Have you ever felt the need to transport a motorcycle and you don't know how? Here is a small guide on how to do it and clear your doubts.



Aware that there can be many different circumstances that may make it necessary to transport a motorcycle , today at Pont Grup we are going to tell you about the different options you have available, so that you can transport the motorcycle to the place you want in a correct, comfortable way and always within the law.

Either because you are going to change cities, because you have bought a second-hand motorcycle in a different city than yours, because it has broken down and you need to take it to a workshop, because you are going to take it to a competition circuit ... In all these In some cases, you will need to find a method that allows you to transport your motorcycle correctly, but which one is the most appropriate?


And it is that to transport a motorcycle it is not enough simply to put it in a van or put it on a trailer and take it to your destination, since it is essential to take safety measures that guarantee that the transport will be able to be carried out in good conditions.


How to transport a motorcycle in a van

One of the main options when transporting a motorcycle is to choose to do it using a van. It can be yours, or you can hire a company specialized in motorcycle transport.

It is true that hiring a specialized company will be a more comfortable option, with which you will get rid of headaches and will guarantee that your motorcycle will arrive in perfect condition. But it is also true that you will have to make a higher outlay.

We are going to focus on transporting the motorcycle in a van yourself, either using your own, borrowed or rented van.


With the B car license, there is the possibility of driving vans with a maximum authorized weight of 3,500 kilos. Here you have to distinguish between three different types of vans:


Types of vans to transport a motorcycle

Transport the motorcycle in a commercial van

Commercial vans are designed for the transport of goods, and usually have an integrated cabin, and a total of 9 seats, including the driver.

This type of vehicle must have a rigid panel installed as standard, which is responsible for separating the cargo area. The load, in this case the motorcycle, should be perfectly tied to the separation panel, using straps or grapples that guarantee that the motorcycle will not move during the entire journey.

During the transport of the motorcycle, it may not exceed 90 kilometers per hour in any section of the journey. In addition, in the case of commercial vehicles that do not have rear windows, it will be essential to have a transport card.


Transport the motorcycle in an adaptable mixed vehicle

On the other hand, there are the adaptable mixed vehicles, also known as combis. This type of vehicle is designed for both the transport of people and goods, as long as they are perfectly separated with a grid. In this case, the grille may be removable, and it will not be necessary to always carry it installed, not even when the ITV is to be passed.

In adaptable mixed vehicles, it is allowed to have up to nine seats, always including the driver's, offering the possibility of removing rows of seats depending on transport needs.

For the transport of the motorcycle in an adaptable mixed vehicle, in the same way as in a commercial van, it must be fastened with straps or grabs, and it may not exceed 100 kilometers per hour in any case. Here it will not be necessary to have any type of card to transport a motorcycle, as long as it is done privately.


Transport the motorcycle in a touring car

Finally, there are vehicles derived from passenger cars, which are characterized by having only one row of seats in the front area, as well as by being designed only for the transport of goods. Here, as in adaptive mixed vehicles, the maximum speed may never exceed 100 km / h.


How to position the motorcycle for transport

Once we know the different types of vans available, we are going to see how the motorcycle should be positioned for transport.

To do this, first of all, the first thing to do is make sure that the motorcycle fits perfectly through the door, as well as that it can stand upright inside the van without any problem. This is important both for safety and to prevent the motorcycle from suffering any damage.

In any case, we recommend that you use a ramp to raise the motorcycle to the van, as well as that you have the help of another person, especially when it comes to large, very heavy motorcycles.

As for the ramp, it would be best if it was as long as possible, since this way the angle will be smaller, and you will have less chance of suffering any type of damage to your back. Ideally, the van should have a side door, as this will make it much easier to climb.

Once the motorcycle is inside the van, you should use the ground anchors when installing the straps, trying to form the widest possible angle. Make sure that the motorcycle, once anchored, is completely straight, with the center stand on. The best thing to do when transporting the motorcycle is that you are touching the separation panel.


How to transport a motorcycle on a trailer

If you do not want to transport the motorcycle by van, there is the possibility of doing it using a trailer, which will be attached to the back of the car. In this case, you can do it yourself, and it does not matter if the trailer is your own, loaned or rented.

The main advantage that the trailer offers you is that the transport will be much more comfortable since generally driving a conventional car is more comfortable than driving a van.

But when transporting the motorcycle on a trailer, you must bear in mind that there are also a series of laws that you will have to comply with.


Based on the B license, the law establishes that the maximum authorized mass, both of the car and the trailer itself, may not exceed 3500 kg in any case. There is a possibility for the maximum authorized mass to be higher, which is that the vehicle used for transport already reaches 3,500 kg in weight by itself. In that case, a 750kg trailer could be used, which would mean that the maximum authorized mass would rise to 4500kg in weight.

It is also necessary to differentiate trailers with a weight equal to or less than 750kg, and trailers whose weight exceeds 750kg. For the former, it will not be necessary to have any type of license, other than a license plate, with the same registration number as the car that is towing the trailer. The car insurance will cover any damage that could be caused by said trailer.

Regarding trailers of more than 750kg, these must have their own license plate, which you can obtain at any Traffic Headquarters, and you will also need your own trailer insurance, as well as pass the corresponding ITV.

Another point to take into account is the MMR, which is the maximum towable mass, which refers to the towing capacity of the vehicle used. This information can be found in the vehicle's technical data sheet.


Motorcycle transport price

When it comes to talking about the price that you will have to pay for the transport of your motorcycle, it is difficult to give a price for sure, since everything will depend on whether you use a van or a trailer, whether it is yours or you have had to rent it, whether you have chosen to hire the services of a specialized transport company, the distance you will have to travel ... There are many factors that come into play when defining the price of transporting a motorcycle.

What we can guarantee is that the cheapest price will be when you can use a motorcycle or a trailer, either yours or borrowed. In this way, you will only have to pay for gasoline, as well as the necessary straps and accessories in case you do not have them.

If you need to transport your motorcycle miles away, and you cannot conceive of the option of doing it yourself driving it on the road, these are the most recommended options, both for comfort and safety.

There is also the option of transporting the motorcycle by train or by boat, but these will have a much higher price, and it will also be necessary to carry out a series of much more complicated procedures.

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