Interstate Motorcycle Transport

In this article, you’ll learn about interstate motorcycle transport.

So, if you are an individual looking forward to moving their bike from one state to another, or you want to purchase a brand new bike that will be shipped to you from miles away, you’ll find this guide helpful.

Wait, what? Would moving your bike by yourself be much more adventurous than hiring a logistics company’s services?

Well… That’s easier said than done!

Many interstate motorcycle carrier services are relatively inexpensive compared to riding your bike 3000 miles across and having to stop for gas, meals, and lodging.

Do you have the know-how to relocate your bike safely? Unfortunately, many things can go wrong during a long-distance ride.

So, it’s always wise to get professional help.

Let’s start by understanding “Why” DIY transporting your bike isn’t the best option.

Why is Transporting Your Bike by Riding Over It NOT A Cool Idea?

Take a look at some of the reasons you should rely on a logistics motorcycle shipping carrier rather than transporting your bike by yourself:

• It is Time-Consuming: The time you would spend shifting your bike from one state to another can be better used in other productive activities that are more beneficial to you.
• Riding Your Bike by Yourself can be Stressful: At first, it might seem like an adventure, BUT riding a bike for so long takes a toll on your body. You won’t be comfortable riding it after a few hours.
• Your Bike Might Experience Wear and Tear: Long-distance rides can be hard on your bike. Small rocks on the trail might affect it and get scratched.
• Safety is the BIGGEST Concern: You might get fatigued while riding your bike on the longer route. The same can happen with the other drivers on the road, so there will always be a risk of an unexpected incident.
• You’ll have to Bear Other Expenses: Bike riding for a long time can be expensive. You’ll be spending your money on fuel-refilling, at food stops, and once you’re tired, at rest stops, as well.
• Your Options to Take Your Gear with You Are Limited: You might need your belongings at different stops at the longer trails. In addition, handling your stuff on a longer track is difficult.

3 Best Options for Interstate Hauling

Moving is a part of life. Whether relocating or traveling from one state to another, you often must take your goods.

However, shifting the bike interstate is the last thing people think about while transitioning. Many assume that moving a motorcycle interstate would be a thriftier option and would include a lot of hassle. So, they find selling their bike much more feasible than shipping it.

However, what should you do when you have an emotional attachment to your motorcycle and many memories associated with it?

You’ll probably don’t like to sell your precious bike while relocating. Right?

To help you take your sweet ride with you, we have provided the three best options for bike transport, with their pros and cons.

Transporting a Bike Using a Freight Company

The first option is to move your motorcycle using local or national freight companies. These companies specialize in moving large shipments nationwide. They know how to load your bike safely and deliver it to your desired destination in the best possible state.

Pros:

• Freight companies are a reliable way of transporting your motorcycle.
• They have a quick delivery service. Freight moving companies' transit time is usually 3-7 days, and you can expect to receive your bike within this time frame.

Cons:

• Freight companies mostly lack experience and equipment for shipping motorcycles.
• You often have to supply a custom crate to enclose your bike.
• You might handle the hidden cost if you don’t provide the shipping company with the correct dimensions.

Shift Your Motor Bike Using an Independent Hauler

If you do your research, you’ll find dozens of independent haulers willing to haul almost anything and everything for you from destination A to B. They are more likely available to transport your motorcycle as well.

Pros:

• Independent haulers can be an affordable option to haul your motorcycle.

Cons:

• The independent haulers might not be familiar with shipping motorcycles.
• They may not have the right equipment to do the job.
• Additional insurance policies are non-existent with these service providers. They might have the basic insurance (that they need to operate), but that’s not enough to cover the damages.

Relocate Your Motorcycle Using Professional Motorcycle Logistics Services

Out of all these non-DIY options, the best way to move interstate bikes is to use professional logistics services. Below is a brief analysis of some of the pros and cons of using specialized motorcycle transport services.

Pros:

• They are well-equipped with the relocating material that must be used to haul your bike safely.
• They have experience handling shipments of two-wheeler cargo and know how to handle your load well and transport it to the delivery destination without damaging it.
• Professional motorcycle hauling companies provide door-to-door hauling services.
• You do not have to provide any crate or complete the loading work; they handle it all.
• They give you options to choose a particular shipping method for your transit.
• They provide you with a streamlined and safe experience.

Cons:

• Professional motorcycle logistics companies take care of everything throughout the process by themselves. So, you might find their cost a bit higher than DIY-ing or the other two options.

The Step-by-Step Method to Move Your Bike Interstate

Whether you are up to shipping your bike, superbike, or scooter interstate, this step-by-step method can make your transit process effortless.

Step 1: Get Interstate Motorcycle Transport Quotes from Multiple Logistic Companies

Gather interstate motorcycle relocating quotes from different logistic companies. Doing so will give you a good range of prices from the various moving companies. The next step is to research each company and know their transportation services. Then, please read some of their reviews.

After finding some companies that offer services that fit your budget and have good customer service, you can settle on the one that perfectly matches your shipping requirements.

Pro tip: Read reviews about the company under consideration on third-party websites to double-check its trustworthiness. Also, don’t forget to check its FMCSA licensing.

Step 2: Decide on “HOW” You Would Like to Move Your Bike

You have two options for shipping your bike. Either through open trailers or enclosed trailers!

Here’s the difference:

Open Trailer: The cheaper option to move your bike is to move it through available trailers. In the open-trailer shipping method, your bike is exposed to elements. But, as the open trailers don’t hold many bikes at once, they relocate faster and are ideal for shorter distances.

Enclosed Trailer: This method is more expensive than the open-trailer mode. However, in an enclosed trailer, your bike would be safe from potential damage as the companies haul more bikes in an enclosed container, so the overall transition might take a longer time. This transition mode is the best fit for longer distances.

Step 3: Collaborate With the Shifting Company

Collaborating with your transportation company will save you from any unexpected hassle you might face in the transitioning process.

The hauling company will contact you before the pickup. If your bike is new, talk to your seller and ask if they can handle delivering it to the shipping company for you. If they are okay with it, you can also share your seller’s contact details with your company, but expect to pay some extra money to your seller to do this favor.

Your shipping driver will complete the shipment inspection with your seller on the pickup day. Then, both parties will sign a form to show agreement on the condition of the shipment. Finally, the delivery driver will safely load the motorcycle and bring it to you when the paperwork is finished.

Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shifting

Suppose your motorcycle is brand new and shipped directly from the seller. This requires no preparatory work from you! It just needs some safety precautions to prevent scratches and elements, which your shipment service will take care of.

You can keep calm and wait for your bike to reach you.

Contrarily, if you are relocating the old bike that has been traveling with you for quite some time, you’ll have to go the extra mile to prepare it for transport. Here are some preparation steps for your bike that you can do to make your motorcycle ready for transportation:

• First, wash your motorcycle to remove all the dirt and debris.
• Check the fluids and leakages (resolve if there are any)
• Inspect the battery.
• Check the tire pressure.
• Remove all your bike accessories and pack them separately.
• Reduce the fuel level of your cycle (at least up to 1/4th of the tank).
• If your bike has any, look for dents, damages, or scratches (if your bike has any).
• Document the current physical and mechanical condition of your motorcycle.

Benefits of Using Bike Transport and Logistics Services

When you choose a bike shifting service, you don’t have to get into the hassle of handling everything. They’ll move your bike in a well-organized way, load it carefully, lock it securely, and take active measures to avoid any potential damage.

We’ll discuss the top benefits of availing motorcycle relocating logistics services for your interstate motorcycle transport.

• Faster: When you move your bike with a professional shipping company, it reaches the destination faster. Moreover, the logistics companies are well-versed in the routes, so they ensure your hauling reaches its destination at the time you expect it to.
• Safer: Motorcycle shipping companies use enclosed boxes to move your bike in safe vehicles. So, the chances of your bike getting chipped or scratched are slim to none.
• Affordable: Relocating a motorcycle through logistics is more affordable than riding it yourself.
• Convenient: The best logistic companies make the transit procedure smoother for you by offering you personalized services. They also guide you through the process to make the RIGHT choices.
• Motorcycle Shifting Companies Offer Great Customer Service: When you transport your motorcycle with the best interstate motorcycle shifting company, you can rest at ease because your shipment will arrive on time and free of fuss.

What is the Cost of Shifting Bike Interstate?

Relocating a motorcycle from one state to another isn’t cheap, but it’s far better than consuming your energy, time, and money on the transition. However, the cost of moving your long-distance bike ranges somewhere between $200 and $600.

Understanding the Price of Haul a Bike

A significant factor that will help you settle on a motorcycle hauling company is the overall cost of their service. There’s not a set range of charges, of course. Instead, the shipping prices may vary based on different factors.

Below, we break down some standard variables that will help you identify the cost of your motorcycle transport.

Distance

The first and foremost thing that will affect the overall cost of your motorcycle transport is the distance between your transportation locations.

The rule of thumb here is the farther the distance, the higher the motorcycle shifting price. And, it takes no rocket science to determine “why.” Of course, it’s due to increased:

• Labor charges
• Fuel costs
• Ferry costs
• Toll prices

Dimension of Your Bike (Size, Weight, and Modification)

The dimensions of your motorcycle contribute significantly to the cost of transportation.

Furthermore, the modifications you have made to your bike also impact the cost of relocating, such as changing the size of your motorcycle tires and making seat adjustments (lowered or lifted).

Mode of Transportation: Open or Closed

There are two modes of moving a motorcycle: shipping it through an open trailer or an enclosed trailer.

The open-trailer method is the cheap motorcycle relocating mode, but it doesn’t offer your bike a high level of security. On the flip side, enclosed trailers are safer but charge more for providing this safety feature.

If you have enough budget and time, an enclosed trailer is the way to go. However, if you are budget-minded and need your motorcycle as soon as possible, consider the open-trailer hauling method.

The Route of the Transportation

When you live in the cities or an easily accessible area, you have the edge over those living in the rural areas. Expect to pay less when your pickup and delivery destinations are on popular routes.

The reason? The logistics companies don’t have to take extra time to drive to your location and perform the transportation.

Time Frame of Delivery

Want your motorcycle transported immediately?

You’ll have to pay a shipping company more as they have to prioritize your delivery. And, they are going to charge you more. But, on the other hand, if you aren’t in a hurry and opt for a flexible delivery time frame, your transportation charges will be less.

Season of the Year

Be ready to pay more shipping if you need to carry out your shipment during the peak months of the year. Like other logistics services, motorcycle shipping companies also raise their prices based on the demand for a particular route during a specific season of the year. So, when your bike has to move through a high-demand road, the price tag of the transit will increase.

That’s because the demand for service in that area is high, and the companies have to use more resources to make the deliveries happen in the requested time frame for their clients.

Conclusion

With that, we have reached the end of our blog post. Hopefully, you now know everything you need to shift your bike and are ready to make your move.

We know your motorcycle is more than just transport for you. It’s a travel partner for you. Unfortunately, locating a hauler to transport your motorcycle interstate is daunting. Again, getting quotes from different logistics companies and deciding on one perfect logistics service is not easy. You might, at first, think interstate hauling will cost you an arm and a leg through logistics.

But, believe it or not, this is the best option.

Mind that when you work with a company specializing in motorcycle relocation, your bike will roll up on your garage’s door in perfect condition in the promised time frame.

And that’s all that matters!