As a motorcycle shipping company, we have seen it all when it comes to the mistakes people do when shipping their motorcycles. Shipping mistakes can lead to costly repairs, lengthy insurance claims, and even irreparable damage to your motorcycle. This post will highlight the 5 most common mistakes and offer expert tips on how to avoid them. By avoiding these mistakes, you can protect your investment and enjoy a stress-free shipping experience.
Not Preparing the Motorcycle for Shipping
Before you ship your motorcycle, it’s essential to prepare it properly. Failure to prepare your motorcycle could lead to damage or other issues during transit. One of the most common mistakes is failing to clean the motorcycle thoroughly. Dirt, grime, and debris can scratch the bike’s paint, making it look dull and unattractive. Additionally, it’s crucial to remove all accessories and loose items from the motorcycle, such as mirrors, saddlebags, or GPS devices. These items could fall off during transit and cause damage to your motorcycle or someone else’s.
Another important step is to drain the gas tank and disconnect the battery. Failure to do so could cause damage or even an explosion during transit. Finally, take detailed photos of your motorcycle before shipping it, so you have evidence of its condition in case of any disputes with the shipping company.
Choosing the wrong shipping company is another common mistake to avoid. Many people choose a shipping company based solely on price, but this can lead to subpar service and potential damage to your motorcycle. Look for a reputable motorcycle shipping company with a proven track record of delivering bikes safely and on time. Read reviews, ask for recommendations from fellow riders, and research the company’s history and credentials. Additionally, make sure the company offers insurance coverage for your motorcycle during transit, so you’re protected in case of damage or loss.
Been using this company for 2-3 yrs now (I am a motorcycle dealer/seller) and they have always been great. No issues and tracking on shipments is great. I will continue to ship my motorcycles with them.Definitely recommend them A+
I got my motorcycle in 7 days even during the holiday. Motorcycle came exactly how they picked it up, no damages. They were very good at communication I would Call for an estimated time on arrival and they would give it to me. I recommend. Venmo: BlakeCotlar
AA picked up a motorcycle for me in Ohio and delivered it to Montana, on time and with fine communication. A small plastic part was damaged, and the follow up claims process is being handled well. The bike was secured via attachment to a movable pallatte which assured less risk to the forks and removed need to move bike aroound manually. The specialization shown to long distance motorcycle shipping was appreciated.Tom BaxterAbsorakee, Montana
Placed a motorcycle order with AA Transport and my bike delivered to me in perfect condition several weeks later as expected. AA agent Julia did a great job following through on a couple of initial concerns I had. I love the fact I can make one phone call to AA Transport and their office takes my call right away. Worst case scenario is I leave them a message but they always call me back. A business like this who stands behind their services to ensure I’m satisfied is what means the most to me. Their transport driver Max was friendly, professional and offered to help me push the bike into my storage unit even after it was unloaded. Excellent job, AA Motorcycle Transport!
Great company with low shipping rates! They were very helpful and the customer service was excellent. My motorcycle arrived early and in great condition. Communication was very clear throughout the delivery process. I highly recommend then to anyone looking to ship their vehicle.
I used this transport company in October to ship my motorcycle from New Jersey to California. I dropped it off at the terminal in Monroe New Jersey where they inspected the bike for damages and scratches. The motorcycle arrived a week later in perfect condition, even earlier than promised. Every person involved in the process was super nice and extremely helpful. The price was the best....Great company, great service..
From quote request to delivery of my motorcycle, AA Motorcycle Transport proved to be a great shipper service. I was quoted about $175 less than other top rated motorcycle shipping companies which offered the same service. They estimated a pick up date 3 days after I placed my order and picked up exactly on the 3rd day. I really like that they offer tracking and you can check in to see where your bike is at as it moves towards its destination. Transport from North Carolina to California (9 days) arrived 1 day earlier than quoted but since I opted for Door to Terminal service, my motorcycle was not unloaded off of the trailer until 1 day after their delivery date estimation which was not a problem for me. The staff at the terminal were very helpful and friendly when I called them to check status for pick up. Once I arrived at the terminal, they informed me which dock to check in at and wait for them to bring out my motorcycle. I was very pleased to see how it was tied down to a specialized pallet for motorcycle transport. Absolutely no damage or scratches on the bike. Overall this company is great and I would definitely use them again and recommend them to others.
I wanted to share my experience to help out others contemplating shipping their bikes. To start, the pick up was late even after asking to show up an additional 30 minutes after the scheduled pickup window. I was happy when it finally was, and the people that helped load were very professional, but rather overworked. Upon completing my move cross country, I have been at my new home for over two weeks and still no bike. I was contacted by them late on the 28th, which was the final day of the transport window, and was told that it would have to be delivered the following week. Generally, I can be pretty flexible, but with my new job made things extremely difficult to outline extra time for a delivery as it should have arrived a week prior to when it's on track for currently. I understand things happen, but an extra week on top of my original expectation is ridiculous and unprofessional especially given the amount of money spent. Overall below par, and I'd spend the extra money for better service at this point.
It was quite painless shipping my motorcycle with AA and Debbie was quite patient with me. After payment they hooked me up with Corovan as the carrier. They came to the house with a custom motorcycle rack. The bike gets strapped right into it. The men who picked up the bike said they are the best motorcycle shippers out there and I believe it. One huge plus is you don't have to turn over the keys. The first shipping company I looked at wanted the keys to my 800cc Ducati. I don't think so. I guess my only question now is could I have went directly to Corovan and saved money without AA as the middle-man?
I bought online and needed my ride picked up at the dealership. The dealership took pictures and the when the shipment arrived, there were no damages. I recommend that the person or dealership you’re buying from sends a video along with photos.
Shipped my motorcycle cross country from CA to FL. Couldn't have been more satisfied! Bike was delivered in the exact same condition it was dropped off in. Got my bike across the country in under 2 weeks at a super affordable price! Delivered before the the due date given, even though the drop off location is considered remote due to the fact that they don't have any terminals close to there. All customer service reps I talked with on the phone were very helpful and courteous. Thanks AA Motorcycle Transport! Much appreciated!
Shipped a motorcycle from Montreal to San Diego. Was originally quoted 2+ weeks for delivery, but it arrived in 9 days. Bike arrived in perfect shape, not a scratch.
Other than they forgot to pick it up and delayed it another week after 5 calls of not so friendly staff, Other than the last gentleman i called, he followed up w/ an email making sure all was good, My MC arrived, And this was the second time using them, And the last.
Item arrived. Did take two weeks longer than originally quoted. Scheduled pick up on 11/10 with an arrival date of 11/23. Item did not arrive until 12/7.
Easy dropoff at tacoma terminal, and it arrived in Southern California on first day of estimated window. Chose option of 4-hour window, arrived in middle of that window. Arrived in same condition I sent it with. Cheers!
I had nothing but a positive experience. Great communication. Total transport time was exactly 7 days from pick up to drop off door to door (Midwest to Southwest). Easy to schedule pick up and drop off times. Crew was on time.
Great experience with AA Motorcycle transport. Their customer service explained the difference in logistics between shipping door-to-door and shipping terminal-to-terminal, which is the better option when short on time. I dropped the bike off in Los Angeles on Friday and it arrived in St. Louis next Tuesday in the morning. The price was far below their competitors. I will use them again anytime I plan to ship my bike.
AA Motorcycle Transport did an excellent job in transporting my motorcycle from Texas to Minnesota. Not only did it get here in a timely fashion, but there followup was superb. I had a small issue with a scrape on a chrome piece on the muffler of the bike. A $150 part. The problem is I didn't notice it until one day later after I signed off on the delivery. I followed the proper direction, and turned in the damage claim. A week later I received a letter from CRST Specialized Transportation stating that I had signed off on the delivery and "Because of this, STI must respectfully decline settlement on this claim". AA Motorcycle did not agree with the outcome of my claim, and sent me a check for the amount of the claim to replace the part. Being in business for myself for 41 years I understand that not everything goes perfect, and it's how you handle customer situations like this that keeps your business going for years to come. My hats off to AA Motorcycle Transport for putting the customer first, and resolving this issue. A rare find in todays business world.Thank You,Bob
Great company to work with. Very Customer oriented. Took great care of our bikes. Time from pick up to delivery was very quick. Handling of bikes and care was as if the bikes belonged to the drivers.Very professional and responsive to our needs. Our bikes were transported from Utah to Texas. Streetglide and Ultra.Highly recommend.
bike got here. had no damage ,was told windshield would be bubbled wrapped it wasn't i personal would have liked to seen more protection just setting on a skid .looked like at anytime bike could get hurt .just happy it made it here .I was also told that bike would be covered wasn't .the office was very friendly answered all my question and made arrangements to have it delivered to my warehouse when I was going to be there
Great guys to move a bike. Had a Ducati shipped from Orlando to Denver and could not be happier. Great company, easy to drop off at a shipping hub, and delivered it sooner than i expected. Use these guys you wont regret it.
You wrote a review for AA Motorcycle Shipping3 days ago5.0 star rating8/14/2017I had a BMW F650 transported from Riverside CA to the Washington DC area by AA. My experiences with them were super positive. First of all the price was very affordable. I went on to their site, put in my bike specifics (make, model, year and dimensions) and out pops a very affordable quote of 685 to ship coast to coast. Through the process the site was very informative with current updates of where the bike was and emails told me when the bike would be delivered. If there were any questions I picked up the phone and called and within a ring or two spoke with a real live person. Debbie was especially helpful. Also everyone along the logistic chain were very polite and helpful. Lastly they advertise door to door service and that is exactly what I got. Cant say enough good about AA!
Picked up when promised and delivered within the 7 day window also as promised. Driver called to give us a "heads up" and there was no damage!Price was competitive and service was great.
Was very satisfied with my shipment. Only took a few days to ship, shipped faster than I thought. No damages done to my motorcycle and was the cheapest rate I could find. Would highly recommend!
From time to time I have motorcycles shipped and the results have ranged from good to less than good. This last time I had a bike shipped from MI to FL and I used AA Motorcycle Transport for the service. Best decision I have ever made for shipping and I will never use anyone else. Best service, best price, and best results. The entire process from obtaining a quote to receipt of the bike ran like clockwork. The staff at AA (that would be primarily Julia) were very friendly, helpful, and efficient. The bike was secured on a palette loaded in an enclosed trailer and arrived in FL looking exactly as it did when it left WI. I cannot ask for more than that.If you want to ship a bike call Julia at AA Motorcycle Transport.
A great overall experience with this company. I found the prices to be some of the best available. The delivery time was also more than reasonable and the bike arrived looking great. The crew was also friendly and helpful. If I ever need to ship it again I would definitely use their services.
My son received the motorcycle the morning of the day after. NOT BAD GUYS. Ian said it was in excellent shape and was very pleased with the people that delivered it. Really good experience. Thank you very much
I have used AA Motorcycle Transport several times and will call on them for future services. Totally professional from pickup to delivery and tracking is a great feature. Most importantly the bike is secured to a pallet and in my case they bubble wrapped the fairing and windscreen.Do to my work schedule I was able to pick up the motorcycle at the local terminal which was more convenient for me. Cost is reasonable, Oregon to Indiana $665 and delivery was less then two weeks after booking.
When shipping your motorcycle, you need to provide accurate information to the shipping company. Failure to do so can lead to delays, additional fees, or even the cancellation of the shipment. Make sure you provide the correct pickup and delivery addresses, along with any special instructions or requirements. Additionally, provide accurate information about your motorcycle. This information will help the shipping company determine the appropriate shipping method and ensure your motorcycle is transported safely.
Improperly Securing the Motorcycle for Transit
The truck driver will do this, but this is another thing to keep in mind in shipping a motorcycle is ensuring that it’s tightly fastened for transit. Failing to properly secure your bike can result in it shifting or falling during transit, leading to significant damage or even a total loss. To avoid this, use high-quality straps or tie-downs to secure the motorcycle to the pallet or crate securely. Additionally, make sure the bike’s center of gravity is balanced, and all loose parts are removed or secured.
Ignoring Delivery Requirements and Conditions
It’s also essential to pay attention to delivery requirements and conditions. Failure to do so could result in your motorcycle being returned to the shipping company or even being abandoned at the delivery location. Make sure you are available to receive the shipment or provide someone trustworthy who can receive it on your behalf. Additionally, ensure that the delivery address can accommodate the size of the shipment and that any necessary permits or special instructions are obtained in advance.
Using a motorcycle shipping calculator is an excellent way to get an accurate shipping cost for your motorcycle. Our calculator takes into account some required fields such as the type of your vehicle, as well as the origin and the destination zip codes. By using our shipping calculator, you can get the exact amount of how much it will cost to ship your motorcycle and budget it accordingly.
At our motorcycle shipping company, we understand how important your motorcycle is to you, and we’re committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable shipping services. If you’re in need of motorcycle shipping services, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’ll be happy to provide you with a free quote and answer any questions you may have about our services.
Shipping a motorcycle can be a nerve-wracking experience, particularly if you’re transporting it over long distances or via a third party. As a motorcycle owner,…
Properly documenting your motorcycle before shipping is a must for protecting your investment. It doesn’t only give you comfort and peaceful mind but also expedites…
Dealing with delays or cancellations during the motorcycle shipping process is worrying, especially if you’re on a tight schedule. The reasons could include issues with…
