Wheelie,
You're not doing anything wrong. There is no easier way.

With the exception of certain "first world"--particularly transatlantic--air/seafreight routes, there is no regular or ordinary communication or contact method that always works best in all parts of the world, at all times.

Stephen's suggestion--contacting local mcyc clubs--is a good option to
add to your repetoire, but it's only another possibility.

The worldwide freight transportation infrastructure is so variable that almost every situation-routing-market is different, in terms of the actual transport options, and who, specifically, to contact at what level of what provider/ organization.

And, if there is any "regularity," it is that the system is NOT set up to respond to individuals wanting to transport single personal vehicles. There is little margin/ incentive for aircargo or seafreight companies, or freight forwarder-agents, to deal with you/ us, because this type of service is labor-attention-detail-cost intensive compared to the types & scale of cargo customers that generate the most revenue for carriers and agents.

Another suggestion: using your Norway-Iceland example, you say you used EMAIL to (attempt initial) contact with various possible transport company options, presumably based in Oslo. I would offer that, if initial email or tel contacts do not generate any response, that you go personally to any providers' office location and engage an onsite rep/ agent directly, face-to-face. That will sometimes help cut through the(ir) information overload that your emails are only a miniscule part of.

Carry on...and continue to add your own experiences to this HUBB and similar targeted word-of-mouth/ online sources.

Totally agree. Sending one single motorcycle somewhere, once, is really like charity work for them. Another good point is that the system is built to move large volumes of cargo efficiently. When you have only 1 single item, that you want to transport, the system may not be so effective from your point of view. This especially comes up clearly with seafreight.