There are a number of companies that specialize in moving motorcycles and ATVs across the country and the service isn't exactly cheap (with costs ranging $450 to $600), but we recently gave Federal Motorcycle Transport a try. The company has been moving bikes for the past 13 years and transports about 13,000 motorcycles per year.
Getting a quote is simple on Federal's web site. Just punch in the zip codes of the departure and destination points, and you'll get a rough estimate of how much it will cost to ship your baby.
Preparing the bike for shipping is relatively easy. Drain the fuel to as low a level as possible and pull the key (if you have one), and the bike is good to go. Federal can pick it up at your residence (if your home is accessible by semi-truck), but it is usually more economical and feasible to pick up from and deliver to a commercial site. Loading from a dock makes life easier and can save a buck or two. This wasn't an issue for us, since the truck that picked up our bike had a lift gate and parked outside Dirt Rider's Los Angeles office. The motorcycles are strapped to a pallet and shipped in enclosed Allied Van Lines trucks. Note that you should check with Federal before sending parts along with a bike. The company claims you can't, but we didn't know that and sent a box of parts with the bike and they arrived just fine.
You can track your shipment as it crosses the country on the Allied truck, which is good fun. We found when tracking our bike that, while the web site showed it was in Chicago, Illinois, it had actually already arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota. Also, Federal advertises that shipping takes eight to 14 business days. Our shipment from L.A. to St. Paul took only about six business days.
The service is fully insured, and Federal Motorcycle Transport promises no damage to the bike. As with a rental car, there's a pre- and post-delivery inspection to note any damage. Once you take it away, you are liable for any damage that does occur. Our bike arrived as it leftin good condition. Well, actually, that isn't true; the people at Federal washed the bike for us, as an editor who shall remain nameless decided to get it good and muddy before sending it off!