In plain English
Crating is how a motorcycle goes by LTL freight or by air or sea. It adds cost and weight but protects the bike, and carriers handle it by forklift.
Many riders ship by motorcycle transport instead, where the bike rides on a trailer without a crate. Crating is for long, multi-carrier or international moves.
Why it matters when you ship
Crates must fit the carrier’s limits and be built to hold the bike’s weight. A poorly built crate can cause more damage than none.
Example
A rider ships a vintage motorcycle to a buyer overseas. It is bolted into a crate and shipped by container.
Related terms
Learn more
Motorcycle crate: common questions
Do I need a crate to ship a motorcycle?
Not usually. Most motorcycles go on a trailer with wheel chocks and straps. A crate is for freight, air, sea or very valuable bikes.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Motorcycle Crate: Meaning and When You Need One”, https://transportli.com/glossary/motorcycle-crate/, updated November 11, 2026.
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