Move Your Motorcycles with uShip
When you need to ship your motorcycle, you want the best transporter at the best price and we can help you do just that. Whether you bought a new bike on the other side of the country, or you're trying to get a little closer to Sturgis, we are here for you. uShip will help you figure out how to safely ship a motorcycle, help you get rates from reliable transporters, and give you tips on preparing your bike for its journey. If you take a wrong turn, or just need better directions, feel free to contact us directly, and we’ll get you on your way to your motorcycle delivery.
With uShip, you can do your research, get the best shipping quotes, and talk to the carriers all in one place. Create a listing with your shipping needs, the make and model of your bike, and be as detailed as possible. Once your listing is complete, transporters who specialize in shipping motorcycles will submit quotes as they compete for your business. This ensures you get the best motorcycle shipping rate.
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Transport
Before your motorcycle movers arrive for pick up, you should prepare your motorcycle for transport. First, check your motorcycle for pre-existing damage. By documenting the condition of your bike, you can avoid problems in case of an insurance claim. To check for and record damage:
- Thoroughly clean your motorcycle
- Note chips, dings, scratches or other cosmetic damages
- Write down any mechanical issues or problems
- Take pictures of your bike from several angles, along with detail shots of existing damage
- Date all records, and show them to your mover when they arrive
Unless you are moving your motorcycle as freight through a carrier, you will not need to drain your gas tank or remove the battery. Your motorcycle does not need to be crated or packaged during the motorcycle transport service.
Remove all loose items from your motorcycle. Your motorcycle mover is not responsible for these items, and if accessories are lost or damaged they will not be covered by insurance.
Make sure your motorcycle is in good working condition. If it is not in working condition, detail this in your listing so that bidding transporters will be prepared. While it will be avoided at all costs, sometimes your carrier may need to drive your motorcycle into a motorcycle transport trailer. Fix all mechanical problems before the move and write down any special operating instructions. For successful motorcycle moving, make sure to:
- Inflate tires
- Charge the battery
- Fill gas tank to 1/4 or 1/2 full
- Check and fix all fluid leaks
How to Choose a Motorcycle Tranporter
Choosing the right motorcycle transporter comes down to choosing the company you’re most comfortable with. Once you have received bids from carriers, you have a limited time to accept the winner. You should choose your motorcycle hauler based on their authority, insurance, and experience. Only once you verify carriers’ credentials should you start to compare motorcycle hauling quotes and service levels. There are enough legal, experienced motorcycle hauling companies available that you should have no problem finding one that fits your needs.
- Make sure you know the type of trailer you want for transporting your motorcycle, and make sure the company you hire offers this service. You have the option of enclosed and open trailers.
- Communicate with carriers using the question and answer function on your listing. Here you can clarify one another’s questions and get a clear understanding of all issues before booking.
- Check each transporter that you consider for DOT and MC numbers. All motorcycle transporters are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation and must have an active DOT and MC number. The exceptions to this rule are forwarders and brokers, who only have MC numbers. Registered motorcycle transporters have the licensing, accountability and quality you want in somebody you are trusting with your personal belongings.
- Review your motorcycle transporter’s insurance coverage and liability on their uShip profile. Carriers are required to have both liability and cargo insurance to legally transport your motorcycle. Request written proof of your carrier’s coverage before entering into a deal with them. Read the fine print, and make sure the coverage is appropriate for your transaction. Your personal motorcycle insurance will probably not cover your motorcycle in transport, but it’s a good idea to check in and ask what you are covered for in the transit process.
- Evaluate your transporter’s uShip profile for feedback. By viewing the feedback left by previous customers, you can see how the carrier performed on shipments similar to yours, and their previous success with clients. Make sure the transporter has experience shipping motorcycles; an excellent car transporter may have never shipped a motorcycle before. After the transaction is complete, we encourage you to leave feedback and share your experience. This way, you can help future customers decide on a vehicle transporter. There’s no better way to thank your transporter for a job well done than by leaving a glowing feedback score and comment.
- When choosing the best motorcycle shipping quote, let your knowledge and research be your tools. By researching transportation companies and asking them questions, you can choose the best hauler for you. Some questions you may want to ask a carrier include: 1. What are your pickup and delivery procedures? 2. Do you have any specific policies or procedures I should be aware of? 3. What are your payment and deposit procedures?
Your decision is based on the carrier’s ability to accommodate your time schedule, type of service they offer, insurance, price and credibility. Use common sense and follow the uShip terms and conditions when choosing a transporter for a comfortable and safe transaction.
How to Choose a Motorcycle Trailer
Most motorcycle transporters let you choose from either an open trailer or an enclosed trailer, though most motorcycle moving is done on an enclosed trailer. Because motorcycles are small and very susceptible to damage from the elements, it is usually the best choice to ship on enclosed motorcycle transport trailers. Dozens of motorcycles can fit on one enclosed transport trailer, so several shipments can travel at the same time. Also, shipping on an enclosed trailer keeps your motorcycle safe from theft or loss.
Although most shippers choose an enclosed motorcycle transport trailer, there are some instances when an open trailer is the better choice for motorcycle transport service. If you are only shipping your motorcycle a short distance—under a few hundred miles—then your motorcycle can probably be shipped safely on an open motorcycle transport trailer. Since your motorcycle will be transported in one trip, it will not incur as much damage from the elements or be open to theft. If you are on a tight timeline, you may have an easier time finding a carrier to haul your motorcycle on an open transport trailer than having to arrange shipment on a large, enclosed, multi-motorcycle transport trailer.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Motorcycle?
The cost for motorcycle transport varies based on distance of travel and the needs to ensure the safest transport. The average motorcycle shipment costs $350 to $700 and travels over 1000 miles. For shorter shipments, the range is $180 to $300.
For more shipment details, check out our cost to transport a motorcycle index. We have thousands of motorcycle shipments completed through the uShip marketplace for you to review and see a bit more about how we work.