. Write a list of questions from 1 to whatever such as, what is your cost, who does the prepping, how is it prepped and so on. Any respectful company will be glad to answer all questions. If not, don't use them and move on.

[jbsmd]

Don't know what a 250 goes for in NY or how the roads are, San Diego is pretty fast paced. Even though the 250 is a great bike and you are new to riding. Many will defend the 250, but you may want to upgrade once you get here. and trying to sell the bike here may not be what you might think it should be, plus you might want to recover some of that shipping cost. I am not putting the 250 down.I'd assume the 250 made for west coast is made the same for east coast, depending on the year. some bikes were not for sale here because of smog junk. like zzr600 or 500 and versey could not be sold new here but OK in other states. Lol, good luck and welcome to CA.

[WhiteFox]

My biggest concern is will your bike be able to pass CA emissions tests without adding all the smog equipment to the bike to make it CA legal.

Rich, your down that would that be a requirement for bring in an out of state bike prior to being able to get ia licnese plate for it>??

[badlandsbrett]

As long as it has over 7000 miles on it you can register it with out adding smog

[sdbrit68]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

Don't know what a 250 goes for in NY or how the roads are, San Diego is pretty fast paced. Even though the 250 is a great bike and you are new to riding. Many will defend the 250, but you may want to upgrade once you get here. and trying to sell the bike here may not be what you might think it should be, plus you might want to recover some of that shipping cost. I am not putting the 250 down.I'd assume the 250 made for west coast is made the same for east coast, depending on the year. some bikes were not for sale here because of smog junk. like zzr600 or 500 and versey could not be sold new here but OK in other states. Lol, good luck and welcome to CA.

didnt see where he said 250, but, for the cost of one of those, I would sell it instead of putting out that much money to ship

where in california ya headed

[jbsmd]

Originally Posted by sdbrit68

didnt see where he said 250, but, for the cost of one of those, I would sell it instead of putting out that much money to ship

where in california ya headed

Hey sdbrit , I think I read somewhere Aspin has an 08 250r trying to get it to San Diego. Maybe it was in the memo this morning. You didn't get one?

[sdbrit68]

nope, I was still hung over this morning

[WhiteFox]

Originally Posted by badlandsbrett

As long as it has over 7000 miles on it you can register it with out adding smog

WOO HOOO I learned something today! thanks,, I wsa not aware that it was more or less incremental..

[socalmarcus]

No inspection or emissions test on MC's out here - yet.

[Audible]

Save some $$ buy a nice used utility trailer and securely strap and protect it...that way you have a trailer for future use or sell and recoupe your $$. Just my $0.02...............

[sbc1320]

Mine cost me $495 from Ohio to me here close to Houston, Tx.. I have used DAS Transport Company twice without any issues. Door to door pickup and drop-off with a 48 hour notice both ways. Takes about 2-3 weeks. You can go online and do an online quote easy enough. Good luck.

[DebbieW]

This was recommended to me by someone who used them.

Motorcycle Shipping Company: Daily Direct Motorcycle Transportation