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How To Ship A Motorcycle
Whether you are purchasing a second-hand motorcycle, selling an old one, or simply need to move on from A to B there are thousands of motorcycle transport companies willing to provide you with their service. Finding the right one for you can often seem daunting due to the number of options available and the variables to consider.
Shiply can make your life easier by providing you with an easy environment to compare costs and companies, often with quotes up to 75% less than standard rates, but first, you need to work out exactly the sort of motorcycle shipping service you need.
Types Of Motorcycle Shipping Services
There are two general transport methods to choose from when looking at transporting motorcycles(and considering motorcycle shipping cost). The cheapest and most straightforward option is to have someone drive your motorcycle to where it needs to be. Whilst this is a simple solution, it runs the risk of damage during the journey, increases mileage, and is obviously only viable if the motorcycle is in working order.
The most common method of motorcycle transport is through the use of trailers. These can be open or closed, with closed trailers often preferred for expensive or classic motorbikes due to the increased protection they provide against accidents and the elements, but often this comes at a higher cost. Open trailers generally cost less but your motorcycle will be less protected.
Door-to-door motorcycle shipping is the most commonly requested motorcycle transport service, but if you live in an area that is difficult to access then terminal-to-terminal delivery is also available at agreed pick-up and drop-off points.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Motorcycle?
The cost of shipping a motorcycle will vary based on a number of factors, but average prices range from $180 to $300 for journeys under 1,00 miles and $300 to $700 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
The factors to consider when estimating the cost to ship a motorcycle are:
Distance - As stated above, the distance the motorcycle needs to travel will greatly affect a motorbike shipping company’s price. If you need to ship a motorcycle cross country, this will likely cost you more than interstate motorcycle transport services would.
Motorcycle Size - The size of the motorcycle will also factor into the motorcycle shipping cost as larger motorcycles will require more space on a trailer.
Motorcycle Transport Service Type - Choosing an enclosed trailer for your vehicle will likely increase the cost quoted by motorcycle shippers, whereas open trailers are typically cheaper.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - If you live in an urban area then there are likely multiple motorcycle shipping companies in close proximity that will not have to go out of their way to pick up your vehicle, and the same is true of delivery in urban areas. These routes are typically less expensive as the companies drive the routes regularly. Urban areas however can be more expensive as they require extra mileage to pick up and deliver your motorcycle.
Time Of Year - The weather can also affect the price of your motorcycle transport, with the ice and snow that Winter brings often making shipping a motorcycle a little more costly than in Summer.
How Can Shiply Help Find Motorcycle Transport Companies?
There are lots of things to consider when selecting a motorcycle shipping service that is right for you and for this reason, it is easy to feel lost when beginning your search. There are hundreds of motorcycle shippers, all offering something similar, so how do you decide which is the best motorcycle shipping company for you? This is where Shiply can help you.
There are many motorcycle shipping companies on our platform, and all you need to do to begin receiving quotes from them is enter a few details about your delivery such as the make and model of the motorcycle to be transported, where it needs to be picked up from and what the delivery destination is.
Once you have submitted this information, companies will send motorcycle shipping quotes directly to your Shiply inbox so that you can easily compare prices, service types, and companies until you find the quote that is right for you.
One thing that is highly recommended is to check the feedback and user reviews for a company. Shiply's system gives each motorcycle shipping company a score and provides the ability to read reviews by previous users on Shiply. You can also send a private message to any company that has provided you with a quote and enquire about things like insurance documents, trailer types, and delivery schedules.
Will Motorcycle Shipping Quotes Cost Less On Shiply?
The motorcycle shipping companies on Shiply are usually looking to fill space on trips they are already making. This means that, by looking for motorcycle movers on Shiply, you are helping the environment by reducing the number of unnecessary vehicles on the roads.
Not only is using Shiply to find a motorcycle delivery service eco-friendly, but it can also lead to some of the cheapest motorcycle shipping you will find! As motorcycle transporters on Shiply are 'going there anyway' they are able to offer different pricing to dedicated motorcycle transportation services. The Shiply motorcycle shipper’s costs are already sunk and they are simply looking to fill the rest of their vehicle, allowing them to give you some o the cheapest motorcycle shipping quotes out there, often up to 75% cheaper than usual rates.
Preparing For Your Motorcycle To Be Shipped
Once you have selected a motorcycle hauler you are happy with to carry out your delivery it is time to prepare your motorcycle for shipping using the following steps:
Documents - You should make sure to provide any necessary documents, especially if you are selling the motorcycle.
Cleaning - It's a great idea to remove all personal effects from your motorcycle and give it a proper clean before shipping it. This allows you to properly assess the vehicle’s condition prior to pick up, which will help should any damage occur during transit.
Running Condition - If the motorcycle is going to be driven at any point during transit then you should ensure that it is in running condition, meaning it has the necessary fluid levels and tire pressure. Another important thing to note when transporting motorcycles is whether the motorcycle shipping company you have chosen will require the steering to be unlocked or not.
Photographic Evidence - It is a very good idea to take high-resolution photos of the overall condition of your motorcycle prior to pickup. Should any damage occur to the vehicle during shipping you will have evidence of its condition beforehand.
What To Do After Delivery
After your selected motorcycle shipping company has delivered your vehicle you should follow a few steps to make sure everything is in order:
Check Vital Signs - It’s very important to check lights, engine, brakes, and any other important functions upon delivery of the motorcycle to ensure that it is in the expected condition.
Exterior Condition - Use the photos taken of the motorcycle prior to shipping to compare its condition upon delivery to work out if any extra damage has occurred during transit.
Check Mileage - This is generally only relevant if your motorcycle was being driven to the delivery point but you should always check the added mileage to make sure that it is equivalent to the journey made.
Finally, we ask that you leave feedback and a review for your chosen motorcycle shipping company so that future users of Shiply can continue to browse and compare services with a high level of confidence and security.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply Support?
Shiply Support is available only on email, at
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
Does Someone Have To Be Present For Pickup And Delivery?
In most cases, the motorcycle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and shipping of the motorcycle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the keys.
How Much Fuel Should I Have In My Motorbike During Transit?
Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full if the motorcycle needs to be moved during transport. This allows for easy loading and unloading of the motorcycle but will not add too much extra weight to the vehicle.
Can I Ship My Motorbike If It Isn't Running?
You can ship your motorcycle if it isn’t in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load and unload the vehicle.
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
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Request quotes from our 459,831 rated shipping companies.
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Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.
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How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.
Recent Testimonials
Debra W.
"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."
Patrick G.
"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"
Sophie G.
"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."
Gary M.
"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."