Shipping across country and back

[alaskabound]

I was wondering if anyone has shipping advise. I want to take a motorcycle camping trip with my son this July in California and Oregon. I live in Connecticut and he lives in Cali. So I want to ship my loaded bike to Cali and fly out and then ship it back.
I have not tried to contact any shippers yet and have no idea about the logistics of it. Any suggestions are welcome. I don't have the time to drive out there and back.
Thanks

 

[Checkswrecks]

You can start with Dirt Dad's Day #21 and on in this thread:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=22667.30


and the end of Harrison's TAT trip here:
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/“fancy”-rides-the-tat-–-post-grad-school-decompression-trip.1146920/


I've done the Great Plains enough times that I told Karen the next time I will probably ship the bike at least to Denver and fly to meet it.

 

[SilverBullet]

Since your son lives there I wouldn't rule out buy, ride and sell after. I probably wouldn't even bother changing ownership/registration for a 2-4 week ride. Buy insurance and go. Sell to break even or close to it after, heck if you buy carefully you might even make money selling.

 

[djm_ct]

Coincidentally, I also live in CT (New Milford) and my son lives in CA (San Diego) and I have mused about doing this myself. I have never made any serious attempt at looking into the logistics, but I will definitely be following this thread to see what comes out of it.
Good luck!

 

[howier]

I used ABF freight from Detroit to Seattle. They have small cubes that work well. You can throw all your gear in it too.

 

[alaskabound]

After farkleing a bike and getting use to the ride, handle bars, seat mods, new windshield, luggage, usb charging ports, etc.. Buying and selling is a poor option, unless you have an endless supply of cash to make the bike fit you. Riding 2500 miles plus in 10 or 12 days on a new bike with camping gear seems crazy at my age. The other option is to rent. When renting you face the same challenges of not having the machine you have spent many dollars and hours making it fit you.
With little research renting a super T is about $200.00 a day. Again its not your bike. So at this time shipping seems like the best option, I received a quote of $750.00 each way or about $1500.00.
To rent an unfamiliar bike with no upgrades for 2 weeks may cost more than the shipping.
I am going to contact some Yamaha dealers in San Diego and see if they would be willing to receive the bike, store it for a few days and then after the ride have the shippers pick it up at their location for a fee.
I'll keep you posted.
Any thoughts?

 

[OX-34]

I'm an Aussie but I've bought, shipped and rented USA bikes.

eg I bought a fully farkled bike online in California and had it shipped to Georgia. I later had it shipped to Pennsylvania. I later had it shipped from North Carolina to New Mexico and back to NC.

I used https://motorcycleshippers.com/ . I was never present during the moves. They apparently send a great big truck, so good access is required and local dealers seemed only too happy to help out. Each move was about USD$750 if I recall.

I've rented a couple of times, once for 4 days (BMW R1200RT for 5,000 miles) and another time 6 days (BMW R1200GSA for 4000 miles). That worked out at around $250 per day once I added the plus plus. Then I had to bolt on some lights and things I carried with me. I rented BMWs because they break down so often that there is a great dealer network and parts can be flown around the country in minutes ::025::

For the $ums you mention, if I lived in the US I would certainly ship my own bike. Crikey, I'm contemplating flying my own Tenere on the Qantas plane with me next time I head to the USA.

 

[RicoChet]

Hi Alaskabound. I recommend you check uShip.com they are a website that connects you with independent shippers who bid on the job you post. There is also an app you can download for your phone. You specify where you want your bike picked up from and where you want it dropped off.

This week I imported a Yamaha MT-01 from Edmonton, Alberta to Toronto, Ontario. Took 5 days and cost $600 bucks.

I highly recommend you check it out. You can speicify your budget and what kind of transportation you want.

 

[Rambler]

As recommended by the famous Mile Muncher - LongHaulPaul. The drivers also need to be riders - helps with treating the bikes as bikes and not ‘goods’.

http://haulbikes.com/zonemap/

I have used uShip though in the past. Both occasions picking up a bike I bought out of state and getting them home.
1. FJR1300 from Boston to Atlanta
2. My Cobalt Blue - romney cycles to Atlanta.

 

[Rambler]

Another option:
This shipper uses their own bike friendly platforms to load and strap down the bikes.

http://www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com/

 

[alaskabound]

Thanks guys,
I checked the websites and motorcycle shippers might be the ticket. I like the fact that they have terminals, that way my son doesn't have to take time off from work to receive it and it could save money.
Thanks again,
Scott

 

[Arizoner]

I used ABF freight from Detroit to Seattle. They have small cubes that work well. You can throw all your gear in it too.

How much did that nice little set up cost you? I'm in the process of getting prices right now for a Boston to Phoenix shipment. Leaning towards Haulbikes, but I also need to ship a few extra items. A cube would do nicely.

 

[howier]

How much did that nice little set up cost you? I'm in the process of getting prices right now for a Boston to Phoenix shipment. Leaning towards Haulbikes, but I also need to ship a few extra items. A cube would do nicely.

$1050 from Detroit to Seattle. That was from depot to depot. They also have a home delivery option for more. Bike was there in 4 days.