Transporting Your Motorcycle(s) - Universal Thread.

[atulsadanand]

Re: Experience of transporting a bike on Indian Railways

Get the original styro-foam packing material from the dealers. They just throw it away.

[pranjal chakraborty]

Re: Experience of transporting a bike on Indian Railways

I will be receiving my Motorcycle this Sunday. Its coming from Kolkata to Hyderabad. My office has a tie up with AGS Four Winds Packers and Movers. They are charging me exorbitantly high rate. The quotation is 11k. But i am ok with it as my office will reimburse. Has anyone had previous experience with AGS? They packed my CBR in front of me and did a nice job. Just hoping that it arrives in proper condition.

[nelson_sanjoy]

Re: Experience of transporting a bike on Indian Railways

There are 2 ways by which you can transport a bike in trains
1) Luggage (if you travel in the same train with your bike on a confirmed ticket)
2) Parcel (if you don't travel in the same train)
Some stations don't allow/have Parcel services,(e.g. Nizamuddin station) learnt it the hard way so do check that before anything.

Apart from having a luggage van ,always try to use a train which starts and terminates at the places you board and get down. This gives enough time for safe offloading of your bike.
(for e.g. Sampark kranti for BLR-DEL)
Else at-least confirm that the train stops at the station for a good amount of time for your bike to be offloaded.

If you ask me, the safest way to transport your bike is as luggage, where you see how it was loaded ,ensure that the bike is traveling along with you and how its unloaded.

There are a lot of people who are ready to pack your bike outside the railway carriage area with thick cartoons and jute bags. You can either bargain with them or get it bubble wrapped by yourself . Pointers are you can go to any bike godown and collect lot of waste materials from which their bikes were transported.

Documentation is generally pretty simple , like photo copies of DL,registration,PUC etc and a luggage/parcel form which also includes travel insurance available at all stations. Porters may ask for some extra (bribe) ...

Front what I have seen, in most cases of railway transportation, front fairing and front/rear indicators take the most of beating, so see if you can either pack it very well or take them separately, you might save yourself some heart ache and money.

I have used trains twice ,once GATI and twice Local packers and movers along with my other house-hold articles on BLR-KOL-BLR & BLR-DEL-BLR route and would ask you to avoid GATI . They cheat you in multiple fronts ,are expensive and inferior to railways.
And also they transport through roads which has its own demerits like jerking,humps,accident,local-police asking bribe etc. and generally takes more time.
Trains are efficient in that matter if the frequency is good.

I am in no way advertising Indian railway,(have no relationship) but saying I had an ok experience if you know things and make some effort.

Also I have seen people asking for transportation for small distances like CHN-BLR or PUN-BLR, in these cases the best way is to ride down.
Believe me it saves a lot of headache,money and going around.


My 2 cents...

[RonnieB]

Re: Experience of transporting a bike on Indian Railways

I have had 2 experiences with transporting motorcycles.

Once from Pune to Ahemdabad:

Did it through Gati. Came overnight it good shape. The emptied the tank of petrol, removed mirrors and covered tank and other fiber parts. No noticeable damage was done to the motorcycle. (2002 Pulsar 180)

Second time from Gurgaon to Pune:

Did it though a local courier service. Headlight broken, fork out and side panel dented with damage to paint. (2011 Classic Chrome)

Have heard the railways to a good job. Next time will sell and buy a new one. Better excuse for a new bike

[DesiRider]

Experience of transporting a bike on Indian Railways

I had to bring my bike (350 classic) to Bangalore from Delhi. Riding it to the destination was not an option at all. So the choice infront of me was transporting it either using Indian Railways or some packers & movers.

I checked up pricing from many packers & movers and the range was from 3500 to 9000 INR. Some provided door-to-door delivery as well. I read through a lot of forums posts and blogs and most people preferred Indian railways so I thought I will go with the experience of the fellow bikers.

When I first enquired with the parcel office at New Delhi they quoted 3100 rs but at the time of paying the charges it came out to about 4500 rs and their bill isn't clear on what all makes the total cost. They also stress on that you have a ticket in your name. Got to know from a person there that the parcel option has been stopped and bikes are now treated only under the luggage category but they will not give any surety if it will go on the same train with you.

I got my bike to the station around 6 hrs before the train departure time. Took out all the petrol and got it packed at the station itself that cost me 350 rs. (too much). Went to the parcel counter and satisfied the person by showing all the docouments (RC + License + Insurance) in original. When I wrote the cost of my bike as 10000 rs. the person started to laugh. He said either write the actual cost or I will not sign your form. I then put it as 90000 and he was still not pleased and told me that yours is a brand new bike and you should write actual cost. Thankfully after sticking on this for about 2 minutes he signed the form. Though the bike is less than 200kgs they put it in the 250+ kg category and won't answer the reason of why so. At the payment counter got to know the actual cost of shipping and was surprised but had no option then and the person was not even willing to tell what all sub costs are there. It was either pay or go back. So I paid up.

I had talked to two agents as well before this. One of the agent asked 700 rs on top of the railway cost to ensure that bike gets loaded in train I am going in and the other agent asked me 7000rs. including railway charges. I more or less had taken the service of the first agent at the first stage itself but that person was not around when I was filling the form or doing the payment. After making the payment I took the bike to another counter where they make an entry in the loading register and mark the bike with some codes. I asked a person who was at the counter and looked like a railway employee to ensure that my bike goes with me and he said we will see. I talked to him for around 10 minutes on this topic and he gave no hint of wanting money and at last said that you come directly to the platform. I had a feeling then that probably there aren't much bikes to be transported and so mine also will go in the same train. I did not contact that agent again hence.

When the train arrived I went to check whether my bike is at the parcel area or has been moved to the platfrom and was happy to see that it was not there. Another person who was there earlier also when I was getting my bike marked and talking on getting it on the same train started telling me story on how lucky you are that your bike is getting loaded on the same train and another bike though was first in number but could not be loaded as it was not marked properly and blah blah. When I started to move from there he asked for some chai nashta money. I initially was not wanting to give any but his pestering and his face made me take out 20rs. He said sir at least give 100rs. And I was like forget it and I think I gave him another 20rs and told him to just take that.

I went to the platform with my luggage. My friend went to the brake van side to see whether it has been loaded or not and I went to keep my stuff on my seat. He called me from the other end of the train saying that it has been loaded but badly and 1 indicator might be broken. I was like Oh No! but what to do.

During the journey I checked up at all the stations where the stop was of more than 5 minutes and the brake van was not opened anywhere so I was a bit relieved that atleast it is still inside the train and not taken out by mistake. The train arrived at Bangalore, I got out my stuff. Had asked a friend to come to the station as I won't be able to get the bike with all my stuff. Put all my luggage at the platform and went towards the brake van. My heart sank when I saw how my bike had been put in. It was in an inclined position and too much stuff on top of it. I feared that there will be too much damage due to the way it had been placed inside. The bike was brought out and some other box had broken and the bike was all dirty. That broken box probably had some meat and my bike had tasted blood (not fully sure though). Went to the parcel office on platform 6, signed the register, got the gate pass and the lady asked 20rs as unloading charges which I gave (later realised I shouldn't have). I told her the way my bike was put inside and of the damage it would have got and she said you will have to complain at the loading station. Indian railways is so customer friendly that they want me to go back to delhi to make a complaint.

Went back to platform 3 where the bike was, showed the papers to a police office there, then started to drag it towards the exit. Took the bike out of the station without any questions asked on whose bike, why bringing it to bangalore, etc. Parked it outside the station and started removing the sacks with which it was covered and another police man came running. He asked why did you not show the papers at the counter (there was a small booth somewhere but no was manning it so I did not wait ) and then took one of the receipt and went away.

I removed all the covers, washed that red liquid with water and inspected the bike. Damage:

1) Left back indicator tube was half broken. Fixed it later with feviquick.
2) Both the number plates were bent a bit.
3) The chrome plate on top of the headlight was bent and had come out.
4) Due to the dried grass being used for packing there were very very light scratches on the body at some places.

Filled petrol that the friend had brought and with the hope that the engine is fine started the bike. Thankfully no major damage and now happily riding in Bangalore.

For those who have to transport their bikes:

1) You can pack it yourself and should cost not more than 200rs. Don't use dried grass. Maybe two layers of bubble wrap or old clothes should be used to cover the metal part and on top of it cover with gunny bags.
2) Carry photo-copies of RC, DL, Insurance papers and ticket along with originals. Carry cash as I did not see any card swipe machine at the parcel payment counter.
3) Try to be at the loading point as soon as they start loading so that you can supervise the loading. Though not sure if they will heed your advice as they have a lot of stuff to load.
4) Try taking a train that has as few in-between stops as possible to avoid the chances of biking getting unloaded at a wrong station.
5) If you have personal contacts with any packers & movers then I feel that could be a better option.
6) Pray that all goes well.

Happy Riding!

Aseem

[pitbull]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

adhirajib : How did you transport your R15 2.0 finally? Any scratches or scuffs? Also, were you able to offload the bike in 5mins?

[adhirajb]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

Hi Guys,

Need an help from you all. I am planning to take down my bike from Pune to Bangalore by train this weekend.
The bike is going to go along with me in luggage van.

Now my queries are :T

1.)This train is from Bombay to Coimbatore via Pune and BLR.
In Pune its stopping only for 5 mins and same in BLR as well.
Will they be able to load and unload the bike in 5 mins?

2)I had enquired regarding the costs, the authorised person @ counter told me that its going to be 1200 sumthing along with 10% ofthe value of my bike.
Is this ok?

3)Is there any provision of taking a transit insurance?

4)Most importantly my bike is a Yamaha R15V2, which does NOT have a main stand. Is it going to pose a problem while transferring?

Any pointers regarding packing is highly welcome

[sabret00the]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

Your best bet is Gati considering that you won't be there and your father will have to see to it. Pay them the extra amount for packing and hope for the best. Train is too risky as you won't be travelling with it.

Make sure you get it insured.

In another forum people suggested Agarwal Packers & Movers. Agarwal is quoting 6K and after a lot of negotiations they are willing to ship the bike + some spares for 5K for packing + door to door shipping. Gati is asking for 4K for packing + door to door shipping. Not sure whom should I go for. Here service is more important than the extra 1K.

Thanks,
PC

[The Monk]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

My 2003 GF 170 is not in running condition. I have all the papers but PUC is not possible since the bike doesn't start. Dont have NOC. Is that a mandatory doc? Didn't need an NOC to transport my car back in 2010.

Does anybody know if I can get a crate made for my bike like the way they do when a SBK is delivered?

Your best bet is Gati considering that you won't be there and your father will have to see to it. Pay them the extra amount for packing and hope for the best. Train is too risky as you won't be travelling with it.

Make sure you get it insured.

[sabret00the]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

My 2003 GF 170 is not in running condition. I have all the papers but PUC is not possible since the bike doesn't start. Dont have NOC. Is that a mandatory doc? Didn't need an NOC to transport my car back in 2010.

I need to ship the motorcycle from Calcutta to Bangalore along with some spare parts.
The plan is that my Dad will ship it from Calcutta and I will receive it in Bangalore in the 1st week of August.

GATI quoted around 4K but they said they do not do any packing. Either we have to do the packing by ourselves or they will do the packing at extra cost.

Problem is that the has half fairing and if there is any damage to the fairing chances are that I will never be able to source new parts since the bike is out of production for about 6-7 years now.

If I consider Train then I will have to get the bike transported to the station in a van or something and do the same when it reaches Bangalore again but can I ship the spares along with the bike on Train? Do I need to travel in the Train in which the bike is being shipped?

Are there different ways to ship a motorcycle in a train (I mean different price packages which ensure better handling)?

Does anybody know if I can get a crate made for my bike like the way they do when a SBK is delivered?

[The Monk]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

please respond as time is running away for me...

Please read the posts on this page and the previous page!

[ithebiker]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

please respond as time is running away for me...

[The Monk]

Re: Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

Dear All,

Nikhil (Ithebiker)

Query Approved and Merged

[ithebiker]

Happy Bithday To My Bike (Need transportation suggestion)

Dear All,

First of all happy birthday to My Bike, Bought it on 08-05-2012, Pulsar 180 Midnight Black, 8907 Kms, 42-44 kmpl, 2 crashes and still going good. Happy Birthday and be with me always the way you have been..

Now the core of the discussion is that i want to transport it to hyderabad as i am leaving on 10th of May. I am thinking of taking it along with me by train but want to know the process for the same.Friends please help me in detail. Thought of riding till hyderabad but have a lot of luggage with me and its not possible.

So please help me friends with your valuable suggestions.

Nikhil (Ithebiker)

[suresheadala]

Re: Transporting Your Motorcycle(s) - Universal Thread.

Hi All, Starting for Ladakh tour from Hydrabad on 7th June. Tickets booked for AP express.
Did Ladakh in 2009, took bike(Karizma) in train as luggage. I was there when the bikes got loaded into wagon. They just pushed the first bike against the side wall and rest on each other. Requested them to load properly but they were too busy to listen. Luckily bikes reached Delhi with no major damage. Transported bikes back via road transport because don't wanted to take chance in train again. They handed over the bikes after 12/14 days, dent, scratches on the tank and few scratches here and there.

Recently bought CBR250. Now I am not sure of what transport mode to choose from. CBR doesn't have center stand and more vulnerable to damage because of full fairing.
Any suggestions guys?