How to Move Your Motorcycle Safely During Relocation

Preparing your motorcycle for transport

• Empty the gas tank and remove the battery: Unlike cars, there is no reasons for the motorcycle to have any gas or battery in it when it is being moved. It can be rolled or raised into and out of its shipping area without needing its own power. During the turbulence of transit, gas has the potential to spill and even, unlikely as it is, ignite. Batteries also can be damaged by harsh temperatures during transit. 
• Remove/secure all loose parts: Just like preparing a car for transport, it is important to remove anything that is loose from your motorcycle. These parts can come loose or get lost during the move. Things that can't be removed but may get in the way like the various saddle bags on some bikes can be secured using rope.
• Clean your motorcycle thoroughly: Just like when shipping cars, it is important to clean your motorcycle in order to aide in identifying any dents or scratches that occurred during the move. If you use a moving company to move your motorcycle, you will have to get inspected.
• Inspect the motorcycle yourself: Make sure the motorcycle is fully functional before you move it. This is to ensure that if it isn't working after the move that you know that the process of moving is when it got damaged. You want to make sure that the tires are pressurized as well, since you will be rolling the motorcycle around sometimes to load and unload it.

Moving your motorcycle yourself

• Towing it with a trailer hitch: If you have a trailer hitch and a suitably powerful vehicle, you can simply tow your motorcycle to your new home behind whatever bigger vehicle you are using to transport yourself or your belongings. You may need to employ the use of a small makeshift ramp to get the front wheel secured, but for the most part, this is a simple way to move your motorcycle. It does expose it to the elements, though.
• Renting a moving truck: You could use an enclosed moving truck or open trailer to transport your motorcycle. This is a good option if you don't want to buy a trailer hitch and may have a handful of other items to move with your motorcycle. Be sure to use a wheel chock to secure the front wheel of the motorcycle and then chain up the handlebars to sturdy parts of the truck or trailer. The enclosed moving truck is also a good option if you don't want to expose your motorcycle to the weather.
• Pickup truck: If you have a pickup truck and some room in the bed, it is feasible to load your motorcycle into it and transport it that way. This is easily your cheapest option for transporting your bike. Be sure to secure the motorcycle with chains and the wheel chock again, as leaving it loose in your pickup bed is a good way to damage it and maybe even have it fall out of the truck during the move.