From exposed storage to containerized storage! Today’s motorcycle transport prioritizes storage conditions
I have never asked a company to transport my motorcycle when I moved or moved house. I have also never bought or sold a motorcycle through mail order or online auctions. In other words, my knowledge of motorcycle transportation is close to zero. I have never had any experience with motorcycle transportation before, and I have never been very interested in it.
The other day, while jogging on National Route 16 (two lanes on each side) heading south towards Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, I came across a large truck in the opposite lane heading north towards Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, which made me think, “What’s that?”
I immediately turned around and pursued the large truck for about 500 meters. I snapped a photo with my smartphone when it stopped at a red light (see photo below).
This large truck, which has an image of a blue motorcycle on a container in the loading compartment and the words “Leave motorcycle transportation to BAS,” is a vehicle of BAS (BAS Corporation), a major motorcycle transportation company.
I’m a bit of a motorcycle industry insider, so I knew about BAS. However, it was my first time hearing about motorcycles being transported in “boxes” (i.e. container trucks) (or should I say, my first time seeing it in this case?).
I’m ashamed to say that I still don’t know for sure.
I thought that the goods were being transported on a “flat platform” (meaning a platform without containers) exposed to the open sky and rain as described above.
Of course, there are still companies that transport motorcycles on flatbeds. However, flatbed transport is generally used mainly for short distances. For long-distance moving, or for mail-order sales that need to transport “products” under optimal storage conditions, with protection from rain, snow, wind, and ultraviolet rays, transport by container truck is the norm.
This is a large truck used by the motorcycle transport service “BAS.” The photo shows a two-tiered loading system. The rear of the container is equipped with an electrically operated power gate that lifts and lowers, eliminating the need for ladder rails to load motorcycles onto the loading platform. The container itself also uses a “wing vehicle” (with both sides opening like bird wings) that makes it easy to unload motorcycles with a forklift. *Photo on the left: BAS
BAS operates regular routes across Japan, transporting more than 270,000 bikes per year (according to the company). Utilizing the know-how and network unique to an auction company group, BAS provides safe, high-quality motorcycle transportation.
BAS is able to transport motorcycles at low cost by securing a large volume of goods through regular service. If you transport your motorcycle using a depot (transportation base), it is even cheaper and can speed up delivery times. We offer a variety of transport plans to suit your budget and convenience, including “depot to depot,” “depot to door (home),” and “door to door.”
What is the price of transporting a motorcycle? “Post to Post” is by far the best deal!
With the spread and development of internet shopping and internet auctions, various companies have entered the motorcycle transportation market one after another. Currently, in addition to the BAS mentioned above, various companies are developing their own unique services, such as Yamato Transport, which is famous for its Kuroneko Yamato courier service, and I-Line, which has grown into a professional motorcycle transportation company.
For example, between Tokyo and Osaka.
・Post to post (transport base to transport base) →Transportation cost: 20,790 yen *Displacement 126cc to 750cc *Reference price from BAS
・Door to door (home to home) →Transportation cost: 76,670 yen *Displacement 126cc to 750cc *Reference price from Yamato Transport
・Motorcycle driving (home to home) →Toll (ETC): 6,560 yen + gasoline cost: around 4,000 yen = 10,560 yen *Gasoline cost varies depending on fuel efficiency
As you can see from the prices above, post-to-post (transport base to transport base) transportation is very reasonable. Considering the effort of driving yourself, post-to-post is extremely reasonable and can be said to be a service with excellent cost performance.
If you’re looking to transport your bike for a move or mail order order, be sure to check your budget and the post office locations of each company. Choose the company that offers the most convenient options and conditions for you!
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