Motorcycle Shipping

How It Works

Motorcycles ship on open or enclosed trailers, sometimes dedicated motorcycle carriers and sometimes alongside cars on a standard auto transport trailer. The bike is secured upright using wheel chocks and tie-downs rather than driven on under its own power in most cases, though the process is otherwise similar to a standard vehicle shipment: quote, booking, pickup with a signed Bill of Lading, transit, and delivery.

What It Costs

• Short distance (under 500 miles): generally $150 to $500.
• Long distance (over 1,000 miles): generally $400 to $1,100 or more, depending on open versus enclosed transport.

As with cars, enclosed transport costs more but fully protects the bike from weather and road debris, which matters more for a motorcycle than a car simply because it's more exposed by design even on an open trailer.

Non-Running or Project Motorcycles

A motorcycle that doesn't run or can't be ridden onto the trailer still ships, the same general principle as a non-running car: the key is disclosing the exact condition upfront so the right loading equipment is arranged. See our full guide to shipping a non-running vehicle

Protecting a Vintage or High-Value Motorcycle

A vintage, rare, or high-value motorcycle deserves the same thinking as a classic car: enclosed transport for full weather and debris protection, and insurance coverage that actually matches what the bike is worth rather than a generic policy limit. If you're shipping something genuinely rare or irreplaceable, it's worth confirming the specific coverage available rather than assuming a standard policy is adequate. See our classic and exotic vehicle guide for the same principles applied to cars

Shipping Internationally

Motorcycle shipping isn't limited to domestic routes. International motorcycle shipping, including to the Gulf, follows the same RoRo and customs fundamentals as shipping a car, just scaled to a smaller vehicle. If you're shipping a motorcycle overseas, the same country-specific guides apply. One current restriction worth knowing: since September 29, 2026, motorcycles over 800 cc that are products of Canada are excluded from importation into the United States, which affects shipments coming from Canada. See our international and Gulf shipping guide

Who It's Best For

This applies to any motorcycle shipment, whether it's a daily rider, a cruiser or touring bike being relocated, a classic or vintage motorcycle, or a non-running project bike. Larger cruisers and touring bikes take up more trailer space and cost somewhat more to ship than a standard or sport bike, similar to how an SUV costs more than a sedan.