Motorcycle Shipping
Dedicated motorcycle transport with wheel chock securing, soft-tie strapping, and carriers who specialize in two-wheel logistics — not car haulers who treat your bike as an afterthought wedged into a corner of the trailer. Open, enclosed, and crated options for everything from daily riders to vintage collectibles and competition bikes.
Get a Quote →Three steps from quote to delivery.
Make, model, year, any modifications (aftermarket exhaust, crash bars, saddlebags, windscreen), and running condition. Whether it's a stock Honda Gold Wing or a custom café racer with clip-ons and rear sets, the specifics determine which carrier and transport method give you the best combination of protection and cost. Non-running bikes need different handling — tell us upfront.
We dispatch carriers with purpose-built motorcycle transport equipment — wheel chock systems that lock the front wheel in place, soft-tie straps that secure the frame and handlebars at multiple points without chain contact, and experienced handlers who know how to load and strap a bike without leaning it against another vehicle. Your motorcycle is secured properly, not improvised onto a car trailer.
Full condition inspection and Bill of Lading at pickup documenting any existing scratches, scuffs, or cosmetic wear. Same inspection at delivery before you sign. Photographs at both ends are standard. The BOL is your legal record — if anything changed in transit, it's documented and claimable against the carrier's cargo insurance.
What to know before you book.
Dedicated motorcycle trailers — purpose-built rigs with individual wheel chocks and tie-down stations — provide the safest transport. The bike has its own secured position and doesn't share space with vehicles that could shift. Shared transport on a car carrier using a motorcycle pallet or cradle is a budget-friendly alternative, but the bike is riding alongside larger vehicles and the securing method depends on the carrier's equipment. For high-value or vintage bikes, dedicated is the right call.
For long-distance moves, high-value motorcycles, or bikes with protruding components that are vulnerable to contact damage (aftermarket exhaust, wide handlebars, fairings), crating adds $150–$300 and provides maximum protection. The bike is secured inside a purpose-built wooden crate with foam padding around all protruding components. Crating is particularly recommended for vintage or collectible bikes where cosmetic condition directly affects value.
Bikes that can be rolled and steered are loaded normally — the front wheel goes into the chock, straps secure the frame. Bikes that can't roll (flat tires, seized drivetrain, frame damage) may require a ramp-loaded pallet or crating for safe handling. Disclose the exact condition at booking — a carrier who arrives prepared for a rolling bike and finds one that won't move creates delays and can refuse the load. Accurate condition reporting avoids surprises for everyone.
Motorcycle shipping runs 35–45% of comparable car transport rates, reflecting the smaller size and weight. Short distance (under 500 miles): $250–$450. Mid-range corridors (500–1,500 miles): $400–$700. Cross-country moves (1,500+ miles): $600–$1,100. Enclosed or crated transport adds 40–60% to these ranges. Non-running bikes that require special loading add approximately 15%. Dedicated motorcycle trailer transport (not shared with cars) may carry a slight premium on some routes but is the safest option for high-value bikes.
Common questions.
The front wheel locks into a wheel chock system that holds it firmly upright. Soft-tie straps then secure the frame, handlebars, and subframe at multiple points to prevent any lateral movement. No chains contact the bike — all tie-down points use wide fabric straps or wheel-net systems. The bike is held rigid in its upright position for the entire transit, not leaning against other vehicles or resting on its side stand.
Crating provides the highest level of protection and is recommended for bikes valued above $15,000, vintage or collectible motorcycles, bikes with fragile or protruding components (custom exhausts, wide fairings, windscreens), and any cross-country shipment where you want zero-risk handling. It adds $150–$300 but eliminates any possibility of contact damage from other cargo or strap pressure on cosmetic surfaces. For standard daily riders on short to mid-range routes, open dedicated transport with wheel chocks and soft ties is sufficient.
Yes. Non-running bikes that can still roll and steer are loaded normally onto the trailer. Bikes that cannot roll — seized engine, flat tires, frame damage — may require pallet loading or crating for safe handling. The key is disclosing the exact condition at booking so we dispatch a carrier with the right equipment. There's no judgment about the bike's condition — we ship project bikes, barn finds, and salvage purchases regularly.
Reduce fuel to a quarter tank or less — enough to move the bike short distances but not adding unnecessary weight or fuel vapor. Disconnect the battery or ensure the kill switch is in the off position and accessible. Remove or secure any loose accessories (saddlebags, tank bags, GPS mounts) that could shift during transit. If the bike has an alarm system, disable it or provide the carrier with the deactivation method — an alarm going off inside an enclosed trailer at 2 AM on I-40 helps no one.