If you have a vintage or much-loved motorcycle you need to transport from point A to point B, but don’t want to incur additional wear and tear on it, you may consider handling the motorcycle transport yourself. If want to go that route, you will find that it is not as easy as it seems. Here are a few things to consider.
Do You Have the Right Trailer for Motorcycle Transport?
Most people don’t have large trailers parked at their homes, collecting leaves and tree pollen. If you buy a new one, it’ll cost you more than $1000, and if you find a used one, you may not feel that it is in good enough shape to carry your motorcycle.
So, can you just toss your bike into a van? Well, yes, if you know how to secure the wheels properly inside the cargo bed. And if you have the cushioning needed as a backup in the unlikely event the straps give out. And if you know how to ease around turns when driving the van. And if you understand the numerous other details large and small that motorcycle transport entails.
If it was as simple as loading the motorcycle onto the van and forgetting about it while you drive, you’d have no problem. However, there’s an art and science to it, and each variable must be considered.
Can You Ensure Correct Loading and Unloading?
You can call a few buddies to help you move across town, but DIYing your motorcycle transport your motorcycle is more complicated than throwing some boxes in your friend’s truck. Even if can get some buddies to help you strap in before and unload after the trip, you’ll still need to make frequent stops along the way to make sure the straps are holding up.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination with a dented and scratched motorcycle. And think about it, if you were shipping a car or a boat, would you do it yourself? You’d be thinking that there are too many risks, too many things that could go wrong, that it was too important a job, and that your vehicle was better off in the hands of an experienced professional.
So, why would transporting your motorcycle be any different? Just because your motorcycle is smaller than a boat or a car, doesn’t mean it is any less important or valuable to you.
Doing it Right or DIY Pride: Which Is More Important?
Motorcycles are actually more delicate than most sedans or sports cars, which means they need much more care. This means that transporting a motorcycle is one of the most delicate types of vehicle hauling. When you come to the realization that you’ll probably have to choose a professional vehicle shipping service, you may think that it’ll cost you more than doing it yourself. But in reality, you will have to get everything together if you go the DIY route. And as we’ve already mentioned, transport vans and trucks aren’t cheap.
It’s more than a choice between the easy way and the hard way. It’s a clear choice between the reliable way—trusted, experienced professional services that are probably more economical and will ensure your motorcycle arrives safely and on time. Or the DIY way—fraught with headaches and unforeseen situations that may or may not deliver your bike safely.
