While generally a straightforward task moving to a different location can be complicated by moving additional vehicles such as a second car or a motorcycle. When transporting your motorcycle there are multiple options to consider, each of them with their own positives and negatives. Depending on how valuable or rare the bike is you may want to look at a more secure option for transportation. To help you make the right decision this article will go through several of the main methods of motorcycle transportation. Before importing a motorcycle it is mandatory that you ensure the vehicle has been approved for entry into the country it is being transported to. This should be done prior to the vehicle being shipped.

1. Container Services

Durable, sturdy, and easy to transport shipping containers are the most plentiful method used to transport motorcycles. Inside these containers the bikes are kept upright and strapped down tight and wrapped with packing material to prevent any damage during transit. Depending on the size of the container in which they are transported multiple bikes may be stored next to, and on top of, each other which can prevent the chance of motorcycles coming loose. There are a lot of transportation options if using this service as containers can be secured to trucks, trains, and cargo ships. Something to be aware of is that the straps may fail, at which point the bike is loose inside a container which may cause thousands of dollars of damage to the motorcycle.

2. Roll-On/Roll-Off

Using custom-built trailers to safely transport the bikes the roll-on/roll-off method remains one of the best services to use when transporting your motorcycle. This option uses many different motorcycle arrangement methods, taking advantage of the vehicle's small frame and size to secure many bikes in at once. These bikes can be placed in custom-built cables to keep them from sliding around and can also be secured with straps and protective wrapping for extra security during transit.

Seemingly the only service you will need to transport your motorcycle the roll-on/roll-off method does have a glaring flaw: it can only be used for ground-based relocation thanks to the fact that trucks are used to pull the trailers. Individual trailers can also be hitched to the back of the family car during a local or interstate move that can transport motorcycles with relative ease and peace of mind. A major drawback of this particular method is that you may not secure the bike correctly and cause unintentional damage to the vehicle.

3. Air Freight

If you are moving a long distance overseas and you want your motorcycle there in a timely fashion instead of taking weeks to arrive by cargo ship then this is the method for you. Loading a bike securely onto a cargo plane will mean that the bike will be wherever you are in a matter of hours following a relatively smooth transit. The only major issue (besides getting the correct permits and documentation) is the cost of the transportation which can vary depending on both the shipping company and the distance travelled.

4. Door to Door/Port to Door

This method of transportation is more of a delivery option than anything else as it is able to be applied to each of the methods listed above (with some minor modifications depending on the circumstances). Shipping companies are able to provide different options for the safe delivery of the owner's motorcycle namely door to door (this includes pick-up and drop-off of the bike) and port to door (you have to transport the bike to the port and then they will deliver it right to its selected destination). These options have costs and benefits attached to them and should be considered based on need and the requirements of the bike's owner.

Based on the information provided in this article motorcyclists should be able to make a fully informed choice regarding how to transport their motorcycles safely and securely. There are many different options to consider in their entirety and this is not a decision that should be rushed. It is also important to note that a motorcycle does not need to be registered or in working condition to be shipped however additional charges may apply depending on which company you choose to ship with; it pays to do some additional research on the companies available to determine their reputation and how best they suit your needs.