PCS'ing I had a Kawaskai Vulcan shipped 10 years ago, it made it fine but I had to ride up in the truck where they strapped to the side with my Household items, if it was my Harley I would prefer a pallet. There is a http://www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com/ that ships conus for approximately $500 depending on where you are going. Ask TMO if it is reimbursable.

 

I have shipped bikes through the military on three PCS moves. As stated before make sure you get a good pre-inspection and make sure you are **** and take lots of pics when you receive your goods. I have had very minimal damage done to mine and the shipping company took care of it right away. But no matter how well they pack the bike it will not guarantee that it will arrive safely. A friend of mine received his Fat Boy while in Hawaii and the delivery guy had it strapped to the back of the truck. But it was not wheels down! It was standing up on the end of the crate. To get it off the truck they just pushed it over! Lots of damage was done as the straps did not hold it enough to stand on the end of the crate.

For those saying ride, it is kind of hard to ride it when you are PCS'ing (moving) to an overseas site.

 

Upgrayed; I'm guessing you're at Offutt...?? If you have any choice in carrier - get "Ford Van Lines." They're pretty much the co. that moves all brass on General's Row and are the best w/shipping prep & moving (thus, reason for moving top dogs). Also, demand a separate crate for your bike, or go to Holstein's & Dillon Bros. to see if they're willing to supply a crate. A final option would be to get your own materials and build shipping stand...wouldn't be hard - craft good floor/frame & use eye-bolts for tie-downs. Then frame it in - this ensure's your bike's not going to get stacked w/other moving stuff. Good luck!

I moved a bike fm CA to ND once & vowed to never do it again. First the mover failed to bring bike w/HHG's (claimed they didn't see one) & when it was finally delivered - dusty/dirty & someone rubbed dust off tank w/hand (scratched). It pretty much boild down to - they don't care to you need to prepare...

 

Mke sure you let the moving Company know in advance that you are shipping a bike. I did when we PCS'd to Germany. They brought out a crate and packed it up very well. Also ensure you have your fluids drained as per regulations, or the battery disconnected before they show up like I did and you'll be ready to ride when you get where you're going. lol. Know watching the movers uload my bike in the ice and snow on a "ramp" they made on the spot, that was the longest breathe I have ever held...

 

I just let the movers handle it and then do a good inspection on the other end. I've been moving around with the military since 1988.

 

One of the guys that works for me had his Rocker shipped back to the States from Italy. The shipping company covered his bike in bubble wrap. Said it left little circles all over the paint and had to have a shop buff it out, so don't let them do that. Some others I've talked to here said to make sure its strapped down right and have the rest of the crate filled with shipping blankets, that's what I'd do. Getting a crate from an HD dealer sounds like a good idea, I'd check into that. Lucky for me, I'm not planning to leave here anytime soon, so I don't plan on shipping my bike.

 

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That is an excellent idea. The nearest dealer to me, Highroads Harley-Davidson in Highland Park, NJ - usually has a pile of the shipping pallets outside as they are one time use only. At worst you'd have to buy some 1/2" or 3/8" plywood to make a box around the base that the bike is strapped in.

 

A friend of mine has a small harley dealership And ive seen hundreds of bikes either coming or going out from his shop. It looks like the safest but more expensive way is on a pallet

 

Found these images of a H-D shipping rack using Google;
This rack is currently for sale at Graigslist




This Honda was shipped using a H-D shipping rack: