Shipping your motorcycle from AK

[akrider]

I had classic motion ship my GS from Anchorage to Portland. The crate they used was an aluminum pallet with aluminum frame and cardboard sides and top......It said Harley-Davidson on the cardboard. Uhhhhhh a used box.

So Big Bad Bob.....how do these guys get some of the shipping pallets that all the Harleys your selling come up to Alaska in?

You could have Fighter build you a crate but it would have indoor plumbing, a full kitchen and would out weigh the truck that carried it.

[Fighter]

Originally Posted by akrider

You could have Fighter build you a crate but it would have indoor plumbing, a full kitchen and would out weigh the truck that carried it.

Hey Kids.......quality don't come cheap and it ain't light.
Oak crown mold, granite tops, and a full fireplace add up!
F*#&'in homeowners!

[flyin_]

Originally Posted by Wheeldog

Sounds like you are talking about Alaska Direct Bus/Trucking.

Hey Wheeldog, do you have any other info on this company? I did a quick google and it didn't turn up anthing usefull.

Thanks for the input!

[1150Anchor]

Originally Posted by flyin_

Hey Wheeldog, do you have any other info on this company? I did a quick google and it didn't turn up anthing usefull.

Thanks for the input!

Alaska Direct sold their transport business to Carlile Trucking. I called them today.

[RedShift42]

Hey Flyin,
Check out this crate I came across on craigslist tonight:

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/mcy/324004880.html

Might be just the thing...

-Eric.

[flyin_]

Thought I would give a quick update. I had some great news this spring...my wife is now 13 weeks pregnant with our 1st and due in November this year Unfortunately this means that she will not be joining me in AK for the trip but good news is I still get to go Now I just need to keep pressing my boss for some more time off to extend this trip.

I have my return flight booked for Sunday August 5th and I'm still working on the final details for shipping. The only problem I have is getting the bike to the craters and shippers before my flight. I was planning on using International Wood Industries to crate and Carlise Trucking will pick up from them and ship it home. Problem is International Wood is not open Sat or Sun.

I'm trying to work something out with them to drop the bike off on Saturday for them to crate on Monday. I still need to check with Classic Motion for a Saturday drop off.

I guess worst case I might have to try and hire a local to drop my bike off for me on Monday

[Smith898]

Classic only charged me $310 to crate my klr. I had a freind with a truck ship it free. The prices i got was around $1200. The crate they use is a Metal frame and is a heavy duty carboard box that i chose. If you want a real wood crate it is more.

[worthydog]

I dropped my GS with Classic Motion a couple weeks ago and am awaiting it's receipt in California. Very nice people and impressive operation.
about $1500 from Anchorage to Ventura. They seem to know their business

[worthydog]

Bike delivered to the dealer in perfect shape. I would use classic motion again

[Fast Idle]

I would pay the extra couple of bucks and have Classic Motion do the crating and Carlile can pick it up from them. I don't have any experience with International Wood but I do with Classic and they know how to safely crate and ship your ride. They are specific to vehicles and the nice ones at that. The other outfit appears to just be a generic packing outfit. Wouldn't want to open a beat up wood crate and see nails and staples with a tipped over bike inside. Not saying they wouldn't do it right, I just don't know for sure. I would definitely want total faith in the crating job whoever does it. It can be a rough ride out by land or sea.

[AKtracks]

How long did it take for the bike to get there?

[worthydog]

took mine about 2 weeks fro Anchorage to Ventura. Delivered to the BMW dealer who serviced it for me. nice

[ADVBMR]

Gary and Joanie sold Classic Motion to some friends of twenty years recently. They stayed around to show the new owners, Ron and Kristie, the ropes and help get them set up. They seem like nice folks and I anticipate they will maintain the same high standards and excellent service.

[worthydog]

yes, Ron was the guy I dealt with. quite good

[railroad bob]

Sounds like this might not work for you, but I've shipped my bike twice with Alaska Airlines,
once in 1993 and again in 2007.
No crate. Disconnect the battery. Leave oil in engine.
Depending on who you talk with, you can have one gallon, or 1/4 tank of fuel.
They don't check the fuel level, oil or battery.
The bike is strapped upright to an open aluminum pallet that extends past the bike on all sides.
I didn't see it loaded, but watching other freight get loaded, they roll the pallet onto the plane,
and it gets locked into rails in the floor.

This option is only available in Alaska and to Seattle, not farther south.
They told me to allow about 3-4 days for arrival in Seattle.
I was able to fly down a few days after I shipped and take a cab to the air freight terminal and pick it up.
Connect the battery, load up and ride off.

Cost was between $650 and $700, part was a hazmat fee.

The second time, the shipper had to be approved. Another member has posted that is no longer a requirement.

Because of your time limit, this probably won't work, because of the delay between shipping and pickup in Seattle.
But if you don't know, you can't consider the option.

Enjoy the ride, no matter what you choose.