Towing, Roadside & Transport
Motorcycle transport near you
Motorcycle transport by trailer, van or flatbed to a shop, storage or a new home, with a wheel chock, soft tie-downs and a condition check at each end.
- Time at the shop
- 3 h
- about
- Mobile service
- Mobile only
- at your address
- Shops in Canada
- 1
- doing this work
- Your price
- You set it
- shops bid on it
You set the budget
Shops near you send their bids
1 shop in Canada does this
Towing, Roadside & Transport
What motorcycle transport is
Motorcycle transport moves a bike without riding it: from a private seller to your garage, to a repair shop, into or out of winter storage, or across the country after a purchase. The carrier loads it with a ramp or lift, sets the front wheel in a chock and holds the suspension down with soft tie-down straps at four points, so the bike sits upright and cannot shift. A local move is an afternoon’s work; a long-distance run takes days.
An unplated used motorcycle cannot be ridden on the road until it is registered and insured (and, in Ontario, certified), so many buyers have the bike trailered home. Tell the carrier the model, its weight and whether it runs, since heavy tourers, lowered cruisers and non-runners need the right ramp, a winch or a second person.
- For motorcycles
- Takes about 3 h
- Done at your address
What does motorcycle transport cost?
It depends on your vehicle and the shop. Post a job with your budget and compare the bids shops near you send.
Get bids
Name your budget. Shops near you bid.
1 shop across Canada does motorcycle transport.
What to expect
Motorcycle transport, step by step
What the job normally covers, what to mention in your request, and the signs that it is time. Every shop says what its bid includes.
The job
What’s included
- Pickup at your address, a private seller, a dealer or a storage facility
- Bike rolled up a ramp or lifted aboard, with the front wheel held in a chock
- Soft-loop tie-down straps at four points, with the suspension compressed so the bike cannot shift
- Existing marks noted and photographed at pickup, then compared with the bike at delivery
- Delivery and unloading at your home, shop or storage unit
- Transit cover for the bike, with the insurance certificate available before pickup
- Bike that does not run winched or lifted aboard, where arranged in advance
Checklist
Before you post
- 01Tell the carrier the make, model, year and weight, and whether the bike runs, has a sidecar or is a trike
- 02Ask what kind of trailer or van is used: open or enclosed, shared with other bikes or dedicated
- 03Ask the carrier how the bike is held upright; a wheel chock and straps are the norm, and a kickstand alone is never enough
- 04Ask for the carrier’s insurance certificate and compare its limit with the bike’s value; your own motorcycle policy may also apply
- 05Mention access at either end; stairs, a steep driveway, gravel or a tight garage can change the truck or the price
- 06Prepare the bike: about a quarter tank of fuel, luggage and loose accessories removed, alarm switched off
Signs
When you need it
- You bought a used motorcycle from a private seller in another city
- The bike will not start or is unsafe to ride and has to reach a shop
- It is going into or coming out of winter storage and you cannot ride it there
- The bike is not yet plated or insured and cannot be ridden on the road
- You are moving, or sending the bike to a track, a rally or a seasonal home
Sound familiar?Tell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.
Get bidsHow it works
Get motorcycle transport done in four steps
You set the budget and choose the shop. Posting is free, and you pay the shop you hire once the work is 100% done.
- 01
Post your job
Choose the service, describe the job and your vehicle, and set your budget. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.
- 02
Shops compete
Nearby shops that do the work see your request and send their best offer: price, when they can start, what is included.
- 03
Accept the best offer
Compare bids, ratings and distance, then hire one shop. The others are told, politely.
- 04
Talk and get it done
Your conversation with the shop opens right away to agree on the day. You pay only after the job is complete.
Keep exploring
Related services
Motorcycle & Powersports
Motorcycle service & repair
Routine service and repairs for road motorcycles: oil, chain, brakes, tires, valves and electrical faults, at a shop or in your driveway.
Inspections
Safety inspection (Safety Standards Certificate)
Safety inspection at a licensed provincial station: brakes, steering, tires, lights and body checked, then a safety certificate issued on a pass.
Inspections
Pre-purchase inspection
Pre-purchase inspection of a used vehicle by an independent mechanic: scan, paint and rust checks, underbody look, road test and a written report.
Towing
A towing service sends a tow truck for a vehicle that cannot be driven and delivers it to the shop, home or scrapyard you choose, by flatbed or wheel-lift.
Vehicle transport
Car shipping and vehicle transport by car hauler between cities or provinces, open or enclosed, with pickup and delivery windows and a condition report.
Questions
Questions about motorcycle transport
General answers for drivers in Canada. The shop you hire confirms the details for your vehicle.
How is a motorcycle secured for transport?
It is loaded by ramp or lift, held by a front-wheel chock and four soft-loop straps, and never left on its kickstand. The straps compress the suspension slightly so the bike stays upright on its own, and the soft loops keep metal hooks off the handlebars, frame and paint. Ask the carrier to describe its method before you agree, and watch the loading if you can.
How do I prepare my motorcycle for transport?
Keep the tank low, around a quarter full, fold in the mirrors if they allow it, remove saddlebags, phone mounts and loose accessories, and switch off any alarm. Give the driver every key you have. Photograph all sides of the bike, including existing scratches, so the condition report matches your records, and note the odometer reading at pickup.
Can a regular tow truck move a motorcycle?
A flatbed can carry a motorcycle if it uses a wheel chock and proper straps, and that is the usual answer when a bike breaks down on the road. A wheel-lift truck is a poor choice because lifting the bike by one wheel risks damage. When you call, say it is a motorcycle so the dispatcher sends a truck with the right equipment.
How long does motorcycle transport take?
Within a city the move is normally completed the same day. Between cities in your province allow a day or two, and for cross-country routes a week or two, since long-distance carriers group several bikes or vehicles on one trip. Carriers give windows rather than appointments, so plan the ride home or the shop drop-off for after the estimated delivery date.
Is my motorcycle insured while it is being transported?
The carrier’s cargo insurance normally covers damage that happens in transit, but limits and deductibles vary, so ask for the certificate and compare the amount with the bike’s value. Some personal motorcycle policies also respond to damage in transit or storage. A call to your insurer before the pickup settles it.
Something else to ask? Once you hire a shop, you talk to it directly in your request’s conversation.
Ready when you areTell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.
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