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Dave loved the fast delivery
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“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

Shipping A Motorcycle Across the Country

Published by Joe Webster.

Shipping A Motorcycle Across the Country

There’s a lot that goes into shipping a motorcycle across the country, and it’s not exactly the same as shipping a bike locally or regionally. For one thing, you have the added concern of the longer shipping distance. What this means for carriers is that it’s important to make sure the bike is protected and securely held in place for the duration of the trip. There are two primary methods of securing a bike for shipping, which we’ll briefly review in this section.

Palletized & Crated Motorcycle Transport - Both palletized and crating services involve securing the motorcycle to a wooden pallet, which is then either left open (palletized) or enclosed in a wooded crate (crating). Whether you decide to have your bike crated is really a matter of personal choice, though it can provide a slightly more protected means of shipping. Most long distance motorcycle shippers will be able to provide a crate if you don’t have one, but it does come at an additional cost.

Uncrated Motorcycle Shipping - There are a number of uncrated methods for shipping a motorcycle long distance. Some companies have trucks that are specially equipped to move bikes and they may have enclosed carriers with special stalls, soft ties and skids to prevent shifting during the delivery process. Others may have a simple, all-purpose dock that is designed to fit anything from a moped to a touring bike. Uncrated motorcycle transport may be done in an open or enclosed carrier, though enclosed carriers are the more common of the two for shipping bikes over a long distance.

Get a FREE, no obligation cost estimate for shipping your motorcycle to or from anywhere in the U.S.! Call us at the number at the top of the page for more information or use the online request form to get started comparing prices right away!

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Research & Preparation For Long Distance Motorcycle Transport

Verifying Insurance & Performance History

If you know where to look, it’s relatively easy to verify safety records, licensing and insurance information for motorcycle shipping companies. The best resource available is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SAFER System. With just some basic information about a company, you can find in-depth reports about their service history, inspections, crash reports, and current licensing information.

Preparing Your Motorcycle For Cross Country Shipping

When you hire a company to ship your bike, whether it’s being delivered across the state or across the country, there a few things you’ll need to do in preparation. Some companies offer more inclusive services and may take care of this for you, but the expectation among most shippers is that the following be addressed prior to loading your motorcycle onto the transport carrier:

  • Remove any personal items, including saddlebags and storage compartments
  • Check that tires are properly inflated & that there are no fluid leaks
  • Fold back mirrors & deactivate antitheft systems
  • Make sure the bike is clean & operable
  • Document any damages or mechanical issues (photos recommended)
  • Run the gas tank to below 1/4 of a tank
  • Arrange for crating if applicable
  • Remove any nonpermanent accessories or electronics
  • Have maintenance records available

For more tips about rider safety and motorcycle maintenance, visit this resource from the American Motorcyclist Association.

Start comparing prices for FREE in a matter of minutes! Use the form at the top right of this page to get an estimate in minutes or call us to find out more about our many cost-saving options for motorcycle owners, dealerships and collectors!

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
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Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
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Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
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David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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