By Collin Bass,
uShip.com
Whether you’re moving to a new home or planning a
cross-country trip, a professional motorcycle transporter can make life easier and
save a classic bike from thousands of miles of wear. Motorcycle owners on
vacation often pay for hauling services on one leg of a longer trip— to a big
run like Sturgis, for example— then ride back. Whatever the occasion, if you’re
hiring someone to haul your baby, it’s important to find the best possible
transporter.
Here are 5 essential
tips for choosing a top-notch motorcycle hauler:
1. Know the type of trailer you need to
protect your motorcycle.
If you’re sending your bike to Timbuktu,
you need to consider the duration of the journey, the weather conditions along
the way, and how they might affect your bike. If you’ve invested a significant
amount of time, energy, love or cash in a motorcycle, you should consider
hiring a transporter with an enclosed
trailer. Quotes for enclosed trailer transport might run a bit higher, but
your cargo won’t be exposed to the elements.
2. Search
for verified, unedited reviews of transporters.
Once you’ve determined how your bike should
be transported, look for reviews online. uShip, the Better Business Bureau and
Google are all excellent resources for locating feedback from past customers
about any business. It’s easy to tell when reviews come from actual customers,
particularly on sites like uShip where verified customers are encouraged to
leave feedback.
3. Confirm
the operating authority and insurance coverage of the transporter.
If your transporter is crossing state lines
with your motorcycle, ask to verify their operating authority, which usually
consists of a federally provisioned MC (Motor Carrier) number and DOT number.
You should also ask for proof of your hauler’s cargo insurance in writing,
which they should readily provide. Your personal motorcycle insurance will
likely not cover any damage incurred in transit, so cargo insurance is
essential.
4. Ask for
the terms of payment upfront, before accepting a quote.
In working with a professional motorcycle
carrier, you should know right away when and how payment will take place. The method
of payment should be easily understood. That said, this step makes it easy to
identify potential fraudsters: if a company requests cash payment via wire
transfer, take your business elsewhere. Pro transporters might request a
deposit, followed by the remainder upon delivery. On uShip, however, your credit
card will be charged upfront, and the transporter won’t receive your payment
until you release it upon delivery. Keep in mind that in all scenarios,
carriers can legally refuse to unload your motorcycle until you’ve paid in full
(or electronically ‘released payment’).
5. Be
flexible on the timing of pickup and delivery.
Since the safety of your motorcycle and its
transporter are the number one priority, determine a reasonable timetable for
delivery ahead of time. Last we checked, motorcycles can’t be teleported, so
look out for companies that claim to make a coast-to-coast journey in a few
days flat. Once you’ve found a quality, well-reviewed transporter, work with
them to establish a flexible schedule for pickup and delivery – it’ll also help
to lower your quote.