Whether you’re moving cross country or heading to a new military base, shipping your motorcycle will save you the time and hassle of moving it yourself. However, choosing the right motorcycle shipping company to fit your needs can be a challenge.
In this article, our team will review the five best motorcycle shipping companies on the market to help you decide which one is best for your situation. We’ll explain each provider’s services, state availability, and average costs. We’ll also cover each motorcycle transporter’s industry standing and customer service ratings, along with its overall pros and cons.
To ensure you get the best available price, we recommend reaching out to transporters for motorcycle shipping quotes.
In this article:
- Top 5 Motorcycle Shipping Companies
- What Affects The Cost Of Motorcycle Shipping?
- Types Of Motorcycle Shipping Services
- How Do I Choose A Motorcycle Shipping Company?
- Frequently Asked Questions: Motorcycle Shipping Companies
- Methodology
Top 5 Motorcycle Shipping Companies
We reviewed every major motorcycle shipping provider in the industry to determine the best shipping companies. We paid particular attention to reputation, cost, services, and the customer experience. Based on our research, the top five motorcycle shipping companies are:
- #1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
- #2 AmeriFreight: Best Discounts
- #3 Motorcycle Shippers: Best For Express Shipping
- #4 HaulBikes: Best Motorcycle Specialist
- #5 uShip: Best Motorcycle Shipping Marketplace
Keep reading to learn more about each provider based on our secret shopper analysis.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Type of company: Broker
Services: Enclosed, door-to-door, expedited, Hawaii, and international shipping
State availability: 50
Motorcycle insurance coverage: Yes
Average cost: $825
Montway Auto Transport is one of the most well-known auto and motorcycle transporters in the market. The company offers several shipping options for your motorcycle, ATV, or scooter.
Montway Auto Transports works with over 15,000 carriers nationwide, which it vets and checks for insurance credentials. The shipping broker has stellar customer service ratings, holding accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a BBB customer rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, and a 4.5-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot.
Your rate from Montway includes up to $7,000 in motorcycle insurance. You can purchase additional insurance coverage for an extra fee. The insurance covers any damage caused to the bike during shipping.
You can read more in our complete Montway Auto Transport review.
AmeriFreight: Best Discounts
Type of company: Broker
Services: Open, enclosed, door-to-door, and terminal-to-terminal shipping
State availability: 50
Motorcycle insurance coverage: Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage available at an additional cost
Average cost: $1,010
Unlike most motorcycle shipping companies, AmeriFreight offers discounts for a wide variety of customers, including military personnel, students, and senior citizens. While AmeriFreight’s motorcycle shipping quotes are average compared to those of competitors, these discounts help reduce costs. The motorcycle transporter ships bikes, ATVs, and scooters to all 50 states, offering enclosed transport and door-to-door delivery options.
AmeriFreight holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.9-star customer rating on the site. It also has a 4.7-star rating on Google, backed by over 3,200 reviews. Customers frequently mention AmeriFreight’s timeliness and competitive pricing.
The company vets all of its motorcycle carriers for insurance coverage and customer satisfaction ratings. The shipping broker also offers four add-on insurance coverage plans – called AFta – that cover any gaps in protection that the carrier’s policies won’t cover.
Learn more in our in-depth AmeriFreight review.
Motorcycle Shippers: Best For Express Shipping
Type of company: Broker
Services: Classic service, economy service, and enclosed, door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, and expedited shipping
State availability: 50 (only outbound to Hawaii and Alaska)
Motorcycle insurance coverage: Yes
Average cost: $830
Motorcycle Shippers offers two services for motorcycle transport: classic service and economy service. With classic service, your motorcycle is secured on a special pallet with soft straps in an enclosed trailer. The transit time is faster, and you can add VIP shipping to choose your pickup and delivery dates for an extra fee. Economy service doesn’t offer your motorcycle a perimeter of protection, and the shipping time is slower.
Motorcycle Shippers also offers shipping services for these vehicles:
- ATVs
- UTVs
- Trikes
- Slingshots®
- Golf carts
- E-bikes
All shipments are enclosed trailer transport with the option of door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal delivery. The company provides $7,000 in valuation coverage with no deductible, and you can purchase additional coverage.
Motorcycle Shippers holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB, as well as a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot. Customers praise the broker for its affordable motorcycle shipping rates and short transport time frames.
HaulBikes: Best Motorcycle Specialist
Company: Broker
Services: Enclosed, door-to-door delivery
State availability: 48
Motorcycle insurance coverage: Yes
Average cost: $699
HaulBikes’ staff and its network of carriers are motorcycle enthusiasts and owners. The company offers enclosed transport and door-to-door delivery, transporting only the following vehicles to 48 states:
- Motorcycles
- ATVs
- Trikes
- Scooters
HaulBikes offers $15,000 of insurance with a $500 deductible for each shipping order. You can purchase further coverage for an additional fee.
The company’s reviews on the BBB’s website are low, with a 1.1-star average rating from only 43 customer reviews. However, over 12,000 customers have reviewed the company on Trustpilot, giving it a 4.0-star rating. Positive reviews praise HaulBikes’ customer service and shipping quality, while negative reviews highlight scheduling issues with pickup and delivery dates with carriers.
uShip: Best Motorcycle Shipping Marketplace
Type of company: Marketplace
Services: Open, enclosed, door-to-door, expedited, and international shipping
State availability: 50
Motorcycle insurance coverage: Additional cost
Average cost: $575
Standing out from other motorcycle shipping companies, uShip is neither a motorcycle carrier nor a motorcycle broker. Instead, the company operates as an auto and motorcycle shipping marketplace for carriers to bid on customers’ shipment requests. Using uShip can be an excellent option to reduce your research time since the company presents you with multiple quotes at once.
While uShip has many positive attributes, it’s important to be aware of its relationship with carriers. Unlike standard brokers, uShip doesn’t vet carriers, and any company can make a free profile. Carriers can also choose whether or not to include their Department of Transportation certification number and insurance registration.
The uShip marketplace holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.6-star consumer rating on the site. Many customers like the company’s easy-to-use online platform, mobile-app tracking service, and ongoing communication throughout the shipping process. Common customer complaints usually address carriers rather than uShip itself.
You can read more in our full uShip review.
What Affects The Cost Of Motorcycle Shipping?
Many factors affect motorcycle shipping costs, from distance to the type of bike you want to transport. We’ve highlighted several of these cost factors below to help you know what to expect when shipping your bike.
- Miles traveled: While long-distance shipments offer lower rates per mile than trips of shorter distances, the overall cost is higher. Based on motorcycle shipping quotes we received from multiple companies, transporting a motorcycle 520 miles costs an average of $870, while a 1,660-mile trip costs about $1,045 on average.
- Type of transport: Open carrier transport is the most affordable shipping option. You’ll pay more for enclosed carrier transport, but it offers more peace of mind that your bike is protected. It’s a good option for luxury bikes in particular.
- Type of delivery: You’ll pay more for door-to-door than terminal-to-terminal shipping since the carrier picks your bike up and drops it off as close to your door as possible.
- Time of year: There’s higher demand for motorcycle shipping services in January and the summer, which increases shipping prices during those times.
- Carrier competition: When you use a marketplace-style service, higher competition between motorcycle carrier bids means lower shipping prices.
- Vehicle size: The type of motorcycle affects how much you’ll pay for shipping and even whether it can be shipped. Some brokers, like HaulBikes, will not ship a motorcycle if it’s over 58 inches tall.
- Insurance and service fees: These costs may impact the price you pay to ship your motorcycle, especially if you opt for additional insurance coverage.
Types Of Motorcycle Shipping Services
Motorcycle transport companies offer a variety of services. The cost of your motorcycle shipment will vary based on the types of services you choose. For example, door-to-door delivery is more expensive than terminal-to-terminal delivery. However, sometimes it all comes down to what services the shipper provides.
Here are the motorcycle shipping services you’ll likely come across in your research:
- Open motorcycle transport: Your bike will be exposed to weather conditions and road debris. Not many shipping companies offer open transport for motorcycles.
- Enclosed motorcycle transport: Your motorcycle will be transported in an enclosed trailer or shipping container. This shipping method is commonly used by motorcycle shipping companies because it helps prevent damage.
- Door-to-door delivery: Door-to-door shipping is widely used in motorcycle transport. The carrier picks your motorcycle up and drops it off as close to your home or location as possible.
- Terminal-to-terminal delivery: You pick your motorcycle up and drop it off at a predetermined location that has other vehicle shipments. Most major providers don’t offer terminal-to-terminal shipping.
- Expedited shipping: If you’re on a time constraint, you may have the option to pay for expedited shipping. Motorcycles can usually ship within a few days.
How Do I Choose A Motorcycle Shipping Company?
High-quality motorcycle shipping companies work with vetted and insured motor carriers. You should seek out cost-effective companies that have positive customer ratings, offer instant quotes, and provide additional insurance coverage for losses or damages.
You may also want to consider the company’s years in business, its industry ratings, and the number of motorcycles it ships each year. This can help ensure the company you’re working with is reputable and trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions: Motorcycle Shipping Companies
What is the best motorcycle shipping company?
Based on our research, Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Motorcycle Shippers, HaulBikes, and uShip are the best motorcycle shipping companies. Each scored highly in our reputation, cost, shipping services, and customer experience rating categories.
How much does it cost to ship my motorcycle?
The average motorcycle shipping cost is about $1,140 for a 1,500-mile trip. Shipping costs vary due to several factors, including mileage and whether you’re using open or enclosed transport.
Is uShip safe for motorcycles?
Yes, uShip’s motorcycle carriers are safe to use for transport. Note that uShip works with many carriers but doesn’t vet them. Any company can make a free profile, and they’re not required to add their Department of Transportation certification number and insurance registration to appeal to customers.
How can I ship a motorcycle cheaply?
The cheapest way to ship a motorcycle is open transport, terminal-to-terminal delivery.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of car shipping companies to formulate rankings of the best transporters. Providers receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Reputation: Shippers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of shipping routes, distances, and vehicles. Companies with lower prices and many discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Services: This rating is based on types of auto transport services available, insurance coverage, and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates.
- Customer Experience: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each car transporter.
