The Cheapest Way to Ship a Motorcycle
When that glorious cross-country roadtrip on your bike isn’t an option to get it to your new home, you need to get it shipped. There are actually quite a few motorcycle shipping options for motorcycle enthusiasts, but which option is right for you?
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From DIY shipping processes to professional motorcycle carriers, your choice can dramatically affect your motorcycle shipping costs, delivery timeline, and the safety of your bike.
Many times, people will go with the option that has the lowest upfront cost only to realize that they wound up doing more work and paying more money than they had anticipated. Don’t let this be you!
Let’s go over how to ship a motorcycle and what considerations you should take.
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The cheapest way to ship a motorcycle
So, which companies come out on top for motorcycle shipping services at an affordable rate? Here’s a quick overview.
Montway Auto Transport
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
With low prices, guaranteed pickup dates, and thorough carrier vetting, Montway Auto Transport is another great option for getting your motorcycle to your new home. Notably, Montway only uses enclosed carriers to ensure maximum protection for your ride.
Montway also offers relatively low motorcycle shipping rates. However, they do not provide guaranteed quotes — something to keep in mind when comparing prices.
AmeriFreight
rating
4.3 / 5
89% of users select this mover
If you want to make sure your motorcycle is covered in case of an accident, AmeriFreight is a great option. They offer gap coverage of up to $2,000 to pay toward your insurance’s deductible in case of any damage during shipment. You also get 48 hours to check for damage after delivery.
AmeriFreight carriers undergo a thorough vetting process to limit the risk for damage to your motorcycle, and their instant quotes and guaranteed pricing options make it easy to budget your move. That being said, AmeriFreight can be a bit pricier than other motorcycle shipping options.
uShip
rating
4.3 / 5
89% of users select this mover
If you want to find the cheapest way to ship your motorcycle, creating a listing on uShip is a great option. uShip is a marketplace where carriers can bid on jobs. The competition can help you get a much better price for shipping your motorcycle. You’ll also be able to see reviews of the carriers to make sure you choose the right option.
With uShip, the price might be lower because the carrier moving your motorcycle might be able to move multiple shipments at the same time. They might be willing to bid a lower price to ship your motorcycle because they already have shipments they need to move along the same route.
How to ship a motorcycle: Top ways to safely transport your bike
There are several ways to move your motorcycle. From landing it on a rental truck to working with specialty shippers, here are the best motorcycle shipping options.
The Standard DIY Choice: Load it on a Moving Truck
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While not every moving truck rental service will allow you to load a motorcycle into the back of the truck, some do allow it. If you’re looking for a cheap DIY option to ship your motorcycle, renting a moving truck might be the right choice.
You will need to know how to load the motorcycle into the back of the truck. It’s also a good idea to check the weight capacity of the moving truck. Make sure you don’t overload the truck by adding several other large items in addition to your motorcycle.
Step-by-step process to load your motorcycle into a moving truck
- Park the truck and the bike on level, firm ground.
- Disengage the loading ramp and make sure it can support the weight of the bike. If not, you may need to get a special ramp specifically designed for loading motorcycles.
- Some moving trucks come with power lift gates, which can make it much easier to load your motorcycle. Make sure the lift gate can support the weight of the bike.
- Secure the ramp to the truck with ratchet tie-downs, along with the provided hooks for extra protection.
- Put the motorcycle in neutral and push it up the ramp. It’s best to have at least two people push the motorcycle up the ramp.
- Secure the motorcycle to the truck with wheel chocks, soft loop straps, and ratchet straps.
- Engage the motorcycle into first gear for added safety.
You can also place the motorcycle in a special shipping crate for added protection. This may cost a bit more, but it will ensure your bike remains safe during your move.
The Best for Complete Moving Convenience: Hiring a Moving Company
Most moving companies will be able to help you move all your things, including your motorcycle (some movers even ship cars!). The key to choosing a moving company is to find one with experience moving motorcycles. If they don’t have the right equipment, you could be putting your bike in danger.
Each moving company will be a bit different, so you want to check before you hire a company to handle your move and your bike. Make sure they know how to move motorcycles and can handle your specific bike.
Choosing a full-service moving company with the ability to ship your motorcycle, along with all your other items, provides great convenience. This might not be the cheapest way to ship your motorcycle, but it might make sense if you’re moving more than just a motorcycle.
The Best for DIY Motorcycle Only Shipping: Renting a Trailer
If you just need to move your motorcycle and nothing else, renting a trailer that you can pull behind a truck is a great option. This provides a cheap way to ship your motorcycle without needing to hire a professional.
This option works best for those with a vehicle capable of pulling a trailer. You can also rent a motorcycle trailer and tow it behind the moving truck you’re using for the rest of your move.
Enclosed vs. open trailers
There are two trailer options, enclosed or open transport. You will need to decide whether an enclosed trailer is important or if it’s okay to rent an open trailer. Enclosed transport will cost more, but these trailers will provide full protection from the elements. You can also lock the trailer if you need to make overnight stops along the way.
Open trailers work great if you won’t need to stop overnight and you’re not worried about the elements impacting your motorcycles. Open trailers are usually cheaper, but they may put your motorcycle at greater risk of theft or damage from bad weather.
The best for complete moving convenience: Hiring a motorcycle shipping company
Most moving companies will be able to help you move all your things, including your motorcycle (some movers even ship cars!). The key to choosing a moving company is to find one with experience moving motorcycles. If they don’t have the right equipment, you could be putting your bike in danger.
Each moving company will be a bit different, so you want to check before you hire a company to handle your move and your bike. Generally speaking, though, if they provide auto transport or car shipping, they should also be able to provide motorcycle transport services. Make sure they know how to move motorcycles and can handle your specific bike.
Choosing an interstate moving company with the ability to ship your motorcycle, along with all your other items, provides great convenience. This might not be the cheapest way to ship your motorcycle, but it might make sense if you’re moving more than just a motorcycle.
Of course, there’s more to choosing a motorcycle shipper than checking their shipping rates. The best motorcycle shipping companies boast several years of experience and strong customer satisfaction rates. When getting a quote, you should also ask about additional insurance fees or other surcharges that could increase your costs. Also, be mindful of available pick-up dates and delivery dates, as this can have a big influence on your motorcycle shipment quote.
The best hands-off option for shipping your motorcycle: Hire a carrier
There are several types of carriers willing to ship your motorcycle. The cost of shipping will vary depending on the service provided, your moving time frame, the type of motorcycle you need to transport, and the distance it will travel.
As with full-service moving companies, don’t just look at a shipping quote. Consider their motorcycle transport experience and other add-on services or charges that could affect your bike.
Ship it freight
One of the cheapest ways to ship your motorcycle is to ship it by freight. Freight shipping usually offers a lower price because most freight companies will estimate the prices based on the weight of your bike. Just be sure to get a binding quote and make sure you have some type of insurance coverage for your bike.
Ship it by flatbed
While it costs more to ship your motorcycle by flatbed, this service provides more individual attention for your bike. You will pay a higher price, but the company you choose will likely be a specialist in motorcycle shipping.
As with DIY trailer options, you can expect to pay more for an enclosed carrier or enclosed shipping options, but you’ll enjoy added peace of mind knowing your bike has some extra protection. Open transport is cheaper, but depending on the time of year, this could leave your motorcycle exposed to severe weather and road debris.
Ship it by portable moving container
| Company | Quote | Rating | Price |
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U-Pack 
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Check prices |
5 / 5
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1-800-Pack-Rat 
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Check prices |
4.45 / 5
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PODS 
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Check prices |
4.8 / 5
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The cheapest way to ship your motorcycle is by renting a portable shipping container. A moving container service will drop off a storage box for you to pack up yourself. Then, they will take that box and move it to your new location. Many of these containers can easily fit a motorcycle inside.
You won’t have any insurance to cover your bike if it falls since you packed it yourself. However, this option works well if you need to store your bike before having it transported to your new location.
Door-to-door motorcycle shipping
With most vehicle shipping companies, you will have the option to choose door-to-door motorcycle shipping. This isn’t the cheapest way to ship your motorcycle, but it does provide incredible convenience.
If you choose door-to-door motorcycle shipping, your carrier will pick up (and load) your bike, transport it, and drop it off at your new location. You won’t have to do any work other than preparing your motorcycle for transport. Just remember that you’ll likely pay a premium for door-to-door service.
Ready-to-ride delivery
Another option to consider when choosing a carrier is the ready-to-ride delivery option. When you choose this motorcycle shipping option, you won’t need to prepare your bike to be shipped.
Instead, you will leave the gas in the tank and you won’t need to remove the battery. The motorcycle will be put on a crate or pallet and strapped into the trailer in as-is condition. Then, it will be delivered to your desired location.
Which motorcycle shipping option is best for you?
Whether you prefer Harley Davidson or Honda, you don’t want getting your motorbike to your new home to become a major hassle. By understanding your DIY and full-service motorcycle shipping options, you don’t have to worry about how to ship a motorcycle. You can make the right choice for your budget and preferred shipping method.
As always, get motorcycle shipping quotes from multiple motorcycle transport companies so you can determine the best solution for your move. When you take the time to research your transport options, you can move forward with confidence.
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