Buying a motorcycle from a dealer is usually straightforward. The bike you've chosen might not be.

You may have found the right motorcycle at a dealership several hours away, or even in another part of Scotland or England. The dealer may not offer delivery, or their own delivery arrangements may not suit you.

In that situation, you can arrange for the motorcycle to be collected from the dealership and delivered directly to you.

This guide covers what to arrange before collection, what information your motorcycle transporter needs, and what happens when the bike is collected from the dealer.

1. Arrange the transport before collection

Once you've agreed to buy the motorcycle, it is worth arranging the transport before agreeing a collection date with the dealer.

You'll need to know:

Where the dealership is located
Where the motorcycle is being delivered
When the dealer can release the bike
Whether the motorcycle starts and rolls
Whether there are any known faults or damage
Whether the collection needs to happen on a particular day

Having those details before the transport is booked means the collection can be planned around the dealer's availability rather than trying to arrange everything at the last minute.

If you've bought a motorcycle from a dealer some distance away, you can also arrange the transport before travelling to collect it yourself. There is no need to make the journey simply to bring the motorcycle home if having it transported is more convenient.

2. Make sure the dealer knows who is collecting the motorcycle

If Ark Road Recovery is collecting the motorcycle on your behalf, make sure the dealership knows that a third party will be collecting it.

The dealer will need to know who is expected to arrive and when, according to whatever collection arrangements you have agreed with them.

You should also make sure the dealer has the correct delivery details for the motorcycle and that anything you have agreed to collect with it is ready when the transporter arrives.

If the dealership has its own collection procedure, collection times or access requirements, pass those details on when you arrange the transport.

3. Give the transporter accurate information about the motorcycle

The condition of the motorcycle affects how it is loaded, so it is important to provide accurate information when you arrange the collection.

We'll normally need to know:

Motorcycle make and model
Whether it starts
Whether it rolls
Any known faults
Any existing damage that could affect loading
Collection address
Delivery address
When the motorcycle is available to be collected

A motorcycle that does not start can still be transported. If it rolls, the winch can be used during loading. If it cannot roll, a skate can be positioned underneath the wheels using a small jack so that it can be moved without relying on its own wheels.

The condition of the motorcycle changes the loading equipment required, not whether it can be collected.

4. Check what the dealer is providing with the motorcycle

Before collection, make sure you and the dealer are clear about what is being handed over with the motorcycle.

This might include:

Keys
Panniers or top boxes
Accessories
Parts or other items included in the sale

If there is anything additional you want transported with the motorcycle, tell us when you enquire so we can confirm the arrangements before collection.

It is also worth confirming with the dealer where the motorcycle will be located when it is ready. A bike inside a workshop, behind a locked gate or somewhere with restricted vehicle access may require different arrangements from a motorcycle that is ready outside the dealership.

5. What happens when Ark Road Recovery collects the motorcycle?

Once the collection has been arranged, the process is straightforward.

The motorcycle is collected from the dealership at the agreed time and loaded using the appropriate equipment.

A motorcycle that starts and rolls can be loaded using the low-angle ramp. Where the motorcycle cannot be moved under its own power, the winch can be used, with the skate and small jack available where the bike cannot roll.

Once inside the van, the motorcycle is secured using appropriate straps and loops, with cushioning where needed to protect contact points.

The motorcycle is carried inside a fully enclosed van rather than being exposed to weather and road spray during the journey.

6. You don't normally need to collect it yourself

One of the main advantages of arranging transport is that you do not need to make a separate journey to the dealership simply to bring the motorcycle home.

Provided the dealership can release the motorcycle to the transporter under the arrangements you've made, Ark Road Recovery can collect it on your behalf and deliver it to the agreed address.

This can be particularly useful when the motorcycle is several hours away, when you've bought it without seeing it in person, or when you simply do not want to ride a newly purchased motorcycle home over a long distance.

7. What happens when the motorcycle arrives?

The motorcycle is delivered to the agreed address.

You do not necessarily need to be the person physically receiving it. If somebody else is receiving the motorcycle on your behalf, tell us when you arrange the delivery so the handover arrangements are clear.

For non-runners, the unloading process can be carried out using the appropriate loading equipment in the same way that the motorcycle was loaded.

Frequently asked questions

Can you collect a motorcycle directly from a dealership?

Yes. We can arrange collection from dealerships as part of a planned motorcycle transport job. Give us the dealership address, delivery address and any collection requirements when you enquire.

Do I need to be at the dealership when the motorcycle is collected?

Not normally. The dealership can release the motorcycle to Ark Road Recovery according to the arrangements you have made with them. Make sure the dealer knows who is collecting the bike and when.

What if the motorcycle doesn't start?

That's fine. A non-running motorcycle can still be collected. Tell us whether it starts and rolls when you enquire so we can bring the appropriate loading equipment.

Can you collect a motorcycle from a dealer outside Glasgow and Central Scotland?

Yes. We're Glasgow-based and regularly cover Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Stirling, with the rest of Scotland by arrangement.

Should I arrange the transport before buying the motorcycle?

It can be useful to get the collection and delivery arrangements in place before agreeing a collection date with the dealer, particularly if the motorcycle is a long distance away or the dealer has limited collection availability.

Ready to arrange collection?

Call 07542 798138 with the dealership address, delivery address, motorcycle details and when the bike will be available.

See our motorcycle transport service for planned collection and delivery, or How Motorcycle Transport Works for more information about the collection, loading and delivery process.

If you're preparing a motorcycle for collection, our guide on how to prepare your motorcycle for transport covers the information and arrangements worth checking before the van arrives.

Buying a Motorcycle from a Dealer? How to Arrange Collection and Delivery