Motorcycle Shipping Options & Information

Motorcycle Shipping Options & Information

Shipping a motorcycle is a slightly different undertaking than shipping other types of vehicles. Since bikes are much smaller than cars, trucks, and vans, the process of shipping a motorcycle requires different equipment, as well potentially involving different options for transport. As an example, cars have to be hauled on large trailers known as car carriers that are specifically designed to fit and secure cars during transport. By contrast, a motorcycle can either be loaded onto a smaller version of the same type of trailer that’s designed to hold a bike in place, however, they can also be crated and shipped on a truck with other cargo as well (or multiple bikes). 

When you seek out companies to help you with transporting a motorcycle, it’s preferable to work with one that specializes in shipping them exclusively, or at the very least has many years of experience shipping bikes. Many of the larger operations in the auto transport industry that have been around for a while ship all types of vehicles, but also likely have the experience to know what they’re doing when it comes to shipping motorcycles too. 

These are some of the most common methods of transporting bikes:

Open Transport

Open air transport is when several bikes are loaded onto the back of a carrier that’s pulled by a truck. The reason it’s called open transport is that the bikes are strapped on to a carrier and visibly open during transport. This is a common way to haul multiple bikes at the same time, which are often used to deliver bikes to a dealership, or personally owned motorcycles if it’s a well travelled route with several deliveries along the way. 

Enclosed Transport

An enclosed carrier keeps the motorcycle covered on all sides during shipment since it’s usually done on a smaller truck. The advantages of using enclosed motorcycle shipping is that the bike is more protected from weather and debris from the road. Enclosed shipping costs slightly more than open transport, mainly because less bikes can be shipped at once, but it’s only slightly higher and provides a safer and typically quicker form of shipping. 

Terminal Shipping

The most affordable way to have a motorcycle shipped is to have it delivered to a transport terminal and pick it up yourself for the short last leg of the journey. For terminal transport, you will be required to drop off the bike at a terminal, as well as pick it up. As a result, terminal shipping is more often done in larger cities and major metro areas. If you have a means to transport your motorcycle short distance, terminal transport can be a great option. 

Door To Door

Door to door shipping is the ultimate in convenience when you need a bike shipped. Not only will it get picked up directly from your home or its current location, but it also gets delivered to an address you specify. Door to door shipping is perfect if you’re travelling long distance and want to ride your bike when you arrive. You can simply have it picked up and delivered directly to where you’re going. This method of shipping can be done on an open or enclosed carrier, but is most often done using enclosed transport.