Motorcycle transport

How a motorcycle ships

A motorcycle travels upright. The front wheel sits in a chock, and soft tie-downs hold the bike at several points so that nothing metal touches the paint or chrome. The carriers we use for bikes are set up for them and move them every week.

What we ship

Cruisers, touring bikes, sport bikes, adventure bikes, dirt bikes, scooters, and trikes. Sidecar rigs and custom builds ship as well, though they take more room and need to be described carefully.

What we need to quote your bike

• Year, make, and model
• Whether it starts and rolls
• Anything that changes its size: saddlebags, a trunk, wide bars, a trike conversion, a sidecar
• The pickup and delivery ZIP codes
• The first day it is available

Have those ready and a phone call takes about five minutes.

Getting the bike ready

• Wash it, so its condition is easy to record.
• Photograph both sides, the tank, the fenders, and the odometer.
• Run the fuel down to a quarter tank or less.
• Take off loose luggage, tank bags, GPS units, and phone mounts.
• Check tire pressure and make sure the battery is charged.
• Switch off the alarm and hand over one key.
• Mention any fluid leak, however small.

What affects the price

Distance and route matter most, as they do for cars. After that it is the size of the bike. A trike or a full-dress tourer with bags takes more floor space than a sport bike. A motorcycle that does not run takes longer to load. Enclosed carriage, which many owners of new or custom bikes prefer, costs more than an open spot. Flexible dates help, because bike-equipped carriers are fewer and fill their trips in advance.

Open or enclosed for a motorcycle

Many motorcycle carriers are enclosed by default, since bikes are lighter and more exposed than cars. If yours is a daily rider, an open position is fine and costs less. For a show bike, a fresh custom build, or anything with exposed polished metal, ask for enclosed and say so when you call.

When shipping a motorcycle makes sense

The usual reasons are a bike bought online from a seller far away, a move across the country, and a riding trip where you would rather fly to the good roads than spend three days on the interstate getting there. Riders also ship bikes to rallies and to winter homes. A long highway slog puts wear on tires and chains and leaves you tired before the riding you came for has started.

Common questions