Ship your motorcycle anywhere in the United States — safely, insured, and on schedule. ABC Auto Shipping moves sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, custom builds, and vintage motorcycles door-to-door across all 50 states. Whether you’re relocating, buying or selling online, heading to a rally, or sending a bike to a restoration shop, we handle it with enclosed trailers, air-ride suspension, and transport specialists who ship motorcycles every single day.
Get a Free Motorcycle Shipping Quote →
Why Ship Your Motorcycle with ABC Auto Shipping?
- Enclosed and open carrier options to match your budget and bike’s value
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery — we come to your driveway, garage, or dealership
- 10+ years shipping motorcycles nationwide with thousand+ bikes delivered
- Professional loading crews trained on sport bikes, baggers, trikes, and custom builds
How Does Nationwide Motorcycle Shipping Work?
Shipping a motorcycle across the country with ABC Auto Shipping is a five-step process:
- Request a free quote with your pickup zip, delivery zip, and bike details (year, make, model, condition).
- Book your shipment and lock in your rate and pickup window.
- Your bike is picked up from your chosen address by a trained motorcycle transport specialist.
- We move it in an enclosed trailer or open carrier, secured with wheel chocks and soft-tie straps on air-ride suspension.
- Delivery to your door with a signed bill of lading and final inspection.
Most nationwide motorcycle shipments are delivered in 5 to 14 business days, depending on route and distance.
Palletized Motorcycle Transport or Shipping:
1. Palletization involves loading motorcycles onto wooden or metal pallets for transport. The bikes are secured with straps to prevent any movement while in transit.
2. Protection: Palletization offers an extra layer of protection during shipping, distributing weight evenly and reducing the risk of damage from shifting.
3. Efficiency: Palletized shipping is more efficient for handling multiple motorcycles at once, especially for larger shipments. It simplifies loading and stacking in containers or trucks.
4. Storage: Palletized motorcycles can be stored more efficiently in warehouses, allowing for stacking without risking damage.
5. Cost: While palletized motorcycle shipping may come with additional costs for pallets and equipment, the benefits of added protection and efficiency may outweigh the expenses for some shippers.
Non-Palletized Motorcycle Transport or Shipping:
1. Direct Loading: When it comes to non-palletized motorcycle shipping, motorcycles are loaded directly onto the shipping container or truck without the use of pallets. They are typically secured individually using straps, tie-downs, or wheel chocks.
2. Flexibility: Non-palletized shipping provides more flexibility in terms of loading and unloading motorcycles of various sizes and shapes. It allows for customized placement of motorcycles within the shipping container or truck.
3. Cost: Opting for non-palletized motorcycle shipping may be more cost-effective for smaller shipments or individual motorcycles, as it eliminates the need for pallets and associated handling costs.
4. Space: Keep in mind that non-palletized shipping may require more space compared to palletized shipping, as motorcycles need to be arranged individually within the shipping container or truck.
5. Handling: Non-palletized shipping demands careful handling to ensure that motorcycles are properly secured and protected during transit. Each motorcycle must be individually inspected and secured to prevent damage.
Palletized vs Non-Palletized Motorcycle Shipping: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | Palletized Shipping | Non-Palletized Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Multiple bikes, dealers, auctions | Single bike, custom bikes, budget moves |
| Cost | Slightly higher per bike (pallet fee) | Lower per bike |
| Protection | Even weight distribution, stackable | Direct strap-down with chocks |
| Flexibility on bike size | Standard sizes only | Handles oversized/custom bikes |
| Transit time | Sometimes longer (terminal stops) | Typically faster on direct routes |
| Handling | Simplified (forklift-friendly) | Requires manual, trained loading |
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping
A 10-minute prep protects your bike and speeds up pickup:
- Wash the bike so any existing scratches or chips are visible for the pre-transport inspection.
- Photograph all sides with timestamps — your own record for the bill of lading.
- Drain fuel to under ¼ tank to reduce weight and fire risk.
- Disable the alarm and leave one key with the driver.
- Remove loose accessories — GPS units, cameras, saddlebag contents, loose tools.
- Check tire pressure and fluids — a rollable bike loads faster and safer.
- Note any pre-existing damage clearly for the driver at pickup.
Due to the differences in motorcycle sizes, distances and the shipping methods, to start with, request an official quote on our website, “Get Free Quote” on top right.
For all your auto transport and motorcycle shipping needs, reach us by calling us at 1-877-686-5611 or preferably fill up our free quote request form.
