Poll Approved

It would be also interesting to add the reasons why a particular mode of transport was good or bad.

Thanks for the lightning quick approval!

Providing reasons would definitely be a good idea, I have edited my post accordingly.

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I chose P&M [Good], I have transported my Dio twice (Bhubaneshwar-Chennai & Chennai-Mumbai) and have not got any major damage during transit, sum small scratches cannot be avoided.

Transport through train was good

I used a train to transport my Pulsar 150 1st Gen from Vizag to Delhi. Not a scratch. But, probably because I'd packed it myself, with not an uncovered spot, and had gotten it loaded into the train also by myself, upright and in a clear location.

I've used the train to transport my bike twice to&fro Bangalore from Hyderabad. There was not a scratch on it since it was very well packed, but the 2nd time the footrest was a bit bent due to their negligence in getting it off the ramp.
I think if you are travelling by the same train&are there when the vehicle is being loaded&unloaded, there should be no problem at all.

My vote: P&M [Good]

P&M: Kamath Transport
Bike: RX100
From->To: Bangalore-> Hyderabad
Year: 2007
Price: Rs.600

P&M: VRL
Bike: RX100
From->To Hyderabad-> Bangalore
Year 2009
Price: Rs.1000

No scratches/damages. Delivered on time. Dont expect insurance, fancy packaging though. Service is basic but does the job.

When shifting to Delhi from Shillong, I had used P&M. I do not quite remember which particular P&M service it was, but they did transfer the bike in good condition.

I shifted my Bullet on 10th-11th November 1990 in the Poorva Express from Howrah, Calcutta to New Delhi, same train I was travelling by. It was NOT packed. I was present while getting it loaded. Bribed a bit. Bribed a bit again on disembarking. No scratches, nothing. But that was 19 years ago. I used to get off the train at almost every major stop and run to the luggage van to have a peek inside to see if the Bullet was not being mauled or manhandled. I was pretty happy then. I guess today I will base my decision on the outcome of this thread.

The bribing has gone up a lot now!

It was not very little even then. The proverbial "little" was just a figure of speech! In fact I remember that the bribing total was nearly double the amount of the freight costs!

Please mention the costs (bribes, then and now).

If I remember correctly, the Train freight charges AI was around 400 INR. And the bribes were around 250 in Calcutta and 400 in Delhi! Of course in the bribes were also included the porterage, for pushing the bike, to the luggage van, up the ramp and bringing it down the ramp in Delhi and pushing it out of the NDLS station in Delhi and the officer waited till I could actually start the bike and engage gear! Full service with the bribes!

Not bad, actually for the amount paid! Full service with the bribes!

Packers and Movers: Good

I say good for want of an option such as "decent" or "could be better" because it is just that: it is decent, and could be better.

Packed up and sent the Apache from Hyderabad via Gati, on the 10th of July to Delhi. Total cost was 3260, door to door including packing. When I got the bike in Delhi, paid the guys another 100 bucks for unloading the bike from the truck (they carried it down ). The packing surprised me, oodles and layers upon tons of masking tape, styrofoam, padding, cardboard, and cloth! Not a dent anywhere on the tank, cowls, etc.

HOWEVER...

The handlebar came out to become bent to the right side, with the left side about 10-15mm behind the right. That was the only disappointment, and today I realized that it's serious. I left the handlebars for two seconds and suddenly the front end started shaking horribly! I got freaked out and decided my main priority now would be to get the A150/P150 handlebar and fix it onto my bike. After that, would need to ensure the forks are rod-straight and even. Or perhaps my steering cone is jacked... eh.

All in all, I am happy. Post-shipping expenses have been minimal and there are NO dents and scratches which was important. Though the price was ridiculous.

I used a train to transport my Pulsar 150 2nd gen from Siliguri to Kolkata....... no need for earlier booking........ pack the vehicle in front of u......... loading is under your guidance........ next day get delivery in front of u........ whatever they are doing that is in front of your eyes....... only thing is the money......... are 100rs de do........ are bhaiya chai ke liye 50rs....... rest is all assured........