need to ship 4 bikes from MD to MN

garcenw · 10-12-2003, 1:14 AM

As some of you know, I got a position as a snowmobile engineer at Polaris. Consequently, I have to transport 4 bikes (CBR929RR, GTS1000, R1100R, and DRS350) from Maryland to northern Minnesota. Do any of you have experience with any of the motorcycle shipping companies? If so, please fill me on your experience and how your bike(s) was/were treated. Thanks.

- Walt

2OHOH2 · 10-12-2003, 2:40 AM

Haven't dealt with them myself, but ForwardAir is what I keep hearing whenever the question pops up.

You might want to talk to your new employer; without a doubt Polaris gets lots of boxes shipped everywhere as well, so maybe you could have it done free/cheap/at cost with a company good enough to move Polaris' inventory.

ND4SPD · 10-12-2003, 7:38 AM

Ditto on ForwardAir.

You could always just rent a trailer and hook it up behind your vehicle. Or if you have a moving company moving all your stuff, they can put the bikes inside their trailer. I had a friend move from Cleveland to Denver, and they put a car inside the semi next to the rest of their stuff

nhfirefighter13 · 10-12-2003, 10:31 AM

Forward Air is the cheapest by far. Keep in mind that they bikes will have to be in 'fully enclosed crates'....that means a minimum of 1/4' plywood around sides, ends and tops. You'll also have to accomidate the use of a forklift.

The one, MAJOR drawback to FA is the fact that they will not insure a motorcycle. They destroy it and you're the one who's screwed.

Another idea is to call and ask them about renting one of their motorcycle crates. You just take your bikes to FA, load em up there in the crates and they ship em to where ever.

garcenw · 10-13-2003, 1:40 AM

I'm not sure I want to tow behind my Integra GSR. Remember it's 4 bikes: CBR929RR, GTS1000, R1100R, and DRS350. That about 2000 lbs of motorcycle not including the trailer.

nhfirefighter13 · 10-13-2003, 8:42 AM

Uhaul

freq · 10-13-2003, 10:26 AM

bikes in the U-Haul and the GSR on a trailer/dolly behind the U-Haul.

G-Force Junkie · 10-13-2003, 10:29 PM

Ya, its probaly going to be well over a grand to ship 4 big bikes. Depending on your time restraints and such, it probaly is cheaper to Uhaul them yourself. Hell, you could probaly do that and fly back and still be ahead money wise. Check your local MC dealers, often you can get their metal framed shipping crates for free.

nhfirefighter13 · 10-13-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

G-Force Junkie : *Check your local MC dealers, often you can get their metal framed shipping crates for free.

You'd still have to enclose them in plywood if you plan on using Forward Air and yes you'd be looking at roughly a grand for shipping charges.

G-Force Junkie · 10-13-2003, 11:36 PM

Quote:

nhfirefighter13 : Quote (G-Force Junkie @ Oct. 13 2003, 10:29pm)*Check your local MC dealers, often you can get their metal framed shipping crates for free.

You'd still have to enclose them in plywood if you plan on using Forward Air and yes you'd be looking at roughly a grand for shipping charges.
Right, I was thinking easier to toss them in the back of a Uhaul.

2OHOH2 · 10-13-2003, 11:42 PM

Back of a truck, and tow the teg on a car dolly.

I thought he wanted to know about shipping

garcenw · 10-15-2003, 12:50 PM

24' truck plus tow dolly from UHall is $1912.

17' truck plus tow dolly is $1681.

I don't recall ever seeing tie-down points on Uhaul truck floors. IF that's the case, I need to get bike pallets.

Kookie · 10-15-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

garcenw : I don't recall ever seeing tie-down points on Uhaul truck floors. IF that's the case, I need to get bike pallets.

D-ring tie points are located on the sides.