Most of us are going to need to ship our bikes at one point or another. The right motorcycle shippers will lower the anxiety `level that is always high whenever we hand our bikes over to anyone. To hand them over to a guy that doesn't really care is even harder.

One of the first things to consider when picking a motorcycle shipping service is their willingness and ability to come to your door. If the carrier can come to your house it makes the whole process easier.

The exception to this rule is if you live in a residential neighborhood where a tractor trailer does not have enough room to maneuver and turn around without creating a headache.

When the shipping company arrives, the next thing is loading the bike. The company that you want will supply a standard pallet and /or crating system.

This crating system should ensure an easy and secure shipping platform. This type of set up allows the shippers to handle uniform crates that can be stacked securely. This can translate into cheaper shipping rates and less bike damage.

Another major consideration is insurance. If you don't want to source insurance on your own than you should give careful thought to the coverages and cost of the insurance provided by your shipper.

These coverages vary greatly in terms of deductibles and coverages of damage. By carefully reviewing the terms of these contracts you will know what is covered in the event of a problem.

Finally, consider where the bike is going to be delivered. If you are not going to be there to meet the driver, than make sure you have a clear plan with someone on the ground to receive the bike. This person should be someone you trust to look over the bike for damage and give it the ok before signing the release forms from the shipper.