Motorcycle Shipping
Door-to-door transport for cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes, and off-road machines. Chocked, strapped with soft ties, and insured from pickup to delivery.
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Your Bike, Delivered Without the Miles
There are plenty of good reasons to ship a motorcycle instead of riding it. The destination is two thousand miles away and you have five days of vacation. You bought a bike from a seller in another state. You are relocating and already have a car to drive. The weather between here and there is no fun on two wheels. Or you would simply like to arrive at the rally fresh, with a clean machine and new tires.
A motorcycle is not loaded the way a car is. It cannot sit on a standard car carrier's deck by itself. Motorcycle carriers use wheel chocks that hold the front tire upright, and soft tie straps that pull the bike down against its suspension from several points. Done properly, the bike cannot shift, and nothing touches the paint or the chrome.
You can choose between an open trailer and an enclosed one. Enclosed transport is the more common choice for motorcycles than it is for cars, because a bike has so much exposed finish and is easier to damage with road debris. Some carriers also offer crated or palletized shipping for bikes traveling long distances.
Heartland Auto Transport arranges motorcycle shipping throughout Alabama and to all 50 states. We are an FMCSA licensed broker, and we assign carriers that are properly equipped for bikes and insured for them. There is no deposit, and the price we quote is the price you pay. Because motorcycles vary so widely, the best way to get an exact figure is to call with the make and model.
What You Get With Motorcycle Shipping
Equipment and handling made for two wheels.
Proper bike equipment
Wheel chocks, soft ties, and ramps or lift gates designed for motorcycles, not improvised for them.
Insurance included
The carrier's cargo insurance covers your motorcycle while it is in transit.
Enclosed option
A covered trailer keeps weather, grit, and prying eyes away from the bike.
Door-to-door service
Pickup from your garage and delivery to your destination, a dealership, or an event hotel.
A lower price than a car
A motorcycle takes far less space and weight, and the price usually reflects that.
Help planning around events
We schedule delivery ahead of rallies, track days, and group rides.
What It Costs to Ship a Motorcycle
Motorcycles generally cost less to ship than cars, because they take up less room and weigh a fraction as much. The exact price depends on the distance, the size of the bike, whether you choose open or enclosed transport, and whether it runs.
The table shows our standard car ranges as a reference point. A typical street bike will usually come in below them. A large touring bike, a trike, or a bike with a sidecar costs more than a small one. Call us with the details for a firm quote.
| Route | Distance | Typical price | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short regional | Under 500 mi | $350 – $700 | 1–3 days |
| Mid-distance | 500–1,500 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Cross-country | 1,500+ mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
Standard open-carrier prices for a car, shown for reference. Motorcycles usually cost less and are quoted individually.
How Motorcycle Shipping Works
Four steps from your garage to the destination.
Call with the details
Give us the route, the make and model, and whether the bike runs. We quote it on the spot.
Book a pickup window
Choose open or enclosed. We assign a vetted carrier equipped for motorcycles, with no deposit.
Pickup
The driver inspects the bike with you, rolls it into a chock, and secures it with soft ties.
Delivery
At the destination, check the bike over, start it, sign the report, and pay.
Motorcycles We Ship
If it has a title and two or three wheels, we can arrange it.
Cruisers and touring bikes
Heavy bikes with saddlebags, fairings, and plenty of chrome are secured low and tight, away from anything that could rub.
Sport and track bikes
Low fairings and clip-on bars need careful strap placement. Enclosed transport is common for these.
Adventure and dirt bikes
Lighter machines ship easily, singly or several at a time for a riding trip.
Vintage bikes and trikes
Older and wider machines get extra attention. Tell us about anything fragile or unusual.
Three Ways to Ship a Motorcycle
Choose the level of protection that suits the bike and the trip.
| Open trailer | Enclosed trailer | Crated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it travels | Chocked and strapped on an open trailer | Chocked and strapped inside a covered trailer | Strapped to a pallet or inside a crate |
| Protection | Exposed to weather and road spray | Fully covered | Fully enclosed and immobilized |
| Cost | Lowest | Higher | Varies, often highest |
| Best for | Short trips and everyday bikes | Most motorcycles, especially valuable ones | Very long distances and collector bikes |
How to Prepare a Motorcycle for Shipping
A little preparation protects your bike and speeds up the handoff. Work through this list a day or two before pickup.
Clean it. Dirt hides scratches and makes the inspection less reliable. Wash the bike and dry it thoroughly.
Photograph everything. Take clear pictures of both sides, the tank, the fairings, the exhaust, the wheels, and the odometer. Close-ups of existing marks are especially useful.
Lower the fuel. About a quarter of a tank is right. It is enough to ride on and off the trailer, and it keeps the weight down. If the bike has a manual petcock, turn it off.
Check for leaks. A motorcycle that drips oil or fuel may be refused by the carrier. Fix leaks first, or tell us about them.
Charge the battery and check the tires. The bike should start and roll freely. Tires should hold normal pressure, since a soft tire can shift in a chock.
Remove or secure the extras. Take off loose luggage, tank bags, GPS units, and phone mounts. Empty the saddlebags. If the saddlebags or windshield detach easily, consider removing and packing them. Fold in the mirrors if they fold.
Disable the alarm. An alarm that sounds for three states does nobody any good. Switch it off, or leave written instructions.
Hand over the keys, and keep a spare. The driver needs one to release the steering lock and to start the bike if required.
Tell us about anything unusual: a low front fender, an extended fork, wide bars, a sidecar, or a bike that does not run. With that information we can send the right equipment the first time.
Motorcycle Shipping Questions
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?
Usually less than shipping a car on the same route. The price depends on distance, the size of the bike, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Call us with the make and model for an exact quote.
How is a motorcycle secured?
The front wheel sits in a chock that holds the bike upright. Soft tie straps then compress the suspension slightly and anchor the bike at several points, so it cannot tip or roll. Straps are placed on the frame or the forks, not on painted or chromed parts.
Should I ship my motorcycle open or enclosed?
Enclosed is the safer choice for most bikes, because so much of the finish is exposed. Open transport is fine for shorter trips and for bikes you are not worried about getting dirty.
Does the bike need to run?
No, but tell us if it does not. A non-running bike has to be pushed or winched on, and the carrier needs to plan for that.
Can I leave things in the saddlebags?
Please empty them. Insurance covers the motorcycle and not its contents, and loose items can shift.
Do I need to drain the fuel or disconnect the battery?
No. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. The battery can stay connected unless the carrier asks otherwise, though the alarm should be turned off.
Can you ship my bike to a rally or a track day?
Yes. Tell us the event dates and where you are staying. We plan delivery a day or two ahead and can arrange the return trip at the same time.
Can you ship more than one motorcycle?
Yes. Several bikes from the same address can travel together, which usually lowers the cost for each.
How far ahead should I book motorcycle transport?
One to two weeks is usually enough. Before major rallies, carriers that specialize in bikes fill up, so book three to four weeks ahead if your delivery is tied to an event.
Can you ship a trike or a bike with a sidecar?
Yes. They take more floor space than a two-wheeled motorcycle and are priced accordingly. Give us the overall width and length.
Is there a deposit?
No. You pay on delivery, and the price matches your quote.
Ready to Ship Your Motorcycle?
Call with the make, model, and route for an exact quote, or start with the online tool.