How to Tow a Motorcycle?
Seeing a car on the side of the road is something most people are used to, but what happens when there’s a motorcycle stranded with an issue the rider can’t resolve on their own? Is there a motorcycle towing service available?
Those who don’t own or never rode a motorcycle before don’t even care about transporting a motorcycle because it’s something they’ll never need, but the truth is, faults on motorcycles happen. There’s a pretty high demand for motorcycle towing during the riding season.
If you’re interested in learning how to transport a motorcycle, here’s what you’ll need to know.
Equipment Needed for Transporting a Motorcycle
No matter what’s your plan on how to move a motorcycle, there’s some essential equipment you’ll need to have to ensure you’ll safely dock your bike and move it without causing any damage to it. First of all, you’ll need a truck or a trailer for transporting a motorcycle. You’ll be happy to hear that you’ll be able to rent a truck or trailer if you don’t already own it, but you’ll need someone to help you with loading the motorcycle and strapping it in safely.
Other pieces of equipment you’ll need include:
Loading ramp – Having a loading ramp that you can secure before loading your motorcycle will ensure there won’t be slip-ups, and it’s a much safer way of loading a bike to the truck or trailer than using wooden planks. There have been numerous situations where people didn’t have adequate loading ramps and damaged their motorcycles because they didn’t secure the ramp correctly.Adequate straps – Probably the most essential piece of equipment you’ll need for moving your bike. Every motorcycle towing service uses the highest quality straps that hold down the motorcycle firmly, keeping it from moving. Using bungee cords or regular ropes doesn’t secure the motorcycle completely because they allow movement and can cause damage to the paintwork.Chocks – Although most trailers for motorcycle towing have these pre-fitted, it’s still a good idea to have a pair of chocks just in case you need them. They’re placed in front and behind the tires to prevent the motorcycle from moving back and forth. They help reduce the stress on the straps and make the bike completely still on the trailer.
How Does a Motorcycle Towing Service Do It?
Although transporting a motorcycle is more straightforward and more accessible than towing a car, it still requires patience, skill, and adequate equipment. That’s why many people decide to hire a motorcycle towing service to handle the transport of their motorcycle. So, what does the process look like?
The first thing is getting the motorcycle on the trailer. It’s a delicate process because it’s most likely damage will occur then. The loading ramp must be completely secured to the trailer, and at least two people should push the motorcycle into place. Some bikes are cumbersome, so it’s essential to take things slowly. One person should be at the handlebars while the other should be pushing the motorcycle from the back.
Once the bike is in place, the next thing motorcycle towing service professionals do is strap in the bike and secure it as much as possible. Using chocks and straps will keep the bike still at all times, making it secure for transport.
When driving with a motorcycle on the trailer, you should always keep in mind that it’s much easier for a bike to fall than any other vehicle with four or more wheels. Therefore, you should adjust the speed you’re driving and how fast you turn. The quicker you go, the higher the chances are you’ll roll the bike over and completely ruin it.
Unloading the motorcycle is the same as loading but in reverse. You need to unstrap it and slowly roll it down the loading ramp making sure you’re holding it tight. This towing requires at least two people to keep it steady.
Do You Really Need Help From a Motorcycle Towing Service?
Now that we’ve covered how to move a motorcycle, the question is whether you can do it yourself or you need to hire professionals. If your motorcycle suddenly stops working in the middle of the road, the answer is yes. If you don’t have adequate equipment and someone to assist you quickly, the safest and best option is to call a towing service that does this type of towing.
Keep in mind that not all towing services offer motorcycle towing, so having a contact available at every moment is crucial. Depending on where your bike is located and the circumstances, you won’t always need to use motorcycle towing services. On the other hand, if you find yourself in need of help urgently, calling professionals is the only responsible thing to do. You’ll get help quickly, and you won’t need to worry about damaging your bike.
It’s Better to Be Safe Than Sorry When It Comes to Your Motorcycle
We don’t need to tell you that crashing a motorcycle is much more dangerous than being in a car crash. Regularly checking the motorcycle will minimize the risk of ever needing towing services, but things happen.
We’ve mentioned before that it’s crucial to have an emergency contact for a towing service that can assist you at any time of day. Phoenix Towing Service is one of the most professional towing companies in the Phoenix area. Not only can they help quickly, but they can transport any type of vehicle you own. So whether you’re moving and need help transporting your vehicles or you experienced any kind of trouble on the road, these guys will rush to help and do it professionally.
Having bike trouble on the road can be a very frustrating experience, primarily if you’re located in a remote place. Even moving houses can be frustrating if everything doesn’t go as planned. Moving or towing can be done without professional help, but it’s a decision people usually make to save some money. The problem is that many people think they know what they’re doing, and it, more times than not, ends up in irreversible damage. Professional towing and transport services exist to make our lives easier, and handing over your valuables to skilled professionals is much more affordable than fixing the damage caused by unprofessional handling.
Do you have any experience with a motorcycle towing service? Did you ever need your bike transported somewhere? We’d love to hear your comments and if you liked this article, feel free to share it with your friends on social media!
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