Motorcycle Shippers

[Ironpig9]

Planning for next summer is in full gear and it looks like a few of us from NC will be riding in Idaho next July. Because we can only schedule about 12 days out of state we'll have to ship the bikes out and then ride them back. I know to many of you this is heresy. If it were up to me I'd ride both ways but other folks in the group simply can't swing that amount of time off. Can any of you recommend a reputable, reliable, get-the-bikes-out-there-on-time transport company? A few years ago we used a HD affiliate transport co. and the bikes weren't there when we arrived. Oh, we were haaaaappppy! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated - so much so that when we hit the Cowboy Saloon in Council, Id., we'll drink a couple to ya. Thanks.
Ironpig

[NETacomaFatboy]

http://www.haulbikes.com/ddmt_driver_flyer.pdf

[eglideic]

 i'll tell you what I'll do.
Let me know exactly when you need the bike there and with only the cost of meals, gas, a bus ticket from my home to your home and from Odaho back to my home I'll get the bike there for you.

[Bladesmith]

 
I shipped a bike from NC to NM using these folks    www.motorcycleshippers.com  On time,courteous and very efficient

[rdkng]

I used the Harley / Allied / Federal companies this past Aug to ship cross country. Zero problems and nice HOG discount. All three bikes were sitting on the pallets in the warehouse waiting on us. (course I did have them picked up fairly early from home town HD dealership to make sure they were there before we got on the plane)  No storage costs since we used their facility and bikes were fully packed at pickup which makes it easier.
This was the second time I've shipped with them cross country with no problems.
enjoy. rdkng 

[truck]

I don't know any shippers but I'm curious where are all the places you are going to see/tour on your way home because it's normally a 4 day trip.

[Ridetard]

Suggestion.

There are quite a few passanger trains that have room for a Motorcycle in a situtation like yours.   Something to consider

http://www.on-track-on-line.com/autotrain-tips.shtml

Although this link is for East coast travelers, there other carriers out there.

Good luck

[Gunnut]

Sports Associated.
http://www.sportsassociated.com/html_docs/transportation.html

[Ridetard]

BTW

With 12 days in your budget, there is no way I would pass up the ride there and back.   Not sure what your physical condition is, but it is possible to get there in two days or less.

[moscooter]

 
I agree with RoadKing or whatever....I used HDs Federal/Allied last yr for a trip to Sturgis.  Two bikes shipped from N.C.  to Nebr. and return.

No problems.

[Ironpig9]

Thanks to all for the suggestions on shippers. I'll check them out.
I wish we could ride out and back but the folks I'll be with are barely good for 350 mi a day. A 400 mi day is a big feat. Last time we rode back it took us 6 days from Montana - we also did almost entirely back roads (we also learned that once you get in Nebraska, you stay in Nebraska!)
Thanks again all.   

[Evo160K]

I've shipped from Indiana to Los Angeles by Federal twice.  They did very well.  This past august eight of us shipped our bikes from Indiana to California.  We used Keyboard Motorcycle shipping out of Elizabethtown, Ky. and were extremely satisfied with the care and the price.  Each bike was inspected at pickup by the driver and the owner.  The inspection papers were signed by both the driver and the owner.  We also took pictures of each bike at pickup.  Here's the link:   www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com