A Biker's Blog

Guide to Finding Cheap and Reliable Motorbike Delivery and Motorcycle Transporters

Perhaps you’ve just got a great deal by winning a motorbike off eBay or through Autotrader, the only downside being that it is located on the other side of the country.  Or perhaps the motorbike is a non-runner and you need to get it from A-B ready for repairs or scrap?  Whatever your reasons, getting your motorcycle delivered by a motorbike transporter is a fairly straightforward process. 

Service Type

There are a few different service options available when looking to move a motorcycle.

a) Motorcycle transported inside commercial vehicles on specially built brackets
b) Motorcycle transported on open trailer
c) Motorcycle transported in enclosed trailer

Quite often, the cheapest option will be for your motorcycle to be transported as a part-load with other goods in a commercial vehicle (van or HGV).  However, be sure that the transport provider has experience with moving motorcycles and that they are using industry standard brackets/securing mechanisms to help prevent damage in transit.

Custom-built motorcycle trailers do tend to result in a slightly higher cost, however this will help ensure that your motorcycle is clear of other goods.  Open trailers are more susceptible to damage and theft as the bike is clearly visible (in particular when parked).  Enclosed trailers on the other hand offer a more secure solution and do not carry the risk of stone chips or damage from debris on the road.

Getting Quotes / Prices

Just like any service, you wouldn’t just accept the first price you receive.  It pays to shop around, so aim to get at least 5 quotes.

Insurance

Without a doubt the most important thing when choosing a motorcycle transporter is to check their insurance documentation.  If they are not adequately insured, you run the risk of not only not being able to file a claim in the event of damage but even losing your motorcycle altogether if their transporter is impounded by the police. 

Policies do vary from company to company, but the key areas you will want to check are the value of the level of cover and cover for both theft and damage.
Your own motorcycle insurance policy may provide some cover for “vehicles in transit”, so it is worth checking this for extra peace of mind.

Establishing the trustworthiness of motorcycle transport companies

Right, you’re happy with the insurance document and you like the price, but how can you be sure that they are reliable & have the necessary experience to take care of your motorbike?  First off, you should do some background checks on the company.  A simple search of the company name on Google should bring up some impartial reviews.  The company themselves should also be able to offer you testimonials and references.  It is up to them to prove to you that they are trustworthy.  If they find it hard to do that, then they probably aren’t worth the risk.

Payment terms

General practice is that the motorbike delivery firm will take a deposit (definitely no more than 25%) upon booking their services, with the rest payable on delivery.  Usually cash or check is accepted but it is advised to use credit card where possible as you will be able to dispute these charges later should a problem occur.

Go through contract

Verbal promises mean nothing, insist upon a written contract for the services to be carried out.  If you are uncertain about any clauses, ask the firm and get them to re-draft it if necessary. There should be a clause whereby you are compensated if they fail to deliver within the specified timeframe.

Preparing the motorcycle for transport

Now that you have agreed dates and signed on the dotted line, you will need to ensure that you spend adequate time preparing your motorcycle for transit.  99% of problems on delivery are down to poor preparation.  So, don’t leave this to the last minute.  The transport firm will no doubt offer you tips as well, but be sure to do the following:

1) Wash the motorcycle thoroughly
2) Make a written note of any pre-existing damage (chips, dents etc)
3) Take photos of the bike from several angles and close-ups of any pre-existing damage
4) Date the photos and written record
5) If your motorbike is being moved as freight along with other goods, be sure that you remove the battery and drain all fluids and fuel.

Remove any accessories and loose items from your bike, the transporter is not responsible for these items if they go missing or are damaged.

If the motorcycle is being trailered, although not always necessary, it is helpful if the bike is in working order in the case that it needs to be driven a short distance between transporters.

So, you should:

1) Inflate tyres
2) Charge battery
3) Fill petrol tank to ¼ – ½ full
4) Check and fix any fluid leaks

What to expect from the motorbike transport company on pickup / delivery
Before you release your motorbike to the transporter, be sure to record the current mileage, although you bike may be ridden a very short distance to get on/off trailers there should be no major increases in mileage between pickup and delivery.

Make sure that you have the driver’s contact details and that they have yours.
Upon delivery, you need to inspect your motorbike thoroughly.  Do not rush this step or sign anything until this is complete.  Check for any new damage or increase in mileage.  Only once you are happy should you sign any documents, there is generally no come-back once the papers are signed.

In the unlikely event that new damage has been caused in transit, you should file a claim with the transport company and follow their usual procedures. You should also file a claim with your own insurance company within 24 hours.

Post Delivery

The vast majority of motorbike transport transactions go smoothly, however if there were any problems, first try to iron these out with the firm directly. They usually work on a referral basis and so really do want to resolve any issues that have arisen. If you had tried but feel you are not getting anywhere, you may want to file a complaint with agencies such as trading standards.

About the Author

Robert Matthams is managing director of www.shiply.com, the UK’s online shipping & transportation marketplace. On Shiply feedback-rated cheap motorcycle transport companies bid and compete like an auction to carry out vehicle deliveries along routes they are already travelling.

In which of the following activities should you expect to wear body armor?

orienteering, geocaching, or motocross

Motocross is the most likely.

Then again, body armour would come in quite useful for geocaching when the GPS is indicating that the cache is in the middle of a gorse bush or something similar.

Armor $9.77 Since the San Francisco indie rock trio the Trophy Fire had already completed their full-length follow-up to their first album, 2008′s A Lifetime in the Middle of the Ocean, for a fall 2011 release by the time they issued the six-song EP Armor in late spring, it might be wondered, from a marketing point of view, why they bothered to put it out. But marketing considerations fly out the window upon a listen to the disc, a strong, consistent set of pop/rock songs that shows the group off at its best. Guitarist/singer Ben Flanagan is a double threat, first on his instrument, his playing revealing a debt to U2′s the Edge with his keening, anthemic riffs. He also has a grounding in earlier rock history, however, with some rhythmic playing that harks back to the Cars’ Ric Ocasek, who in turn borrowed the style from songs like Tommy James & the Shondells’ “I Think We’re Alone Now.” No matter the comparisons, Flanagan makes it all new again, particularly in the context of his bandmates, the sibling team of guitarist Adam Schuman and drummer John Schuman. In particular, the drummer gives a lighter touch to the songs, preferring buoyancy to power, though he is capable of adding unexpected fills that goose the energy of the band, and his switch to four-four toward the end of lead-off track “Glow” makes it sound like a probable concert favorite. Flanagan’s second attribute is, of course, his voice” a smooth, low tenor that emphasizes the melodies, especially when strings are added, as on “Armor.” In the lyrics, he seems to be trying to keep pace with a woman whose power is all but overwhelming. (“Your victory is at hand,” he admits in “Armor.”) Though he does his best, by the time of the strummed-acoustic-guitar ballad “Bend” at the close, she’s left him. Still, he will try to carry on, singing “Oh, I am just now seeing/That I am on the mend/You can try to break me/But I will try to bend.” It is to be hoped that he will succeed in recovering, especially if that’s going to mean more timeless pop/rock from the Trophy Fire. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

---

What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Kits complete

Market leaders Big Bear Choppers Motorcycles and South Works, made Motorcycle Kits extremely popular. Custom motorcycle has become much simpler than the motorcycle kits. As manufacturers really hard to get what they want their hardcore consumers in appearances on their bikes, these kits made customization a simple step away from having their dream bikes. Sure you can find the definitive motorcycle kit that allows you to design your bike just exactly the way you like. As more cyclists and more people are discovering the greatness of expressed with Chopper games, officials are obliged to make a kit for each bike motorcycle a manufacturer produces. This makes building of his own bike a piece of cake, and of course, less expensive than it has done in the workshop. It's just that some are still confused about how these teams work. Well, if you're one of those people looking for some answers about these amazing rides, this is the place for you. Here, most frequently asked questions about the complete motorcycle kits will be answered in terms striker straighter.

Building from the ground up sounds like the hard work, while manufactured products are ready for your use. But most of these bikes are so generic soft drag only make you look and even feel real steal the bike. With "shell" bicycle, probably end up having the same thing a thousand or so others already have. On the other hand, motorcycle kits will give you the opportunity to be unique and make you really express themselves through their bike. And, like building your own bike is like building your own luxury home, you definitely want to achieve and accomplish what you've always wanted in the project. And you do not want your home to look like any other house on the block, right? Building your own allows you to use your own imagination, so why satisfied with what everyonehas when you can easily have custom bike that matches your personality and help you stand out from the crowd?

What type of bike kits are available?

This means there is a kit for any motorcycle made by any manufacturer in the world. This also means you can have almost infinite options for choosing the perfect game for you on request. There are plenty of options available and no doubt will be something that will match with you and your personality. There are several options available kits for motorcycle vendors, giving it almost an infinite range of choices.

What is easy to start and how long it takes to complete it?

You will need some place to put your bike team together. Make sure read the instructions first, you will definitely need reminders to maximize the enjoyment of building your own bike and prevents simple mistakes. Finish your bike with a custom motorcycle kit will undoubtedly be affected by the amount of time and skill has been applied in construction. If you have more time journal devoted to your work space and ability than you have in the finish and if only to decide on how to polish and do the steps, the less time before you get to have that baby on a road trip. But the key still hanging. As the saying goes, the anticipation makes it more enjoyable pleasure and all good things come to those who wait.

The most common kits bike and the tools you will need to build your own bike. In general, only equipment needed are basic tools of a regular toolset is. However, the most essential need is the space where they are carried throughout the project. You can always clean up the mess in his shop to give ample space for work, or you can always create a backyard shed much more space. Replacement parts and regular service should now be just a piece of cake for you at this time since you already know what to do with your bike. You're the only one who did that, anyway.

The price of a complete motorcycle kit may vary, taking into account what kind of motorcycle you want to perform. In general, however, are much less expensive compared with getting a motorcycle manufactured, depending on how you put the pieces together. As parts are usually cheaper on their own, and you can even take the view on types, brands and types of parts you can get to put on your motorcycle, you can save several thousands of dollarsin building from scratch. But no matter how much you spend on your bike, you can be sure that you will enjoy the results of their hard work and efforts.

About the Author

Stephan is an avid builder of motorcycle kits. For more info on Bike Kits check out http://www.southern-mc.com

7 ways to practice safety while bicycling

When you ride a bike you want to be safe. Cyclists are a part of the flow of traffic and most people use the bicycle as a form of transport. Here are seven ways to stay safe when undertaken in

walk.

1. As soon as on your bike. When you roll your bike in the garage or wherever you have that store, take a quick look at your bike. Are the brake pads contact the rim and not the Rubber

wheel? Are the wheels in motion with ease? Is there any part of the structure rusty or bent? Any problems with your bike you can do a danger on the road to self and others.

2. Place reflectors on your bike. Many accidents are caused by bicycle at dusk or at night because drivers are not easily visible to drivers. With reflectors, lights of a car can detect and prevent

the next victim. Place them on the front and rear wheels attached to the spokes and on the front and back of the frame.

3. Wear a helmet. This point can not be emphasized enough. Broken bones may be fixed but a brain ruptures another matter entirely. Head injuries are almost always fatal when it comes to bicycle and motorcycle

accidents. All cyclists need proper helmet to protect his head.

4. Use light-colored clothing or a reflective vest. What if you happen to encounter problems and need to repair your bike? Even car drivers are difficult to see at night when you change a flat tire. Lighter colors

reflect light and are easier to see. It keeps you safe while driving on the night.

5. Follow the same traffic laws as cars. At one point, the cyclists went against the flow traffic. People were afraid of being beaten back by what I wanted to see what was coming towards them. The

problem which is becoming the corners or riding on paved roads without a shoulder can cause the pilot to turn into traffic and become a part of a collision with a car. cyclists are

supposed to ride with traffic and ride in the lane enough to prevent vehicles from attempting to mount next to them.

6. Use hand signals. Even if you are in a turn lane, it is useful to use the bike hand signals to motorists know your intentions. A left turn is marked by the celebration of his left arm out. A right turn is

points with his left arm bent upward at an angle of ninety degrees. To enable drivers know who is standing, bending down his left arm at an angle of ninety degrees.

7. Carry a tool kit with you. Many bikes come with Basic tool kits. You may have to add a couple of things but your toolbox must contain elements to get you going again to reach an area where you can get help.

Familiar with the tools and how to use them before their first trip.

Remember to be safe when undertaken in the bike ride. You want to have a good time out of danger.

About the Author

For more information on
Best Mountain Bikes
and
Recumbent Exercise Bikes
please visit our website.