Choosing the Best Motorcycle Shipping Company

What to look for in a motorcycle shipping company

A motorcycle shipping company is trusting you with a bike that is heavy, valuable and personal to you, so the details of how it is loaded, secured and carried matter more than almost anything else. The good news is that you can check nearly all of them before you pay a cent. Use the checklist on this page with any company you talk to, including us.

Five things separate a dependable company from a risky one: the insurance behind the move, whether the bike travels enclosed or open, true door-to-door service, how the bike is strapped down, and whether you get a real quote with a real transit time.

Insurance and cargo coverage

Every shipment should be handled by insured carriers, and you should be able to see the coverage details for your own move before you book. Ask which cargo coverage applies while the bike is on the truck, whether there is a deductible, and whether your own motorcycle policy still applies in transit.

A company that cannot answer those questions plainly, or will not put the coverage details in writing, is telling you something. At Motorcycle Transporters we use insured carriers, and you can ask us for the coverage details before you book.

Enclosed vs. open transport

Open trailers leave your bike exposed to rain, road grime, rock chips and anyone walking past. An enclosed truck keeps all of that away for the entire trip, which is why enclosed is the better fit for new, custom, vintage and high-value bikes, and for any route through rain, snow or salted roads.

Check that the company is clear about which one you are getting. Motorcycle Transporters moves every bike on a large enclosed truck, a full-size tractor-trailer with an enclosed van trailer, never on a small low trailer towed behind a pickup. There is no separate enclosed upgrade to pay for.

Door-to-door pickup and delivery

Door to door means the driver collects the bike where it is and delivers it where you want it, not at a lot you have to reach on your own. A large truck cannot always turn onto a narrow street or into a gated community, so a good company agrees on a nearby meeting spot with you before pickup day, such as a wide street or an empty parking lot.

Ask who calls ahead, how the pickup window is set, and what you sign at pickup and delivery. You should inspect and photograph the bike with the driver both times.

Soft-tie straps and secure loading

How a bike is tied down tells you a lot about the people moving it. The front wheel should sit in a chock, and soft-tie straps should wrap solid points such as the frame and the lower triple clamp. Nothing should pull on painted or chromed parts, and the bike should stay upright for the whole ride.

If a company will not explain how it secures a motorcycle, keep looking. We are happy to walk you through ours.

Real quotes and real transit times

A real quote is built for your exact move: the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the make and model, whether the bike runs and the dates you need. Be careful with prices that come back instantly with no questions asked, because they are often estimates that change later.

For reference, most motorcycle shipments run $750 to $1,200, coast to coast is about $1,300, and typical transit is 10 to 15 business days. Use those numbers to test any quote you receive. Our cost guide explains what moves the price up or down.

How to compare motorcycle shipping companies

• Ask whether the bike ships enclosed or open, and get the answer in writing.
• Ask for the coverage details for your own shipment, including any deductible.
• Confirm door-to-door pickup and delivery, and how tight streets are handled.
• Ask how the bike is secured: a wheel chock and soft-tie straps.
• Get a price for your exact route and a transit window, not a vague range.
• Make sure a live person answers the phone and can explain every step.

Why choose Motorcycle Transporters

Motorcycle Transporters is based in Richmond, VA and ships motorcycles across the continental United States. Every bike rides on a large enclosed truck, door to door, secured with soft-tie straps and carried by insured carriers. Live agents answer 24/7, and give you an exact price and transit window with no obligation to book.

If you want to see the process from start to finish, read how motorcycle shipping works, or call (866) 216-7742 and talk to an agent.