You might ask yourself, what are the situations when you need to pack a motorcycle for relocation? After all, a motorcycle is a great vehicle that you can use to reach your destination, right? Well, not necessarily. There are types of moving where you cant simply use your bike to get to your destination. Moving overseas, for example. Or, moving with a family. In these cases, you will need to prepare and pack your motorcycle for transport. This comes with certain precautions. To help you get your bike ready for relocation and to make sure it reaches the destination safe and sound, we have compiled this article. So, read on and enjoy!
When packing a motorcycle for relocation, plan ahead
Moving professionals like upper east side movers might tell you just how important planning ahead is for a successful move. As a general rule, having six to eight weeks to prepare would be ideal. This especially comes to the forefront when you need to move items that require special attention. Things like boats, motorcycles, antique furniture and the like will require more time to prepare to be safely moved. So, when you plan for your move, keep in mind that you will have to pack a motorcycle for relocation as well. Set aside at least a weekend to make sure you do this right.
Here it would be best to add all of the steps that we will outline below for a motorcycle relocation, to your moving-out checklist. That way you will be reminded just how much work preparing a motorcycle for relocation can be. This will serve the purpose of reminding you to not leave it for the last moment.
How to prepare a motorcycle for relocation
After setting aside enough time to prepare your motorcycle for relocation it’s time to get down to doing just that. There are basically two ways you could go about this. You could either prepare your motorcycle yourself or you could hire a professional service like packing services NYC to do it for you. Both of these have their own advantages. Having professionals prepare your bike for transport will mean that it will get an expert’s attention. It will also save you the time that you would spend on preparing it yourself.
On the other hand, if you are looking to minimize the costs of your relocation, you might choose to prepare the bike yourself. Even if you have never done this before, there are steps you can take to make sure the move goes well for your machine. Here are the most important ones to keep in mind:
Empty it out
First thing you will need to do is remove all your belongings, lose items and detachable from the bike. These can get damaged in the transport or even lost, which is something you surely want to avoid. Another reason for doing this is that it will make cleaning the bike easier.
Check it
While emptying out the motorcycle, check it for any leaks and other mechanical problems. These can cause a lot of mess in transport, which is something you will want to avoid. Address any mechanical issues before you pack a motorcycle for relocation as well. After all, after the move, you might find yourself in a new environment without knowing what are the good repair shops around. This way, you will be sure that your ride is ready to be taken for a spin as soon as the move is done.
Drain it
Most relocation and shipping companies will require you to empty the gas tank of any engine before a relocation. This is required because shipping flammables is a legal and practical nightmare. So, before you pack a motorcycle for relocation you will first need to drain it of gas. There are two ways you could do this. You can siphon the gas out or you could simply ride it until the tank is empty. If you chose the latter option, make sure you wait for the engine to cool down before you start packing the bike. After all, you wouldn’t want to handle a hot engine while packing the motorcycle. Also, packing the bike with a warm engine could lead to your other items being damaged. Most moving companies won’t even accept a hot engine for loading. So, make sure you leave enough time for the engine to cool off.
Clean it
Finally, it would be very smart to clean your motorcycle before you pack it. This will ensure no dirt is taken along in the relocation. There are two benefits to this. First of all, you will be able to take note of any dents and scratches on your bike. Take pictures of these damages and note them with your movers. That way if any new ones occur in transport you will be able to take it up with them. The second benefit here is that you will have a clean machine ready for the road right after the move!
What are your options when you need to pack a motorcycle for relocation
Finally, when you pack a motorcycle for relocation, you should also think about how you are going to have it delivered to your destination. If you are moving overseas or simply opt for a professional moving service, you won’t have to worry much about this question. However, if you choose to relocate the motorcycle yourself, there are three ways you could go about doing so:
Ride it
The first method is the most intuitive, however, it is also very situational. You can simply hop on your bike and drive it to your moving destination. This is a great solution if you have the moving company move the rest of your belongings. However, it won’t work if you plan on doing the whole relocation yourself.
Rent a motorcycle trailer
Another thing you could do is rent a motorcycle trailer. These are a great way to pack your motorcycle for transport as they come with the necessary equipment built in. However, if you already have a trailer in which you are moving your items during the relocation, you won’t be able to use this option.
Pack it in the truck
Finally, if you have rented a truck for your relocation, you could always pack the motorcycle in. Keep in mind here that you will need to get tie-downs and wheel chocks to secure the motorcycle in transport. You will probably also need a loading ramp to get your motorcycle into the truck.
Pack your motorcycle for relocation like a pro
And there you have it. After reading through our article you should be ready to pack a motorcycle for relocation like a pro. Just take your time and consider the conditions of your move and you will be a-ok!
