All-American Motorcycle Events | HaulBikes

With the 4^th of July only days away, we’re feeling pretty patriotic here at HaulBikes motorcycle shipping and thought you might want to get into the holiday spirit with some of the most all-American motorcycle events and groups we could find. Here are a few that got our red, white and blue blood pumping.

Tour of Honor benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project

The Tour of Honor is a way to hit the open road, honor our heroes, and contribute to a good cause, the Wounded Warrior Project. This group’s aim is to support military service members who incurred service-connected wounds, injuries, or illnesses on or after September 11, 2001. Events, rides and awareness events are are held nationwide, but you can participate and support them on your own by registering for a season-long, self-directed ride to memorials and monuments around the continental U.S. and Hawaii, with more than 25 states participating. Now through October 31, visit as many sites as you want, with any route you choose. Trophies are awarded to the first three riders to visit all of the destinations in a state or region. Register at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Patriot Guard Riders

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is a motorcycle club whose members attend the funerals of US armed forces members, firefighters, and police at the invitation of the deceased’s family. Patriot Guard Riders do not make any political statement but  ”Unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America’s freedom and security.” You’ll see them making the news shielding service members’ families from protesters, and attending funerals for service members with few mourners. This video is a few years old, but it will give you a good idea of what they’re all about.

Rolling Thunder

The Rolling Thunder event in Washington DC  every year is a demonstration of solidarity and respect for all veterans, with special emphasis on remembering prisoners of war or MIA soldiers.  It’s not too early to plan to attend  this unforgettable event for Memorial Day 2013. If you need any additional motivation to get a group together, check out this Why We Ride video.

Cool Stuff

If you want to make a permanent statement of your patriotism, check out this patriotic gallery of custom paint jobs by Pamela Shanteau, or, if a whole new paint job isn’t in the budget, just get yourself a motorcycle flag and ride on!

Rally Shipping Info

It’s time to make shipping plans if you want to ship a motorcycle to the Milwaukee Rally or Thunder in the Rockies this year.

And don’t forget, we offer a motorcycle shipping discount of 10% off for members of the military and service personnel in the police department, fire department, rescue squad and EMS.

HaulBikes Motorcycle Shipping Blog: Destination Nashville

Can you smell that? Lilacs, fresh cut grass and sweet crabapple trees – spring is here, and it’s time to get out on the open road.

Whether you’re within a day’s ride of Tennessee, or you’re looking for a spring vacation destination to ship a motorcycle to, consider Nashville — a great place to ride, enjoy some great food, and catch some live music. You and your buds can ride on a stretch of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, and still be back in time for barbeque at Jack’s.

Tennessee has some of the best riding roads in the country. In the east, the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood and the Appalachian trail make up the mountainous character of the Knoxville and Chattanooga regions. In West Tennessee, you’ll find Graceland, Memphis soul and the majesty of the Mississippi River.  Somewhere in the middle is Nashville, and just south of Music City is the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez Trace is a memorable ride because the parkway is clean, smooth and scenic. As a national park, commercial traffic is prohibited – it’s all nature, all the time. There are no stop signs or stop lights to slow you down (but follow the posted speed limits — a ticket in a national park is an expensive lesson!)  There are also convenient gas stations, markets, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants just beyond the forests.

The Natchez Trace Parkway winds for 444 miles through three states – Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. It commemorates an ancient trail that once cut through the traditional homelands of the Natchez, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations. By the early 1800s through the mid-1820s, both the land and river routes became corridors for commerce, as “Kaintucks” from the Ohio River Valley brought cash crops, livestock and goods down to sell at the port of New Orleans.

Back then, it took folks about 30 days to walk along the Trace. Today you can ride for a day on Tennessee portion of the Trace and be back in time for dinner in Nashville. Visit Tennessee Motorcycle Roads & Rides for information and maps to help plan your motorcycle tour of Natchez Trace.

Live Music at Tootsie's in Nashville

Once you’re back in the city of Nashville, there’s so many great things to do. Here’s a few highlights we found:

Jack’s Barbeque: Ask the locals where to get some good BBQ, and they’ll say Jack’s on Broadway downtown. Grab your plastic tray and head to the counter, where you can choose from Tennessee-style pork shoulder, Texas-style beef brisket, or smoky-sweet St. Louis ribs, with all the sides.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge: With live honky-tonk every night of the week, you never know who’s playing at Toostie’s, but you know it’ll be good. Grab a beer, squeeze in close to one of the two small stages, and enjoy some of the best local musicians around. They sing for their supper, so throw something in the tip jar as it’s passed around and they’ll keep playing.

Opry Mills Mall: Skip riding on a rainy day and do some shopping instead. Closed from 2010-2012 after devastating flood damage, the Mall is back and better than ever, with over 200 stores, a movie theater and an indoor carousel.

What’s a must see in Tennessee? Share your experiences with us on our Facebook page, and if you need help planning a trip where you need motorcycle shipping, you know who to call!

HaulBikes.com Reviews: What HaulBikes Customers Have to Say

HaulBikes.com Reviews

When it comes to finding someone to trust when you need to ship a motorcycle, it helps to hear what other riders have to say. Here’s a sample of what HaulBikes’ customers are saying:

What a great company who protects your love between your legs! The safest place to TRUST your wheels for the long haul home. Let HaulBikes be your “Cycle” protector from anyplace in America! Great job! –Thomas C-W

You are the most professional bunch of folks I have ever met. I had my BMW and Triumph hauled from CT to OK and they arrived without a scratch. I will always recommend them to anyone! Tip my glass to the Hauler with the mostest…How’s that for FB Love? — Jessica R.S.

I have used Haul Bikes on several occasions to get my Harley across the country when I didn’t have time to ride it there myself, or just didn’t want to ride that far, and I have always been pleasantly surprised with their care and scheduling accuracy. I have referred them to all my riding friends, as it’s nice to know my bike will show up when it’s supposed to, and in awesome shape. – Michael G.

“I have used HaulBikes.com and have nothing but good things to say about them. I did a lot of research online and called several different shipping companies. None of them were as professional and easy to deal with throughout the entire process!! Believe me I’m a biker and know how we feel about our bikes!! I had my bike shipped from CA to VA, over 3 thousand miles and HaulBikes handled the trip seamlessly and professionally and for half what some of the others were charging!!” — Rob F.

Great company to deal with. Ed my driver was great. -Tim C.

HaulBikes.com rocks. They moved my 2012 Street Glide effortlessly and safely from zone 3 to zone 7 dealer to dealer. I am very impressed with the ease of coordination they provide and follow through after the transit. Salute to you HaulBikes we’ll see you again. — Jim H.

 I had 2 Boss Hoss V8 Motorcycles shipped 2 weeks ago to Great Falls, Montana. The person who I dealt with at the office was AWESOME and the truck driver Roy is now a lifelong friend after meeting him once. Pretty much says it all. Oh yeah…Have another Boss Hoss coming with them in a couple weeks…Barry R.

Have used them twice and can’t think of anything negative to say. They do what they say. — Kelly P.

Motorcycle Rallies: 10 Tips for First-Timers

Is this the year you’re finally going? Have you heard all the stories, enjoyed all the photos, researched and planned how to make your trip to Daytona, Arizona Bike Week, Americade or Sturgis as much fun as possible? Any big bike rally has so much going on it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of any rally.

1. Make travel plans early. If you’re shipping a motorcycle, make arrangements well in advance. Call your motorcycle shipping company well ahead of time so you’ll know how long you’ll be without your bike pre- and post-rally.
2. Make a game plan for the week ahead of time. One of the big complaints you’ll hear from new attendees is that they missed one of the big events or signature rides.  All the big rallies have websites that list the entertainment and events. Sketch out a rough list of who you really want to see and where you want to be. You can always change your mind, but you won’t miss anything accidentally.
3. Find a place to stay. The rally websites will have a list of hotels, campgrounds and private homes available for rent. You may want to read reviews to see if your choice will be a quiet place to crash or a non-stop party!
4. Get there early for concerts. Good seats (or standing room) at big shows will go fast. Stake out your spot early to get the best view.
5. Get a tune-up. You don’t want to spend any time tracking down a mechanic or a part when there is partying to be done.
6. Ask other riders for tips. If you can’t travel with an experienced rally-er, join the event’s Facebook page and get the inside scoop. People are usually happy to help.
7. Don’t drink and ride. Nothing will spoil the fun faster than spending the week in the county jail, or worse, hurting yourself or someone else.
8. Cash is king. Take as much cash as you’re comfortable carrying. ATMs can run out of money, and you’ll likely pay a good fee for using them.
9. Don’t forget your camera. Rallies have so much going on that you’ll definitely want to share the experience with friends. Stories and pictures can last a lifetime.
10. Be safe. Make sure to park your bike in well-lit, busy areas, and use a fork lock or other locking systems.  Like it or not, thieves can be at any rally. And of course, never store the bike’s registration with the bike – keep it in your wallet.

It’s not too late to get your ride on for one of this summer’s rallies! Get a group, get planning, and if you need help with motorcycle shipping, or discounts on shipping to motorcycle rallies, you know who to call!

Motorcycle Transport: 8 Tips for Painless Motorcycle Shipping

If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, chances are there’s going to be some point in your life when you’re going to want to get a bike from point A to point B without busting your butt on a thousand-mile ride. Maybe you’re moving, and don’t want to risk your pride and joy getting squished and scratched by the dining-room table. Or maybe you have only a few precious days off and want to hit a motorcycle rally fresh and ready to rock.  Perhaps Great Uncle Joe remembered you in his will and left you his 1962 Harley-Davidson FLHF …on the opposite coast  (THANKS UNCLE JOE!) How do you find a reputable, reliable means of motorcycle transport?

1. Do your research online. If you’re like most people, the first place you turn for information is the internet. Google away, and dig into your motorcycle shipping company‘s website. A good shipper will have plenty of information online to answer questions you may have.

2. Make sure your bike is adequately insured. Find out if your insurance policy covers shipping damage. If not, you may be able to purchase insurance from your shipping company.

3. Read the fine print. Will you be required to crate up your bike, palletize it, or drain all the fluids? Doing so may be convenient for the shipper, and may give you a rock-bottom price…but you’ll more than make up for any savings in the hassle of getting your bike running again.

4. Do your due diligence. It may be tempting to put a classified out there and find someone with an empty pick-up bed heading where you want to send your bike, but this avenue is risky. Will your bike be exposed to the elements? Tied down properly? More importantly, how do you know you’ll ever see your bike again?

5. Ask other riders. Ask your riding friends for recommendations. Try message boards, or even Facebook pages of groups you belong to. Word of mouth goes a long way!

6. Consider a specialist. There are a lot of shipping companies out there. Motorcycles have special shipping needs. Make sure the one you choose has the correct tie-downs and configuration to keep your bike safe.

7. Plan ahead. To keep prices low, motorcycle shippers combine shipments to keep trucks full. This means your shipment could take a month or so to get to it’s destination. We know it’s hard to wait…but it’s worth it to allow plenty of time to get there safely.

8. Think about your location and availability. If you live on a steep mountain cul-de-sac, you may want to work with your shipping company to meet at an easier location for a semi-truck to access. If you’re not always available, it’s possible you can make arrangements with you local motorcycle dealer for pick up and drop off.

With a little research and planning, motorcycle transport doesn’t have to be a hassle. And if you choose Haul Bikes, you’ll be able to complete any delivery with plenty of peace of mind.

Buying a motorcycle on eBay: Tips for not getting burned

If you’ve ever considered bidding for a bike on eBay, you may have wondered how you could take advantage of a great out-of-state bargain without getting scammed in the process. There are plenty of horror stories out there, but with a little planning and common sense, you may just find yourself in possession of the bike of your dreams, even if it’s from a seller 1000 miles away.

Use common sense. Just picture your Dad looking over your shoulder saying “If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.” PLEASE don’t fall for the “I’ll send you a cashier’s check for over the amount, you keep the rest” scam.

Get an inspection. If you’re serious, find a nearby dealer or mechanic and have the seller get the bike inspected. You’ll have to pay the fee, but an unbiased opinion may save you a ton of heartache (and cash) in the end.

Check the seller’s feedback. Make sure your seller has a lot of successful transactions under their belt. A seller’s reputation is their most valuable sales tool, and their feedback rating gives you a good feel for their integrity.

Get lots of pictures. Don’t hesitate to ask for more, different angles, or even a video of the bike starting up.

Know what you’re bidding on. With so much information at your fingertips, there’s no excuse for not knowing the ballpark value of a bike. Check Kelley Blue Book for estimates of what a bike is worth according to condition, mileage, and geographic location.

Protect yourself and the seller by using escrow. EBay’s “official” escrow provider is escrow.com. When you use Escrow.com, they collect the money from the buyer and hold it until the buyer and seller agree that the terms of the sale have been met. Escrow services are available for a small fee for purchases over $500. If your seller refuses to use escrow services, keep in mind that you’re taking your chances!

If you’re wondering about shipping charges, you can get real-time motorcycle shipping quotes as you’re making your purchase. HaulBikes is a preferred eBay motorcycle shipping provider, so of course we hope you’ll choose us!

Great motorcycle shipping experience? HaulBikes wants to hear from you!

Did you get great service from your Haul Bikes driver? Was your bike shipped to your destination in time for the big rally? We want to hear from you about a good experience you had with the Haul Bikes team!  At HaulBikes, our goal is to be the best motorcycle shipping company in the business. But frankly, you probably don’t care how great we think we are. You care about what other riders think, what their experiences have been shipping a motorcycle.

Give us some love – win a gas card

So we’re asking you to help your fellow riders out. If you’ve had a great experience, post it on our Facebook page. To sweeten the deal, between now and March 31, if you put a positive post on our Facebook page, you’ll be  entered in a drawing for a $20, $30 or $50 gas card. The drawing will be held the first week of April, and we will notify the winner immediately.

If your experience wasn’t everything you’d hoped for, we hope you’ll give us the opportunity to make it right. Please contact customer service if you have other feedback or a concern.

HaulBikes Motorcycle Shipping

We know you have choices when it comes to who you choose to ship a motorcycle. Whether you’ve purchased your dream ride at an auction, found a great deal on eBay, or are planning the trip of a lifetime, you want to make sure your motorcycle gets to your destination on time, in one piece. Nothing can ruin a trip, or a purchase, faster than a damaged bike or a late shipment.

Shipping your bike to a rally: Tips for a safe and successful trip

Sometimes, getting there is half the fun. If you have the time, spending a few days riding or trailing your bike to and from a big motorcycle rally can be a great way to start and end your vacation. But if your vacation time is limited and you’d rather spend your precious time enjoying all the music, food, fun and games that motorcycle rallies have to offer, why not consider shipping your motorcycle to the rally and meeting it there?

There’s a common misconception that motorcycle shipping is inconvenient – that you might have to drain the gas and other fluids, crate it up, or palletize your bike. Not exactly a fun way to start a vacation. Plus, then you have the hassle of getting your bike un-crated and gassed up before you can ride once it reaches your destination. Fortunately, there are companies that have specialized trucks with tie-down systems that allow your bike to roll right off the truck and onto the street.

For even more convenience, you can see if your motorcycle shipper provides door-to-door pickup and delivery. For groups or popular rallies, your shipper might have you meet at a local dealership or other drop-off location. Many times you’ll also find motorcycle shipping discounts  for big rallies, like Sturgis or Daytona. This option has the added benefit of letting you meet other riders in your area who are heading to the rally. Why not start the party early?

Are you confident your bike will be safe on cross-country trip? Some shipping companies you may find online may say they can ship a motorcycle, but they don’t specialize in motorcycle transportation. This could put your bike at risk for being on a truck crowded with livestock, furniture…or worse. This can be the case if you choose a “general” shipping company or a small-time independent shipper. You could get lucky and get a deal, but if you go this route, you have to be willing to take the risks. Whatever company you choose, shipping insurance is always a good idea.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in convenience and care for your bike – not to mention peace of mind for a successful rally vacation, make sure to choose a company that specializes in motorcycle shipping. Call or look online for special rates for rally shipping, book your shipment far enough ahead of time to make sure you get a spot on the truck, meet your bike there, and enjoy a worry-free vacation.

Storing your motorcycle for winter?

For those that live in cold climates, that means your motorcycle will hibernate for the winter. If there is no motorcycle off-season where you live, then you will likely scan this article, chuckle, and then go for a ride while the rest of us are doing a bit of work in order to NOT ride our motorcycles. Or even better — you’re planning on shipping your motorcycle to some great, warm-weather rally!

Consider this checklist a gentle reminder of the basics of winter storage. Remember, proper winterization will greatly increase the chances your bike will start right up in the spring. So, before you tuck your baby away for its long, winter sleep:

• Find a good place to store it – ideally a dry, heated place with a breathable. motorcycle cover to prevent moisture from being trapped underneath.
• Change the oil – afterwards run the engine for a bit to circulate the new oil.
• Lubricate any moving parts – the chain, all cables, and all pivoting parts (foot peg joints, etc).
• Remove the battery – after removal, it should be stored in a warm, dry place.
• Clean and wax – thoroughly remove built up grease, tar, bugs, etc. that have accumulated from the riding season. Wax the tank to create a nice protective barrier. A protecting moisturizer on the tires will help prevent dry-out.
• Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer – this will prevent the gas from going bad.
• Check the tire pressure – inflate them to the proper level if need be.
• Drain the carburetor – if this applies to your bike.

Shipping a motorcycle: How long will it take?

One of the most common questions we get here at HaulBikes is:  How long will it take to ship my motorcycle?

We understand. You’re anxious to get your bike where it needs to go. And you don’t want to be separated from your baby any longer than absolutely necessary.

Shipping times depend on a few things — how far your bike is traveling, the time of year, and how your bike can be grouped with other shipments.

In general, we pool as many motorcycles as we can during our cross country runs. Understand we are not just driving across the country to pick up or drop off your motorcycle alone. Pooling bikes together for shipping is the key to making motorcycle shipping affordable for you.

When a driver leaves our terminal, our staff contacts each of the driver’s stops to relay an approximate arrival date. Arrival dates are approximate due to traffic, road construction or weather conditions we simply have no control over. Make sure you schedule well in advance if you need the bike on a certain date.

The route driver also will contact a person at each stop when he is expecting to see them within the next 24 hours. It is important you are available to take delivery or be there when the bike is picked up. We do not leave motorcycles or pick up bikes unattended. Leaving a cell phone number can be helpful if you are not able to stay at the delivery location all day.

Our trucks depart frequently with normal shipping deliveries running around 28 days from the time the order is booked or the bike is ready (whichever applies). Some shipments may be faster, contact us to find out the shipping estimate for your shipment. If you schedule your shipment this week, typically your bike is scheduled on a truck departing Milwaukee, Wisconsin next week. The truck’s total delivery time (and essentially your bike’s pick up time) depends on the zones that the truck crosses. If it picks up and delivers in the same zone, timeframes are shorter. Returning the signed contract and payment as quickly as possible will help keep the delivery timeframe on schedule.

Don’t forget to reserve a spot early if you’re shipping your motorcycle to a rally! Rallies are popular shipping venues and our trucks fill up quickly during these times.