When it comes to motorcycle shipping, there’s a lot to know. We’ve talked about how to ship a bike, but we haven’t talked about how to ship a motorcycle. There’s three main things that you need to know when you’re looking at shipping that motorcycle. We don’t want to take up too much of your time, so we’re going to get you the information you need, and get you back out on the road. Follow these steps the next time you need to ship a motorcycle, and you’ll be well on your way.

 

1.) No Fluids

The first thing to do when you ship your motorcycle is draining all the fluids from the bike. You don’t want any leaking during shipment, and neither do the carriers. That’s a recipe for damaged freight, and nobody wants that. The main fluid that you’re going to need to get rid of is the gasoline. Ride your gas tank to empty and then get your bike loaded. If you don’t get rid of the fluids, the carrier won’t pickup.

2.) Unplug & Deflate

Second, you need to unplug/remove the battery and release a bit of air from the tires. Electrical issues aren’t common but it’s better to be safe than sorry, and losing some air from the tires will help stabilize your motorcycle during shipping. Speaking of stabilizing your bike, it’s better to do it vertically rather than a side stand. This cuts down on the chance of any breakage or leaking of engine oil or coolant.

3.) Crate Your Bike

The next step is the most important part in learning how to ship a motorcycle. Before shipping, your bike must be crated. Once crated, make sure that you tie down the bike and make sure its securely fastened and stable. LTL shipping moves freight from terminal to terminal, and you want as little movement as possible inside the crate. Go straps that will loop through the handlebars for a more stable shipment.

Once your shipment is crated, you’ll need to take some measurements. Chances are the freight class on your bike will be density based, so you’ll need measurements of the crate and total weight AFTER you’ve loaded your motorcycle.

I would suggest investing in freight insurance for your motorcycle shipping quote. It’s pretty affordable and can provide coverage if something happens to your bike. After that, it’s a matter of getting your shipping quote, getting in touch with your freight broker, and let the motorcycle shipping begin.