As a motorcycle owner, there are important things you had to learn that the average person doesn’t know. For example, you must know how to ride more defensively than you would drive a car, and you need to be aware of maintenance procedures that may not be necessary for other vehicles. However, what you might not know is what should do when it’s time to relocate. While some motorcycles are built to handle a cross-country trip to your new home, that may not be an option for other models. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when you moving a motorbike, but these tips should help make things a little easier.
Whether or Not It’s a Good Idea to Ride to a New Home
If you’re not moving very far from your current residence, you should be able to simply ride your bike to your new home. This certainly saves a lot of time and money since you don’t have to pay to ship your bike or make a second trip to retrieve it. On the other hand, this is only a viable option if you aren’t moving very far or if you have a bike that was built for long-distance trips. Know what your motorbike can handle as far as mileage before you make the trip. Even if you can drive it a long distance, the amount of money you spend on gas may not be worth it in the long run.
Importance of Preparing Your Bike for Shipping
If it turns out that you need to transport your bike in another way, you will need to prepare it for shipping. Check with your bike’s manufacturer to learn the proper way to do this. At the very least, you should drain the fuel tank so it is less than a quarter full. If you’re shipping your bike internationally, you will also need to disconnect all your battery cables, tape the battery posts, and remove the main fuse. This will preserve the battery so you can ride it as soon as you get to your destination (international shipping can take over a month).
When you drain your fuel tank and disconnect your battery, take the time to unlock your forks, put the bike in neutral, and empty the saddle bags. Since things can happen even if you take every precaution, take pictures of your bike before you have it shipped to your new home. If you notice any damage once your bike arrives at its destination, you will have the pictures to prove that it was damaged during transport.
Use the Correct Equipment to Move Your Bike
If you’re transporting your motorcycle by truck, make sure it is secured tightly with Cycle Cynch straps or something similar. If your bike is secured properly, you shouldn’t have to worry about problems such as bent handlebars or broken accessories.
If you ship your bike via a moving company, www.cheapmoverssanfrancisco.net recommends making sure they load it into a wooden or metal pallet. This will keep it secure and safe from shifting or falling debris, and it will make it easier to load and unload using a forklift. It’s a simple solution, but it is one that will make the transportation process much easier on both yourself and your bike.
With a little preparation, your bike will be ready to ride when arrive at your new home. Now get out there and explore all the roads you’ve never ridden.