The 5 Best Companies to Ship a Motorcycle with in 2021

Move.org collected 120 quotes and compared five auto transporters’ features to find the most reliable motorcycle shipping companies. We also looked at things like population, traffic congestion, weather, and motorcycle laws to identify the top 10 cities for motorcyclists.

Our top pick: uShip’s online marketplace gives you the most flexibility for choosing a motorcycle transport carrier. While most companies give you one quote, uShip lets you choose from hundreds of providers to pick the price that’s best for you.

Best motorcycle shipping companies of 2021

• uShip: Best for comparing quotes
• Montway Auto Transport: Best for discounts
• Motorcycle Shippers: Best for convenience
• Haul Bikes: Best for bike safety
• AmeriFreight: Best for price matching

Compare motorcycle shipping companies

What should you look for in a motorcycle shipping company?

There are several things you should look for in a motorcycle shipping company:

1. Motorcycle expertise. Choose a company that specializes in motorcycle shipping. If you don’t see a reference to motorcycles on the company’s main website, you should probably move on to someone else.

2. Cost. Look to see if the company fits within your budget. You can also make things more convenient by finding a company that gives online quotes.

3. Availability. Make sure the auto transportation company provides services in both your departure and destination states. Most companies provide services in the continental US, but it can be trickier to find options in Alaska and Hawaii.

4. Transport type. Open transport is less expensive, but enclosed transport is ideal for motorcycles because it protects bikes from the weather.

5. Company reputation. Your motorcycle is your baby. Don’t hand it over to just anyone. Make sure the company has a solid reputation in online reviews before committing.

6. Insurance coverage. All auto transport companies must carry insurance, but there are some that go above and beyond. Chances are your bike is valuable, so look for a company that offers additional insurance options.

uShip is to the auto transport world as Angie’s List is to the average consumer. In short, it’s an online hub for shipping services. You post things you need moved and uShip funnels competing bids for those moves, then links you with the companies you’re interested in.

uShip is the smart, streamlined way to see all your motorcycle transport service options in one place, making the process of finding a motorcycle move specific to your needs easy as pie.

Why we recommend using uShip to ship your motorcycle

It lets you see all your options

The reason uShip floats straight to the top is simple: you can find the best motorcycle move for your budget here more easily than anywhere else. With uShip, you can search the parameters of your move, and it’ll pull a bunch of quotes from various companies for you to peruse.

Plus, uShip has a state-of-the-art graph that shows the low, medium, and high bids of your shipment and then aligns various companies’ bids on the spectrum so you can visually compare the costs.

But uShip doesn’t stop there. If you’re interested in a specific company and want to look into it more, uShip has a whole section of company reviews so you can make an even more informed decision.

You can set your own price

On uShip, you take the driver’s seat (or in this case, the throttle) by naming your price on a shipment. If you don’t want to sift through your options after you’ve listed the details of your shipment, you can narrow your search by price and let companies that fit the bill come to you to talk business.

Not only does this help you stay within budget, it speeds up the shopping process if you already know what you want in a move.

Feel free to give our uShip review a read if you want to know more.

Montway is another favorite in the auto transport world, but just as Montway provides superior car shipping services, it’s no different when it comes to motorcycle transport.

Why we recommend using Montway for motorcycle shipping

No size limit on vehicle

Since shipping reservations are based on open car-sized slots in a truck, Montway treats every motorcycle move the same as the move of a small sedan or coupe. Because of this, there are zero limitations on the size, weight, and height of your motorcycle—a perk that is not easy to come by.

Also, Montway ships every motorcycle with enclosed transport, so you can be sure your ride is getting top-notch protection on the road. Your motorcycle will ride comfortably with a car-sized spot to itself and stay safe from debris, dirt, or anything else that could scuff its custom paint job up.

So although the cost of moving your motorcycle is the same as moving a small car, if your biggest worry is having your motorcycle damaged during transport, it might be worth the extra dough to know your hog is safe.

Discounts galore

Montway offers the most discounts of any company in the industry—and they’re discounts that make a real difference on the final bill.

From rewarding its returning customers to saluting the armed forces, here’s a full list of discounts Montway offers:

• Military
• First responders
• Students
• Senior citizens
• Early bird
• Return customer
• Multiple vehicle

Montway also offers a cash discount on every move, since most truck drivers prefer to be paid in stacks anyway.

If you want to know more about our number-one company, check out our Montway review.

With a name dedicated to the craft, Motorcycle Shippers prides itself on doing the job right.

There are lots of things to like about Motorcycle Shippers: The company offers quick motorcycle delivery service, generous valuation coverage, and a quote generator as painless as we’ve ever used.

Why we recommend using Motorcycle Shippers

Instant quotes—that are actually instant

Motorcycle Shippers offers transparent and up-front prices, and its user-friendly quote generator makes it easy to figure out what these are.

Without requiring you to give any personal information beyond the basics of your move, Motorcycle Shippers’s quote generator can spit out a quote within seconds.

With most quotes, the price increases based on added features such as premium service. But with Motorcycle Shippers, there are no added fuel charges, no added costs to ship straight to your home, and no lift gate costs or other hidden fees.

So unless you tack on extra services after you get a quote, the price will be pretty spot on—allowing you to budget to the penny.

VIP express shipping available

One of the biggest reasons Motorcycle Shippers stands out from the crowd is its premium shipping service. With express shipping, you can set your own pickup and delivery dates in certain areas for $200 extra.

A standard motorcycle shipment will take three to four weeks, but with VIP shipping, Motorcycle Shippers will prioritize your shipment by sending the first truck available for pick up and delivery—which could significantly shorten your shipment time.

Paying more in premium shipping costs means the difference between scheduling your life around a potential pickup date and getting your bike in time for the next motorcycle rally.

No matter the brand of bike you ride, motorcyclists alike can agree that the folks at HAULBIKES know what they’re doing—in part because all HAULBIKES professionals are motorcycle pros themselves. HAULBIKES’s bread and butter is motorcycle transport, so its equipment and shipping methods are tailored to accommodate any motorcycle-shipping scenario.

While HAULBIKES isn’t as widely available as some national brands, its experience makes up for it if you’re in its service area.

Why we recommend using HAULBIKES when shipping your motorcycle

Expertise transport in motorcycle-only trucks

Because HAULBIKES specializes in motorcycle transport (versus general auto transport), shipping with the company means your bike will get special treatment—treatment that other companies might not know how to provide.

With each transport, HAULBIKES uses lift gates and ramp systems to pull the bikes in before strapping them down nose to tail. And the motorcycle fanatics at HAULBIKES know the unique needs of each bike make and model, whether it’s antique, luxury, or just in need of a little TLC.

Insurance up to $15,000

HAULBIKES understands that your bikes are valuable, both to you and your wallet. Because of this, it includes $15,000 of insurance in your quoted price—the highest valuation offered by any company on this list. You can also purchase additional coverage.

Plus, if you pay $50, you can wave that potential $500 damage claim deductible fee goodbye.

Between a slew of decent discounts and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, AmeriFreight is a top-tier motorcycle shipping company competitive with the others on our list—even if it’s number five.

Although its services and prices are up there based on industry standards, its outdated, counterintuitive website stopped it from gaining another star. If you have specific questions, you’ll have to pick up the phone and call since its website gives vague answers.

Why we recommend using AmeriFreight to ship your motorcycle

Top-notch insurance options are available

Because no motorcycle transport is immune to accidents, and since no auto shipping company offers foolproof insurance, AmeriFreight created the AF Total Assurance Plan. It ensures you don’t have to pay out of pocket for the things your carrier insurance doesn’t cover, like flying pebbles or other road debris dinging your car.

The AF Total Assurance Plan offers three tiers, adding more features and coverage at the higher tiers. Here’s the breakdown:

• $40 plan
  • $600 insurance for minor damages (like pebbles, rocks, oil spills, etc.)
  • 48-hour grace period to inspect motorcycle before filing a claim
• $78 plan
  • Up to $2,000 deductible
  • $800 insurance for minor damages (like pebbles, rocks, oil spills, etc.)
  • $350 coverage if motorcycle keys are lost or damaged in transit
  • Rental car if motorcycle delivery is more than 15 days late
  • 48-hour grace period to inspect motorcycle before filing a claim
• $98 plan
  • Up to $2,000 deductible
  • $800 insurance for minor damages (like pebbles, rocks, oil spills, etc)
  • $350 coverage if motorcycle keys are lost or damaged in transit
  • Rental car if motorcycle delivery is more than 15 days late
  • 48-hour grace period to inspect motorcycle before filing a claim
    Waived cancellation fee

We love that every plan comes with a forty-eight-hour grace period for inspecting your bike after delivery. Rather than feeling rushed or on the spot, you can take your time inspecting your vehicle.

It offers a price match policy

AmeriFreight gets right down to business with its price match policy. It will price match any other company with an A+ Better Business Bureau ranking and above-average customer reviews on Transport.com.

Since motorcycle moves can be pricey endeavors to begin with, we appreciate how budget-minded AmeriFreight is.

Recapping our best motorcycle shipping companies of 2021

• uShip
• Montway
• Motorcycle Shippers
• HAULBIKES
• AmeriFreight

What makes a good motorcycle shipping company?

Most motorcycle shipping services live under the umbrella of companies that focus on auto transport as a whole, rather than just motorcycle moves.

This can mean two things: auto transport companies might not provide as much expertise as a motorcycle-only transport company would, or they can service more areas while still providing solid service.

Regardless, each company brings something to the table the other doesn’t, and each is going to appeal to riders who have different needs for their move. You know your bike best and you know what you need in a move, but here’s what we think each company excels at:

Did this list help you decide which motorcycle transport company you want to ship with? Let us know in the comments section below!

The best and worst cities for motorcyclists in the US

Now that we’ve talked about the best motorcycle shipping companies, let’s talk about the best and worst cities for motorcycle enthusiasts to live in. If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy more quality time on your bike in safety, then you’ll love the top 10 cities on our list.

The 10 best cities for motorcyclists

1. Bakersfield, CA

With a temperate climate, few rainy days, and comprehensive motorcycle laws, Bakersfield, California, tops our list of the best cities for motorcyclists. The city also offers a local Harley Davidson outlet, several motorcycle repair shops, and even an apparel store called Bikersfield, making it a veritable utopia for avid motorcyclists.

2. Stockton, CA

Stockton is just a four-hour drive (or ride) from Bakersfield, so it has similar climate and weather statistics, though it does get slightly more rain. It also has all of the same California state laws that protect motorcyclists.

3. San Diego, CA

San Diego is known for a lot of things, but what you may not know is that the City in Motion sits right at the heart of several scenic motorcycle roads. These roads combined with San Diego’s top-tier climate make it an excellent place to live for motorcyclists who don’t mind a fair amount of commuter traffic on major highways.

4. Madison, WI

Wisconsin’s capital is the first non-Californian city in our top 10. Unfortunately, Wisconsin doesn’t allow split lanes, so its bike laws aren’t as good for motorcyclists as California’s, but the state is still home to more registered motorcyclists than almost any other.

5. Fresno, CA

Fresno County has some of the most productive farmland in the world,¹ and Fresno (the city) is right in the middle of all this pastoral beauty. It’s also less than two hours away from Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park, making it a first-rate home for motorcyclists who love riding through nature.

6. Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee brands itself as “The City That Beer Built,” and it’s home to various craft breweries as well as the Miller Brewing Company corporate headquarters. This healthy beer culture, paired with Wisconsin’s large number of motorcyclists, results in a long list of biker bars where local motorcyclists can stop in for a pint at Miller Time.

7. Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne sees 132 days of precipitation on average per year, making it the rainiest city in our top 10. Fort Wayne makes up for its bad weather with a hefty assortment of motorcycle roads and some of the lowest commuter traffic of any city on our list.

8. Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas has world-class entertainment for just about everyone, and motorcycle enthusiasts are no exception. Whether you’re a Las Vegas local or a tourist passing through on your Harley, you can enjoy the city’s nearby motorcycle roads. The only downside is all the traffic you’ll experience riding through the Strip itself.

9. Lincoln, NE

Nebraska’s capital city has relatively tame traffic and good motorcycle laws, so it’s a great place for motorcyclists to live. We’ve actually written about the city before, praising it for its low cost of living. Maybe if you move there, you could afford another motorcycle or two.

10. Sacramento, CA

We started this top 10 list in California, and we’re ending it there too. This is really no surprise: the state’s famously sunny weather and unbeatable motorcycle laws make it better than most for avid riders. The biggest problem that Sacramento poses to motorcyclists is its heavy traffic, which is almost as bad as San Diego’s.

The 10 worst cities for motorcyclists

69. Washington, DC

With infamously bad traffic, plenty of rain, and relatively harsh winters, the nation’s capital sits firmly at the very bottom of our list of the best cities for motorcyclists. One thing the city did have to offer motorcyclists was its annual Rolling Thunder Ride, but that event is being discontinued due to cost. If you love to ride, we recommend just visiting DC instead of living there.

68. Newark, NJ

Lots of precipitation, cold winters, and moderately heavy traffic make Newark another sub-par city for motorcyclists. And we think motorcyclists got the message since New Jersey has one of the smallest populations of registered motorcyclists per capita.

67. New York, NY

Unsurprisingly, The Big Apple is one of the worst cities on our list for traffic. Of the cities we looked at, only Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC had worse gridlock. So unless you love riding your motorcycle through crowded streets, The City That Never Sleeps is another one you may want to visit instead of live in.

66. Chicago, IL

Illinois is one of the three US states that doesn’t require motorcyclists to wear a helmet, the other two being Iowa and Alaska (though Alaska does require them for riders under 18 years old and for passengers). This fact alone puts Chicago pretty low on our list, and the city’s dense traffic and dreary weather cemented its place in our bottom 10.

65. Buffalo, NY

Buffalo is the second-largest city in New York, so it might be surprising that its traffic is actually much more manageable than New York City’s. That said, Buffalo’s frequent precipitation and chilly winters still make it a bad place to live for motorcyclists.

64. Houston, TX

On average, Houston sees temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit 104 days a year, making it by far the hottest city in our bottom 10. If you love the heat, then you might like the sound of that—but the city also gets a lot of rain and frequent traffic jams, which make it less than ideal for riding a motorcycle.

63. Boston, MA

Boston is another city with lots of traffic and dangerous weather for riding. Despite this, the city actually has plenty of great motorcycle roads nearby, so if you’re already planning on moving to Boston and you want to take your bike, don’t despair!

62. Baltimore, MD

Like many of the other cities in our bottom ten, Baltimore is a historic northeastern city with weather that often turns too cold and rainy for safe riding. And while the city’s traffic isn’t near the worst we’ve seen, it would still make riding through downtown Baltimore during rush hour a little dicey.

61. Detroit, MI

Famous musician and self-proclaimed “motorcycle buff” Bob Seger was born in Detroit, so it’s a little surprising that the city isn’t a great place for motorcyclists to live. The numbers don’t lie, though, and ours show that Detroit has terminally bad traffic and weather that is often dangerous for riding.

60. Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is the first southeastern city on our list, and it suffers from the muggy summers and frequent rainfall typical of the region (neither of which are ideal for riding). Also, as the largest city in Georgia, Atlanta’s traffic can get too congested to make riding a motorcycle safe or enjoyable.

Methodology

To begin our research, we looked at the 100 most populous cities in the US and omitted any cities that didn’t have the information we needed.

We then ranked the remaining 69 cities according to these factors:

• Motorcycle registrations per 1,000 state residents²
  Cities in states with more registered motorcycle owners scored higher.
  Weight: 25%
• Average annual hours of congestion (traffic) per auto commuter³
  Cities with fewer heavy traffic hours scored higher.
  Weight: 30%
• Average annual number of days with more than 0.01 inches of precipitation⁴
  Cities with fewer precipitation days scored higher.
  Weight: 15%
• Average annual days where maximum temperatures are over 90 degrees Fahrenheit⁵
  Cities where temperatures rose over 90 degrees Fahrenheit less often scored higher.
  Weight: 10%
• Average annual days where minimum temperatures are under 32 degrees Fahrenheit⁶
  Cities where average temperatures dipped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit less often scored higher.
  Weight: 15%
• Total number of motorcycle safety laws^7,8
  Cities with helmet laws, daytime headlights laws, and legal lane-splitting laws scored higher.
  Weight: 5%

Sources

1. Fresno County Farm Bureau, “Fresno County Ag”
2. US Department of Transportation, “State Motor-Vehicle Registrations—2017”
3. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, “Data and Trends”
4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Comparative Climatic Data”
5. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Comparative Climatic Data”
6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Comparative Climatic Data”
7. Motorcycle Legal Foundation, “State-by-State Guide to Motorcycle Laws (w/ Maps)”
8. Motorcycle Legal Foundation, “Motorcycle Lane Splitting: Legality by State + Guidelines”

Joe Roberts also contributed to this article.