When preparing a motorcycle for shipping, the driver has to keep the gas low. Remember, it is your responsibility because the oil will drain if it is not less than a quarter tank of gas. An inspection with you present will take place and a detailed report is made to document any damages that may exist.

Any scratches and dents are thoroughly examined. Make sure that you wash your motorcycle before it gets to the shipping company. Don’t forget to get a copy of the signed inspection report for your records. The truck carrier will have a lift gate for easy loading and unloading of your motorcycle. This makes it much safer to get load the motorcycle rather than physically pushing it on a ramp. Accidents can happen that way.

You can keep the keys in the bike if desired but make sure that the steering is unlocked so that the bike can be positioned on the lift gage and the pallet. You can also have luggage or saddle bags on the bike if you want.

When shipping your motorcycle from one location to the next, make sure that you find the right motorcycle shipping company. Remember, you are placing your vehicle in someone else’s hands.  There are obviously some things to look out for when choosing the right motorcycle shipping company.

When selecting a company to ship your motorcycle, consider using door-to-door delivery. If the motorcycle shipping company offers this kind of service, it will make it a whole lot easier for you and decrease possible damage to your bike.

John the Auto Guy is right, choosing the shipping company is very important. You need to find one that will take proper care of your bike and not be reckless with how it's fastened and handled. One company that I have used successfully in the past was Palmer. They are Detroit movers that handle motorcycle shipment frequently. They fasten it to a pallet and wrap the body in shrink wrapping. That's how it should be done to prevent accidental scratches and stuff.