Motorbike Transport: Compare Motorcycle Shipping Quotes
Called motorbike transport in the UK and motorcycle shipping in the US, this service moves your bike on a van or trailer with proper strapping — no miles added, no winter ride. Smart Taurus lets you post the job free and compare quotes from verified motorbike couriers.
What is motorbike transport and when do you need it?
Motorbike transport is the professional movement of a motorcycle, scooter or trike, strapped to a wheel chock in a van or on a trailer. In the UK the common terms are "motorbike transport" and "motorbike courier"; in the US and Canada it is "motorcycle shipping" or "motorcycle transport". Riders use it when buying a bike from a distant seller or eBay auction, relocating, sending a bike to a race meet or show, moving a non-runner or project bike, or avoiding a long winter motorway ride. If you have bought the bike online, our eBay delivery service covers marketplace purchases too.
How much does motorcycle transport cost?
According to uShip's published averages, motorcycle shipping typically costs $200–$800. Where your job lands in that range depends on distance (per-mile rates drop sharply on longer routes — uShip reports ~$2.92 per mile under 200 miles versus ~$0.78 per mile over 1,000 miles across its marketplace), the bike's size and weight, whether it runs, crated versus uncrated service, pickup and delivery locations, and how quickly you need it. In the UK, shorter distances and dense transporter coverage mean many bike moves are filled as spare-capacity (backload) jobs, which keeps quotes competitive.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Distance | Biggest factor — higher total, lower per-mile cost on long routes |
| Crated vs uncrated | Crating adds cost (crate + labour) but maximum protection |
| Running vs non-running | Non-runners need loading equipment and cost more |
| Bike size and weight | Large tourers and cruisers cost more than small commuters |
| Timing flexibility | Flexible dates let transporters use spare capacity — cheaper |
Crated or uncrated: which is right for your bike?
Uncrated transport is the standard option for most bikes: the motorcycle is wheeled into a van or onto a trailer, secured in a wheel chock and strapped down with soft ties. It is cheaper, faster to arrange and fine for everyday and most valuable bikes when handled by an experienced transporter. Crated transport puts the bike inside a purpose-built wooden or metal crate — maximum protection for rare, vintage or very high-value machines, international shipments, or bikes travelling as palletised freight. Crating costs more because of the crate itself and the loading labour, and usually requires mirrors or screens to be removed.
How should you prepare a motorbike for transport?
A few minutes of preparation prevents most disputes and damage:
- Photograph the bike's condition from all angles (including the odometer) before pickup, and again at delivery.
- Follow your carrier's fuel instructions — many ask for a near-empty tank or fuel drained, especially for crated or freight shipments.
- Remove loose accessories — luggage, tank bags, GPS units, and anything that could rattle loose or go missing.
- Note existing damage in writing and share it with the transporter.
- Fold or remove mirrors if the transporter or crating requires it, and disable any alarm.
- Hand over keys and documents as agreed — confirm what the transporter needs.
Is your motorbike insured during transport?
Professional motorbike transporters carry goods-in-transit insurance, but cover limits and excesses vary — and a high-value bike can exceed a courier's standard limit. Before booking, check the transporter's profile and reviews on Smart Taurus, ask what their cover limit is, and confirm it comfortably exceeds your bike's value. Your own motorcycle policy generally does not cover the bike while it is being transported by a third party, so the carrier's cover is what matters.
How long does motorbike transport take?
It depends on distance and how your job is scheduled. Local and regional moves are often completed within a day or two of booking, since a bike fits easily into a courier van's round. Longer national or cross-country jobs are usually grouped with other deliveries along the route, so expect a collection and delivery window rather than an exact hour — the same spare-capacity scheduling that keeps prices down. If you need a guaranteed same-day or timed delivery, say so in the job post: dedicated runs are available, they simply cost more than flexible ones. Most transporters confirm timings when they quote, and Smart Taurus real-time tracking shows you where the job is once it is under way.
How does motorbike transport work on Smart Taurus?
- Post your job free with the bike's make and model, whether it runs, pickup and delivery locations, dates and photos.
- Receive quotes from verified motorbike transporters and compare prices, profiles and reviews.
- Compare, book, track and pay in the app — real-time tracking and secure in-app payment via Stripe.
Shipping a car as well? See car transport. Want to understand why marketplace quotes run cheaper? Read what is backloading, and see how to choose a transporter for comparing quotes.