Shipping a wr 426, can anyone reccomend a shipper?

[JerseyDirt]

Hi Guys, new to the board. I'm trying to buy a 426 from Colorado and ship it to New Jersey at minimum cost. Does anyone here have experience shipping bikes and if so, could you reccomend a carrier and give any tips or advice?

Thanks.

JD

[ThumperWR450F]

check out shipping

[JerseyDirt]

Thanks, but dont you think that $450-$650 is rather pricey? I found Forward Air (www.forwardair.com) will ship for $310. Anyone have experience with this company or any others?

[beezer]

I have shipped some bikes on Forward Air and got them to their destination in one piece. Just make sure the bike is crated and packed well and you should have no problems.

The Forward Air terminal in Newark is a zoo. Everyone that works there gives you that bored "what the F do you want look".

[MN_Kevin]

Forward Air terminal in Newark is a zoo. Everyone that works there gives you that bored "what the F do you want look".

>> Same w/ Logan in Boston, except these dudes looked pissed.

Denver, on the other hand, was clean, VERY ORGANIZED, and the workers were quite pleasant.

[geo199]

i've received 4 bikes from forward air in newark over the last 2 years, never had a problem. in and out within 15-20 minutes every time

[Chaindrive]

Speaking as a trucker who has worked for LTL carriers, as well as truckload carriers:

The 'attitude' differences noted in the preceding posts, with all due respect to my eastern bike brethren, is just very typical of freight terminals the farther east you go. I will take heat for such a sterotypical statement, but there is a very good reason why many truckers, myself included, will not willingly go to the east coast. And I am speaking from years of experience.

Insane traffic and a toll booth on every 2 mile stretch of potholes is only part of the reason. The people you have to deal with (like these dockworkers and shippers/receivers), for the most part, really make you happy to leave, promising never to return.

You need to understand that the trailer you see your bike (or whatever) being loaded into is probably not the one it stays on. Once your freight gets back to the terminal, it is reloaded onto a different trailer which is "cubed-out", meaning your stuff will be crammed, stuffed, stacked on, tipped over....whatever it takes! Damage? "Who cares". Just make it fit! This may be repeated 2 or three more times.

Build a strong crate!!! Think 'Overkill'. Make the bottom 'forklift friendly' like a pallet (with a space for the forks) they will use a forklift anyway, and this will lessen the chance of your bike getting speared. Assume the crate must withstand the worst. Directional arrows often mean nothing if standing the crate on end makes it fit better. Pack with that in mind. Put arrows on every side anyway. Print labels to the effect: "WARNING: Protected by tilt indicator. To avoid freight claim, Contents MUST remain upright." You can actually buy tilt indicators (tattletails), I don't know where, but I have seen plenty of real ones. Note: exterior visible tattletails are often an amusing challenge for bored dockworkers; "Let's see what it takes to set that sucker off!"

Insure and photograph the contents and photograph the pristine crate as well. Make sure the receiver does not sign off without inspecting the contents thoroughly. Most times, the delivery driver will not wait, so sign "Subject to inspection. Signature indicates "item received" only.

I guarantee you the employees of most LTL freight companies, from the CEO on down, would never even consider shipping their most treasured family heirloom through their own system! I learned my lesson.

While employed by Yellow Freight, I had my son's new KTM 50cc racer shipped to me via Yellow (loyal fool that I was!) still in the factory crate. Not only did I pay twice too much, but my fellow teamsters destroyed the packing crate! We waited 7 months for that bike! It was his first 'new' bike. The bike was, miraculously, unharmed, though upside down and unprotected.(Chicago terminal buttheads!). A year later, when we bought a King Cobra (cause the "Kan't Take Much" really couldn't), Fed Ex did a wonderful job for half the price.

BTW: Don't yell at the delivery driver, he is the one who must bear the shame and embarrassment of delivering all the damaged stuff, even though it is very rarely his fault. If there is obvious damage to crate or contents, get him to note it on the bill. Protect your freight and yourself by documenting everything.

[yamaha.dude]

I think the issue you face is that you are not going to be crating it up yourself... Is it a dealer? Get them to use a factory crate... if it is a private sale, get them to go to the dealer and get a factory crate...

Chaindrive has many good points... make sure the sender does insure the thing properly...

Considered flying there and riding it back? LOL

David

[JerseyDirt]

Guys, thanks for all the replies. I checked with forward air and they now have steel containers that they ship your bike in. The bike is secured inside the container with tie-downs. The shipper also locks the container with a combination lock which he provides, and then he gives you (the buyer/receiver) the combination so that you can open the container upon pickup . You have to reserve the container 14 days in advance, but it may be worth it. The total cost with shipping is $360. I thinks this will be the way to go if I buy the bike.

[Chaindrive]

Sounds like Forward Air has their act together. Excellent idea with the reusable, steel bike crates. That would be the winner in my book. And no, with diesel running $1.80 or more per gallon, $360 does not sound too high for a full-sized bike if use of that crate is included and you are shipping any distance.