When planning your upcoming motorcycle purchase, don’t forget to plan how you’re going to get it home. 

There are several different ways to move a motorcycle. In this post, we will discuss the most popular, starting with the least expensive.

1. Ride it

One of the easiest ways to transport a motorcycle after purchasing it is to simply ride it back home. 

You can have a family member or friend take you to where the motorcycle is located, or you can even take public transportation. Just make sure that any items you need to bring with you can be safely stored and transported on the motorcycle during your return trip.

If you have a current motorcycle license plate that you plan to transfer to the new motorcycle, bring it with you. If you don’t have one and you’re buying from a dealership, they’ll be able to get a new one for you (for a fee, of course).

However, if you are buying your motorcycle privately and don’t have a motorcycle license plate to transfer, this method may not be an option for you. After all, it’s illegal to drive an unregistered vehicle. But, you can ask the seller to bring the motorcycle to a local DMV and you can register it in your name, and do the rest of the paperwork there. 

And, if you are a first-time rider, make sure that you have motorcycle insurance prior to riding because it’s also illegal to ride without proper insurance. 

This method may require a bit more planning on your part. But, the upside is that it’s super budget friendly and fast!

2. Pickup Truck 

The next option is to transport your bike in the bed of a pickup truck. Even if you don’t own a truck, you may know someone who does. 

For this method, you will need to purchase the necessary equipment to secure the bike or borrow it from a friend. Some things you will need are a ramp, ratchet straps and wheel chocks. 

If you’ve never done this before, you may not want to risk damaging your brand new bike. So, it’s best to have someone accompany you who knows the ropes. 

For step-by-step instructions on how to transport a motorcycle by pickup truck, check out this detailed post by WikiHow.

3. Motorcycle Trailer

Another way to transport a motorcycle is to haul it on a trailer. For this method, you won’t need a pickup truck. And, if you don’t own a trailer, it’s pretty simple to rent one from a self-moving company like Uhaul.

Unlike your typical trailer, motorcycle trailers are specifically designed to transport motorcycles. They are typically equipped with a swing-down ramp, heavy-duty tie-down rings and built-in motorcycle chock. 

But, similar to the pickup truck method, you’ll need to get the equipment necessary to secure the bike, as it may not be provided.

This method is relatively inexpensive and can cost as little as $20 per day.

For tips on how to properly haul a motorcycle via trailer, check out this post by NADAGuides.

4. Motorcycle Shipping Company

This is the most expensive transport method, but it’s also the easiest. 

If you don’t have experience moving a motorcycle and don’t know someone who does, this option may be your best bet. 

You may be tempted to hire a standard moving company. But, it would be ideal to hire a professional motorcycle shipping company so that your bike doesn’t suffer any damage.

For tips on how to choose the right company for you, check out this resource on how to ship a motorcycle. This post also features the motorcycle shipping companies that we recommend. 

In Conclusion 

No matter your experience level with motorcycles, there are quite a few options to get the job done. We hope the information above puts you a bit closer to getting the bike of your dreams! 

Have you ever purchased a motorcycle out of state? How did you transport it, and what was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!