Affordable motorcycle shipping doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
The problem is that there are too many riders overspending on motorcycle shipping without fully understanding how the industry works.
At over 2.1 billion dollars, the worldwide motorcycle shipping service market size is only expected to grow by 6.7% per year going forward.
Savvy shippers who understand the different motorcycle shipping options available to them can pocket the hundreds of dollars in savings and know exactly how to time their motorcycle shipments.
The truth is that low-cost motorcycle shipping requires more than just a working knowledge of the rate structures. It also requires knowledge of the best times to book, weighing the costs and benefits of open versus enclosed transport, and not getting fooled by the out-of-town rate myth.
What you’ll discover:
- Why Are Motorcycle Shipping Prices So Variable?
- Timing Your Motorcycle Shipment to Save Money
- Open or Enclosed Transport: Which is Best?
- How Distance Affects Motorcycle Shipping Pricing
- Tips and Tricks for Saving Money When Shipping Motorcycles
Why Are Motorcycle Shipping Prices So Variable?
The first thing that jumps out when you start requesting motorcycle shipping quotes is the wide variance between carriers and services. Some companies quote you $400 for a route, and others offer estimates more than triple that amount.
The reason is that motorcycle shipping is actually based on a bidding system that few riders are aware of.
Your initial price quote is not the real cost of the shipment. Instead, it is only a placeholder that the company will use once you agree to book with them. The company then takes your request and posts it in an online auction. Truck drivers will then bid on your job, with the winning carrier providing the actual service.
The end price can often be 25% higher than the initial quote. However, booking at least two weeks out in advance can ensure lower price markups. Carriers will have had time to research the route and logistics before bidding, usually submitting more competitive offers in the process.
The Cost Breakdown
Motorcycle shipping costs are known to average between $300 and $1,000, with the most common shipments ranging from $500 to $940.
Distance is the largest factor when calculating shipping costs:
- Short distance (less than 500 miles): $300-$500
- Mid-range (500-1500 miles): $500-$800
- Long distance (cross-country): $800-$1,200+
Mileage rates typically range from $.50 per mile to $1.50 per mile. However, something not known to many is that longer distances actually charge lower per-mile fees.
Timing Your Motorcycle Shipment to Save Money
Timing motorcycle shipments correctly is one of the easiest ways to save big money and ship at the best possible prices.
Peak motorcycle shipping seasons like spring and summer create pricing surges that quickly add up. High-demand months see soaring prices, just like any other industry. After all, the shipping companies are in business to make money.
Booking a motorcycle shipment with flexibility is a great way to save money by shipping in the off-season. Winter months typically offer discounts of up to 30% off summer pricing.
Tip: Late fall and early winter tend to be the lowest-cost windows to ship. Carriers even provide better service in slower shipping months.
Seasonal Shipping Trends
Motorcycle shipping companies experience specific high and low seasons that cause pricing to fluctuate. Seasonal demand increases backed up by Department of Transportation statistics.
Spring and summer are high-demand seasons when the call for motorcycle shipping skyrockets. Riders know the best riding weather is right around the corner, so they prepare to ship their bikes. This demand causes an upward spike in pricing as carriers enjoy the supply and demand imbalance.
Shipping in the offseason is a strategic way to avoid this seasonal bottleneck.
Open or Enclosed Transport: Which is Best?
Choosing the right type of motorcycle transport is critical to cost and safety.
Open transport is the least expensive type of shipping as the motorcycles travel on open trailers. Open trailers allow bikes to be shipped at large discount rates, but also create risk for damage and weather exposure.
Enclosed transport is a premium shipping type as the motorcycles will be wrapped in protection. Rates are considerably higher for enclosed transport services.
However, did you know that many of the best motorcycle shipping companies don’t offer open transport options?
Motorcycle shipping is a liability nightmare when shipping on open trailers. Claims for damages from rocks, road debris, or weather conditions happen all too often. Because of this liability, many of the best motorcycle shippers steer away from the open transport options.
Open vs Enclosed Transport
Open transport services for motorcycles provide the best possible value for standard motorcycles under $15,000. Risk of significant damage is low, and the savings from open shipping are real.
However, high-value or special bikes like Harleys or custom choppers need protected shipping. Enclosed transport is the way to go for any bike over $20,000 or classic bikes of value.
How Distance Affects Motorcycle Shipping Pricing
Distance plays a critical factor in motorcycle shipping costs, but it’s not as obvious as it seems.
It is known that long cross-country shipments usually provide the best per-mile shipping prices, but there is more to the story. Carriers have the ability to optimize trailer space and minimize cost for long-haul deliveries.
Distance includes more than just mileage, however.
Route difficulty plays a key role in pricing as well. If the routes are remote or hard to reach, or if the carrier will need to fuel and rest often, then the mileage rates will increase. For these reasons, urban-to-urban travel is the best-priced option.
Meeting a carrier at a shipping center or local truck stop is the easiest way to guarantee a shipping discount.
Geographic Pricing Reality
Rates are best between major metropolitan areas that carriers can more easily find backhaul loads to return on. High-volume routes like Los Angeles to Phoenix offer the lowest shipping costs.
Rural routes or shipments to small towns, remote areas, or up into the mountains often command a premium over city-to-city delivery rates.
Tips and Tricks for Saving Money When Shipping Motorcycles
Saving money when shipping motorcycles is an art form, and the following tips will get you started in the right direction.
Compare quotes from multiple carriers and then dig into their real-world customer reviews and reputations. Being flexible with shipment dates is another trick to save money, as carriers have an easier time slotting you into existing routes.
Shipping multiple motorcycles at once also offers volume discounts that no rider should overlook.
Did you know that most basic motorcycle shipping insurance doesn’t even cover the total value of your bike? It pays to purchase additional coverage above and beyond the carrier’s minimum.
Prepare your motorcycle before shipment with a clean bike and the removal of personal items. Documenting the state of your motorcycle with date-stamped pictures prior to shipment is also always a great move to protect yourself from fraudulent damage claims.
Meeting the carrier at their shipping facility instead of requiring door-to-door pickup can save $100-$200 per end.
Maximizing Value When Shipping
Affordable motorcycle shipping is not just about finding the lowest rates possible. The goal is to maximize value while also protecting the investment you made in your bike.
Book early to ensure the best pricing, be flexible with dates when you ship, and do not go with the lowest price without verifying a carrier’s history and reviews.
With the motorcycle shipping industry expected to grow 5% per year for the foreseeable future, demand will continue to outpace supply. Acquiring a baseline knowledge of the best motorcycle shipping tips will set you up to save money in the future and have a stress-free experience each time.
The most important lesson of all? Savvy shippers consistently pay 20% to 40% less by researching and comparing carriers. Educating yourself a little bit about the process can save you a lot in the end.
