How to Move a Motorcycle in Montreal

Motorcycle Transport Options in Montreal

Whether you're relocating across Montreal or shipping a bike to another province, you have several transport options. For local moves, a motorcycle can ride in the moving truck alongside your furniture — secured to the truck wall with wheel chocks and ratchet straps. For dedicated transport, enclosed trailer service offers maximum protection. Open trailer is cheaper but exposes the bike to weather and road debris.

Motorcycle weights vary dramatically: a Honda Grom is 230 lbs, a Harley-Davidson Road Glide hits 900 lbs, and a Gold Wing tops 800 lbs with touring gear. Weight determines the number of movers and type of loading ramp needed. For bikes over 600 lbs, we use hydraulic motorcycle lifts rather than manual ramps to avoid the risk of a drop during loading.

Preparing Your Motorcycle for the Move

Start by documenting the bike's condition with dated photos from every angle — this is critical for insurance claims if damage occurs. Check tire pressure (low tires make loading unstable) and ensure the battery is charged (you may need to start the bike for positioning).

Drain the fuel tank to 1/4 or less. Full tanks add 30-50 lbs of weight and pose a fire hazard during enclosed transport. Disconnect the battery if the move will take more than 24 hours. Remove or fold mirrors, detach saddlebags and loose accessories, and retract or remove any crash bars that might catch during loading.

For high-value bikes — vintage motorcycles, custom builds, or bikes worth over $15,000 — consider custom crating. A wooden crate with foam-padded interior and wheel chocks runs $300-$600 and provides protection against all impacts. This is standard for shipping motorcycles by freight.

Motorcycle Moving Costs

Local motorcycle transport within Montreal runs $200-$400 for a single bike. Dedicated enclosed trailer service costs $300-$500 for local moves. For long-distance moves — Montreal to Toronto, for example — expect $600-$1,000. Cross-country (Montreal to Vancouver) runs $1,200-$1,800. Crating adds $300-$600 on top of shipping costs.

If you're already booking a household move with Up & Out and your motorcycle fits in the truck, we can often include it for $100-$200 extra with proper securing hardware. This is the most economical option for local moves and saves you the hassle of coordinating a separate transport.

Insurance for Motorcycle Transport

Your regular motorcycle insurance policy may not cover damage during third-party transport — check with your insurer. Professional motorcycle transport companies carry cargo insurance, but coverage limits vary. At Up & Out, our cargo insurance covers motorcycles up to $50,000 in declared value. For bikes worth more, supplemental coverage is available at $20-$30 per $1,000 of additional value.

Always get a Bill of Lading that lists the motorcycle's condition before transport. This document is your legal proof of the bike's state at pickup. Any damage noted at delivery that wasn't on the Bill of Lading is the transporter's responsibility. Take timestamped photos at both pickup and delivery for your records.