pcarrick
Active member
It's time to move the family from the Bay Area to Lexington,KY. Now I'm looking for a reputable shipping company to move the fjr. Anyone have an experience with this? There are so many companies listed online , whom to choose?
Shipping my 2008 FJR
- Thread starter pcarrick
- Start date
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Willie
Well-known member
I have used Federal Shipping 2 times from MA to UT and back. I was happy with their transport. If you are a member of the AMA you will receive a substantial discount, which will pay the annual dues. At least that was the case for me.
Good luck with the shipping
Willie
Good luck with the shipping
Willie
radiummadman
Well-known member
Forward Air seems to have their **** together. You have to make a reservation, take the bike to their facility, drain the fuel out and tie it down
and lock it in their fully enclosed metal container. You may have to remove the wind screen for your bike to fit, I am not sure about the size of
containers available. What is nice about their service is 1) fully enclosed container that THEY supply, 2) you lock the baby in with your lock,
3) no screwing aroung trying to build some half assed shipping container, 4) this is what they do.
and lock it in their fully enclosed metal container. You may have to remove the wind screen for your bike to fit, I am not sure about the size of
containers available. What is nice about their service is 1) fully enclosed container that THEY supply, 2) you lock the baby in with your lock,
3) no screwing aroung trying to build some half assed shipping container, 4) this is what they do.
TomInPA
Well-known member
I have experience using Eagle Express, and Federal / Allied for shipping. The do things a bit differently, but both delivered the bikes unscathed.
My riding buddy bought a bike from a forum member in Iowa and arranged for Eagle Express to pick it up and transport it to California. He was not in any hurry, but seriously, he made the arrangements in October, and didn't see the bike until almost February. It was picked up at a dealer in Iowa sometime in December, then spent the next month and a half traveling the four-corners to Maine, down the eastern seaboard to Florida, then across the southern tier to Arizona and Southern CA. We talked with the driver on his cell phone in New Hamshire in a snow storm and finally when he was back in California got him to deliver the bike. The truck setup was impressive with two decks and an elevator system that let him move around bikes.
If you're in a hurry, look elsewhere or have a firm understanding of delivery date. If you tell him you're not in a hurry he will take you at your word. He is an excellent door to door handler, but sheesh! All this time spent tied down in the back of a truck blue the fork seals, and at just over 20K this bike has a blown shock as well (could be unrelated).
I sold my large C90 cruiser to a buyer in New York and shipped using Federal/ Allied. They picked up the bike using a local delivery enclosed truck with a lift-gate. We rode the bike into the truck and it was secured to a shipping pallet. It was then delivered to the local warehouse where it sat about one week waiting for the consolidated load to ship. I was informed by email when the bike was loaded and enroute. It arrived one-week later undamaged.
Overall, I would use Allied again. Lots less stress to me and no need to wonder where things are or to call the driver. I think Eagle Express is perhaps a small business man's passion, and I'm not here to put down his work, but he works by going across the country and picking up, and dropping off bikes as he goes. The big freight operators consolidate loads, then they get shipped fast and directly. Less love, but much more efficient.
My riding buddy bought a bike from a forum member in Iowa and arranged for Eagle Express to pick it up and transport it to California. He was not in any hurry, but seriously, he made the arrangements in October, and didn't see the bike until almost February. It was picked up at a dealer in Iowa sometime in December, then spent the next month and a half traveling the four-corners to Maine, down the eastern seaboard to Florida, then across the southern tier to Arizona and Southern CA. We talked with the driver on his cell phone in New Hamshire in a snow storm and finally when he was back in California got him to deliver the bike. The truck setup was impressive with two decks and an elevator system that let him move around bikes.
If you're in a hurry, look elsewhere or have a firm understanding of delivery date. If you tell him you're not in a hurry he will take you at your word. He is an excellent door to door handler, but sheesh! All this time spent tied down in the back of a truck blue the fork seals, and at just over 20K this bike has a blown shock as well (could be unrelated).
I sold my large C90 cruiser to a buyer in New York and shipped using Federal/ Allied. They picked up the bike using a local delivery enclosed truck with a lift-gate. We rode the bike into the truck and it was secured to a shipping pallet. It was then delivered to the local warehouse where it sat about one week waiting for the consolidated load to ship. I was informed by email when the bike was loaded and enroute. It arrived one-week later undamaged.
Overall, I would use Allied again. Lots less stress to me and no need to wonder where things are or to call the driver. I think Eagle Express is perhaps a small business man's passion, and I'm not here to put down his work, but he works by going across the country and picking up, and dropping off bikes as he goes. The big freight operators consolidate loads, then they get shipped fast and directly. Less love, but much more efficient.
DennisJ
Well-known member
https://www.haulbikes.com/haulbikes.html I've read a number of good reviews about this company.
pcarrick
Active member
Thanks to all three of you for the timely reply. I have talked with Allied/Federal and may go that way. The long sojourn tale sounds so familiar. My friend bought a BMW here in Sonoma county and had it shipped by the dealer to Portland,OR. The bike was purchased in October and he recieved his new bike in February after it travelled all over the USA ! Sure, it arrived in fine condition,but I hope to avoid such an experience. Will be diligent in agreement terms with respect to delivery times,etc. Haulbikes advertises heavily on the Internet. Nobody has knowledge of them?
DennisJ
Well-known member
Link to FAQ's for HaulBike.com. https://www.haulbikes.com/faqs.html?gclid=CPWftqKU0bICFcaiPAodaRsADg
petey
Well-known member
I heard good service out of www.haulbikes.com
FJRay
Well-known member
I can't believe nobody has offered to ride it for you. For food, gas, motel, and air fare I will deliver it as long as I pick the route. 
radiummadman
Well-known member
Now that is an offer you CAN'T refuse. That FJRay is one on the ball mofo.I can't believe nobody has offered to ride it for you. For food, gas, motel, and air fare I will deliver it as long as I pick the route.
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
pcarrick
Active member
I contacted haulbikes(DailyDirect)after shopping/talking to several outfits and feel 99% sold: great price, Non-broker operation and a good "vibe", fwiw. I will let y'all know how it played out. I value the input and the sounding board found her.
By the way, I am lovin' my FJR! Best motorsport decision I've ever made and I have been messing with all kinds of powered equipment; horses to airplanes. This is the best of all worlds in my opinion
fwiw. I will let y'all know how it played out. I value the input and the sounding board found her.By the way, I am lovin' my FJR! Best motorsport decision I've ever made and I have been messing with all kinds of powered equipment; horses to airplanes. This is the best of all worlds in my opinion
I've had three motorcycles shipped. PA to CA, NC toCA and MT to CA. All were with Motorcycle Transport Div Allied Van Lines. I think they go by the name Federal as cited in this thread. No damage and they were prompt with notifications on when the bike would arrive. They have specific pallets designed to secure the bike and it stays on that pallet until it arrives at destination. It is less expensive if you arrange pick-up and delivery points with dealers. If you have a Yamaha dealer in your area and one at dest I am sure they will accept the bike for shipment and delivery.. Other dealers will likely be cooperative if you are reasonable and hint a tip will be forthcoming. Good luck!!
pcarrick
Active member
Appreciate the feedback,Art. That's a lot of experience with one shipping company and apparently they please consistently (Allied/Federal). They are second on my list. I tried contacting JC in Irvine,but just got a busy signal. Haulbikes was a lot less than Federal so,apples to apples,they are my first choice. I'll share my experience as the process unfolds.
Cabernetnut
Member
I used Haulbikes to ship my FJR from Indy to Chicago and they were top notch. The haulers are custom made for bikes and the drivers all ride. I would recommend them to anyone shipping a bike.
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NMRoadRunner
A Bulls work is never done!
Forward Air. B)
pcarrick
Active member
Haulbikes just picked up my bike. Right on time ,just as they said. Full- on bike moving outfit. True pros and no bs, just straight up regular guy who travels they USA moving bikes with adedicated two tier trailer just for motorcycles . Understand that it's not FedEx . No overnighting your moto. They have to collect a truckload before returning to their terminals in the Midwest . I expect to have the bike at the new place on two to three weeks,which is fine for me. I won't be there until mid December . So far so good. That's the update ;will complete the review when I receive the bike at the other end (Lexington,KY) best price ,direct contact,no middlemen .
pcarrick
Active member
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