Motorcycle Shipping
Motorcycle shipping costs $300-$1,200 depending on distance, with most shipments completing in 3-14 business days. Bold Auto Transport works with motorcycle-specific carriers who use wheel chocks, soft straps, and cradle systems to keep your bike locked in place from pickup to delivery. Every motorcycle shipment includes full coverage insurance with a $0 deductible.
How Motorcycle Shipping Actually Works
Here's what happens when you book motorcycle transport through Bold.
Your bike gets loaded onto a specialized motorcycle carrier using a ramp or hydraulic lift. The front wheel sits in a steel chock that locks the bike upright. Soft tie-down straps connect to the frame or handlebars at multiple points. Nothing touches the paint, chrome, or bodywork.
Most motorcycle carriers haul 10-20 bikes at once, which is what keeps the cost lower than hiring a single flatbed. Your bike rides alongside other motorcycles, all individually secured in their own chock systems.
For high-value bikes, we also offer enclosed motorcycle transport. The bike rides inside a fully covered trailer, protected from weather, road spray, and debris. Enclosed transport costs 30-40% more, but if you're shipping a $25,000 Ducati Panigale or a restored vintage Harley, the peace of mind is worth every dollar.
How Much Does Motorcycle Shipping Cost?
Motorcycle shipping costs less than car shipping because bikes take less space and weigh less. But prices still vary depending on distance, bike type, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport.
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $300–$500 | $450–$700 |
| 500–1,500 miles | $500–$800 | $700–$1,050 |
| Over 1,500 miles | $700–$1,200 | $950–$1,600 |
What Drives the Price
- Distance: The biggest factor. A 300-mile haul from Dallas to Houston costs a fraction of a 2,500-mile run from Miami to Seattle.
- Bike size and weight: A Honda Grom costs less to ship than a Harley Road Glide. Trikes and three-wheelers cost more due to the extra width.
- Transport type: Enclosed transport adds 30-40% to the base price. Worth it for bikes valued over $15,000.
- Season: Spring and summer are peak riding season, which means more shipping demand and slightly higher rates. Winter is typically the cheapest time to ship.
- Pickup and delivery locations: Major metro areas cost less than rural locations. If the carrier needs to detour 50 miles off the highway to reach you, that adds to the cost.
- Running condition: Non-running bikes cost $50-$150 extra because loading takes more time and equipment.
Use our shipping cost calculator to get a personalized motorcycle shipping quote in about 60 seconds.
Types of Motorcycles We Ship
Bold ships every kind of motorcycle. No size restrictions, no brand limitations. Here's what we move regularly:
- Sport bikes — Yamaha R1, Kawasaki Ninja, Suzuki GSX-R, Honda CBR
- Cruisers — Harley-Davidson, Indian, Victory, Honda Shadow
- Touring bikes — Harley Road Glide, Honda Gold Wing, BMW K 1600
- Adventure bikes — BMW GS, KTM Adventure, Ducati Multistrada
- Dirt bikes — Honda CRF, Yamaha YZ, KTM EXC, Kawasaki KX
- Vintage and classic — Pre-1980s bikes, barn finds, restoration projects
- Custom builds — Choppers, bobbers, cafe racers, custom frames
- Electric motorcycles — Zero, LiveWire, Energica
- Trikes and three-wheelers — Can-Am Spyder, Harley Tri Glide
- Scooters and mopeds — Vespa, Honda PCX, Yamaha XMAX
Got something unusual? A sidecar rig, a track-only race bike, a non-running project? Call us at (469) 942-5444. We've shipped it before.
Open vs. Enclosed Motorcycle Transport
This is the same question car shippers face, but the calculus is a little different for bikes.
| Feature | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $300–$1,200 | $450–$1,600 |
| Weather protection | Exposed to elements | Fully covered |
| Carrier availability | More carriers, faster pickup | Fewer carriers, may wait longer |
| Best for | Standard bikes, daily riders | Vintage, custom, high-value bikes |
| Recommended when | Bike value under $15,000 | Bike value over $15,000 |
Our take: If you ride the bike on public roads and it's exposed to rain, rocks, and highway grime anyway, open transport is fine. The bike will arrive in the same condition it left. But if you're shipping a show bike, a freshly painted custom, or a numbers-matching vintage motorcycle, go enclosed. The 30-40% premium is cheap insurance for something irreplaceable.
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping
A little prep goes a long way. Do these things before the carrier arrives and your pickup will go faster and smoother:
- Wash the bike. A clean motorcycle makes scratches and dings easy to spot during the pre-pickup inspection. If you skip this step, pre-existing marks get harder to document.
- Take photos. Shoot every angle, both sides, the tank, fenders, wheels, and any existing damage. Timestamp them. This is your proof if anything happens in transit.
- Remove loose accessories. Saddlebags, GPS mounts, phone holders, loose mirrors, tank bags. Anything that isn't bolted down can shift or fall off during transport.
- Check tire pressure. Inflate both tires to the manufacturer's recommended PSI. The bike needs to roll on and off the carrier under its own weight (or the carrier's ramp).
- Reduce fuel to a quarter tank. Enough fuel to roll the bike on and off. A full tank adds unnecessary weight and is a safety concern for enclosed transport.
- Disable the alarm. A blaring alarm in the middle of a carrier trailer at 2 AM does not make friends.
- Note existing damage. Point out any scratches, dents, or cosmetic issues to the driver during the Bill of Lading inspection. Both of you should agree on the bike's condition before it leaves.
Why Ship Your Motorcycle with Bold?
Most auto transport brokers treat motorcycles as an afterthought. They use the same carriers for bikes as they do for cars, and the results show.
Bold works differently. We match your motorcycle with carriers who specialize in motorcycle transport. They have the right equipment. Wheel chocks. Soft straps. Experience loading everything from a 300-pound Ninja to an 800-pound Road Glide.
- $0 deductible insurance included — Every motorcycle shipment gets full coverage cargo insurance at no extra charge. Competitors charge $100-$200 extra or hit you with $250-$500 deductibles.
- Dedicated transport coordinator — One person manages your shipment from booking to delivery. You get proactive updates, not radio silence.
- Competitive motorcycle rates — We price motorcycle shipping aggressively because we work with high-volume motorcycle carriers who keep their trailers full.
- Door-to-door service — Carrier picks up at your location and delivers to the destination address. No terminal drop-offs, no extra trips.
Popular Motorcycle Shipping Routes
These are the motorcycle shipping corridors we handle most frequently, along with typical pricing ranges:
| Route | Distance | Open Transport | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| California to Florida | ~2,750 mi | $800–$1,100 | 10–14 days |
| New York to Florida | ~1,280 mi | $500–$700 | 5–8 days |
| Texas to California | ~1,400 mi | $550–$750 | 6–9 days |
| Illinois to Arizona | ~1,750 mi | $600–$850 | 7–10 days |
| Washington to Texas | ~2,100 mi | $700–$950 | 8–12 days |
Prices are estimates for standard-size motorcycles using open transport. Your actual quote depends on the specific bike, exact locations, and current carrier availability. Get your personalized quote →
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