Discover the Cheapest Way to Ship a Motorcycle

You have a bike that needs to be shipped, but you don’t want to spend much money in the process. Whether you are relocating to another state, selling your motorcycle to a buyer living far away, or you are planning for a long trip and need your bike in another state when you get there, the cost of shipping your motorcycle becomes an important factor. 

Now let’s look at some economical ways and ideas to transport your motorcycle to the right place without breaking the bank.

DIY

Self-transportation is one of the most economical methods of transporting your motorcycle. If you have the time and the tools, it can indeed be a big money saver. 

It can be cheaper to rent a truck or a motorcycle trailer if you are okay with loading your bike and moving it around. Some of the companies that allow renting of trailers have special motorcycle trailers that are fitted with tie-downs and wheel chocks for your bike. Learn more here.

Another DIY option is a pickup truck. If you already own a pickup truck or you know someone who can let you borrow theirs, then congratulations because you’re good to go. Use ramps to secure your bike along with tie down straps and the wheel chock. 

Ensure that your bike is well-fastened to avoid any shifting during transportation. This method is perfect for short distances and can significantly reduce the amount of money you would have spent on shipping fees.

Open Transport

Open transport is also one of the cheapest professional shipment solutions you can try. Open transport is where your motorcycle is loaded on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It is the method employed by many shipping companies, and thus it is often the least expensive. 

Fortunately, it is a very popular service and you will be able to find a great number of providers to choose from and the competition will push the prices down. If your motorcycle is not some unique model or worth a lot, then using open transport should not be an issue. You can give this Affordable Motorcycle Shipping Guide a go if you’re curious to know more!

Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping

Depending on your choice, preferring to ship terminal to terminal instead of door to door may cost you a lot less money. This is not like the scenario where the shipping company comes to your home to pick up your motorcycle and delivers it to your doorstep, instead, one drops off the bike at one terminal and picks it from another near a particular location. 

Unlike the door-to-door delivery, terminal to terminal service reduces on labor and fuel expenses. This is what makes the service cheaper. This method is convenient in the sense that, most terminals operate for quite a long time of the day in terms of dropping and picking up cars or motorcycles. 

Group Shipping

Another good tip to avoid the high cost of shipping motorcycles is by taking advantage of group shipping deals. If you have friends or acquaintances who also require services to transport their motorcycles, try to synchronize the shipment. When one is transporting many bikes at a go, there are instances where shippers are able to offer discounted prices of transportation. 

You should check the motorcycle clubs and forums since there are many people in this community who are also searching for a platform to ship their bike. When you are sending multiple motorcycles at a go, it will cost you a lesser amount as most shipping companies offer special rates for bulk shipping. 

Off-Season Shipping

The timing of the shipment can also be another factor that will determine the overall cost of the service. Booking your moto shipping service during the off-peak season is an effective strategy for cutting costs. In particular, the costs vary depending on the time when the moving is to take place, with peak seasons like summer and early autumn being costlier due to heightened activity. 

If possible, do this during the cold season or early months of the year as less people would be moving and shipping their vehicles. You are also likely to find that shipping companies are more inclined to offer discounts during these periods, which will enable you to pay comparatively less.

Try Negotiating

When choosing a specific shipping company, do not hesitate to ask them to lower the rates they offer. Informing the company that you have received a better offer from another service and asking whether the company can match the offer is the best way to negotiate for a lower quote. 

Most businesses are willing to strike a deal, particularly with clients they do not want to lose. It is important that you be honest regarding the amount of money you have to spend and politely ask for the best price possible.