Motorcycle Shipping — Nationwide Transport for Every Type of Bike

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.