How to Transport a Motorcycle Across the Country without Riding

If you’re wondering how to transport a motorcycle from one state to another without riding it, this guide will walk you through your options and the entire shipping process.

We’ll go over the best ways for safe motorcycle shipping, help you find a reliable service, and share some useful tips.

What is the Best Way to Transport a Motorcycle?

There are several ways for shipping a motorcycle without riding it, but the best way for you would be depending on your specific circumstances.

Motorcycle Moving Companies

The most convenient and perhaps the best way to transport a motorcycle is via a dedicated motorcycle shipper. These companies specialize in hassle-free motorcycle transport services, offering a range of freight shipping options, which often include enclosed transport or open carriers.

Based on your preferences and budget, you can expect the shipping process to include a truck bed, and hitch carrier regarding the security. Some motorcycle moving companies offer ultimate door to door service, meaning your client's responsibilities are reduced to pickup and delivery.

Open Vs Enclosed Transport

When working with a motorcycle shipping company, you must first make an important decision regarding the transportation itself–open or enclosed.

Open carrier transportation is the cheapest way to transport motorcycle and includes traditional trailers, folding trailers, or hitch carriers. Open transport carries a considerable risk of damaging the motorcycle, hence it is only recommended for short distances and low-value motorcycles.

In contrast, the best way for shipping motorcycles across country is enclosed transportation that includes a truck bed, enclosed trailer, and van transport. This approach is more expensive, but considering the small motorcycle sizes, they easily fit inside other vehicles, for ultimate safety.

Freight Shipping (Extra Safe)

If you’re wondering how to transport motorcycle as securely as possible, freight shipping might be the best option for you. Also, freight shipping may be the only way to transport a motorcycle across the ocean, especially if you’re looking for shipping motorcycle to Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

Freight shipping is one of the best ways to transport a motorcycle, especially when dealing with long distances across the country. Typically, freight shipping involves a motorcycle shipping crate or motorcycle shipping container, which is later transported via truck, rail, or cargo ship. 

Freight Shipping Pros:

• You can count on timely delivery — most carriers' transportation takes 3 to 7 days.
• Freight carriers are on a tight schedule, so you will be able to track your shipment.
• Freight carriers use motorcycle crates, which are safe from dents, rain, or damage.
• Booking is a breeze since they’ve got routes running all the time—quick and easy.

Freight Shipping Cons:

• The base shipping cost isn’t that bad, but might need to shell out for a custom crate.
• Freight shipping is picky about weight and size details, and surprise fees may arise.
• Getting the crate ready takes 3 to 7 days, so it’s not ideal if you’re racing the clock.
• Freight carriers aren’t bike experts — unlike a dedicated motorcycle moving company.

However, while freight shipping is the most secure way of transportation, most carriers will ask you to prepare the bike first. This preparation commonly involves draining the fuel, securing any loose parts, and disconnecting the battery to prevent hazardous scenarios.

Rental Truck Transportation

If you don’t want to pay additionally and deal with specialized motorcycle moving carriers, you can simply use a truck rental company. You can either rent a truck/van and drive it yourself to the desired location or rent a truck with a dedicated driver.

However, with those services, you’re paying for the weight of your shipment, which may turn out to be more costly than you might expect. Also, you can expect the truck space to be shared with other shipments, increasing the risk of damaging your bike.

Transport the Bike Yourself (DIY)

If you have a shipping-enabled vehicle and wonder how to transport a motorcycle yourself, we’ll carry you through the preparation steps and requirements. It’s important to comply with the legal requirements and safety steps for auto transport to avoid potential road accidents and damage.

Step #1 Acquire Vehicle or Trailer

If you wonder how to transport a motorbike, we can assume that you already have a pickup truck or flatbed mini truck allowing you to load and secure your motorcycle. Yet, another option would be renting an open or enclosed trailer, attaching it to your vehicle, and loading your bike.

Step #2 Get Help for the Loading

Even if you’re going to transport the motorbike yourself, it’s crucial to have a helping hand for the loading to avoid injuries. If you’re lifting the bike, have friends, or family to help you, and if you’re using a ramp, have people balancing on both sides.

Step #3 Tie Down the Motorcycle

The most important step is to tie down your motorcycle securely to keep it stationary and verify damage-free transportation. Use a soft tie and secure it to a structurally solid spot on the truck. Additionally, we strongly recommend using a wheel clock to stabilize your motorcycle securely.

What Does It Cost to Have a Motorcycle Shipped

If you’re wondering how much does it cost to ship a motorcycle, we’re going to provide you with a rough overview of the price per mile. 

However, it’s important to note that every shipping company has its own pricing, which is going to vary based on several factors. Some of these factors include distance, weight, service type, pickup and delivery location, insurance, and even time of the year.

Here’s approximately how much to ship a motorcycle cross country:

This is approximately how much would it cost to ship a motorcycle with enclosed transportation but be informed that those are general estimations. Well, if you decide to go with an open type of motorbike transportation, the risks will be higher, but the shipping costs will be much lower.

The best way to find out the exact transportation cost, as per your requirements and motorbike, you’ll need to submit a shipping quote.

How to Transport a Motorbike Using an Independent Motorcycle Shipper

An independent motorcycle shipper is typically, a small, privately owned transport service or an individual hauler who specializes in motorcycle shipping. Unlike the larger shipping companies, these carriers offer low cost motorcycle shipping, personalized services, and flexible schedules.

Key Features:

• Flexibility - With an independent motorcycle shipping service, you can expect higher personalization (more attention to your bike) as well as flexible routers and scheduling.

• Low Cost - Because of the lower overhead costs, independent shipping typically offers better pricing for shipping your bike, compared to large-scale transportation companies.

• Simplicity - You will deal with less bureaucracy, since you’re speaking directly with the transporter, avoiding multiple customer service levels, documents, and requirements.

• Urgency - Some independent carriers, also known as hotshot motorcycle transport, are ready to provide priority, without delay, for clients with urgent transportation needs.

3 Steps to Ship Motorcycle with Independent Shipper:

If you’re wondering how to ship a motorcycle to another state using an independent motorcycle shipper you’ll need to know how the process works.

1. Make Your Booking

The first step is to find out how much will it cost to ship a motorcycle with the service provider of your choosing, considering any specific requirements. We strongly recommend requesting more than one motorcycle transport quote and comparing prices between different shipping providers.

If you’re satisfied with the pricing, schedule, and transportation method, finalize the booking by confirmation via email, phone, or chat.

2. Ship the Motorcycle

Once the shipping date has been approved, you can expect the carrier to contact you a few hours before the transportation vehicle is on site. When the carrier arrives, your motorcycle will be carefully inspected and any existing damage will be thoroughly noted in the Bill of Lading.

Once the paperwork is done, your vehicle will be loaded and the motorcycle shipment begins.

3. Receive Motorcycle

A few hours before the carrier reaches the destination, you’ll receive another phone call, which is going to be for confirmation that you are available to receive the bike. Whenever the carrier arrives, you’ll have the opportunity to check the motorcycle’s condition and if everything is intact.

Where to Find an Independent Motorcycle Shipper?

If you’re about to transport your motorcycle across the country with an independent shipper, we strongly recommend using the FreightRun LTL quote calculator. You will get instant LTL rates and suggestions of shippers and carriers that are willing to transport your motorcycle quickly.

Other options to check for motorcycle shipping include online shipping marketplace, motorcycle dealership shops, freight brokers and directories, and even mouth-to-mouth recommendations.

Motorcycle Moving - 5 Useful Tips!

If you’re wondering how do you ship a motorcycle as cost-effectively and securely as possible, we’ve prepared a few tips you need to know.

1. Choosing Transportation Method

Whether you’re shipping with a motorcycle shipping service, freight shipping, or DIY transport, you need to evaluate the situation. You need to determine the risk tolerance you’re willing to accept and whether the bike’s value is worth paying extra for security.

The distance is another crucial factor to consider if we take into account weather conditions, potential delays, traffic, and so on…

2. Essential Motorcycle Preparation

The preparation before shipping the motorcycle involves several steps such as cleaning, condition documentation, and loose parts as well as tire pressure and fluids.

However, your carrier may request additional preparation measures, especially when freight shipping crates are involved.

3. Verify your Insurance Coverage

The insurance of your motorcycle covers potential damage and, in the worst-case scenario – a lost bike. So, we strongly recommend verifying your insurance coverage, just in case something with the motorcycle moving goes sideways.

4. Motorcycle Inspection on Delivery

It’s crucial to thoroughly inspect the vehicle upon bike arriving at the destination. If you miss any transportation damage such as bents, scratches, or missing parts you will miss out on insurance.

If necessary, you can always file a claim and contact the insurer or the transportation company!

5. Select Only Reputable Shippers

Choosing a trustworthy motorcycle transporter is crucial to reducing the chances of damage, hidden fees, and potential delays.

You should always check reviews and ratings, as well as licensing and credentials to ensure the company is regulated and your motorbike is secure.

Wrapping Up:

Well, after this comprehensive guide, you shouldn’t be wondering how do I ship a motorcycle anymore. Now you know your options and what's it cost to have a motorcycle shipped across the country, hence you’re ready to submit your quote–best of luck.