Wooden Crate Packing for Bike Transport

What is wooden crate packing?

Wooden crate packing means building a frame of timber around a motorcycle after it has been wrapped and padded. The frame is fixed to a wooden base that the bike stands on, so the bike cannot tip over and other goods cannot press against it. The crate can then be lifted, stacked around and loaded with less risk to the bike inside.

It is an add-on to bike transport, not a separate service. The bike still travels to the destination in the same way; the crate is simply a stronger layer of protection than wrapping alone.

How a bike is packed in a wooden crate

The exact method varies with the size of the bike, but crate packing generally follows these stages:

1. Inspection. The bike’s condition is checked and existing marks are noted with you.
2. Preparation. Loose accessories are removed, and mirrors may be folded or taken off and packed separately.
3. Wrapping. The tank, handlebar, levers, lights, indicators, fairings and other exposed surfaces are covered with protective material.
4. Base. The bike is positioned on a wooden base and secured so it stays upright.
5. Frame. Wooden battens are fixed around and above the bike to form the crate.
6. Labelling. The crate is marked for handling and identification.

[To confirm: ARC’s actual crate construction: open-slat frame or closed box, how the bike is secured to the base, and materials used]

When crate packing is worth it

Crate packing costs more than standard packing, so it is worth weighing up. It tends to make sense when:

• The route is long. More distance means more hours of vibration and more handling points along the way.
• The bike is expensive or hard to replace. Premium motorcycles, bikes with large fairings, and bikes with sentimental value benefit from the extra protection.
• The bike is heavy or tall. A crate gives a stable footprint for bikes that would otherwise be awkward to keep upright.
• The bike is travelling with household goods. A crate keeps cartons and furniture from leaning on the bike.

When standard packing may be enough

For a commuter motorcycle or scooter on a shorter route, standard packing often gives adequate protection at a lower cost. If you are unsure, tell us your bike model and route, and we will explain the options rather than pushing the more expensive one.

Crate packing and the price of bike transport

Crate packing is priced on top of the transport itself. The cost depends mainly on the size of the bike (a bigger bike needs a bigger crate and more material) and on the crate type. It is shown on your written quote so you can compare it with standard packing before deciding.

Items that may appear separately on your quote:

[To confirm: list of charges that may be added to or listed separately on a quote, e.g. GST, packing, pickup/delivery, tolls, parking, waiting or storage — include only items ARC confirms]

Preparing your bike for crate packing

• Wash the bike and photograph it from all sides before packing.
• Reduce the fuel to the level we advise.
• Remove top boxes, saddlebags, phone mounts and other detachable accessories.
• Tell us about any existing damage, leaks or starting problems.
• Allow extra time on the pickup day — crating takes longer than standard packing.

At delivery: uncrating and checking the bike

At the destination, the crate is opened and the protective layers removed. Check the bike against the condition noted at pickup before you sign: look over the paint, tank, mirrors, lights and levers, and start the engine. If anything is new, write it on the delivery document and photograph it straight away.

Wooden crate packing FAQs

See the full bike transportation process, or more answers on our FAQs page.