Motorcycle shipping and transport across the United States

How motorcycle shipping works

Motorcycle shipping is simple on your end. You tell us where the bike is, where it is going, what it is and when you need it. We give you a price for that exact move, book the shipment, and a driver comes to the pickup address. The bike rides to the delivery address on a large enclosed truck, and you meet the driver there to check it over and sign.

1. 1Call or request a free quote with the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the make and model of the bike, and the dates you have in mind.
2. 2Confirm the addresses, a contact name and a pickup window. We confirm your order by phone or email.
3. 3The driver calls ahead, inspects and photographs the bike with you, and secures it for the road.
4. 4Your bike travels on a large enclosed truck. Typical transit is 10 to 15 business days.
5. 5We call ahead before delivery. You inspect the bike with the driver, sign, and ride away.

Motorcycle transport on large enclosed trucks

We do not move bikes on small, low trailers towed behind a pickup. Your motorcycle rides inside a large enclosed truck: a full-size tractor-trailer with an enclosed van trailer. That keeps rain, road grime, rock chips and curious hands away from the bike for the whole trip.

Inside the truck, the front wheel sits in a chock and soft tie-downs wrap solid points such as the frame and the lower triple clamp. Nothing pulls on painted or chromed parts, and the bike stays upright for the whole ride.

Pickup and delivery

Pickup and delivery are door to door. We call ahead to set a window, and someone needs to be there with the keys at pickup and to receive the bike at delivery. That can be you, a friend, a dealer or a seller.

A large truck cannot always turn onto a narrow street, a dead end or a gated community. When that happens, we agree on a nearby meeting spot with you before pickup day, such as a wide street or an empty parking lot, so the bike can be rolled out to the truck safely.

Crating vs. palletizing

Most motorcycles do not need a crate. A bike on an enclosed truck is already protected from weather and road debris, and a crate is rarely necessary for a standard road bike.

Every motorcycle we ship is palletized as standard. Your bike is rolled onto a pallet, strapped down with soft ties and loaded into a large enclosed truck as one secured unit, so there is nothing extra to request. Tell us when you book if the bike is custom, low-clearance or does not run.

Insurance questions to ask before you book

Your shipment is handled by insured carriers, and you should always see the coverage details for your own move before you book. These are the questions worth asking any motorcycle shipping company, including us:

• Whose cargo coverage applies to my bike while it is on the truck, and what does it cover?
• Is there a deductible, and who pays it?
• Does my own motorcycle policy still cover the bike while it is in transit?
• What do I sign at pickup and delivery, and how are existing scratches recorded?
• How do I file a claim if something is damaged, and how long do I have to report it?
• Can I get the coverage details in writing before I book?

Motorcycle shipping prep checklist

• Wash the bike so existing marks are easy to see.
• Photograph every side of the bike, the odometer and any existing damage.
• Leave the tank at about a quarter full or less.
• Check that the battery is charged. If the bike does not run, tell us when you book.
• Remove saddlebag contents, loose accessories and electronics.
• Tell us about aftermarket parts, a lowered suspension or low ground clearance.
• Keep the keys and any fobs ready for the driver.

Transit times and typical cost

Typical transit is 10 to 15 business days. Count back from the date you need your bike and add a cushion, because a firm delivery date is easier to hit when you book early. Allow 10 to 15 business days for transit, so book at least that far ahead of the date you need your bike.

Most motorcycle shipments run $750 to $1,200, and coast to coast is about $1,300. Your exact price depends on the route, the bike, the season and whether the bike runs, so call or request a free quote for your exact price.

Where we ship

We are based in Richmond, VA and ship motorcycles across the continental United States, door to door. Pick your state below for local cities, popular routes and riding-season tips, or call us if your pickup or delivery is somewhere you do not see listed.