A Step-By-Step Guide To Moving A Motorcycle
Your motorcycle is a precision machine and deserves precision logistics. Moving it incorrectly can result in anything from cosmetic damage to blown fork seals, turning a relocation into an incredibly costly repair.
A successful motorcycle relocation depends entirely on the right process and equipment. This guide outlines the professional-grade standards for preparing and securing a bike for transport. It also provides a clear framework for deciding when to delegate the risk to expert motorcycle movers.
Understanding Motorcycle Relocation Options
Your primary decision is whether to manage this yourself or engage a professional. The right decision depends on an honest assessment of your equipment, experience, and the value you place on your time…
When to move a motorbike yourself
A DIY move is realistic only for experienced owners with professional-grade gear undertaking a short, local move. If you have a suitable trailer with a dedicated wheel chock and know how to properly apply tension with quality tie-downs, you can handle it. For everyone else, the risk far outweighs the savings.
When to use professional motorcycle movers
For any high-value bike, interstate journey, or as part of a larger house move, a professional service is the logical choice. The real value is in offloading the significant time, effort, and cognitive load required to get it done right.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using worn-out straps that can snap under the sustained vibration of road travel.
- Overtightening tie-downs, a classic error that blows fork seals and damages suspension.
- Securing to weak points like handlebars or indicators instead of the solid frame.
- Leaving the bike in neutral, allowing slack to develop in the straps as it shifts.
Our specialised motorbike transport services have in-built processes that eliminate these risks entirely.
Preparing Your Motorcycle for Transport
Proper preparation means a smooth handover and a clear record of your bike’s condition:
- Clean and Document: Wash the bike so you can photograph it from all angles. This time-stamped visual record is your baseline and essential for any insurance claim.
- Manage Fluids: A quarter-full fuel tank is ideal. It allows for easy manoeuvring without the risks of a full tank or the hassle of draining fluids. Address any oil or coolant leaks beforehand.
- Strip Accessories: Remove all loose items (GPS units, phone mounts, luggage, and panniers). Pack them separately to prevent loss or damage.
Tools and Equipment Necessary to Move a Motorbike Safely
Professional results require professional tools. There are no safe shortcuts.
- A dedicated motorcycle ramp rated for your bike’s weight.
- A heavy-duty wheel chock.
- Four high-quality, wide ratchet or cam buckle straps.
- Soft loop extensions to protect paint and chrome.
- Moving blankets for padding contact points.
How to Secure a Motorcycle for Transport
The goal is to safely integrate the motorcycle with the transport vehicle, eliminating all movement. Here’s how…
Correct tie-down points
Professionals secure the bike to the frame, never the handlebars, indicators, or exhaust. The strongest anchor points are typically the lower triple clamps on the front and the main frame or passenger peg brackets at the rear.
Step-by-step tie-down technique
- Roll the bike up the ramp and lock the front wheel into the chock.
- Using soft loops, attach two front tie-downs, pulling forward and down to compress the forks by about half. This tension is what holds the bike securely.
- Attach two rear tie-downs, pulling outwards and slightly back to eliminate any lateral movement.
- With the bike in gear, give it a firm push. It should feel completely solid, as if it’s part of the trailer or van.
Interstate and Long-Distance Motorbike Transport
An interstate move introduces variables that a local trip does not: hundreds of kilometres of sustained vibration, changing road conditions, security risks at stops, and weather exposure.
This scale turns a manageable task into a complex logistical problem. An AFRA-accredited bike removalist is equipped to manage these factors, offering a level of insurance and security that is simply not feasible for a one-off DIY move.
Using a Professional Bike Removalist
Hiring a professional bike removalist is an investment in certainty. It’s about offloading the risk and variables of a complex task to a team that manages it every day. Key benefits include:
- Specialist Equipment and Expertise: We use hydraulic lifts, custom-fitted wheel chocks, and the correct strapping techniques that only come from years of experience. This systematic approach eliminates the risk of costly DIY errors.
- Comprehensive Transit Insurance: Your motorcycle is fully protected under our removalist insurance policy, covering the specific risks of relocation that most personal insurance policies will not.
- Enclosed, Secure Transport: Your bike travels in a modern, enclosed truck, shielded from road debris, weather, and potential security risks during transit.
- Fixed-Price Certainty: At Ready Movers, our process begins with a fixed-price quote. The price we agree on is the final price, so there are no unexpected costs or hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving a Motorcycle
Should I drain the fuel before moving a motorbike?
No. A quarter of a tank is preferred. It allows for easy handling without adding unnecessary weight or risk.
What is the safest way to secure a motorcycle during transport?
A four-point tie-down system attached to the frame, with the front wheel in a chock and the suspension partially compressed inside an enclosed truck.
Can I move a motorcycle interstate?
Yes. For interstate moves, a professional, insured removalist is strongly recommended to manage the increased risks of a long-distance journey.
Does Ready Movers offer insured motorcycle transport?
Yes. All our specialised vehicle transport is covered by comprehensive insurance, backed by Our Written No-Damage Guarantee for your peace of mind.
Hand over the logistics and the risk. Contact Ready Movers for a fixed-price quote and make sure your motorcycle arrives safely in the condition she left in.
