Moving to another place has never been easy but here, in Movewheels shipping company, we do our best to help you with at least one part of it and probably the hardest one – shipping your vehicles to a new place.
Whether it is a motorcycle or a regular sedan, your brand new 2021 GSX-R1000, or a 1967 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster that your father used to ride, we are ready to help you with shipping any kind of vehicle. We have been specializing in cross-country shipping for more than 10 years and in this article, we would like to tell you more about motorcycle shipping services and some of the best motorcycle shipping companies.
The top of motorcycle transporting companies includes the following topics (just click and you will get the information needed):
1 How does motorcycle shipping work?
2 What to look for in a motorcycle shipping company?
3 Top 5 motorcycle shipping services.
4 Top 10 companies that can ship motorcycles.
5 How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?
How Does Motorcycle Shipping Work?
The enjoyment you experience while riding a bike on the open road is indescribable and for sure unforgettable. But if you are moving to a new home that is in another city or even state, riding a bike is not the best option.
Of course, if the bike is not that heavy (for example, Suzuki RM-Z45 or 2020 Zero S) you can load it in the back of a moving truck, but towing your motorcycle behind a moving truck is definitely not the best option due to unexpected road accidents or possible theft if you have to drive a long distance.
That is why shipping a motorcycle on a special trailer is the best option and if you are a proud owner of some classic, antique, or show motorcycles, entrusting your vehicle(s) to a professional driver with an enclosed trailer is the only option for safe delivery. Now let’s take a closer look at how motorcycle shipping works.
Get a motorcycle shipping quote
To get your motorcycle transported the first thing you need to do is to submit a request to vehicle shipping companies. As you may already notice the easiest way to do that is to search in google “motorcycle shipping quote”. Google will show you lots of websites that will ask for your information like zip-code for pick up and drop off, make and model of your bike, your name, phone number, and email.
Avoid lead providers
Please note that most of these websites are not real companies, they are simple advertisement websites that collect your information and sell it to auto transport brokers.
Right after you submit the information, you will get dozens of messages, phone calls, and emails with a wide range of prices. And that’s when the magic happens: if the company gives you a very good price and says it is not going to change, you have to understand that they are simply trying to catch your attention and get your business. Once they lock you in with the paperwork, the price will most likely change.
Be ready that the price can change
So the most important thing you have to remember is that all the prices you receive from the shipping companies are only estimates since all brokers depend on carriers. Sometimes, price change is not the broker company’s fault since the transportation business is constantly changing and some circumstances may suddenly affect the price and change it a lot. For example, a carrier who was shipping bikes for a lower price may change his route or get stuck because of a road accident. In this case, a professional broker will do his best to negotiate with another carrier and offer you other options.
Looking for a driver
To look for a driver brokers use the website called Central Dispatch. It’s a national load board where companies post the vehicle’s information mentioning its pick up and drop off locations, dates when the vehicle is available, its make and model, and the price the customer is ready to pay. Carriers check the routes they are going and choose the loads with the highest price first. If the price is too low, carriers may ask for a higher rate or simply choose another load. Frankly speaking, it works like an auction for a spot on the trailer.
Get driver’s info and ship your motorbike
To post your vehicle on the load board and find a driver a broker company will need to know the addresses and phone numbers for pickup and drop off. Once you provide them with this information, they will send you a contract that needs to be signed otherwise they will have no right to put your vehicle on Central Dispatch or provide your personal information to the driver.
After all the details are discussed and confirmed, the driver is assigned to your order. The shipping agent will send him your information and the driver will call you in advance to negotiate the exact pick up and then drop-off time.
What to Look For in a Motorcycle Shipping Company?
We have prepared for you a brief but informative guide about what you should check when looking for a company to ship your motorcycle.
· Price
Request shipping quotes from a few different companies. Choose those that fit within your budget.
· Motorcycle experts
Check the vehicle shipping companies’ websites and find those specializing in shipping bikes. If you don’t see any references about motorcycle shipping, you should definitely move on to another one as it is better to entrust your motorcycle to a professional driver who knows how to transport bikes.
· Availability
Make sure the carrier operates the route you are going. Most motorcycle transport companies provide services within specific areas or even within a few states only. If the motorcycle needs to be shipped internationally or to Alaska and Hawaii, it can be tricky to find carriers who can go to port locations as they need a special Twic card to access the port areas.
· Type of the trailer
It all depends on your budget since open transport is much less expensive. But before you decide, make sure to take all pros and cons into consideration. If you need your bike to be transported for quite a long distance, we highly recommend you to choose enclosed transport because it protects motorcycles from different weather conditions and as you know, weather is rather unpredictable in some regions.
· Insurance coverage
Probably one of the most important things is active insurance. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), both broker and carrier companies are required to be registered with the FMCSA. After registration, they are issued a six-digit MC Docket number. You can ask the company to provide you with their MC number or find it on the Internet. Then you can open the FMCSA website and enter the number to check if the company you choose is insured and licensed.
· Motorcycle shippers’ reviews
Unfortunately, license and insurance are not always a guarantee of perfect service. If a motorcycle is like a baby to you, you want to make sure it will be properly secured on the trailer and there will be no additional issues. Before making your final decision, check the motorcycle shipping companies’ reviews on websites, like Google, Trust Pilot, Transport Review, and others.
Top Motorcycle Shipping Services
Our top 15 motorcycle shipping companies consist of two parts, top 5 companies that specialize mostly in motorbike shipping, and top 10 companies that can provide you with a motorcycle transportation service and have great experience in it but specialize in a wide range of shipping services.
Veterans Auto and Bike Transport LLC
Veterans Auto and Bike Transport LLC is an independent owner-operator company with one 38 feet hardside enclosed trailer. The owner of the company plans the route and transports all vehicles by himself. He has established the company and provided motorcycle owners with the perfect enclosed-trailer transportation service since the year of 2015.
This carrier operates within Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions and though he usually moves bikes for shows, dealerships, and small shops, he can also help private owners to ship the motorcycle when they are relocating to another place or just selling a bike.
Pros:
Covers Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions
Specializes in moving all kinds of motorcycles
Has 38 ft enclosed hardside trailer
Insurance coverage is up to $200 000
Cons:
Does not offer online tracking
Daily Direct Haulbikes
Daily Direct Haulbikes is an owner of enclosed trailers located in Milwaukee, WI, and covering all 48 states. This carrier company has been providing motorcycle owners with the perfect enclosed-trailer transportation service since 2001, so they have 20 years of experience that means quite a lot in the transportation business.
Their professional team specializes in safe, claim-free, door-to-door shipment. Besides that, some drivers have Twic cards that allow them to deliver vehicles to port locations.
Daily Direct Haulbikes owns 70 Volvo tractors with 53 feet enclosed soft and hardside trailers to suit any budget.
Pros:
Covers all 48 states
20 years of experience in shipping all kinds of motorcycles
Can deliver vehicles to the port
Has 70 enclosed softside and hardside trailer
Insurance coverage is up to $250 000
Cons:
Does not offer online tracking
CRST Specialized Transportation Inc (prev. Specialized Transp Inc)
CRST Specialized Transportation Inc is also a perfect example of a company that loves what they do and provides customers with white-glove service. The company was established in 2012 in Tempe, AZ. At first, it was a small company hiring local drivers to move motorcycles within the West coast. Now, the company has more than 700 employees including drivers and their dispatchers. The carrier company now operates within the mainland and also has some drivers operating on a local level in Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.
CRST Specialized Transportation Inc has more than 800 enclosed air ride lift gate trailers ranging in size from 22 to 53 feet and offer both residential and terminal pickup and delivery of motorcycles.
Pros:
Covers all 48 states and has local drivers for Alaska and Hawaii
Has more than 800 enclosed trailers
Insurance coverage is up to $100 000
Has its own website
Cons:
Does not offer online tracking
Cars & Bikes Transport Inc
Cars & Bikes Transport Inc is a family-owned business founded in 2006 in Lowell, MA. They have only 2 employees: a driver and a dispatcher who is also an accountant, but they always keep the customers updated and are ready to answer the call or text message almost 24/7.
Even though the company name includes the word ‘car’, it mostly transports motorcycles and takes cars only if the customer needs to move a car(s) and a motorcycle(s) at the same time, which happens from time to time. It makes it easier for the customers to ship both vehicles with one driver than to negotiate all the details with two different companies.
Cars & Bikes Transport is a very reputable company which owns 2 enclosed hardside trailers of different size and operates on the route Massachusetts – Florida, but if needed the driver can also deliver vehicles to the states that are located north of Massachusetts.
Pros:
Specializes in moving motorcycles but can also ship a car if the customer has two vehicles to transport
Insurance coverage is up to $150 000
Always keeps the customers updated and are available 24/7
Cons:
Does not have a website
Covers only the states of the East coast
IFTE Transportation Inc
IFTE Transportation Inc is also a reputable family-owned business operating since 2013 and located in Philadelphia, PA. The company has only a few employees who are both drivers and dispatchers at the same time. Despite the fact that they have lots of work, drivers are very professional and are available anytime from 8 am to 9 pm EST. Moreover, the company offers some discounts for return customers or shipping multiple bikes at the same time.
IFTE Transportation Inc is. a licensed and bonded trucking company that has 2 enclosed trailers with a low deck ramp and soft straps going anywhere on the highways I-40, I-20, I-10, I-80.
Pros:
Two enclosed trailers with a low deck ramp and soft straps
Insurance coverage is up to $200 000
Offers discounts for shipping multiple loads and for return customers
Cons:
Specializes in moving vehicles only on I-40, I-20, I-10, I-80.
Has no website
Top 10 Companies That Can Ship Motorcycles
Rockland Auto Transport Services Inc (prev. Auto Bike & Boat Shippers Inc.)
Rockland Auto Transport Services Inc is an independent owner-operator company with one 2000 Rock Solid Enclosed 2-Car Trailer. The company was founded in 2015 and usually transports cars, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts anywhere within New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and occasionally Maryland and Massachusetts. Even though the driver mostly works with dealerships and shows transporting high end vehicles, he also takes private orders within his route and is available 24/7.
Pros:
Specializes in moving high end motorcycles and cars
Insurance coverage is up to $250 000
Always keeps the customers updated and are available 24/7
Cons:
Does not have a website
Covers only 6 states
Texas Platinum Transport
Texas Platinum Transport is another company providing enclosed transportation services for exotic, classic, and vintage cars and motorcycles. The company is a family-owned business that was founded in 2010. It owns 3 trailers: 1 car enclosed trailer going anywhere within Texas, 2 car enclosed trailer covering Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, and 2 car enclosed trailer covering Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Pros:
Specializes in moving high end motorcycles and cars
Insurance coverage is up to $250 000
Has their account on the Instagram
Cons:
Covers only some states
MoveWheels Auto Transport
MoveWheels Auto Transport Company is a popular shipping company based in Green Cove Springs, FL. It has been in business for more than 10 years which helped the company to create its database of professional drivers who provide customers with white-glove service and can transport any kind of vehicle including motorcycles.
MoveWheels company works both with open and enclosed carriers going anywhere in the US and doing door-to-door transportation. Experienced shipping agents can also help you ship the motorcycle overseas (including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Europe) and schedule everything for you.
Pros:
Has their database of reputable open and enclosed carrier companies
Does not ask for any prepayment
One can get a quote for free by simply following this link
Customer Support is available 24/7
Offers military, business, and multi-load discounts as well as discounts for regular customers
Cons:
Price may fluctuate depending on the season and drivers’ availability
True Carrier
True Carrier is a relatively new shipping company based in Tampa, FL. The company is working both with enclosed and open carriers to make sure they can suit every customer’s needs. Some of the drivers (whether open or enclosed) offer expedited delivery and always do their best to deliver the car right to the exact address.
True Carrier is using the national load board called Central Dispatch to find a driver on a particular route within the particular time frame.
Pros:
Customer support service is available 24/7
Offers door-to-door delivery
Does not ask for any prepayment
Cons:
Lack of information on the website
Does not have customer support service via online chat on the website
Gee Force Trans Inc
Gee Force Trans Inc is a licensed and bonded trucking company running a freight hauling business from Inman, SC, and transporting motorcycles, cars, vans, pickup trucks. Gee Force Trans Inc is an independent owner-operator company with 2 trailers: an open 6 car hauler and an enclosed 9 car hauler. Depending on the availability of the vehicles on the route and the needs of the customers the driver chooses whether to go with the open or enclosed trailer.
Pros:
Offers discounts for multiple loads
Has a large enclosed trailer, therefore can move several vehicles at a time
Accepts cash, Zelle, and CashApp payments at the time of delivery
Cons:
The enclosed trailer does not have a liftgate
AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight is another popular American company offering both open and enclosed transportation. It was founded in 2004 in Georgia and provides door-to-door delivery within the 48 states.
The company does not require any upfront deposit and provides discounts to senior citizens and students.
Pros:
Has its own database of unprofessional carrier companies
Does not ask for any prepayment
Offers some discounts to students and senior citizens
Cons:
Price may change depending on the drivers’ availability and season
uShip
uShip is an Austin-based shipping company that was established in 2003 and provides customers with open and enclosed transportation services. Using u-Ship people can ship any kind of vehicles from motorcycles to heavy industrial equipment.
The insurance coverage of the carriers that uShip works with varies from $100 000 up to $250 000 per vehicle on the trailer.
Pros:
Ships all types of vehicles
Offers online tracking option
Covers all 50 states and can ship internationally
Cons:
The vehicle must be empty (no personal items are allowed)
King of the Road
King of the Road is another licensed auto transport brokerage company that can ship almost any type of vehicle (including motorcycles, ATVs, vans, SUVs, and so on). The drivers that King of the Road works with provide door-to-door shipping services across the mainland and can also ship inoperable vehicles for an extra fee.
Pros:
Specializes in moving motorcycles, sedans, SUVs, vans, and other vehicles
Covers all 48 states
Has a website
Cons:
Enclosed transportation is rarely provided
Horseless Carriage Carriers, Inc.
Horseless Carriage Carriers, Inc. has provided discerning automotive enthusiasts with dependable enclosed-trailer transportation for antique, classic, exotic, and everyday vehicles since 1975. Their experienced team specializes in the safe, claim-free, door-to-door shipment of every type of vehicle — from cars, trucks, and motorcycles to vans and military vehicles.
The company is located in Paterson, NJ and now has 35 trucks that usually go from California to Texas, New Jersey, and back. When the time comes to ship a vehicle, many customers trust their possession to this safe and reliable exotic car transport.
Pros:
Specializes in moving exotic cars, motorcycles, trucks, and vans
Drivers with more than 25 years of experience
Has 35 enclosed car haulers
Cons:
Covers only the route CA-TX-NJ
NAO Auto
NAO Auto is a sole proprietorship founded in 2001 in Spokane, WA. The company specializes in shipping different types of vehicles such as antique or exotic motorcycles, cars, boats, vans, and pickup trucks.
The company is well equipped to serve the mainland states offering both open and enclosed hardside carrier services (27 trucks in total).
NAO auto helps customers with college and corporate relocations, dealership moves, military moves, and seasonal snowbird services offering several types of discounts.
The company’s customer support representatives always keep in touch with the customer throughout the whole journey and are available 7 days per week from 7 am to 5 pm.
Pros:
Has 27 open and enclosed hardside trucks going anywhere within 48 states
Customer Support is available 7 days per week
Offers military, business, and multiple load discounts
Cons:
Does not have enough information on the website
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?
The cost of shipping a motorcycle depends on several factors, including distance and of course shipping method. But let’s take a closer look at all factors that affect the price to get more accurate information and choose what is more important for you and how you can save some money.
· The type of trailer
An open trailer is rather cheap compared to an enclosed one, which may be about 50% more expensive.
If you are shipping a motorcycle for a distance under 500 mi, open transport is fine since transportation will take only a day or day and a half. But if you are relocating from coast to coast, we recommend choosing an enclosed transport since transportation for such a long distance usually takes up to 8 days. The weather may change any time and the bike will be exposed to rain, sleet, snow, or even hail.
· Mileage and locations
The longer the distance is the more it costs to ship a bike. And of course, the specific locations where your bike should be picked up and delivered matter too. Since urban locations are more popular the driver will have other vehicles to pick up in the same area and won’t have to drive extra miles to pick up or delivery only one motorcycle. Transportation from or to rural areas, especially if they are located far away from the main highways will cost more. If that is your case but you do not want to spend lots of extra money, you can negotiate with the driver and meet him on the highway or somewhere closer to a more popular area.
· The weight and size of your motorcycle
The size and weight of the bike also affect the shipping rate. The shipping of a Tri-Glide motorcycle or motorcycle with a sidecar will cost more than a regular bike.
· The time of year
The season you ship your motorcycle also impacts the cost. Late spring, summer, and early fall are considered to be a high season for relocation, so if you want to spend less money on moving a bike you can transport it during cold months, but open transportation may not be the best option at this time of the year.
· Flexible shipping days
Your flexibility with the shipping dates is also one of the most important factors. If you want to get the motorcycle shipped as soon as possible, you don’t have time to choose the cheapest option. Carrier companies that offer lower rates are usually booked far in advance, so the earlier you start planning the move, the lower it will cost to transport your bike.
Below you can see the cost for the last motorcycle shipments within the mainland:
Motorcycle shipping is the easiest way to transport your bike long-distance. There may be some difficult moments when looking for a carrier company and choosing the best one, but it is still safer to get the motorcycle transported than drive or haul it for hundreds of miles. Our company can make the whole process much easier for you, all we need from your side is pick up and delivery zip-codes, the make and model of your bike and we will find a carrier for you within your time frame. Simply click the button below and we will be happy to provide you with a free quote!
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