How To Ship A Motorcycle

As a motorcycle owner, it is your responsibility to look for the best motorcycle shipping company. Don’t go for the first provider you see; instead, ask for quotes from several companies and compare them to get the best available deal.

What to look for in an excellent motorcycle shipping company

Several shipping companies offer motorcycle shipping, but some are better than others. Choosing a provider simply because they offer the most affordable rates is not always the best route to take. Price will always be the most significant deciding factor for any customer, but we recommend looking into other factors.

When talking to a shipping company’s representative for the first time, keep these things in mind:

• Do they have experience in transporting motorcycles specifically?
• Are they in good standing with the FMCSA?
• What kind of reviews do they have online?
• Has the company been involved with lawsuits or traffic accidents?
• What services are included in their motorcycle shipping offer?
• Do they offer complete insurance protection?

If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to know how much motorcycle shipping costs before you decide to go through with the process. Motorcycle shipping companies offer consultation and estimation for free, so you can get an estimate without being obliged to hire them. 

Local shipping

Local shipping, which usually (but not always) means shipping within the same state, usually costs around $600 to $800.

Long-distance shipping

Transportation of items, furniture, and other belongings of more than 1,000 miles is considered long-distance. For some companies, long-distance means shipping out of state or shipping to another police jurisdiction. Long-distance shipping usually goes for $600 to $1,000, depending on the company’s definition of long-distance.

International shipping

Shipping motorcycles overseas usually goes from $1,000 to $2,000. This includes freight or plane travel costs. 

Factors That Can Affect The Cost of your Motorcycle Shipping

• Distance - the higher the total mileage, the higher the shipping cost.
• Trailer type - Open trailers are cheaper, but the risk of damage is higher because the motorcycle is exposed to the elements. Closed or semi-closed trailers are more expensive but give your motorcycle more protection.
• Motorcycle brand and make - Shipping luxury motorcycles might cost you more because they require more care.
• Motorcycle size - Motorcycles are not transported alone; usually, they’re transported in a trailer with other motorcycles. If your motorcycle is larger in size, it may take up the space of 2 regular motorcycles so that the company will charge you more.
• Insurance - Some companies offer free insurance for your motorcycle shipping, although this does not give you 100% coverage. If you want complete insurance protection for your motorcycle, you need to pay extra for it.

It’s better to book your motorcycle delivery as far in advance as you possibly can. You can get the best delivery date and time that’s most convenient for you if you book in advance. Even though many companies offer last-minute motorcycle shipping, you may need to adjust your schedule since the company may be booked on the dates that you want. Also, the more advanced your booking is, the more time you have to prepare for the delivery.

The motorcycle shipping company will assign you a shipping manager, who is in charge of ironing out the details of your motorcycle delivery. Here are just some of the responsibilities of your shipping manager:

• Explain fully the factors that affect your total motorcycle shipping cost
• Answer questions about the actual delivery process (e.g., what routes to take, what kind of trailer will be used for the delivery, etc.)
• Give clarifications about insurance coverage

You will be working closely with your shipping manager to transport your motorcycle from your old home to your new one. If you are purchasing a motorcycle from an out-of-state seller, the seller must coordinate with your shipping manager to ensure that you are prepared for the delivery.

You should also iron out details with the seller. In some cases, the seller might assume full responsibility for the cost of shipping the motorcycle. They might also choose to shoulder the shipping deposit and leave the rest up to you.

As long as you coordinated the delivery with the moving manager - or in some situations, the moving manager and seller - there isn’t much for you to do but wait for your motorcycle to get delivered. The delivery crew should have your name and contact information to contact you to give you updates regarding the delivery.

Suppose you are simply moving a motorcycle from one location to another. In that case, we recommend being present at the delivery destination to ensure that the motorcycle is handed off carefully and adequately. While it’s technically possible to have someone else meet the delivery crew in your stead if you’re busy, it’s still better to check the motorcycle with your own eyes when it arrives.

I need to move to a new apartment, and I’m thinking of taking my motorcycle with me. Can’t I just load the motorcycle in a moving truck together with my other belongings?

Technically, it’s possible to use a moving truck to transport your motorcycle; however, most moving providers will recommend against this. Motorcycles are usually shipped in a trailer along with other motorcycles to prevent damage. If you load them in a truck with your other belongings, they might get scraped in transit.

My motorcycle arrived today, and the paint had scratches on it. What should I do?

If you’re transporting your motorcycle from one location to another, contact your shipping company immediately. Insurance concerns are usually discussed before the shipping date itself. Present evidence of damage, and the company should compensate for it with the appropriate insurance coverage.

How long do I have to wait before my motorcycle gets delivered?

Local motorcycle shipping has a transit time of 2-4 days. For long-distance shipping, you need to wait 4-7 days for your motorcycle to arrive.