Blog · October 8, 2026

How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Transport: A Checklist

A few minutes of prep makes motorcycle transport smoother and protects you if there's ever a question about condition. Here's what to do before pickup day.

A few days before

• Wash it, then photograph it. A clean bike makes scratches and dents easy to see. Take photos of every side, close-ups of any existing damage, and a photo of the odometer.
• Check for leaks. If it's dripping oil, coolant, or fuel, tell us before the job. Leaks can damage other cargo and the trailer floor.
• Check the tires. Inflate them to normal pressure. A flat tire makes a bike much harder to load and secure.
• Charge the battery, or let us know if the bike doesn't start. A non-running bike is fine as long as it rolls and steers.

The day before

• Remove loose items: saddlebag contents, tank bags, GPS units, phone mounts, and anything that could fall off or get lost.
• Fold in or remove anything fragile that sticks out, like aftermarket mirrors or a tall windshield, if that's easy to do.
• Turn off or note the alarm, so it doesn't go off on the road.
• Have the keys ready for loading and unloading.

At pickup and delivery

• Be there, or have someone there, at both ends.
• Walk around the bike with the driver at pickup, and again at delivery before signing off.
• If you notice anything at delivery, point it out right away and take photos. Our service terms ask for damage to be reported at drop-off or within 24 hours.

We move motorcycles anywhere in Maryland in an enclosed trailer. See motorcycle transport or get an instant estimate.