Shiply Motorcycle Transport: A Rider’s Guide

Whether you’ve bought a bike three counties away, you’re relocating, or the machine in question doesn’t currently run, getting a motorcycle moved without riding it is a solved problem. Motorcycle transport via Shiply is well served — dedicated bike movers bid on these jobs constantly. This rider’s guide covers how it works, what it costs, and how to keep your bike safe.

Shiply is a London-based transport marketplace running since 2008: you list the bike, independent transporters compete in a reverse auction, you pick the winner. Platform basics are in how Shiply works — here’s the bike-specific part.

How bike transport works on Shiply

List the motorcycle with make, model, year, weight if known, and — critically — whether it runs. Bike specialists run vans fitted with wheel chocks, ramps and multiple tie-down points, often moving several bikes on one route. That shared-route model is why auction prices can be so sharp: your bike fills a slot on a van already going your way.

Runner vs non-runner

A running bike rolls up a ramp in two minutes. A non-runner needs winching or extra hands, which costs more and narrows your bidder pool. Be precise: does it start? Does it roll freely? Are the brakes seized? Vague “non-runner” listings get padded quotes; specific ones get accurate ones.

Crate, trailer or van?

• Specialist bike van — the standard and usually cheapest option. Purpose-fitted with chocks and straps, often carrying multiple bikes. Fine for the vast majority of machines.
• Trailer — common for single-bike moves and non-runners. Ask whether it’s an open or covered trailer.
• Crate — mostly for international shipping or very high-value bikes. Overkill for a domestic UK move in most cases, but the gold standard for protection.

For UK domestic moves, a reputable bike-van specialist is the sweet spot of price and safety. Specify your preference in the listing if you have one.

Motorcycle transport on Shiply: what it costs

The auction sets the price, but typical winning bids cluster in rough bands: short regional moves of a running bike often go for £80–£180; longer UK runs more commonly £150–£350; non-runners and urgent jobs cost more. These are market observations, not quotes — distance, bike size, condition and timing all move the number. Listing is free, so the honest way to price your move is to list it and watch the bids.

Keeping your bike safe: a rider’s checklist

• Photo-document everything. Every panel, the tank, exhaust, mirrors, and the odometer. Date-stamped. This is non-negotiable.
• Ask about tie-down method. Proper bike movers use wheel chocks plus soft straps on the forks/triple tree — never straps over bodywork or handlebars yanked sideways. Ask; the good ones answer proudly.
• Check bike-specific feedback. A courier with 300 glowing parcel reviews and two bike jobs is not a bike transporter. Look for repeated motorcycle mentions in reviews.
• Confirm insurance per bike. Get the cover limit in writing. Standard goods-in-transit policies don’t always stretch to a £15,000 superbike.
• Prep the bike: around a quarter tank of fuel, alarm disabled (or the fob handed over with instructions), loose accessories removed or secured, and both keys available.
• Note modifications. Aftermarket exhausts, wide bars, lowered suspension — anything affecting dimensions or loading should be in the listing.

Buying a bike from far away? Read this

A huge share of Shiply bike jobs are distance purchases. If you haven’t seen the bike in person, consider: having the seller take dated photos and a cold-start video before you book transport; agreeing with the seller who releases the bike to the courier (and payment terms); and never paying the seller in full before the bike is collected unless you fully trust the arrangement. Transport is the easy part — the purchase is where the risk lives.

Track bikes, project bikes and SORN machines

Not every bike move is a road-legal commuter going from A to B. Track-day bikes (often with no lights, mirrors or plates), half-built project bikes in pieces, and SORN machines with no MOT or tax all get listed regularly — and they need declaring properly. A bike in boxes is a parts consignment, not a motorcycle, and should be listed by weight and dimensions so the courier prices handling time rather than a roll-on/roll-off job.

For track bikes, confirm the transporter is happy with non-road-legal machines (most specialists are, but check). For projects, photograph the parts laid out and count the boxes — “engine plus frame plus three boxes of bits” gets accurate quotes where “project bike” gets guesses. And if the bike has no V5 or the numbers don’t match, sort the paperwork before booking transport; couriers have been known to refuse collection when documentation looks wrong, and you’ll still have wasted everyone’s day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is motorcycle transport on Shiply?

Most UK runs win bids roughly between £80 and £350 depending on distance, bike size and whether it runs. The auction determines your price — list the bike with full details and compare the bids you actually receive.

Will my bike be strapped down properly?

A genuine bike specialist will use wheel chocks and soft straps correctly. Ask bidders to describe their tie-down setup before accepting — it’s the fastest way to separate specialists from general couriers with a van.

Can Shiply move a non-running motorcycle?

Yes, but declare exactly what’s wrong with it. Non-runners need winching or lifting, cost more, and attract fewer bidders — accurate details get you accurate quotes.

Is my motorcycle insured in transit?

Only under the transporter’s own policy, which you must verify yourself — ask for the per-bike limit in writing. Shiply describes itself as a “neutral venue”, so the platform doesn’t cover your bike.

How should I prepare my bike for collection?

Quarter tank of fuel, alarm off, accessories secured, both keys ready, and full photo documentation. Clear, dry access for the van at pickup helps more than you’d think.

Need your bike moved? Request your move here with the bike’s details and let specialist transporters bid — and check how Shiply fees work so the deposit never surprises you.