Motorcycle Shippers

[dbran1949]

I have decided to ship my '07 S4RS from San Diego up to Portland where I have been working a a consultant for the last 4 years. I know I should ride it up but I just don't have the time, plus with only getting 75 miles on a full tank, that's a  lot of stops

Any suggestions on shippers. A google search returns about a million hits

thanks
Dan

[Curmudgeon]

This outfit is exceedingly reliable. http://www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com/

[HotIce]

I used motorcycle shippers for my 1098, bought in SEA and shipped to SJC.
Cannot complain. Bike was picked up in time, and delivered ahead of time, at my place, in good condition. They also give you a tracking number.
Prices are competitive.
They use STI as carrier.

The 1199 OTOH, with another shipper, from TX, came with multiple delays, and covered in so much $hit, that I doubt was really transported in a closed container.

[hbliam]

Do not use JC Motors. They (north american van lines actually) crushed the tank of an S4R I shipped. I had purchased extra insurance. When I called JC motors they referred me to north american. When north american failed to do anything I called JC motors back and they said it wasn't their problem. Luckily I had added it to my insurance prior to shipping. USAA cut me a check in 2 days and went after north american and jc motors.

Moral of the story, add the bike to your insurance now if it's not already on there. Oh, and screw JC Motors.

[dbran1949]

This outfit is exceedingly reliable. http://www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com/

Unfortunately these guys won't do the SAN to PDX route

[dbran1949]

I used motorcycle shippers for my 1098, bought in SEA and shipped to SJC.
Cannot complain. Bike was picked up in time, and delivered ahead of time, at my place, in good condition. They also give you a tracking number.
Prices are competitive.
They use STI as carrier.

The 1199 OTOH, with another shipper, from TX, came with multiple delays, and covered in so much $hit, that I doubt was really transported in a closed container.

typing motorcycle shippers into google results in a lot of hits - DO you have any specifics on the company, like an address or phone number - or maybe a link to their web page

if it is these guys http://www.motorcycleshippers.com/
when you click on the request quote it takes you here
http://motorcycleshippers.jcmotors.com/RatePopup.aspx
which looks alot like JC motors that HBliam had some issues with



Thanks

[HotIce]

Yeah, it was JC Motors.
In my case, shipping went fine.
They simply are a broker for bigger carriers. In my case, STI.

[Curmudgeon]

Unfortunately these guys won't do the SAN to PDX route

That's a pity as they've moved some $$$ collector bikes for my son. Might be worth a call to ask them who they might recommend? If it were a car, I'd use Intercity in a heartbeat. Maybe they could also recommend a bike shipper. The piano guys are great because they physically load and unload a bike from that pallet only once. Interesting to watch actually...

[HotIce]

JC Motors does the pallet thing too. Here is my 1098 arriving home  

[koko64]

This is useful, if I were to buy a bike in the US, it would require shipping to Cal where the international shipping companies are that go to Aus. Saving money there would really help with the overall cost.

[Curmudgeon]

JC Motors does the pallet thing too. Here is my 1098 arriving home  

The piano ones are much more elaborate and actually roll. Your bike is loaded and unloaded on the ground.

[hbliam]

Yeah, jc motors did the pallet thing. Then dropped another pallet on top of my bike. Then told me to pound sand even though they took my money for the insurance. Some of you were lucky and that's great. The issue is when they fail to provide any support when you are unlucky. Plenty of other shippers that do a better job.

[Heath]

I used uShip to move a bike from GA to CA.  I specified my pick up window, delivery window, enclosed trailer, ect. Different shippers bid on what I said I wanted. I ended up getting a pretty good deal for about $450. The shippers all had feedback so I could avoid those I didn't trust.  The bids first started at $850 until a guy came in with all my requirements for a decent price.  I would use it again if needed.
I would so make that ride if I had the time though. Riding up the coast would be awesome.

[Skybarney]

I would just hire me,  I will fly down and ride it home for ya.    Does it have new tires?

[dbran1949]

I would just hire me,  I will fly down and ride it home for ya.    Does it have new tires?

I have had a few offers along those lines, the liabilities are enormous... If I wasn't in the middle of a big client deliverable I'd ride it myself.  Last three years I just flew home to San Diego every weekend, different contract this year plus there looks to be some nice roads up here around Mt. St. Helen and the Columbia gorge

I thank everyone for the suggestions - I'll figure something out. I will try keyboard motorcycle shipping   give them a call see if they will recommend someone.

I can tell by the photo of the 1098 coming off the truck  that JC found someone making the same run with some empty space in the back and stuck the bike in there. I can see where it is the luck of the draw just have to hope there isn't a refrigerator tipped over on the bike when it gets to the destination