How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping?

Shipping your motorcycle is an easy and cost-effective way to get it where it needs to go, safely and reliably. There are a few things you need to do to get it ready to ensure a smooth journey. Motorcycle ownership is a popular aspiration for many people. This desire, however, comes with a lot of responsibilities and potential roadblocks, one of which is the difficulty of relocating your motorcycle. Cross-country or international moves, however, are not the same as domestic. In those cases, the goal is clear: you'll need to find an alternative way to get your motorcycle to your new address.

The obvious choice would be to find and hire a motorcycle shipping company. After all, they have the required resources to deal with anything. However, before you can trust them with your belongings, you'll need to learn how to prepare a motorcycle for international travel.

Thoroughly clean your motorcycle

The first step is to give your motorcycle a thorough cleaning. Remove any heavy dirt and inspect the tyres for any soil deposits. You may get a good look at your motorcycle's condition before travelling by carefully washing it. Even if it appears to be in good condition, you should do this as soon as possible before moving day, especially if you haven't ridden it in a while. Dirt and other particles might make loading more difficult, resulting in unforeseen damage during shipping. Small rocks and other sharp things may detach and scratch your motorcycle during transportation. Dirt can also encourage corrosion on your motorcycle's metalwork if you're storing it for a lengthy amount of time during your move. So, before loading your motorcycle and shipping it around the world, make sure it's clean.

Before shipping your motorcycle, take apart any and all removable parts.

Accessories that are damaged or lost during shipment are not the responsibility of your mover, and they are not covered by insurance. All valuables, as well as any loose or customised goods, should be removed from the storage compartments, trunks, or saddlebags. The motorcycle could be in transit for several days or weeks, and there will be significant vibration throughout the trip. If any fasteners are loose, they may come undone, causing parts to fall off. The insurance provided by the motorcycle moving firm only covers the motorcycle in the event of theft or damage, not any belongings left on the motorcycle. It's also a good idea to double-check all of the fasteners that are easily accessible for loose parts. Things like vinyl, GPS systems, toll tags, and whatever else you put in storage compartments or saddlebags can come loose during transportation. They can also injure others or cause damage to your motorcycle and other belongings. Remove them before shipment to keep everything safe. While you're at it, double-check that any additional custom pieces you've installed that you can't remove are properly attached.

Reduce the amount of fuel in your motorcycle.

For the sake of safety, movers limit the amount of fuel that can be carried in any vehicle, even motorcycles.  Tanks must be completely drained before being sent internationally. If these requirements are not followed, siphoning surplus gas becomes costly rapidly, so be prepared to pay a high fee. To prepare a motorcycle for foreign travel, adjust the fuel levels. Fuel is extremely combustible, as you are well aware. As a result, transporting large quantities of it, especially over long distances, is extremely hazardous. So, before shipping your bike internationally, you'll need to empty your tank. When exporting a motorcycle domestically, just around 1/4 or 1/3 of the tank must be drained. However, for international travel, even that may be excessive.

Evaluate your tyres to verify if they are properly inflated.

While it's critical that your motorcycle is in good functioning order, it's equally critical that the tyres are properly inflated. Because your motorcycle's tyres are part of the suspension system, having them properly inflated will help cushion and protect it while in transit. Make sure your tyres are properly inflated for safety. A motorcycle's suspension system is heavily reliant on its tyres. You don't want to risk them not being at their best because they're going to embark on a long journey that will most likely involve a lot of moving and tumbling around. This will greatly lessen the chances of things going wrong and harming your motorcycle during transportation.

Always keep detailed records of the motorcycle's condition. Keep track of any mechanical issues.

It is also vital to describe any specific mechanical difficulties your motorcycle may already have, just as it is to note any damage to the outside of your motorcycle. This relieves the carrier of some liability and protects you from any potential damage. Next, carefully evaluate the current state of your motorcycle to help you avoid future problems in the event of an insurance claim. Make a list of any scratches, dents, chips, or other cosmetic flaws on your bike. It's also a good idea to take photos of your motorcycle from various perspectives, as well as close-up images of any visible damage. Put dates on all documents and show them to the mover when they arrive.  If possible, have your bike inspected by a professional mechanic who can provide you with a written report on its condition.

Resolve or report leaks. 

1. Leaks must be reported to the mover ahead of time, as they may cause harm to your motorcycle or others in the container if it is shared. All leaks should be repaired or noted in order to take the necessary safeguards. Before shipping your motorcycle internationally, you must ensure that everything is in working order.
2. You should make every effort to resolve any difficulties you discover. You'll have to do it at some point, and the sooner the better. If you do, make a note of them and make sure your movers are aware of them as well. They'll know how to handle your motorcycle with the extra care it requires as shipping and transportation experts.

Don't skimp on your motorcycle's insurance coverage

The truth is that failures can happen no matter how well you prepare a motorcycle for overseas travel. It happens for a variety of reasons, including poor handling, transportation problems, and anything unexpected and out of the ordinary. Although motorcycle shipping insurance is not required, it is strongly advised. Getting shipping insurance provides you the ease of mind that your motorcycle is covered in the event of an accident, much like having car insurance on the road.

Also, make sure you and the shipper are on the same page when it comes to pick-up and delivery locations.  Also make certain to inquire whether the motorcycle transit company you choose wants the keys with the motorcycle or not. This all helps you to have a smooth transit for your motorcycle.