How Do I Ship a Motorcycle Cross Country?

Shipping a motorcycle can come in handy. You might be relocating your residence or seeking an opportunity to drive in an area of the East or West Coast that you're hoping to explore. Two things are essential when it comes to shipping your motorcycle cross country.

You want your motorcycle to get to its destination in the same condition it left in

You need to source a competitive quote from a reputable transport company

We're here to break down the vital aspects of how to work with a motorcycle transport company so you can ship your bike safely at an affordable rate.

Let’s begin by discussing how to choose a motorcycle transport service so you can initiate the process of shipping your motorcycle cross country.

How Do I Choose a Motorcycle Transportation Service?

If you're thinking about shipping your motorcycle cross country, you might've already begun to perform research to find a company that can assist you. That research can consist of utilizing online resources or asking motorcyclists; you know if they have any personal recommendations. This is a great start! The key to choosing the best motorcycle transportation service is to be thorough in your research.

The key to conducting diligent research is to know what red flags to look for while also knowing how to identify positive aspects of a motorcycle transport service. A quality motorcycle transport company will be confident in their ability to display their experience, insurance coverage, and other credentials while treating you like your needs are important.

What Legal Qualifications Should a Motorcycle Transport Company Have?

One of the most vital steps in screening a motorcycle transport service is verifying that the company you're consulting with is legally able to ship your bike. Check to see if the company you're consulting with can provide you with DOT and MC numbers as this is a legal requirement. On the topic of legal formalities, the company you're screening should provide proof of liability and cargo insurance before you consider working with them. A professional transport company should appreciate your request for written proof of liability and cargo insurance.

If a motorcycle transport service doesn't provide you with proof of insurance, consider that a major red flag.

How Do I Research a Motorcycle Transport Company's Reputation?

Online reviews from reputable sources and personal recommendations are going to do wonders in pointing you toward a quality company to ship your motorcycle cross country. Personal recommendations from people you know are helpful because you're able to trust the person you're sourcing information from. Reading online reviews is beneficial when taking a closer look at a company's previous dealings. If there aren't any online reviews for a motorcycle transport company you're researching, you're going to want to avoid them. A lack of reviews may indicate that the company lacks experience, professionalism, or, worse, is a scam.

Understanding the different types of trailers available for motorcycle shipping will help your consultation with the transport service. You'll need to know what type of trailer suits your needs so you can request that specific service from the transport company.

What Should I Know About Motorcycle Shipping Trailers?

A motorcycle transportation company will ship your motorcycle through an open carrier trailer or an enclosed trailer. If you're wondering which of these two trailer types is better, enclosed trailers win as they offer more protection for a motorcycle that's in transit—but that's why it's the more expensive of the two trailer transport options. Open carrier shipping is less expensive because your bike will be exposed to outdoor elements during its travel time. While open carrier shipping is better for moving a motorcycle a shorter distance than cross country, you can still utilize this option if you establish an exact delivery date, and your bike isn't too fragile.

We recommend that you opt for enclosed motorcycle shipping if your bike is an expensive modern or vintage bike, as some of these models can be more susceptible to damage.

Choosing a delivery service when planning to ship your motorcycle cross country is just as important as selecting a transport method as it will initiate and finalize the shipping process. We're going to discuss why door-to-door shipping should be your go-to option when shipping your motorcycle cross country.

Why Is Door-to-Door Shipping Best When Shipping Your Motorcycle Cross Country?

Door-to-door motorcycle shipping involves a transport service coming to your residence (or another designated pick-up spot), loading and securing your bike for shipping, and driving off to the delivery location you select. Once the motorcycle transport specialists reach your destination, they'll drop your bike off as close as possible to the address you provide. Since you're looking for convenience in your cross country motorcycle shipping experience, consider door-to-door shipping, so you don't have to go off the beaten path to retrieve your bike.

Let's say you've found the ideal motorcycle shipping company to work with. They're reputable, have room to meet your needs, and are offering you a competitive quote. There are going to be a few things you'll have to do to prepare your motorcycle for transport before it ventures off toward its destination.

How Do I Prep my Motorcycle for Shipping?

A quality motorcycle shipping company will double-check that your bike is ready for transport before shipping but taking steps to prepare the bike for transit yourself will help you avoid delays. Most aspects of preparing your motorcycle for shipping relate to the condition of the bike. Do your best to clean your bike before its shipping date, and after you clean it, inspect the bike so you can compare the condition it left in with its arrival condition. We recommend that you get your motorcycle inspected so you can make records of any mechanical problems.

Motorcycle transport companies usually charge more money to ship bikes that aren't functioning as it makes their job of loading, unloading, or possibly moving the motorcycle around more difficult. Written notes are great for documenting the condition of your bike, but photos are best as they provide clear, concrete proof of your bike's condition before its shipping date.

Part of being able to ship a motorcycle cross country is to estimate the transport cost so you can generate a budget. Motorcycle shipping companies should quickly provide you with a quote but estimating your costs will help you locate the best deal possible.

What Factors Will Affect My Cost of Shipping My Motorcycle Cross Country?

The five main factors that will impact how much you pay to ship your motorcycle cross country include how far your bike is traveling, how fast you need your bike shipped, your motorcycle's make and model, the shipping mode and delivery method you select, as well as extra fees and insurance coverage. A transport company will base your rate on the number of miles your bike is traveling, with more miles costing less per mile but more overall if you're shipping cross country.

People generally think the most about two components when it comes to shipping a motorcycle cross country. If you want to ship your motorcycle quickly, it's going to cost some extra bucks. Motorcycle transport services often offer expedited delivery services that incur a higher charge, while some people even opt to have their motorcycle shipped across the country through air freight delivery. People who select air freight delivery to ship their motorcycles are often moving high-value bikes that need extra security.

You might be wondering if shipping a motorcycle cross country is worth it instead of driving or hauling the bike to its destination yourself. People moving their residence may not have the option of driving or hauling a bike cross country independently due to time or budget constraints.

Here’s how you’ll benefit from enlisting the help of a transport service for your bike.

How Will I Benefit From Using a Transport Service to Ship My Motorcycle Cross Country?

The marketplace presents you with tons of options for companies that will ship your motorcycle cross country. Having so many options to choose from creates the opportunity to find a service that meets your needs and budget. Aside from having plenty of companies to choose from, shipping a motorcycle affords you potential discounts, safety, and, most importantly—convenience.

Many motorcycle shipping services will offer discounts to attract potential customers.

Here's a list of people that motorcycle shipping companies commonly offer discounts to:

• Military members
• Students
• Senior citizens
• First responders
• Multiple motorcycle shipments
• Return customers
• Customers who book early

Driving or hauling a motorcycle cross country by yourself is a time-consuming task that requires careful planning. Working with motorcycle shipping services can take the stress out of cross country shipping as the company you hire will handle the logistical end of the process before embarking on the travel route. We understand that it takes trust to hand off your motorcycle for a cross country shipment. If you do your due diligence when researching motorcycle transport services, you can find a company that has the skills and experience to move your bike long-distance safely and reliably.

Let's wrap up by discussing why you can trust us when looking to ship your motorcycle cross country.

Why Should I Consider A-1 Auto Transport For Shipping My Motorcycle Cross Country?

We estimate that we'll be able to deliver your motorcycle cross country in 7-9 days. Giving our customers options is part of what we do. When working with us, you'll be able to ship your motorcycle across the United States through enclosed, open-air, door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, or crated transport. We're a SmartWay Partner with the Environmental Protection Agency, so we can work together to reduce harmful emissions in our industry.