Senren Liu
“Shipped my car from Houston to Berkeley and had an excellent experience. No bait-and-switch tactics, no AI chatbots - just fast, clear, and reliable communication. Highly recommended.”
April 13, 2026
5.0
Motorcycle Shipping
Motorcycle Shipping & Motorcycle Transport, Handled Door to Door Nationwide
Motorcycle shipping moves your bike from one location to another without putting miles, weather, or highway risk on it. Whether it's a cruiser, sport bike, touring motorcycle, trike, or a vintage bike worth protecting, motorcycle transport is arranged with the trailer type, securement, and handling suited to that specific bike - and a quote takes just a couple of minutes to get.
Licensed, vetted carrier network
Carriers are screened for active operating authority and cargo insurance before being matched with a motorcycle shipment.
Open, enclosed, and crated options
From a budget-friendly open trailer to fully enclosed or crated protection, the transport method is matched to the bike and route.
Instant, transparent quotes
Quotes reflect the full cost of the move up front based on the bike, distance, and transport type - no surprise add-ons later.
Nationwide coverage
From a short regional move to a full cross-country relocation, the same booking process covers all 50 states.
What Is Motorcycle Shipping?
Motorcycle shipping, also called motorcycle transport, is the process of moving a motorcycle by professional carrier instead of riding it to its destination. It's commonly used when relocating, buying a bike from out of state, heading to a rally or track event, moving a bike seasonally, or shipping a motorcycle that isn't currently rideable. Rather than putting hours of highway miles and unpredictable weather on a bike, motorcycle transport gets it there on a trailer, secured and documented from pickup to delivery.
Open, Enclosed, or Crated: Which Is Right for Your Bike?
Most riders don't need to crate a motorcycle for domestic shipping - professional open or enclosed transport handles the vast majority of bikes safely and affordably. Here's how the three options compare:
| Factor | Open Trailer | Enclosed Trailer | Crated |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it's loaded | Ridden or rolled onto an open trailer, secured upright | Ridden or rolled into a covered trailer, secured upright | Bike is placed inside a custom wooden or metal crate |
| Weather protection | None - exposed to normal weather and road conditions | Full protection from weather and road debris | Full protection, plus protection from contact with other cargo |
| Typical cost | Lowest cost option | Moderate premium over open transport | Highest cost, due to crate and specialized handling |
| Best for | Standard cruisers, sport bikes, and daily riders | Higher-value, custom, or vintage motorcycles | International shipments, extremely rare or delicate bikes |
| Availability | Widely available on nearly every route | Fewer trucks, may take longer to schedule | Requires advance planning and crating arrangements |
For a standard cruiser, sport bike, or touring motorcycle being shipped domestically, open trailer transport is usually the practical choice. Enclosed transport is worth the added cost for a custom, high-value, or vintage bike, and crating is generally reserved for international shipments or motorcycles too rare or delicate to strap conventionally.
Not Sure Which Option Fits Your Bike?
Share the make, model, and route, and get a straightforward recommendation along with an accurate, no-obligation quote.
How Motorcycle Transport Works
Booking starts with a quote based on the bike's make, model, and year, the pickup and delivery locations, and the preferred pickup date. Once scheduled, the driver arrives, inspects the motorcycle, and documents its condition on a bill of lading before loading it. Running motorcycles are typically ridden or rolled onto the trailer under their own power; non-running bikes are loaded manually using a ramp or lift.
Once loaded, the bike is secured upright using a front wheel chock, which holds the front wheel in place, combined with soft tie-down straps attached to the frame or handlebars rather than to more delicate components like mirrors or exhaust pipes. At delivery, the driver and recipient inspect the bike together, compare it to the pickup documentation, and sign the bill of lading to confirm its condition.
Motorcycles We Ship
Cruisers and standard motorcyclesSport bikesTouring motorcyclesAdventure and dual-sport bikesTrikes and three-wheeled motorcyclesCustom and vintage motorcycles
Custom, high-value, or investment-grade motorcycles sometimes have needs that overlap with our luxury and exotic car shipping guide, particularly around insurance coverage. Vintage and classic motorcycles often follow many of the same handling principles covered in our classic car shipping guide, especially when it comes to enclosed transport and careful documentation. For golf carts and similar small vehicles, see our golf cart shipping guide, which covers related handling and trailer considerations.
What Affects Motorcycle Shipping Cost?
- Distance and route. Longer distances cost more in total but generally less per mile, and popular routes tend to have more carrier availability.
- Transport method. Open trailer transport is the most affordable option; enclosed and crated shipping add cost for additional protection.
- Bike size and weight. A larger touring motorcycle or trike takes up more trailer space than a lightweight sport bike.
- Running condition. Non-running motorcycles typically cost more to ship, since they require manual loading with a ramp or lift.
- Season. Demand for motorcycle shipping often rises in spring and early summer as riders bring bikes out of storage or relocate for riding season, which can affect pricing and lead time.
- Pickup-date flexibility. A flexible pickup window generally gives dispatch more options for matching the bike with an available carrier.
Motorcycle shipping generally costs less than shipping a car on the same route, since a bike takes up a smaller footprint on the trailer. Because these factors vary shipment to shipment, an built around the specific bike and route is the most reliable way to get an exact number.
Insurance for Motorcycle Shipping
Carriers are required to carry active cargo insurance covering motorcycles in transit. Standard coverage is generally adequate for most bikes, but for a high-value, custom, or vintage motorcycle, it's worth checking the coverage limit against the bike's actual value and requesting a certificate of insurance for the assigned truck before pickup.
How to Prepare a Motorcycle for Shipping
- Wash the motorcycle so any existing scratches or chips are easy to see and photograph.
- Photograph the bike from all angles, including the fuel tank, fairings, mirrors, and exhaust.
- Note the current mileage and any pre-existing mechanical issues.
- Drain fuel to approximately a quarter tank.
- Disconnect the battery, or make sure the kill switch is easily accessible if it needs to stay connected.
- Remove saddlebags, windshields, phone mounts, and any other loose or aftermarket accessories.
- Check tire pressure so the bike sits stable and balanced during loading.
- Confirm the bike is in neutral and the parking or steering lock is disengaged unless otherwise instructed.
- Disable any aftermarket alarm system.
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal Motorcycle Shipping
Door-to-door motorcycle shipping picks up and delivers the bike directly at the addresses provided, and is the more convenient option for most riders. Terminal-to-terminal shipping requires dropping off and picking up the motorcycle at a designated terminal, which can sometimes lower cost but adds extra coordination and driving on both ends. Door-to-door service is available in most areas and is the default choice for the majority of motorcycle shipments.
Common Reasons Riders Ship a Motorcycle
Motorcycle transport comes up in a handful of recurring situations, each with slightly different priorities:
Relocation. Moving to a new state or across the country is one of the most common reasons to ship a bike rather than ride it, especially alongside a household move where the motorcycle is just one of several vehicles being relocated at once.
Online or out-of-state purchases. Buying a motorcycle from a private seller or dealership in another state means the bike needs to get to its new owner somehow - shipping avoids putting a few hundred or a few thousand miles on a machine before its first ride with the new owner.
Rallies, shows, and track events. Riders heading to a major rally, a bike show, or a track day often ship the motorcycle ahead of time and fly in separately, arriving rested and with the bike already staged.
Seasonal relocation. Riders who split time between homes seasonally, sometimes called snowbird schedules, frequently ship a motorcycle along with a car rather than trailer it themselves.
Non-running or project bikes. A motorcycle being bought for a restoration project, or one that simply doesn't run, still needs to get from the seller to the buyer - shipping with the right loading equipment handles this without requiring the bike to be rideable.
Dealership and fleet moves. Dealerships relocating inventory between locations, or fleets moving several bikes at once, often coordinate multiple motorcycles as a single shipment.
What to Look for in a Motorcycle Shipping Company
- Experience with motorcycles specifically. Securing a bike properly - wheel chock placement, strap points, and loading sequence alongside other vehicles - is different from securing a car, so experience with bikes specifically is worth confirming.
- Clear answers on transport method. A provider who can explain the trade-offs between open, enclosed, and crated shipping for the specific bike is generally more reliable than one offering a single one-size-fits-all option.
- Licensing and insurance. Confirming active operating authority and cargo insurance coverage, and being willing to provide a certificate before pickup, is a reasonable baseline expectation.
- Straightforward, itemized quotes. A quote that clearly reflects the full cost up front, without vague placeholders for "additional fees," is a good sign of a transparent provider.
- Responsive communication. Especially for cross-country shipments, being able to get a status update during transit matters for peace of mind.
Common Motorcycle Shipping Myths
Myth
Motorcycles have to be crated to ship safely.
Reality
Most motorcycles ship safely and affordably on open or enclosed trailers, secured with a wheel chock and tie-down straps. Crating is typically reserved for international freight or extremely rare and delicate bikes.
Myth
Shipping a motorcycle costs about the same as shipping a car.
Reality
Motorcycle shipping generally costs less than car shipping on the same route, since a bike takes up considerably less space on a trailer.
Myth
Non-running motorcycles can't be shipped.
Reality
Non-running motorcycles can typically still be shipped using a ramp or lift for manual loading, as long as the condition is disclosed in advance so the right equipment is arranged.
Read what other customers say…
Elango Peri
“We recently shipped our car with Star Auto Shipping, and the experience was excellent. Everything went smoothly-the timing was perfect, and the car was delivered right on schedule. I will definitely use their services again in the future.”
April 28, 2026
5.0
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May 18, 2026
4.0
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Motorcycle Shipping: Frequently Asked Questions
What is motorcycle shipping?
Motorcycle shipping, also called motorcycle transport, is the process of moving a motorcycle from one location to another using a professional carrier instead of riding it there. Bikes are typically shipped on an open or enclosed trailer alongside other vehicles, or crated for extra protection, and secured with a front wheel chock and soft tie-down straps.
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?
Motorcycle shipping cost depends on distance, the bike's size and weight, whether it ships on an open trailer, an enclosed trailer, or crated, its running condition, and how flexible the pickup date is. Motorcycle shipping generally costs less than shipping a car on the same route, since bikes take up less trailer space, but an instant quote based on the specific bike and route gives the most accurate number.
What's the difference between open, enclosed, and crated motorcycle shipping?
Open motorcycle shipping transports the bike upright on an open-air trailer alongside other vehicles, secured with a wheel chock and straps, and is the most common and affordable option. Enclosed motorcycle shipping uses a fully covered trailer to shield the bike from weather and road debris, generally recommended for higher-value or vintage bikes. Crated motorcycle shipping secures the bike inside a custom wooden or metal crate before loading, offering the most complete protection and the option most often used for international shipments or extremely rare motorcycles.
How do I prepare my motorcycle for shipping?
Wash the bike so any existing damage is visible, photograph it from all angles including the fuel tank, mirrors, and exhaust, note the mileage, drain fuel to about a quarter tank, disconnect the battery or make sure the kill switch is accessible, remove saddlebags, windshields, and other loose accessories, and check tire pressure so the bike is stable during loading.
Is my motorcycle insured during shipping?
Yes. Carriers are required to carry active cargo insurance covering motorcycles in transit. Coverage limits vary by carrier, so for a high-value, custom, or vintage motorcycle, it's worth confirming the coverage limit against the bike's value and requesting a certificate of insurance before pickup.
Can a non-running motorcycle be shipped?
Yes, in most cases. A non-running motorcycle typically requires a ramp or lift for manual loading instead of riding it onto the trailer, so it's important to disclose that a bike doesn't start or roll freely when requesting a quote, since it affects which carrier and equipment can be assigned.
How long does motorcycle shipping take?
Transit time depends mainly on distance. Short regional shipments often complete within a few days once picked up, while cross-country motorcycle shipments typically take about a week to ten days, similar to timelines for shipping a car the same distance.
Do I need to crate my motorcycle for domestic shipping?
Crating usually isn't necessary for standard domestic motorcycle shipping. Professional open or enclosed trailer transport, using a wheel chock and soft tie-down straps, is the common and cost-effective choice for most bikes moving within the United States. Crating is more often used for international shipments, extremely rare or fragile motorcycles, or bikes with bodywork that can't be safely strapped.
Can I ship a trike or three-wheeled motorcycle?
Yes. Trikes and three-wheeled motorcycles can be shipped, though they take up more trailer space than a standard two-wheeled bike, which can affect pricing and which carrier is available for the route.
What's the difference between door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal motorcycle shipping?
Door-to-door motorcycle shipping picks up and delivers the bike at the addresses provided, offering the most convenience. Terminal-to-terminal shipping requires dropping off and picking up the motorcycle at a designated terminal, which can lower cost in some cases but adds extra coordination and driving on both ends.
How is a motorcycle secured on a trailer during shipping?
Motorcycles are typically secured using a front wheel chock, which holds the front wheel in place and keeps the bike upright, combined with soft tie-down straps attached to the frame or handlebars rather than to more delicate components.
Can vintage or classic motorcycles be shipped safely?
Yes. Vintage and classic motorcycles are commonly shipped using enclosed transport to protect original paint, chrome, and components from weather and road debris. Many of the same handling principles used for classic car shipping apply to vintage motorcycles as well.
What should I check when my motorcycle is delivered?
Compare the bike's condition against the pre-shipment photos before signing the delivery paperwork, checking the fuel tank, fairings, mirrors, and exhaust closely. Note anything new directly on the bill of lading before the driver leaves, since it becomes the primary record for any damage claim.
Can multiple motorcycles be shipped together?
Yes. Shipping several motorcycles at once, whether for a dealership, a collection, or a group of riders relocating together, can often be coordinated as a single shipment, which simplifies scheduling and paperwork compared to booking each bike separately.
Does the season affect motorcycle shipping cost or timing?
Yes. Demand for motorcycle shipping tends to rise in spring and early summer as riders bring bikes out of winter storage or relocate for riding season, which can affect both price and scheduling lead time on popular routes during those months.
Get Your Motorcycle Shipping Quote Now
Share your bike's details, pickup and delivery locations, and preferred dates for an accurate, no-obligation motorcycle transport quote.