Motorcycle Transportation

Whether you are relocating to another city or state or changing places due to work-related requirements, you will probably need to find a way to ship your motorcycle. Perhaps you have just bought yourself a nice present, but riding your brand new bike yourself may not be the best-case scenario at this given time. This is where motorcycle shipping comes into play.

Indeed, there are motorcycle transport and shipping services to help get your precious asset from point A to point B safely and securely. Nevertheless, note that shipping a standard vehicle is quite different from motorcycle shipping due to the different size and the different construction of bikes compared to cars or trucks. This means that the standard shipping methods will probably not apply here. So, how do you ship your motorcycle?

When it comes to finding motorcycle shipping services, there are two main methods: open transport and enclosed transport. Most motorcycles that are shipped long-distances require enclosed motorcycle transport services, simply for the fact that there aren’t as many open motorcycle shipping companies as there are enclosed motorcycle shippers. This is because most motorcycles are actually shipped in a crate as opposed to just strapped down onto a flatbed truck, because it’s safer as well as cheaper.

Typically, enclosed motorcycle transporters are recommended for long-distance shipments; if you’re shipping your motorcycle in-town or in-state, you may be able to get away with an open shipper, but we recommend against this if your motorcycle is really, really pretty and you don’t want possible damage to happen. Here is everything you need to know about how motorcycle shipping works, how to prepare for it, and what you can do to make the most out of your shipment.

How Motorcycle Shipping Differs From Auto Shipping?

On the surface, both transport procedures include the same steps. However, the procedures vary quite significantly. You see, when shipping a standard SUV, truck, or car, we usually ship them using open auto transportation trucks. This is not the case with bike shipping as open carrier shipping is not an available option because motorcycles cannot be securely transported via open transport trucks as they are meant to haul vehicles bearing four wheels. Being a two-wheel vehicle, a bike is more susceptible to damage during shipping. For that reason, we either choose enclosed carriers or (less commonly) flatbed trucks. In the first method, the bike is secured in a crate and then shipped on the carrier. In the latter option, we strap the motorcycle down to the bed, which means that it will be exposed to the elements. Finally, price-wise, shipping a bike is cheaper than shipping a vehicle due to the lower weight of the first.

In regard to the relevant costs of using either an enclosed truck or a flatbed carrier, there are no significant variations. The two methods are almost equally priced. However, the majority of bike-only shippers prefer enclosed trucks to transport motorcycles, which usually reflects on the price. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the best solution for your motorcycle shipping needs.

How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping?

Preparing your motorcycle for shipping has, more or less, the same requirements as to when preparing your vehicle for shipping. This means that you should only have the bike’s tank full by ¼ only at the time of pick up.

It is also paramount that the motorcycle is operational. Otherwise, please inform us that it does not run so we can make the necessary arrangements for its transfer. Another checkpoint is the bike’s connections. Look for any loose connections (i.e., with the handlebars or the wheels). It does not happen often, but we have witnessed motorcycles literally falling apart while they are being loaded or unloaded several times in the past!

Equally critical is the transport method you have selected. Ensure you know what you sign up for so you can take all necessary precautionary measures. If, for example, you have chosen to have your bike crated before it gets shipped, make sure to select a suitable area in which to assemble the motorcycle crate. This could be a bit challenging as you must leave enough room for the truck itself. In this case, do not hesitate to contact us and figure out an alternative pickup location. Although the majority of drivers will take care of the crate assembly themselves, your assistance might be required as well, so be ready to pitch in if necessary!

The last step involves a motorcycle inspection on both your end and your driver. Any existing damage will be documented and reported in the Bill of Lading as proof of the inspection.

Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance When Shipping Your Bike?

When searching for motorcycle shipping services, a good question is whether or not you’ll want to purchase additional insurance against damage or theft during transport.

Your motorcycle will be insured by the carrier’s base insurance policy, but chances are your motorcycle won’t be insured for the full value and as such might end up costing you out-of-pocket should it get damaged during transport.

Most motorcycle shipping services will provide additional insurance if you’re worried, and you should always ask about their cargo insurance and how much it actually covers before you ship.

If you’re shipping in an enclosed container and your motorcycle is crated, it’ll be pretty hard for it to get damaged unless the transport truck is side-swiped by a Transformer or something, but different customers like different things, and companies that provide motorcycle shipping services usually will be able to accommodate you accordingly.