Getting ready to ship her...

[FJR-Voltron]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.

I never shipped a bike with household goods...

They will be crating up the Feej... I know I'm supposed to drain the gas as much as possible, but what other things do you think I should do?

*Remove windshield?

*Remove cases?

*what else?

 

[bikesniffer]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.I never shipped a bike with household goods...

They will be crating up the Feej... I know I'm supposed to drain the gas as much as possible, but what other things do you think I should do?

*Remove windshield?

*Remove cases?

*what else?

disconnect battery, protect tank, and tupperware with thin plastic foil (the kind that comes on a roll and sticks to itself) and yes remove windshield and cases, make sure you have a copy of the title for your bike. You will have to give the original to your shipper and they'll have it stamped by US customs that it's being exported. You should get it back from the shipper once you're in Germany.

that's pretty much it

expect no duty or any other tax in Germany as long as you declare all your stuff incl. motorcycle/car as moving household goods.

if you need any advice just let me know via PM

btw where in Germany are you going to?

I had mine crated by a guy that uncrated bikes for Honda and other brands, so he just used one of the bases that housed a Goldwing before my K110LT needed to be crated (they just adapted)

Happy moving :yahoo:

Alfred

 

[DELETE-PLEASE]

My vote is (if you own it) leave that stuff on, and hope you get some scratches on the sidecases. Then you can claim it, and take the money and use it for farkles.

lol.

I haven't shipped a bike HHG, so I don't know. Sorry. Just remembering an accident which scratched up some pipes, the stock windshield, and some chrome on an cruiser I had and I came out 2300 dollars richer.

Alexi

 

[Patriot]

Personally, I'd be sure they've crated a bike BEFORE :blink: ...or I'd hire a motorcycle shipping company to do the crating for ya good sef...

Just sayin'

 

[RadioHowie]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.I never shipped a bike with household goods...

They will be crating up the Feej... I know I'm supposed to drain the gas as much as possible, but what other things do you think I should do?

*Remove windshield?

I would

*Remove cases?

I would

*what else?

I'd consider taking the plastic off, the lowers, and the front cowling w/mirrors, so an accidental drop wouldn't smash up potentially expensive bodywork. And depending on how much the insurance would be to cover the bike COMPLETELY, I'd even consider taking off the tank and wrapping it up separately in bubble wrap and then in a moving blanket. That's how I'd prepare the sidebags and cowlings, too.

I guess it all depends upon how paranoid you are about such things, but I'd definitely come to an understanding with the moving company about how much the above-mentioned parts cost and having replacement insurance on the items.

Take PLENTY of pre-crated pictures to back up any claims you have. PLENTY of pics! And possibly have the moving company's supervisor/foreman sign off on the pictures and any pre-existing damage.

 

[bikesniffer]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.I never shipped a bike with household goods...

They will be crating up the Feej... I know I'm supposed to drain the gas as much as possible, but what other things do you think I should do?

*Remove windshield?

I would

*Remove cases?

I would

*what else?

I'd consider taking the plastic off, the lowers, and the front cowling w/mirrors, so an accidental drop wouldn't smash up potentially expensive bodywork. And depending on how much the insurance would be to cover the bike COMPLETELY, I'd even consider taking off the tank and wrapping it up separately in bubble wrap and then in a moving blanket. That's how I'd prepare the sidebags and cowlings, too.

I guess it all depends upon how paranoid you are about such things, but I'd definitely come to an understanding with the moving company about how much the above-mentioned parts cost and having replacement insurance on the items.

Take PLENTY of pre-crated pictures to back up any claims you have. PLENTY of pics! And possibly have the moving company's supervisor/foreman sign off on the pictures and any pre-existing damage.

if his stuff is in a 20 or 40 foot container, they will make sure the crate is nailed down on the container floor with 2x4s

At the time I moved my bike and my Mercedes Station Wagon had nowhere to go besides all the furniture and boxes in the 40 ft container, they know exactly how to arrange goods in the container to insure no damage occurs. Usually you will add sufficient insurance for all the stuff inside.

just my .02 from experience

Alfred

 

[FJR-Voltron]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.*what else?

expect no duty or any other tax in Germany as long as you declare all your stuff incl. motorcycle/car as moving household goods.

if you need any advice just let me know via PM

btw where in Germany are you going to?

I had mine crated by a guy that uncrated bikes for Honda and other brands, so he just used one of the bases that housed a Goldwing before my K110LT needed to be crated (they just adapted)

Happy moving :yahoo:

Alfred

I'm going to Mannheim.

My bike is financed through Navy Fed Credit Union. Do I need to get a certified copy of the title plus a letter to authorize shipment?

 

[na1g]

Ditto on the pix, taken just before departure. Be sure to date the photos somehow, like a date-stamp in the photo or include the day's newspaper in the shots. Also ditto on disconnecting the battery. Why leave it able to be started?

Twice I have shipped a bike across the USA, uncrated, and the driver went over the bike very carefully and noted any chips, scratches, etc. I did the same when I received the bike. No on ever looked or mentioned draining the gas. BTW, the bike arrived on the opposite coast in perfect condition.

Wish my FJR and I were going to Germany!

pete

 

[RadioHowie]

they will make sure the crate is nailed down on the container floor with 2x4s

"But honey....they nailed the crates to the container floor!?!?!"

 

[FJR-Voltron]

they will make sure the crate is nailed down on the container floor with 2x4s

"But honey....they nailed the crates to the container floor!?!?!"

:lol2:

 

[BwanaDik]

I agree with bikesniffer. If you're putting it in a container, don't worry about it. Is it a reputable shipping outfit like Interconnex? I've shipped several bikes from Houston to London and back without any problems. And I never took anything off including the windshield or bags. But do take a lot of pictures, just to be sure. And double check your insurance.

 

[bikesniffer]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.*what else?

expect no duty or any other tax in Germany as long as you declare all your stuff incl. motorcycle/car as moving household goods.

if you need any advice just let me know via PM

btw where in Germany are you going to?

I had mine crated by a guy that uncrated bikes for Honda and other brands, so he just used one of the bases that housed a Goldwing before my K110LT needed to be crated (they just adapted)

Happy moving :yahoo:

Alfred

I'm going to Mannheim.

My bike is financed through Navy Fed Credit Union. Do I need to get a certified copy of the title plus a letter to authorize shipment?

Yes that would be a good idea and prudent.

You'll be 167 miles north of where I live and maybe we can hook up next summer for a ride in Switzerland for a few days, you could crash here :drinks:

 

[chrisflock]

they will make sure the crate is nailed down on the container floor with 2x4s

"But honey....they nailed the crates to the container floor!?!?!"

And my guess is they didn't even slow down afterwords...

 

[FJR-Voltron]

?

You'll be 167 miles north of where I live and maybe we can hook up next summer for a ride in Switzerland for a few days, you could crash here :drinks:

Now THAT's the best thing I've heard so far!!! :yahoo:

 

[blkredlinedrvr]

I assume this is a military move? If so they should cover anything that get's damaged goes missing during the move just make sure you have a good inventory and pictures of the big ticket items like cars, motorcycles, TVs, ect before and after the move is done so you have proof that it wasn't pre-existing damage.

I've seen the movers do CONUS moves where they just take the bike and ride it into the moving truck and pack stuff around it without draining the fuel or anything.

If they are shipping it over seas I think it needs to be empty of fuel, oil, battery, ect. I think it's souposed to be like that for CONUS moves too when moving motorcycles but it's probably not checked as thoroughly.

 

[happyPuppy]

Make sure you take lots of pics of it just in case. I would head over to ADV Riders forum, Horizons Unlimited and others. A lot of good info on international bike shipment is to be found.

 

[dbx]

Quite a few years ago when I shipped a bike (1982 Suzuki GS1100E) to Germany in my Household Goods, the movers asked me to make sure the fuel tank was less than half full and the battery disconnected. Four years later when I shipped it back to the States, I was given the exact same requirements - less than half full of fuel and battery disconnected. In both directions, the movers built a crate at my house and secured the bike in it. This was before digital cameras, so we just noted any pre-existing damage on the shipping forms.

 

[Fairlaner]

Well, in a cpl of weeks the movers will be coming to get our household goods for the big move back to Germany.*what else?

expect no duty or any other tax in Germany as long as you declare all your stuff incl. motorcycle/car as moving household goods.

if you need any advice just let me know via PM

btw where in Germany are you going to?

I had mine crated by a guy that uncrated bikes for Honda and other brands, so he just used one of the bases that housed a Goldwing before my K110LT needed to be crated (they just adapted)

Happy moving :yahoo:

Alfred

I'm going to Mannheim.

My bike is financed through Navy Fed Credit Union. Do I need to get a certified copy of the title plus a letter to authorize shipment?

Yes that would be a good idea and prudent.

You'll be 167 miles north of where I live and maybe we can hook up next summer for a ride in Switzerland for a few days, you could crash here :drinks:

You may want to rethink that last bit!!!!

R

 

[colin]

I left everything on, all luggage and stuffed the luggage with the bike cover, helmet and jacket (assuming i'd pick it up, which was way wrong).

What I learned:

- Give them the keys to all the luggage in case customs asks. I had to do a special run to give them keys to the top box.

- Have to declare all the crap in the sidecases, so remember what you put in there. (not sure if this matters via PCS).

- All the luggage just added to the cost, as the crate was bigger than the estimate.

- Don't drive the bike up the ramp when they pick it up while you are just waking up after your leaving party and really still kinda drunk, not even having hit the hungover point yet. nothing too bad for me, just scratched a side case, but could be worse....