Do you need to ship your precious motorcycle to a new city you’re relocating to, but are wondering how much it’ll cost you?
On the other hand, you might also have recently bought or sold a motorcycle and need to ship it to/from its existing location. While you don’t want to compromise on the safety of your motorcycle, you also don’t want to end up overpaying to ship it.
In this post, we’ll help you understand the 10 key factors that affect motorcycle shipping rates and how you can get the best deal possible.
The 10 Key Factors That Decide Motorcycle Shipping Rates
1. Distance to Destination
The most important factor in any shipping cost is the distance to the destination. The farther away your destination, the more it’ll cost to ship a motorcycle. While the overall cost of shipping to far-away locations is high, you might end up getting a discount on the per-mile shipping cost if the distance is considerable.
For instance, the per-mile cost to ship a motorcycle across 100 miles is more than the cost to ship it across 1,000 miles. However, the overall cost of the latter will be more than the former.
2. Weight of Your Motorcycle
Just like the distance to your destination, your motorcycle’s weight also directly impacts the shipping cost. The heavier your motorcycle, the more it’ll cost to load and unload, and the greater the motorcycle shipping rates.
3. The Make and Model of Your Motorcycle
Apart from the weight of your motorcycle, its make and model also affect the shipping costs. This is the reason you’ll find all motorcycle shipping companies asking for the make and model of your motorcycle before giving you a quote.
This could be because some motorcycles are antique or highly expensive. Simply put, heavier motorcycles require more effort from the shipper, thus increasing the cost of its transportation.
4. Shipping Method
There are three shipping methods you can use to ship your motorcycle. Here’s how each of them affects motorcycle shipping rates:
- Open Carriers: Your motorcycle will travel with several others aboard an open container. While it’ll be secured in place with specialized equipment, it will also be exposed to natural elements during transit. However, open carrier shipping is the cheapest shipping method for motorcycle transportation.
- Enclosed Shipping: This method involves transporting your motorcycle in an enclosed container, ensuring maximum protection from moisture, heat, and dust. However, this method costs more compared to open carriers.
- Expedited Shipping: If you need to ship your motorcycle on a tight schedule, this is the method for you. While it will ensure the timely delivery of your motorcycle, it’s also the costliest.
5. Shipping Destination and Location
Apart from distance, the nature of the destination also plays an important role in determining motorcycle shipping rates. For instance, shipping to or from an urban location with good highway connectivity will cost considerably less than shipping to a rural area or one with poor highway connectivity.
So, to get the best rates for shipping your motorcycle to a rural area or one with poor highway access, compare the shipping rate to a nearby urban hub.
6. Prevailing Fuel Costs
The prevailing fuel costs play a significant role in determining the per-mile cost of shipping motorcycles. This is because the carrier will always pass on the prevailing fuel costs to you by factoring them into the per-mile shipping cost.
7. Your Motorcycle’s Condition
The condition of your motorcycle is another key factor that affects shipping costs. For example, it’ll cost you considerably more to move a broken-down or non-operational motorcycle compared to one that’s in optimal working condition.
This is because it’ll cost the carrier more to load, unload, and move the motorcycle during transit.
8. Accessory Services
Accessory services are additional services you can avail of to ensure extra security or speed during transit. These include white glove handling, expedited transport, and residential deliveries. You can expect accessory services to add to the base cost of motorcycle shipping.
9. Seasonal Demand
If you request a motorcycle shipping quote in December and then again in March, you’ll likely see a drastic difference. This is largely due to carrier availability: more people ship motorcycles during the holidays or the Summer. This reduces carrier availability and drives up motorcycle shipping rates.
So, if you want the best rates, avoid shipping during peak seasons like the Summer or the holidays.
10. Insurance Costs
The last factor that affects motorcycle shipping costs is insurance. FMCSA regulations require all carriers to provide insurance coverage for every shipment they accept and deliver. Wth the fuel costs, the carrier is likely to pass on the insurance cost to you.
However, this is also very important as it’ll help you eliminate or minimize the possibility of financial loss due to accidental damage.
Ready to Ship Your Motorcycle?
Getting to know the factors that influence motorcycle shipping rates can help you make smarter, more cost-effective decisions. While aspects like distance and weight are fixed, others—such as your chosen shipping method, timing, and additional services—are within your control.
To get the best value, compare multiple quotes, consider shipping during off-peak seasons, and opt for an open carrier when possible. With the right planning, you can ensure safe, timely, and affordable motorcycle delivery.
