3 Tips When Shipping Your Motorcycle

Shipping a motorcycle is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some steps you should take to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you get the best service at the best price. If you’re just starting to search for companies that ship motorcycles, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available from the numerous shippers you’ll find online. There is definitely no shortage of companies that are willing to ship your bike for you, but the honest truth is that some are better and more trusted than others. Luckily, there are some simple checks you can implement to help you find the best option for your specific motorcycle transport requirements. If you’re shipping long distance or across the country, it’s even more important to follow these guidelines, both to save money and to get professional service.

Understand Your Options

Before you contact a shipping company to transport a motorcycle, there are a few details you should have pinned down. The main things you’ll need to have prepared when getting a price quote is where you’re shipping the bike to and from, and the time frame you have available for shipment. If you’re pressed for time, there are some shippers that will offer expedite or rush delivery, but that comes with an additional cost. Though motorcycles are most often shipped in an enclosed

transport carrier, you will also be able to choose between open-air and enclosed delivery with most companies. Enclosed delivery provides the most protection and security during delivery, costs slightly more than open-air transport, and is the method most commonly used for door-to-door shipping.

Door-to-door transport is exactly what it sounds like: your bike is picked up from its current location and delivered directly to address you need it shipped to. This is the method most frequently used when shipping a bike since it’s still affordable and offers the most convenience. Open air transport does tend to come at a slightly lower price, but the difference in cost is not significant and the affordability is one of the main reasons customers choose to ship enclosed when given the option.

Do Research & Get Multiple Estimates

Once you’re prepared to contact transport companies and get an estimate, it’s important that you do some basic research to determine how long they’ve been in business and what other customers think of their service. While it’s not unheard of to hire a relatively new company to ship a bike, it can often be a red flag if a company doesn’t have much experience. Those companies with an established track record are the strongest options and this is doubly the case if you’re shipping long distance or state to state. The best approach is to find a handful of companies that meet these criteria for experience and professionalism, and then contact them to get a cost estimate and compare prices. You may also find that some companies are able to deliver in a shorter window than others depending on how busy they are, so it’s always a good practice to contact a few shippers before deciding on which one to use.

Preparing Your Bike For Shipping

After you’ve settled on a motorcycle transport company, there will be a few minor preparations they will ask you to take care of before your bike is picked up. The preparation guidelines may vary slightly from one shipper to another, but they typically include the following steps:

• Clean the bike
• Document & photograph existing damages
• Gather required shipping documents
• Remove accessories
• Check for leaks
• Properly inflate tires
• Make sure signals and lights work

These are just some of the most common preparations you’ll need to make before shipping a motorcycle. For a more thorough breakdown and explanation of shipping requirements, please see our motorcycle shipping preparation page.