Motorcycle transport
Ship a motorcycle without riding it yourself
A motorcycle needs different handling than a car — it has no third or fourth wheel to keep it upright, so tie-down method matters as much as trailer type. Velocity Auto Transport coordinates motorcycle shipping nationwide, matching each bike to a carrier equipped with proper wheel chocks and soft tie-downs rather than assuming any car-hauling truck can take it.
Written quotes for your actual route — no deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Who ships a motorcycle instead of riding it
This covers riders relocating and not wanting to make a long-distance ride, buyers who purchased a motorcycle from a distant seller or dealer, seasonal riders moving a bike between storage and a riding location, and owners of vintage, custom or high-value motorcycles who would rather not put miles on it at all. Multiple motorcycles from one household can often be coordinated together.
How motorcycle loading and securing works
A properly equipped carrier uses a front wheel chock to hold the bike upright without a rider, along with soft tie-down straps at multiple points to keep it stable during transport. This is different from strapping down a car, and not every general car carrier is set up to do it correctly, which is why we specifically match motorcycle loads to carriers with the right chocks and experience.
What we need for an accurate quote
Provide the motorcycle's make, model and approximate size or weight class, whether it runs and rolls normally, and any aftermarket additions like windshields, saddlebags or crash bars that stick out further than stock. Note if it is a trike or has an attached sidecar, since that changes the footprint and tie-down approach.
Preparing a motorcycle for pickup
Make sure the fuel tank is not overfilled, secure or remove loose panniers and accessories that are not permanently attached, and check that the kickstand and tires are in working order since the driver will need to move the bike into position. If the battery is weak, mention it, since the bike may need to be pushed into place manually.
Open versus enclosed for motorcycles
Motorcycles can ship on open equipment, often positioned among cars on a standard trailer, but enclosed transport is common for motorcycles specifically because it protects against road spray and weather in a way that matters more for an exposed bike than for a car's painted body panels. Enclosed also tends to pair naturally with the soft-strap securing method motorcycles need.
What affects availability for motorcycle transport
Fewer carriers specialize in or regularly carry motorcycles compared with the broader pool hauling cars, so availability can vary more by region and season. Motorcycle shipping demand often rises in spring as riders reposition bikes for the season, which can affect how quickly a truck is assigned.
The brokerage's role in a motorcycle shipment
Velocity's job is to find a carrier with the appropriate chocks, straps and motorcycle-handling experience for your specific bike, rather than treating it as a smaller version of a car shipment. The assigned carrier performs the physical loading, securing and delivery.
Inspection and delivery for a motorcycle
Photograph the motorcycle from multiple angles before pickup, including the fairings, tank and any custom paint or chrome, since these details matter more on a bike than they might on a car. At delivery, check the same areas and the tie-down points before signing off.
Related reading: how auto transport works, car shipping costs and the FAQ.
Velocity Auto Transport Group LLC is an auto transport brokerage. We arrange vehicle transportation through qualified motor carriers and coordinate your shipment from quote to delivery — the carrier assigned to your vehicle operates the truck.
Plan around this
What affects your shipment
- Confirm chock-and-strap equipment: Not every carrier is set up for proper motorcycle securing — this is matched specifically for bike loads.
- Disclose add-ons and accessories: Windshields, saddlebags and crash bars affect footprint and tie-down points.
- Spring demand surge: Motorcycle shipping requests often rise in spring as riders reposition bikes for the season.
- Multiple bikes from one household: Several motorcycles can sometimes be coordinated on the same load — mention the full group when requesting a quote.
Questions
Motorcycle Shipping questions
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Tell us the route, the vehicle and its condition. We review current carrier-market conditions for that lane and come back with a quote we can actually stand behind.