Motorcycle Shipping — Nationwide Transport for Every Type of Bike

Standing transport on a motorcycle deck: The most common method for standard bikes. Your motorcycle rides upright, secured to a purpose-built motorcycle trailer or deck using front-wheel chocks and soft-tie straps at four points — handlebars and rear frame, never the forks or brake lines. This is the fastest and least expensive option for cruisers, sport bikes, and touring bikes in good working order.

Crated transport: The bike is laid on its side or secured upright inside a wooden or metal shipping crate, then loaded like standard freight. Crating adds cost but gives the highest level of protection — recommended for vintage motorcycles, non-running bikes, and bikes being shipped internationally or over very long distances. Most crating services drain the fuel and disconnect the battery before loading.

Combined with a car shipment: If you're shipping a motorcycle alongside a car — for example, relocating and sending both vehicles at once — many carriers can load the bike on the same open trailer as your car, using a corner slot. This is often the most cost-effective option if you're already shipping a vehicle on the same route.

Enclosed motorcycle transport: For high-value, custom, or show-quality bikes, enclosed trailers protect against weather and road debris the same way enclosed car transport does. Expect a 30–50% premium over open motorcycle transport.

Distance: Short routes (under 300 miles) often price $150–$300. Cross-country motorcycle shipments typically run $400–$800 depending on the bike and carrier route.

Bike size and type: Standard cruisers and sport bikes cost less to ship than full-dress touring bikes or trikes, which take up more deck space and weigh significantly more.

Standing vs. crated: Crated shipping typically costs 25–40% more than standing transport because of the packing labor, materials, and freight handling involved.

Running condition: A motorcycle that starts and rides onto the trailer under its own power ships for less than a non-running bike, which requires a lift-gate or forklift to load.

Route density: Motorcycle-specific carriers run fewer routes than standard auto carriers. Shipping along a popular corridor (coast to coast, or to a major rally destination) usually costs less per mile than an off-route delivery to a rural address.

Season: Spring and early summer — when riders are pulling bikes out of storage and rally season begins — is the busiest and most expensive season for motorcycle transport. Shipping in late fall or winter is typically cheaper and faster to book.

Fuel and fluids: Leave the fuel tank about one-quarter full — enough to load and unload, not so much that it adds unnecessary weight or fire risk. Check for and address any fluid leaks before pickup.

Battery and electronics: Disconnect or secure the battery if instructed by your carrier, especially for long-distance or crated shipments. Remove any aftermarket alarm systems that could drain the battery or trigger unexpectedly during transit.

Loose and removable parts: Remove saddlebags, windshields, GPS mounts, and other accessories that aren't permanently fixed. Anything that can vibrate loose or catch wind during an open-deck haul should come off and travel separately.

Photograph the bike: Document the motorcycle from every angle — including the undercarriage, exhaust, and any existing chips or scratches — before the carrier arrives. This protects you if a damage claim is ever needed.

Tire pressure and kickstand: Confirm tires are properly inflated so the bike sits level on its chocks, and make sure the kickstand and center stand (if equipped) are both functional for loading and staging.

Carrier cargo insurance: Every carrier in the ShipMyCar US network carries commercial cargo insurance covering your motorcycle against damage caused during loading, transit, and unloading. Ask for the specific coverage amount for your shipment before pickup, especially for higher-value or vintage motorcycles.

Title and registration: Have your title or registration accessible at pickup, particularly if someone other than the registered owner is releasing or receiving the bike. Some interstate crated shipments may ask for a copy of the title for customs or freight documentation purposes.

The Bill of Lading: This is the condition report signed at both pickup and delivery. For motorcycles, the inspection should note the condition of the fairings, tank, exhaust, mirrors, and any existing chips or scratches — motorcycle paint and chrome show damage more visibly than a car's body panels, so a thorough pre-shipment inspection matters.

Your own policy: Check with your motorcycle insurer about whether your policy provides any secondary coverage during commercial transport. This isn't required, but it's worth a five-minute call before a high-value bike ships, the same way it's worth checking for a car.

ShipMyCar US is an FMCSA-registered auto transport broker with a network of vetted carriers covering all 50 states, a 4.9-out-of-5 customer rating, and zero upfront payment required before your bike is picked up.

Carriers who actually specialize: We don't assign your motorcycle to a generalist car carrier and hope for the best. We match bikes with carriers who run motorcycle-specific equipment and have documented experience with soft-tie or crated motorcycle loads.

Transparent, itemized pricing: Your quote reflects your bike's size, condition, and route — with standing versus crated transport clearly broken out so you know exactly what you're paying for and why.

One point of contact: From quote to delivery, you have a dedicated contact who can tell you where your bike is and when it's arriving, without needing to track down the carrier yourself.

Cruisers and touring bikes: Harley-Davidsons, Gold Wings, and similar heavier touring bikes have a longer wheelbase and more weight than a sport bike, which affects how they're chocked and secured. These are among the most commonly shipped motorcycles, especially for riders relocating or sending a bike ahead to a rally destination.

Sport bikes: Lighter and lower to the ground, sport bikes need extra care around fairings and low-hanging exhaust systems during loading. Wheel chocks and soft-tie straps at the frame — never the fairings — protect the bodywork during transit.

Dirt bikes and dual-sports: Often shipped in higher volume alongside other bikes since they're lighter and take up less deck space. Off-road bikes without turn signals or mirrors still need to be secured the same way as street bikes.

Trikes and three-wheelers: Require different tie-down points than a standard two-wheeled motorcycle because of the extra wheel and wider stance. Confirm at booking that your carrier has handled trikes before — not every motorcycle carrier's equipment accommodates the wider footprint.

Vintage and antique motorcycles: Older bikes with original paint, chrome, and sometimes fragile electrical systems are frequently crated rather than shipped standing, particularly for long-distance or cross-country moves. Crating adds cost but removes the risk of road vibration affecting original components.

Non-running and project bikes: Bikes that don't start or aren't rideable ship the same way as a non-running car — using a lift-gate or forklift rather than riding onto the trailer under their own power. Disclose the non-running condition clearly at booking so the right equipment is dispatched.

Motorcycle shipping demand follows a few predictable patterns: riders relocating for work, snowbirds sending a bike south for the winter riding season, and bikes purchased online being delivered to a new owner.

• Northeast to Florida (approximately 1,100–1,300 miles) — Standing transport: $300–$500. Crated: $450–$700. Popular with snowbirds and riders headed to Daytona Bike Week or Biketoberfest.
• California to Texas (approximately 1,300–1,500 miles) — Standing transport: $300–$550. Crated: $450–$750.
• Midwest to Sturgis, South Dakota (seasonal, timed to the annual rally) — Standing transport: $250–$450 depending on origin. Carrier availability tightens significantly in the weeks before the rally, so book 3–4 weeks ahead.
• Cross-country coast to coast (approximately 2,500–3,000 miles) — Standing transport: $500–$800. Crated: $700–$1,100.
• Regional moves under 500 miles — Standing transport: $150–$300, the most cost-effective use of motorcycle shipping.

Pricing varies by bike weight, carrier availability on the specific route, and how far in advance you book. Rally season routes (Sturgis, Daytona, Laconia) see the tightest carrier availability and should be booked as early as possible.