- Two-Wheeler Transport
Professional Motorcycle Shipping Services Nationwide
Let’s talk about what your bike actually means to you. It isn’t just a piece of machinery or a simple way to get from point A to point B. For most riders, a motorcycle represents total freedom, a major financial investment, and a whole lot of weekend memories. Handing those keys over to a complete stranger? We get it—it’s nerve-wracking. At AG Car Shipping, we handle your two-wheeler like it’s sitting in our very own garage.
Maybe you just won an online auction for a rare bike three states over, you’re packing up to relocate for a new job, or you’re planning to ride at a massive rally across the country but don’t have the time to drive it there yourself. Whatever the reason, finding a trustworthy transport partner shouldn’t be a frustrating, drawn-out ordeal. We focus entirely on straightforward, secure transit. That way, you can stop stressing about the logistics and start planning your next big ride.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Motorcycle?
Let’s get right down to the numbers, because nobody likes hidden fees or last-minute surprises. The average price to ship a motorcycle 1,000 miles usually lands somewhere between $450 and $550. But keep in mind, that’s just a ballpark figure. Your actual quote is going to depend on a handful of moving parts. The total distance of the trip is the biggest factor by far, but things like current diesel prices, the time of year you decide to ship, and the specific type of trailer you request all play a huge role in the final price tag. If you are only looking at a shorter regional trip—say, under 500 miles—you can expect the cost to drop significantly, typically running closer to $250 to $350.
The Cheapest Way to Ship a Motorcycle
Are you working on a tight budget and looking to save some cash? The absolute cheapest way to ship a motorcycle usually involves booking space on a standard open trailer and choosing what the industry calls “terminal-to-terminal” delivery. This means you drop the bike off at a centralized freight hub, and you pick it up at another hub on the other end of the route.
But let’s be totally honest here: dealing with freight terminals can be a massive headache. You have to figure out how to get a ride to a dusty yard that might be hours away from your house, and you have to do it during their specific business hours. For just a few extra bucks, the vast majority of riders decide to just go ahead and book direct-to-driveway delivery. Think about it like you would when setting up standard open transport—paying a little bit more upfront for the sheer convenience of having the truck show up right at your front door is almost always worth the investment.
Enclosed vs. Open Motorcycle Transport
When you book a shipment, you basically have two primary choices for the type of trailer that will haul your bike. Making the right call comes down to what kind of motorcycle you ride, how much you want to spend, and your personal comfort level regarding the weather.
Enclosed Motorcycle Shipping
Do you have a high-end Ducati sportbike, a freshly painted custom chopper, or a pricey vintage restoration? If the answer is yes, you are definitely going to want to go with enclosed motorcycle shipping. Much like the premium service you'd expect from enclosed trailer shipping, these specialized trailers keep your bike completely locked away and hidden from the outside elements. It won't see a single drop of rain, and you won't have to worry about flying gravel, road salt, or highway dust ruining your paint job. On top of the incredible weather protection, enclosed trailers usually come equipped with advanced air-ride suspension systems. This means the trailer itself actually absorbs the harsh bumps of the road, keeping the journey incredibly smooth for delicate, high-value machines.
- Impenetrable weather protection
- Ideal for customs & high-value bikes
Standard Open Transport
On the flip side, open transport is the absolute workhorse of the shipping industry. It’s highly affordable, extremely reliable, and honestly perfectly fine for the vast majority of everyday riders. With this method, your motorcycle gets strapped down tight on a secure open-air trailer. Yes, it will be exposed to the sky, but no more than it would be if you were riding it down the highway yourself. If you happen to be moving across the country and you need to ship both your daily driver and your bike at the exact same time, this is exactly how it's handled. Our extensive car shipping fleet takes care of these multi-vehicle, open-air loads every single day, making it incredibly easy to coordinate your entire move in one shot without hiring two different companies.
- Most cost-effective method
- Perfect for standard daily riders
Specialized Shipping: Vintage Bikes, Custom Choppers, and Sidecars
A standard, factory-issue street bike is pretty straightforward to load up. But what happens if you ride something that heavily breaks the mold? If you have an elongated chopper with a raked front end, a heavy touring bike with an attached sidecar, or a wide custom trike, standard loading procedures just won’t cut it. Those unique setups require a lot more planning and expertise.
We go out of our way to match you with experienced drivers who actually understand how to handle wide wheelbases and awkward center-of-gravity challenges. If your ride requires customized strap points, or even specialized wooden crating—the exact kind of meticulous, white-glove prep we utilize for classic car shipping—we will make sure everything is handled properly. We simply don’t take risks when it comes to one-of-a-kind builds.
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping
A lot of people wonder how much physical work they have to do before the truck actually pulls up. The good news? Prepping your bike for transit usually takes about twenty minutes tops. Give the bike a quick wash, run the gas tank down, double-check that you don’t have any major fluid leaks, and make sure the battery is totally secure. Also, do everyone a favor and turn off your alarm system so it doesn’t blare for 1,000 miles down the interstate.
To make the entire pickup process as fast and stress-free as possible, just run through this specific checklist beforehand:
To prepare a motorcycle for shipping, follow these essential steps:
- Thoroughly wash the bike to document pre-existing damage with date-stamped photos.
- Drain the fuel tank to roughly one-quarter full and check for any fluid leaks.
- Remove all loose accessories and detach aftermarket saddlebags.
- Disable any active anti-theft alarm systems before loading.
Clean and Inspect
Wash the dirt off. You can't see a scratch through a layer of mud. Take high-resolution photos of the entire bike, noting any existing dings on the Bill of Lading.
Manage Fluids
Leave just enough gas to drive the bike onto the carrier (1/4 tank). Double-check your fork seals and engine block for active oil or coolant leaks.
Strip the Extras
Remove your GPS units, aftermarket fairings, toll passes, and custom saddlebags. Insurance covers the vehicle itself, not personal gear strapped to it.
Kill the Alarm
Nothing drains a battery faster than an alarm blaring for 500 miles because the trailer hit a pothole. Disable it completely before handover.
Why Trust AG Car Shipping With Your Two-Wheeler?
We simply do not cut corners when safety is on the line. The network of drivers we work with rely exclusively on heavy-duty soft-tie strapping systems. Instead of tossing cheap metal hooks over your handlebars, these thick nylon straps wrap safely around the solid structural frame of your bike. That means absolutely no metal-on-metal contact scratching up your expensive chrome or custom paint.
We also refuse to work with anyone who isn’t fully vetted. Every single carrier on our roster maintains comprehensive insurance coverage and strictly follows the heavy safety regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You don’t have to deal with automated runarounds, either. You get real, transparent updates from real people on our team, plain and simple.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Transport
Quick answers to help you prepare for a safe shipment.
Do I need to drain the gas tank completely?
Not at all. In fact, we prefer that you don’t. Just leave about a quarter tank of gas in there. The driver definitely doesn’t want to haul the extra weight of a completely full tank, but you are absolutely going to want enough fuel to start the engine and safely ride the bike to a nearby gas station once it gets dropped off at your house.
Can I pack personal items in my motorcycle saddlebags?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces pretty strict rules against moving personal household goods inside vehicles during auto transport. You’ll need to empty out your saddlebags, under-seat storage, and any attached luggage boxes before the driver arrives for pickup.
How long does door-to-door motorcycle transport take?
It really just depends on how far the truck has to drive. A quick hop to a neighboring state is usually pretty fast, taking roughly 1 to 3 days. If you are doing a massive cross-country move from coast to coast, expect the timeline to look very similar to our standard door-to-door car shipping routes, which generally take between 7 and 14 days to complete.
Will my motorcycle be insured during transport?
Yes, 100%. Every single carrier in our trusted network holds active, valid insurance. Your motorcycle is completely protected against any damage caused by the carrier’s negligence or an accident on the road, starting from the exact second they load it up until you sign the paperwork at delivery.
Do I need to be present for the pickup and delivery?
Yes, you or another adult that you trust needs to be physically there. Someone has to be around to hand over the keys to the driver, walk around the bike for the pre-trip condition inspection, and actually sign the physical Bill of Lading.
How do carriers secure the motorcycle on the trailer?
Drivers use heavy-duty nylon soft-ties. These thick straps loop securely around the strongest, most solid structural parts of your bike’s frame. This method actively avoids putting pressure on delicate components like the shocks or fairings, so the bike stays completely rigid during the trip without ruining your paint.
Do I need to provide the keys to the carrier?
Yes, you absolutely do. The driver has to be able to unlock the steering column so they can safely roll the bike onto the loading ramp and maneuver it into the perfect position on the trailer. Without the keys, loading safely becomes almost impossible.
Can I track my motorcycle during transit?
Definitely. We believe in keeping you in the loop, so we don’t leave you sitting in the dark wondering where your bike is. You can always check in with our customer support team to get an updated, real-time estimate on where the truck is currently located and when they plan to arrive.
What happens if my motorcycle is damaged during shipping?
It is incredibly rare, but if it does happen, make sure you point the damage out to the driver immediately during the final delivery inspection. Write it down clearly on the Bill of Lading before you sign it. Once it’s documented, you can easily file a claim with the carrier’s insurance, and we will help guide you through the entire process.
Can I ship a motorcycle that doesn't run?
Yes, you can, but you have to let us know upfront when you ask for a quote. An inoperable bike means the driver needs to bring special equipment, like a heavy-duty winch or a mechanical lift gate, to safely get the bike onto the trailer since they won’t be able to use the engine power.
Ready to Secure Your Spot on a Carrier?
Skip the stress of dealing with unreliable haulers who don’t understand how much your bike means to you. Contact Us today to get a fast, totally free, and completely transparent motorcycle shipping quote so you can get back to what matters most.