How Much Does Motorcycle Shipping Cost?

Key Points:

• Motorcycle shipping costs vary greatly depending on the distance or whether you get open or enclosed transport.
• Most motorcycle shippers use enclosed transport to better protect bikes.
• Comparing rates from at least three providers is the best way to find a good deal.

Motorcycle shipping costs can fluctuate based on many factors, from the type of bike being transported to the time of year. In this article, we’ll explain how carriers calculate shipping costs, what motorcycle enthusiasts can expect to pay, and how to ship a motorcycle economically.

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How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Motorcycle?

Motorcycle shipping quotes we received from the industry’s top providers show costs can range from $605 to $1,895 for a 1,660-mile trip with enclosed trailer transport. Motorcycle shipping costs vary depending on several factors, so you should use this as a starting point.

The quotes we requested were for an operable 2018 Yamaha V Star. To give you a better idea of the average cost of motorcycle transport services, we listed cost ranges for various shipping services below.

• Open trailer motorcycle transport: $535–$1,295
• Enclosed motorcycle transport: $385–$1,895
• Interstate motorcycle shipping (520 miles): $385–$1,295
• Interstate motorcycle shipping (1,660 miles): $605–$1,895

The motorcycle shipping rate you receive during the quote process will likely not be the final price you’ll pay to have your bike shipped. Motorcycle transporters sometimes include a service fee with your bill. Depending on the company, you may need to pay for additional insurance or surcharges. If you opt for expedited shipping or a guaranteed pickup date, you’ll also pay extra fees that will increase the shipping cost.

Cancellation fees are also important to consider when thinking about cost. Some companies– like Montway Auto Transport–charge a cancellation fee after a carrier has accepted an order. Most transport companies will allow you to cancel for free until your shipment details have been sent to a hauler.

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What Factors Affect Motorcycle Shipping Costs?

Several factors influence motorcycle shipping costs. From the type of transport you choose to your delivery preferences, these factors can either increase or decrease your shipping costs.

We’ve outlined some of the key factors that impact the price of shipping a motorcycle below.

• Distance: Our research has shown that while long-distance trips cost more than shorter-distance trips overall, they have lower rates per mile.
• Enclosed vs. open transport: Enclosed transport offers a higher level of protection but costs significantly more than open motorcycle transport.
• Time of year: Motorcycle transport is more expensive when shipping demand is high. The most expensive times to ship your bike are in January and during the summer.
• Carrier competition: If more motorcycle carriers are available for shipment, it drives the cost down.
• Location: Transporting your motorcycle to or from a rural area will likely increase your motorcycle shipping costs.
• Type of motorcycle: Bigger motorcycles will take up more space in trailers, so they’ll cost more to ship.

Open transport shipping is generally the cheapest way to ship your motorcycle. However, we’ve found that most motorcycle shipping companies only transport motorcycles in enclosed carriers. The extra protection against the weather and road debris may give you peace of mind, especially if you have a classic bike.

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Ways To Reduce Your Motorcycle Shipping Costs

While motorcycle shipping is cheaper than vehicle shipping, it can still be expensive, especially if you request specialty services such as expedited shipping or a guaranteed pickup date. One of the easiest ways to lower the cost of shipping is to find a motorcycle transport company that offers discounts.

Here are a few motorcycle transporters that offer discounts:

• Montway Auto Transport: Military and pay-in-cash
• AmeriFreight: Discounts for military, first responders, medical personnel, students, seniors, early bird, returning customers, multiple vehicles
• uShip: Military
• HaulBikes: Full truckloads and special events
• Motorcycle Shippers: Motorcycle clubs

We recommend comparing quotes from several providers to ensure you get the best motorcycle shipping cost. Depending on the company, you can quickly receive online motorcycle shipping rates. You’ll typically need to provide the following information to get free quotes:

• Pickup and drop-off locations
• Motorcycle’s year, make, model, modifications, and operability
• Transport preference (open or enclosed shipping)
• Preferred pickup and delivery dates

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How Motorcycle Shipping Works

When you use a reputable company, you’ll get a motorcycle carrier with experience shipping bikes. They’ll use specialized platforms for motorcycle shipping and follow safety precautions to bring your bike from point A to point B in good condition. Below are some things to be aware of, that can make the process hassle-free.

Door-To-Door Service Is Approximate

Most companies offer door-to-door transport service as a standard option, but the reality depends on how narrow your streets are. If a semi-truck can’t make it to your driveway without risking damage, the carrier will ask to meet you in a nearby parking lot instead. The driver will not put their own reputation and insurance coverage on the line to bring a bike to a downtown apartment location or into a neighborhood with winding streets.The auto carrier has no wiggle room–literally. 

If you refuse to meet them a few blocks away to get your bike, the driver will have no choice but to drop your bike off at that location anyway. Be prepared to meet the carrier a few minutes away from your exact location, whether that means having a friend or an Uber driver bring you there.

Having A Good Experience Requires Trust

Motorcycle carriers are independent businesses–not employees of shipping brokers. That means they work on their own schedules and can quit a prospective job if the customer starts harassing them for an exact pickup time or the particulars of how the motorcycle will be strapped down.

Carriers have access to hundreds of vehicles that need to be shipped at any given time. They can always get another job if a certain customer proves to be difficult before pickup. To have a good experience with fast service, it’s best to let the carrier do their job without too much interference.

Expect the carrier to contact you with a pickup timeframe, but you probably won’t get an exact time down to the minute. Along with having to face tolls, traffic jams, severe weather, or other obstacles on the road, carriers also have other shipments to make on their route to you. Because of this, we recommend you don’t commit to other plans on pickup or drop-off days. You can always have a trusted friend meet the carrier if you can’t be there. 

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Motorcycle Shipping Cost: Our Take

Motorcycle shipping costs will vary depending on your desires and needs. If you do the research, are able to be flexible, and follow the proper steps, you should get a good rate on your bike shipment. That being said, we recommend reaching out to Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight to start your search to find the best motorcycle shipping company for your needs. Both are backed by excellent industry ratings and offer some of the best motorcycle shipping costs in the industry.

Montway Auto Transport

Montway Auto Transport is a popular broker that provides a wide variety of motorcycle shipping services. The company ships motorcycles, ATVs, and scooters in enclosed trailers directly to your location or to one of its shipping distribution centers. Montway also offers add-on services such as guaranteed pickup dates and supplemental insurance coverage for an extra fee.

Montway Auto Transport holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from customers on the organization’s website. Most customers have a positive experience, and reviews frequently comment on the broker’s timeliness, prompt communication, and affordability.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport reviews

AmeriFreight

Established in 2004, AmeriFreight is a motorcycle and auto transport broker with shipping options available nationwide. The broker works with about 10,000 carriers, each vetted based on insurance coverage and customer ratings. AmeriFreight ships motorcycles, ATVs, and scooters door-to-door in open and enclosed trailers.

AmeriFreight reviews are mainly positive. The company holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB with an average customer rating of 4.8 stars.

Learn more: AmeriFreight Review

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Motorcycle Shipping Cost: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about motorcycle shipping: 

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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.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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