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How to Transport a Motorcycle from San Francisco, California


If you need to ship a motorcycle to or from San Francisco, California, US, there are numerous motorcycle transport services prepared to assist. Whether you're purchasing a pre-owned bike, selling a used one, or simply need to relocate it from one location to another, discovering the ideal motorcycle shipping company can be daunting. But don't fret! Shiply simplifies the process of comparing rates & providers, frequently with estimates up to 75% lower than standard prices.


Before you begin searching for motorcycle transporters in San Francisco, you must determine what type of shipping service you require. The two primary choices are having someone ride your bike to its destination or utilizing a trailer. Riding your motorcycle is the most affordable and simplest option, but it comes with risks such as damage during the trip, additional miles on the odometer, and it only works if your bike is in good working order.


Utilizing a trailer is the most common method to transport a motorcycle. You can select between open or enclosed trailers. Enclosed trailers provide greater protection against accidents and weather, but they typically cost more. Open trailers are less costly, but your bike will be more exposed. Most people prefer door-to-door motorcycle shipping, but if you reside somewhere difficult to access, terminal-to-terminal delivery is available at designated pick-up and drop-off points.


Factors Influencing Motorcycle Shipping Costs


The expense to transport a motorcycle depends on several factors, but the average cost is $180 to $300 for trips under 1,000 miles and $300 to $700 for longer journeys. Here are the main elements that impact the price:


  • Distance - Shipping a motorcycle cross-country will cost more than moving it within the same state.

  • Motorcycle Size - Larger bikes occupy more space on a trailer, so they cost more to transport.

  • Transport Service Type - Enclosed trailers are pricier than open ones.

  • Pick-up & Delivery Locations - Urban areas like San Francisco might have more motorcycle shippers nearby, but they can also be more expensive due to extra mileage for pick-up and delivery.

  • Time of Year - Shipping a motorcycle in winter can cost more because of ice and snow.

How Shiply Assists You in Finding Motorcycle Transport Companies


With so many motorcycle shipping providers out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose the right one. That's where Shiply comes in! All you have to do is enter some details about your delivery, like the make and model of your bike, where it's being picked up, and where it's going. Then, companies will send you quotes directly to your Shiply inbox, so you can easily compare prices, services, and reviews until you find the perfect match.


One crucial tip is to always check feedback and reviews for each company. Shiply gives each motorcycle shipper a score and lets you read reviews from previous customers. You can also message any company that gives you a quote to ask about things like insurance, trailer types, and delivery schedules.


Why People Frequently Move Motorcycles To & From San Francisco


San Francisco, California is a popular city for motorcycle enthusiasts. Many people relocate to San Francisco for work or school and bring their beloved bikes with them. Others might sell their motorcycle to someone in San Francisco or purchase one from a seller there. Some people even ship their motorcycles to San Francisco just to ride along the famous Pacific Coast Highway or explore the city's steep hills and scenic views.


No matter why you need to ship a motorcycle to or from San Francisco, Shiply can help you find the best deal. The motorcycle shippers on Shiply are usually looking to fill extra space on trips they're already making, so they can offer prices up to 75% lower than normal rates. Plus, by using Shiply to find a motorcycle delivery service, you're helping the environment by reducing the number of unnecessary vehicles on the road.


Preparing Your Motorcycle for Shipping


Once you've chosen a motorcycle hauler on Shiply, it's time to get your bike ready for transport. Here are the steps you should follow:


  • Documents - Provide any necessary paperwork, especially if you're selling the motorcycle.

  • Cleaning - Remove all personal items from your bike and give it a thorough cleaning. This allows you to inspect its condition before pick-up, which helps if any damage occurs during shipping.

  • Running Condition - If your motorcycle will be ridden at any point during transport, ensure it has sufficient fluids and proper tire pressure.

  • Steering Lock - Some motorcycle shipping companies might require the steering to be unlocked, so check with them first.

  • Photos - Take high-quality pictures of your motorcycle's condition before pick-up. This provides you with evidence if any damage happens during shipping.

What to Do After Your Motorcycle is Delivered


When your motorcycle arrives at its destination, there are a few things you should do:


  • Check Vital Signs - Test the lights, engine, brakes, and other essential functions to ensure everything is working properly.

  • Exterior Condition - Compare the bike's condition to the photos you took before shipping to see if any new damage occurred during transport.

  • Mileage - If your motorcycle was ridden to its delivery point, check the odometer to confirm the added miles match the distance traveled.

Finally, please leave feedback & a review for your chosen motorcycle shipping company on Shiply. This helps future customers compare services with confidence and security.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Does Someone Have To Be Present For Pickup And Delivery?

In most cases, the motorcycle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and shipping of the motorcycle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the keys.

How Much Fuel Should I Have In My Motorbike During Transit?

Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full if the motorcycle needs to be moved during transport. This allows for easy loading and unloading of the motorcycle but will not add too much extra weight to the vehicle.

Can I Ship My Motorbike If It Isn't Running?

You can ship your motorcycle if it isn’t in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load and unload the vehicle.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 447,168 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 2 6 7 4 3 1 0 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Sophie G Testimonial

Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

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"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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