Bike transport

[GrantD]

Hi everyone, I'm looking into getting a scooter I've bought (kawasaki j300) transported from Peterborough to Hinckley, about 60 miles. Got loads of quotes coming in from various sites and companies but they range wildly, from £42 to £170!! The majority are between £40 and £60.
Hss anyone any experience of using someone to transport bikes? What should I be looking for? And what's to stop them picking up the bike and me never seeing it?!
I'm just waiting to pass my test and wanted to get it delivered in the next week while I have some time off.
Any help or advice would be greatfully received!
Cheers.

[Marmalade]

try www.wemovebikesandquads.co.uk

They have collected my last 3 bikes, I even bacs them the cash to hand over when collecting said bikes.

Proper kitted vans with bike stands, straps and van wide ramps. Insured to move bikes, not some goods in transit policy that at best might cover you if they'd collected a tea pot for you.

None of this scaffold planks and strapping it to a mattress on the side of the van shizzle.

You could take a chance on shiply but it is just a site where people outbid each other to do the move for the lowest price, personally, I wouldn't touch with a barge pole after the amount of beer money bandits and just plain bikes vanishing stories that are heard.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[covent.gardens]

Looks like the prices on the above link ^ start from £130 according to the FAQ. Pretty expensive compared to the quotes you've had OP, but I guess you get what you pay for sometimes.

Or you pays your money and takes your chance with a lower quote.

Whatcha going to do?

[Slacker24seve...]

Can't you get someone else to ride it? Either on one of the nebulous 'riding other bikes' policies that you'll need to check the wording of or by buying a days insurance.

Otherwise, find somewhere that does hourly van rental. B&Q used to, for about £14/hr. You'd only need 3 hours to go and get it.

Your ~ £40 quotes seem quite reasonable but I'd rather be there in person!
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
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Banger rallies are ace

[sensi5446]

get a train to, ride back, what I like to do

[GrantD]

Thanks for the advice, certainly a tough call. I don't drive so hiring a van is out and I've only just moved to the area so don't really know anyone who could ride the scooter back or drive the van!! Need to make some friends!!
I've now had 7 quotes below £60 so finding it hard to see what extra I'd get for over the £100 mark? Majority of the quotes are specific motorcycle movers with, what looks like, the right kit and specialist van. I have emailed the £170 quid guy to ask if the quote is right, maybe his van is made of pure gold and the bike gets to choose the radio station during the journey for that price?!!
Think I'll be making a lot of phone calls this morning to figure out the best company to go with.

[GrantD]

[c_dug]

If it's a shop have you asked them about delivery?
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Marmalade]

Have you asked them, £130 is for a national service, i would highly expect a 60 mile move to be a fair chunk cheaper.

Trouble with hiring a van is it's £60, fuel, day out, working out how not to have it fall over in the van.

Trains for me I've found are proper expensive, getting to and from the station, fuel home and again, likely a day off to get it.
Getting bikes picked up are, for me the cheaper less hassle option since they always seem to be 200 miles away.
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[_Iain_]

[GrantD]

Just spoke to the bike shop (wheels-Peterborough) who were really helpful. In no rush for me to pick up the bike and no more deposit needed to hold it longer so I'm just going to wait till the test is done and have a little train/ride road trip!
2 weeks seems like forever when you wanna get riding!!