Shipping/Moving a GS

[DLW]

Hey Everyone,

I'm relocating from Indiana to Arkansas for a new job.  The new company is paying to move me but the movers won't move my bike.  I don't have a truck and won't be able to ride my bike to AR because I have 2 other vehicles to move.  My question is has anyone shipped a bike or have any ideas on how I could move mine?

Any thoughts on the idea would be appreciated.

Thanks,

DLW

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
That's odd about your movers.
When I moved back to PA after college in WI, Atlas Van Lines moved my belongiings and my beautiful 1984 Yamaha RZ350 as well. It was packed into their truck with plenty of padding and a shelf they erected over top of the bike that was secure and safe.
My bike was fine and they did a great job.
Check out some other movers?
I did have to drain the fuel and disconnect the battery.
Good luck.
Todd

[DLW]

Well they told me that they would move it if it were a quad or a dirt bike but they don't move street bikes (too much liability).  Can't use another mover as the company I'm going to work for is providing them.

DLW

[GeeP]

Do you know anybody who will ride it down for you?  Give them some food/gas money and a plane ticket home.  Good excuse for a ride.   

[trumpetguy]

Or if you can get someone to drive one of the cars, YOU ride it down.  It may be easier to find a driver than a rider.

[yamahonkawazuki]

or fix a hitch onto one of teh cars, and get a trailer, or do what tg said

[DLW]

One of the cars is a mini van.  So I will most likely do one of two things.  Put a hitch on the van and tow it on a trailer or I will just store it in Indiana for the winter.  My problem is that with packing for the move I'm running out of time to get this sorted out.  I'm leaving this weekend.

Thanks for all the input!

DLW

[ohgood]

I'll second the notion of getting a hitch attached to one of the cars. Renting a trailer is expensive, but paying a tow truck if you toss the bike one day will be alot more.

Hitch and trailer = $800 or so

One tow truck bill = $400 or so, not counting the 'extra' damage the tow truck might incure.

If you can't find a driver, bite the bullet and enjoy the extra security.

Good luck with the new job, and enjoy the change of scenery!

[Chuck]

Not to mention if you get a hitch and trailer, when it's all over you'll have a hitch and trailer.

A hitch at hitchmart.com is probably $140 (free shipping).

A 4'x8' trailer at harborfreight.com costs $210 ($50 shipping).  I'd spring for the $40 spare tire + mount.

I don't think anyone would move your bike for less than $440.

(UHaul rents a motorcycle trailer for $15/day.  See how much extra you'd have to pay for a one-way.  It might be double or triple, but it would still be a deal.  Then you'd just have to buy the hitch... and man them hitches is useful.)

[SmartDrug]

No no no, you all are going about this problem all wrong.  Sell the bike and upgrade to this:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/455951877.html

I'll ride it down to AK for ya, no charge.

[nikux]

You can also rent the trailer from Uhaul.

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=towing-motorcycle

Atleast they had one in san diego for one way rental when I was planning to ride to san jose.

[davipu]

if you print out the harbor frieght sale ad from the internet, then take it to the store they will honor it and then you don't pay shipping.  three sheets of plywood  and you have a trailer that you can load the bike in and haull more stuff.  then your all set up for track days. (or when you break down the wife/girlie/carnie can come pick you up)

[asobi]

Probably too late for this now but for anyone else who needs to have a bike moved, I've had very good luck with www.uship.com - it's like eBay for movers.  Got my bike shipped back to Pittsburgh from Santa Clara for $475.