10 Questions to Ask a Motorcycle Shipping Company Before You Pay a Deposit
It’s now easy to buy a bike that’s two states away, but it’s when you get it home that people end up losing money.
The error is nearly always identical: a person spots a well-conditioned used cruiser in Florida or a project bike in Ohio, dials the first number that appears when searching online, is offered a price that seems very attractive, and then pays a deposit just ten minutes after the phone call begins. Three weeks later, however, the bike hasn’t been sold, the price has been altered, and no one answers the calls.
It is more difficult to transport motorcycles than cars. They are top-heavy, they lack a frame that can support tie-downs, and if a single strap is placed in the wrong spot it could bend the fork or crack the fairing. The company that you employ should have the kind of equipment and habits suitable for two-wheel vehicles. You can find out within a single phone call whether they do.
1. Are you a broker or the carrier hauling my bike?
The majority of businesses on the internet are brokers; they organise the transportation and then get it sent to a carrier who owns the truck. This is entirely normal and often advantageous, since brokers have access to hundreds of routes which a single carrier cannot cover.
What is important is being honest on the subject. If a broker states ‘we look after everything in-house’ yet puts your bike on a load board, then the company will also be vague about the important matters later on. You should ask directly and find out how they check the carriers they dispatch.
What is your MC number?
All interstate operators have to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; you should ask for the number and then check it yourself in the free SAFER Company Snapshot database to make sure the authority is active and to note the length of time it has been in existence.
Any genuine motorcycle shipping company will anticipate this question and respond to it within a few seconds.
3. Exactly how will my bicycle be secured?
It is this question which distinguishes specialists from generalists; the right answer consists of a wheel chock or cradle to keep the front wheel upright, soft straps attached to the lower part of the triple clamp or to the handlebars, and compression applied to the suspension so that the bicycle cannot rebound when going over rough pavement.
Examples of incorrect methods are securing the bike to the frame, using ratchet straps directly on painted surfaces, or dragging the bike by its kickstand. If the person on the phone is unable to explain how they secured the bike, then they must not have tied down many bikes.
4. Is my motorcycle ridden alone or does it share the trailer with the cars?
The two methods are both used; some carriers use bike trailers that have several chocks, while others load the motorcycles onto the roof of a conventional vehicle trailer, either with the aid of a lift or in the area above a car.
That doesn’t mean it’s automatically bad; instead, you should find out if anything can get into your bike and whether the driver has previously towed motorcycles or if he is just helping with yours this time.
What specific coverage does the insurance provide?
Request the insurance certificate from the insurer, not a screenshot, and then obtain three figures: the cargo coverage limit, the deductible, and the party who will pay the deductible if an incident occurs.
Find out as well what method is used to determine the value. A 1978 CB750 that has been restored to concours condition is not worth its book value, and if your insurance policy is based on actual cash value it will not cover you completely. If your bike has real value, make sure you have the agreed value in writing before the bike is loaded.
6. What is the cost for open, enclosed, or crate-packed goods on my route?
The three methods cannot be used in place of one another, and the price difference is genuine. The following shows how typical prices will look in the domestic US market in 2026, and can be used as a sanity check rather than as a quotation.
| Open trailer | $300 to $950 depending on distance | Daily riders, standard street bikes, used purchases |
| Enclosed trailer | 30% to 60% above open, often $500 to $1,600 | Custom builds, vintage bikes, anything under warranty |
| Crated | Adds roughly $200 to $500 in crating fees | International shipping, non-rolling bikes, very high value |
For the majority of jobs the rate per mile is about $0.40 to $1.00, although shorter trips cost a lot more per mile and longer cross-country journeys cost a lot less; a 2,000-mile move using an open carrier usually amounts to between $850 and $1,200.
7. Does my bicycle need to roll and start?
Most carriers insist that the bike be rolled over when it is loaded, even if the bike does not run. In most cases, a non-runner which can both roll and steer will incur a small extra charge, this charge usually being between $50 and $150. A bike that is seized and therefore cannot roll must use a lift gate or a crate, which in turn changes the whole price category.
Tell them the truth upfront. A driver who arrives to find a locked-up engine either refuses the load or charges on the spot, and you have no leverage in a driveway.
8. What is the realistic pickup window and transit time?
Instead request a window rather than a specific date. Standard domestic motorcycle shipping takes one to five days for pickup and five to ten days for transit on longer routes, although the duration can vary depending on lane density and the season.
Bikes are most commonly bought, sold and moved during the spring and summer months, with prices usually increasing by 10 to 20 per cent. In that case, if you can wait until late fall you’ll pay less and will also get your bike collected more quickly.
9. At what time will the deposit be charged and what occurs if I cancel?
The required payment is made at the time of dispatch, that is, after a particular carrier has agreed to carry your shipment, with the remainder to be paid upon delivery. Any deposits collected before dispatch must be fully refundable, and the terms should state this in writing.
Do not use a wire transfer or Cash App to make the payment; if any problems arise, card payments will result in a dispute.
10. Explain to me how your damage claim process works
Ask this even if you expect nothing to go wrong. You want to hear about the bill of lading, the condition report signed at pickup, photo documentation, the claim window, and who handles it.
An experienced dispatcher explains this fluently because they process claims regularly. A company that gets uncomfortable is telling you how the conversation will go if your tank arrives scratched.
Prep the bike before the truck arrives.
Clean the bike so that the damage which is already there can be seen in the photos.:
● Take photos of each panel, wheel, and the odometer, and make sure each one has a timestamp.
● Drop the fuel to roughly a quarter tank.
● Disable or disconnect the alarm, and note the battery tender situation
● Fold or remove mirrors, and remove loose luggage, GPS units, and helmets.
● If you notice any leaks, report them, since a dripping bike above a car is a problem.
● Hand over one key and keep the spare
Frequently asked questions
How many days in advance should you book?
For most routes, two weeks is best, since it lets more carriers bid on your job, reducing the price and widening the pickup window.
Is the cost of enclosed transport worth it?
In most cases, no, when it comes to a standard commuter bike. However, it is worth the extra money if you have a custom paint job, a vintage bike, or a new bike which is still under warranty.
Can I send a motorcycle along with some of its possessions in the saddlebags?
Most cargo carriers say that it’s not possible. This is because loose items are generally not included in the cargo insurance and add weight that the driver did not declare.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
Someone does. You or a designated person must sign the bill of lading at both ends, and the delivery inspection is your only window to note damage before signing.
The bottom line
The company that answers all ten of these questions plainly is almost always the one that will get your bike home intact. Price matters, but a quote that undercuts the market by hundreds of dollars is not a discount; it is a bid no carrier will accept.
Get three written quotes, run this list, and pay attention to who talks about equipment and process rather than only price. That is the one to book.
