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HaulBikes Review

HaulBikes is a popular choice among motorcycle enthusiasts, with over 30 years of experience providing safe and affordable motorcycle shipping services.

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From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
01/31/2024 11:24 AM

Key Points:

  • HaulBikes offers enclosed transport services with optional door-to-door pickup and delivery for motorcycles.
  • HaulBikes provides pickup and delivery services in 48 U.S. states, though the company charges extra for these services in Maine and Long Island.
  • Vehicles shipped through HaulBikes are protected by $15,000 in insurance coverage with a $500 deductible.

HaulBikes is a reputable motorcycle transport company that has provided shipping services for over 30 years. But with so many motorcycle shipping options available, is it the best choice for you?

In our 2024 review of the best motorcycle shipping companies, HaulBikes was recognized for being the Best Motorcycle Specialist. Read on to learn about the provider’s costs, services, and customer feedback.


HaulBikes Ratings

Our Rating4.0
Reputation4.0
Cost4.5
Services4.0
Customer Experience3.5

HaulBikes Overview

Established in 1988, HaulBikes (also known as Daily Direct) is a shipping broker headquartered in Milwaukee, with offices in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The company specializes in motorcycle shipping and only works with carriers who are motorcycle enthusiasts. HaulBikes transports more than 50,000 bikes per year through its network.

Haulbikes ships vehicles to the 48 contiguous states. HaulBikes charges an additional $300 for tolls when picking up or delivery vehicles to Maine or Long Island. HaulBikes does not pick up or deliver in Key West, Washington, D.C., or New York City. 

Haulbikes offers pickup and delivery services forr the following types of vehicles:

  • ATVs
  • Trikes
  • Scooters
  • Motorcycles

The shipping broker mainly offers enclosed transport and door-to-door delivery. It provides terminal-to-terminal delivery on a case-by-case basis.

Compared with other motorcycle transport companies, HaulBikes has average customer reviews. The company holds accreditation and an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has resolved 13 customer complaints from the organization in the past year.

HaulBikes Pros And Cons

Pros Affordable pricing Available in 48 states Door-to-door delivery Enclosed carrier transport
Cons No instant quotes No option for open carrier shipping No real-time tracking or mobile app

How Much Does HaulBikes Cost?

Based on estimates we received from HaulBikes, the company offers affordable prices for most of its shipping services and regularly provides lower quotes than competitors. The estimates we received from HaulBikes were priced the same regardless of distance. Quotes for both a 520-mile transport as well as a 1,660-mile long transport came out to be around $642.

The company requires motorcycle riders to pay for transportation services upfront. You can pay by credit card, check, cashier’s check, or money order.

HaulBikes offers several discounts, including:

  • Groups
  • Dealers
  • Round trips
  • Motorcycle rallies
  • Military and service personnel

What Affects The Cost Of Motorcycle Shipping?

There are a few key factors that affect the cost of motorcycle shipping with HaulBikes, including:

  • Miles traveled: Cross-country shipments have lower rates per mile than shorter-distance shipments but cost more in total.
  • Transport type: Enclosed transport costs more than open transport because your vehicle is shipped in a container. It’s also more expensive to have your motorcycle delivered using door-to-door shipping instead of terminal-to-terminal.
  • Shipping seasonality: It’s more expensive to ship your motorcycle in January and during the summer due to higher demand.
  • Carrier competition: The higher the competition between carrier bids, the lower your motorcycle shipping costs will be.

HaulBikes Motorcycle Shipping Services

HaulBikes offers a wide range of services for bikers, including enclosed transport and door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping. The shipping broker doesn’t offer open carrier transport.

Here’s a closer look at the services HaulBikes provides:

  • Enclosed transport: This shipping method protects your motorcycle from inclement weather and any debris on the road. It offers you the greatest peace of mind.
  • Door-to-door service: Your motorcycle is shipped directly to your home, allowing for convenient pickup and delivery.
  • Terminal-to-terminal service: Your vehicle is dropped off at and shipped to a terminal rather than a home or business.

HaulBikes can’t ship anything that’s taller than 58 inches. If you have a modified Harley-Davidson or Yamaha bike, you won’t be able to ship it through the company.

HaulBikes also doesn’t have real-time tracking services. If you choose to transport your bike with HaulBikes, you’ll need to make a phone call to the company to check where your shipment is.


HaulBikes Motorcycle Shipping Process

Since HaulBikes acts as a broker, you’ll need to give the company the following information to get a motorcycle shipping quote:

  • Your insurance choice
  • Type and size of vehicle
  • Requested delivery time
  • Your pickup and delivery addresses

After you fill out the form online, you’ll receive an email by the end of the day with your quote. You can then confirm your delivery with a HaulBikes representative, and they’ll send you a contract to sign. After this, the company will send you estimated delivery dates for your bike. The shippers will go over your motorcycle’s condition with you before and after transport.

If you choose door-to-door delivery, HaulBikes will pick your bike up as close to your chosen location as possible. Similarly, the delivery driver will get as close to your chosen drop off location as safety allows. 

HaulBikes charges a cancellation fee of $100 unless the shipment is canceled within 48 hours of receipt of the contract. In this case, you would only be responsible for paying a $25 processing fee.

Does HaulBikes Provide Shipping Insurance?

HaulBikes includes $15,000 of insurance with a $500 deductible for each shipping order. You can also purchase additional coverage for an extra fee. Plus, for a $50 fee, you can waive the $500 deductible from any damage claim.


HaulBikes Reviews

HaulBikes has mixed customer reviews online. The company has an average rating of 1.2 out of 5.0 stars from customer reviews on the BBB’s site and a 3.1-star rating from more than 800 reviewers on Google. While its ratings from these two organizations are lower, over 16,000 customers give HaulBikes an average rating of 4.3 stars on Trustpilot.

We’ve detailed positive and negative customer experiences below to provide a more holistic view of the company.

Positive HaulBikes Reviews

Positive reviews highlight HaulBikes’ hassle-free customer service, its specialty in shipping motorcycles, and its transportation quality.

“I’ve used HaulBikes more than once and have referred them to my friends. Excellent service with maximum care of my bike. If you have questions, they respond. The bike arrived a week ahead of schedule. I wouldn’t allow anyone else to transport my bike.”

– Rich via Trustpilot

“The drivers do an outstanding job. One area of improvement would be more notice of pickup and delivery times.”

– Jeff via Trustpilot

Negative HaulBikes Reviews

Most negative reviews concentrate on the company’s inability to schedule and coordinate pickup and delivery dates with its carriers.

“HaulBikes is a huge disappointment. After signing a contract more than a month and a half ago, the bike still hasn’t been delivered. Their customer service call center is overwhelmed and completely ineffective. My motorcycle is barely two hours away at their terminal, and they still haven’t scheduled the delivery.”

– Andy via BBB

“Got a good quote. I called to schedule the shipping and was ghosted. I never got the email with the [contract]. I called three times to get it sent. Two days later, I contracted with someone else and still didn’t have a response from HaulBikes.”

– Ben via Google


Our Take On HaulBikes: 4.0 Stars

We give HaulBikes 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. The broker is a well-established company that provides a wide range of services at affordable prices. While the negative reviews from the BBB and Google are concerning, they only account for a small fraction of the company’s business, so you may have a different experience.


Other Recommendations For Motorcycle Shipping

It’s best to reach out to multiple motorcycle shipping companies for quotes to find the one that best suits your needs. While HaulBikes is a reputable company, we recommend getting in touch with Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight, which topped our list of the best motorcycle shipping companies.

Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

Montway Auto Transport is a popular auto and motorcycle shipping broker headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. The company works with over 30,000 carriers nationwide, which it individually vets and checks for proper insurance credentials. Montway provides the following shipping services:

  • Hawaii shipping
  • Expedited shipping
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Enclosed trailer shipping
  • International motorcycle shipping

You can read more about the company in our Montway Auto Transport review.

AmeriFreight: Great Industry Reputation

AmeriFreight is a car and motorcycle shipping broker providing services throughout the United States. The company works with more than 10,000 carriers, who are vetted based on insurance coverage and customer ratings. AmeriFreight holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB, along with an average rating of 4.9 stars from customers on the BBB’s site.

Learn more in our complete AmeriFreight review.


HaulBikes Review: FAQ

We cover some of the most frequently asked questions about HaulBikes:

What is the best motorcycle shipping company?

Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, uShip, Motorcycle Shippers, and HaulBikes were named the best motorcycle shipping companies in our 2022 review.

How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle 100 miles?

Motorcycle shipping costs around $200 for shorter-distance trips.

Who owns HaulBikes?

Jeff Lloyd is the owner and Ken Durik is the co-owner of HaulBikes.

How much would it cost to have a motorcycle shipped?

Based on quotes we received from highly rated motorcycle shipping companies, the average cost to ship a motorcycle is $1,140.


How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies

Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

  • Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
  • Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
  • Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
  • Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.