Protecting Your Motorcycle in Cold Weather

Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Haul Bikes offers over-the-road transportation for motorcyclists who get to meet their bikes at their destination, rather than riding them the entire way there. Because they understand the value of good maintenance, Haul Bikes provides the following advice for cyclists in cold climates:

1. Find a proper location to store your motorcycle (preferably in a heated and dry area). Use a breathable cover to prevent moisture damage.

2. Drain and replace the engine oil, then run the engine a while to circulate the oil. Also, drain the carburetor if needed. 

3. Using lubricant, grease all moving parts, such as the cables and the drive chain. Also work to remove the grease and tar that have built up on the body of the motorcycle by waxing the tank and using a moisturizer on the tires. 

4. Remove the battery of the vehicle and place it in a warm and dry area. 

5. Add stabilizer to a full gas tank to keep the gas viable and inflate your tires to the proper pressure.

Following these suggestions will ensure that your motorcycle starts promptly when Spring arrives.

Five Tips for Preparing Your Motorcycle for Shipping

Founded in 1988 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Haul Bikes provides motorcycle transportation services through a team of transportation veterans comprised of experienced motorcycle enthusiasts. Haul Bikes utilizes a specialized shipping system that protects bikes from wear and tear while ensuring a speedy delivery. You can also help prepare your motorcycle for shipping by considering the following tips. 

1. Clean the bike. Give your motorcycle a thorough cleaning before transport, and make sure to scrub off all heavy dirt and soil deposits. Washing it before transport will enable you to examine the bike’s current condition and make notes about it. 

2. Review bike’s current condition. Conduct an inspection of your bike and record any current scratches or dents. You can take photographs of the motorcycle to keep a visual record of its current condition. 

3. Secure loose parts and accessories. Make sure to secure any parts or accessories that may fall off during transportation. This includes saddlebags, tank bags, and fairings. You may also want to consider removing aesthetic accessories, especially if the transportation company takes no responsibility for them. 

4. Check the tires. Check the tires prior to shipping and ensure that each is properly inflated and functioning before shipping. 

5. Empty the tank. While doing so not required by all transportation companies, you may want to consider emptying the tank for transport. You may also want to remove the battery to ensure it doesn’t come into contact with high temperatures.

Haul Bikes' ATV Shipping Services

Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Haul Bikes has offered motorcycle transport throughout the United States since 1988. Since its creation, Haul Bikes has expanded to include transport services for choppers, sidecars, jet skis, and ATVs. 

There are several benefits to shipping an ATV through Haul Bikes as opposed to renting a trailer and doing it yourself. First and foremost, the company is fully licensed and insured and employs qualified drivers who ensure safe delivery complete with detailed inspection reports. ATVs are shipped in enclosed semi trailers and kept firm in place with a soft-tie strapping system. 

With the company's customized delivery routes and drop-off locations, customers are able to select where they would like to receive the ATV without any extra fees. It can be shipped to a hotel, a residence, or even a campground. Once it's delivered, you don't have to worry about unloading it yourself as the company's trucks are equipped with hydraulic lifts. Additionally, if it is a campground or trail location where you wish to have the ATV delivered, you can be ready to ride upon receiving it as there's no need to drain the gas or disconnect the battery prior to shipment. For an ATV shipment estimate, visit www.haulbikes.com/atv-shipping/zonemap.

Haul Bikes Ships to Daytona Bike Week

As its name suggests, Haul Bikes is a company engaged primarily in the business of shipping motorcycles. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based delivery company has been in operation since 1988. Many motorcycle rally attendees have come to rely on Haul Bikes to ship their bikes to annual bike rallies. Haul Bikes provides shipping services to one of the largest bike rallies in the world, Daytona Bike Week. 

In 2016, Daytona Bike Week celebrated its 75th annual bike rally. Held each year in mid-March, the rally welcomes hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists to Daytona Beach and its neighboring beach communities. The 10-day festival energizes Daytona Beach’s Main Street strip as restaurants, bars, and retail establishments provide entertainment to welcome the crowds.

Vendors and sponsors also offer events throughout the week. Motorcycle enthusiasts and Bike Week attendees can participate in bike swap meets; compete in motorcycle races; judge vintage motorcycle shows, where awards are given in several categories; and enjoy the Annual WingHouse Bike Week Bikini Pageant, where women compete to win the coveted Miss Bike Week title.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Motorcycle Rain Gear

For motorcycle owners around the country, Haul Bikes provides a convenient shipping service for their rides. Besides securing and safeguarding motorcycles during transport, Haul Bikes aims to make the process affordable and hassle-free for customers so that they can get back to riding.

To get the most enjoyment out of a motorcycle, you need to have the right gear. This includes gear designed for various types of weather conditions, including the rain. When choosing rain gear, opt for a fit loose enough that you can pull it on easily over your regular riding gear. This way, you get protection from the rain as quickly as possible when it hits. 

For a rain jacket, check that the sleeves cover your wrists when you hold the handlebars. You should also look for adjustable closures on the wrists and the waist, important features for keeping moisture out. A rain jacket should have at least a high collar for protection. Many jackets have a hood designed to go under a helmet, a feature that provides better weather protection.

Similarly, pants for the rain should cover the ankles when you are riding so that water does not enter. They should also have a special coating or panel over the seat that is designed to prevent you from sliding off the motorcycle seat in wet conditions. 

Finally, consider the material of the rain gear and the degree of waterproofing it provides. Seams should be sealed or taped so that water does not enter where pieces of fabric come together, and the item should contain reflective strips or fluorescent colors so that you can easily be seen by others on the road in inclement weather.

Brake System Spring Maintenance

Haul Bikes’ shipping offerings make it easy for motorcyclists to enjoy trips around the country. By taking careful measures to ensure motorcycles arrive in good condition, Haul Bikes takes hassle and worry out cross-country motorcycle transport.

A motorcycle requires maintenance before riding, especially if it has been sitting for a while, such as during the colder months. A key maintenance factor to consider in this situation is the condition of the brake fluid, which many people might overlook.

Over time, brake fluid in a bike will absorb water from the air, and the brakes themselves might seize up. These conditions can result in the brakes feeling spongy. At the very least, you should take a look at the brake fluid levels and add the correct brake fluid for the bike if need be before riding. You should also check the brake discs and remove and corrosion from them, as well as remove protective fluid you might have applied before putting the bike in storage. 

However, to be safe and to help ensure the motorcycle is in good condition, you might flush the braking system with fresh fluid. The brake pads might require replacing as well. With this type of ongoing maintenance, you can extend your motorcycle’s life.

Tips on Shipping Your Motorcycle

You’re in Indiana and you just got a new job in California. You’ve packed up your house, loaded up the kids and are ready to head across the country. But how are you getting your prized 1959 Triumph T120 Bonneville to the West Coast? Haul Bikes knows that transporting your prize is a big job. A 20-year veteran in the motorcycle-transport business, Haul Bikes has developed a unique system to ensure your ride arrives at your door in pristine condition. Here are a couple of tips to help you along the way.

While you don’t have to drain the gas tank or other fluids, it’s important to store extra parts inside saddlebags, tour packs, or trunks. Inspect your vehicle and make a note of any blemishes prior to shipping and again upon arrival. Remember where you put your keys, Haul Bikes won’t need them to transport your bike, but you certainly will need them when you get it back again!