It’s hard to match the freedom and exhilaration of riding on two wheels. Motorcycles exemplify American freedom and fun, but it’s not always possible to ride them from one place to the next.

Of all the considerations riders make when they tow their bikes, safety is the most important. If you follow these tips on safe towing, no destination will be too far away.

Choose Your Trailer Wisely

Trailering a motorcycle is one of the easiest ways to get it wherever it’s going. Using the wrong trailer type or size, however, can make maneuvering a challenge—which increases the risk of transportation-related damage. To avoid damage and potential injury, be sure to choose a trailer that’s designed for the type, size, and weight of the motorcycle you’re towing.

Tie it Down

Once you’ve got the bike on the trailer, the hard work isn’t over. To keep your motorcycle in place and prevent it from toppling over, use safety chains or towing straps that are specifically designed for bikes.

Additionally, don’t forget to secure the bike at both ends so it stays in place during transport. By taking these basic steps, you—and your bike—will get to your destination without a scratch.

Load it Properly

A common motorcycle towing mistake is to use improper loading techniques. When a bike isn’t loaded onto a trailer correctly, it’s more likely to tip over—which can damage the motorcycle and the vehicle being used to tow the trailer. To avoid such issues, be sure to follow the trailer and bike manufacturers’ loading instructions.

Use the Right Lighting

When transporting a motorcycle on a trailer, visible, bright lighting is essential. Many vehicles’ lights are dim, while some drivers forget to turn them on—and both situations create the potential for serious injuries and property damage. To get to your destination safely, check the lights on the towing vehicle and the trailer, and if needed, replace or repair them before hitting the road.

Check Your Insurance Policy

This is one of the most important tips on our list, as failing to follow it can leave you with a huge bill after an accident. There are several steps riders can take to ensure that they have enough coverage. First, check to see if you have the level of liability insurance required by the state, then consider buying comprehensive or collision coverage for extra protection.

Finally, learn about your policy’s limitations and exclusions so you know what’s covered and what isn’t. If you’re unsure of the type of insurance needed to transport a motorcycle, check with your local department of motor vehicles or an insurance agent.

Know the Law and Follow It

Not knowing your state’s laws on motorcycle towing can result in serious damage and expensive tickets. Every state has different rules on how bikes can be transported, so it’s important to read up on local laws before heading out. If you are new to the state and aren’t sure of its laws, call a tow truck company or the local police for advice. This simple step will protect your bike and keep you on the right side of the law.

Test it Out

If you’re towing your bike over a significant distance—and especially if it’s for the first time—a test run is crucial. Practice loading, securing, and unloading the bike a few times, and take a short trip with the trailer fully loaded. Your nerves (and your damage-free bike) will thank you!

Other Factors to Consider

Before loading up and heading out, assess your bike’s value and condition. For instance, a collectible motorcycle that’s in immaculate condition should be handled differently from one that’s an everyday rider. Here are a few things to think about when towing a bike.

• Open vs. enclosed trailering. Motorcycles are often transported on open trailers or in enclosed units. Renting or hiring an enclosed trailer typically costs more, but it protects bikes from the elements and road debris. Conversely, if the trip is a short one, an open trailer should be good enough to do the job.
• Crating. Transporting a motorcycle in a sturdy crate is the safest way to get it to its destination with no damage. However, it’s not cheap to build or buy a crate, and you’ll need to consider construction time when planning for delivery.
• Timing. If you’re in a hurry to get on the road, you’ll need to tow the bike yourself or book a freight hauler with a good track record of on-time deliveries. When time isn’t of the essence, however, you’ll have more choices.

By considering these and other factors when towing a motorcycle, you’ll get it to its destination in great, ready-to-ride condition. And, if you’re buying a bike from the American Motorcycle Trading Co., we’ll make sure it gets to you safe and sound.

Tips for Safer Motorcycle Towing

No matter how you tow your bike, these precautions and easy tips will ensure that it gets there in great condition.

• Drain all the fluids. Loading a bike with a full fuel tank is dangerous. Empty the gas tank and consider draining the coolant and engine oil. If you’re new to riding and don’t know how to do it, ask a motorcycle mechanic for help.
• Wrap cables. Next, wrap the battery cables so there are no accidental sparks. It may also be a good idea to unhook the battery.
• Remove any accessories. Take off any loose or non-essential items, such as saddlebags, so they’re not damaged during towing. Wrap them up and transport them separately.
• Let some air out of the tires. A slightly deflated tire will absorb the bumps from a rough road. Be sure to deflate the tires slightly, as letting out too much air may increase the risk of damage.
• Take plenty of pictures. If you’re paying someone to tow your bike, take pictures as you’re preparing it and again as it’s being loaded. Professional transporters typically have forms for bike owners to sign before shipments are accepted.

These steps may seem tedious and time-consuming, especially when you want to get on the road, but they’ll help you save frustration and disappointment later.

Moving a Motorcycle With a Truck or a Van

If you have a pickup truck, now is a great time to put its payload and hauling capabilities to use. Before beginning, park the truck on asphalt, concrete, or firm soil, as a soft or uneven surface may make loading more difficult. Load your bike by following these steps.

• Start by lining a ramp up with the truck’s tailgate. Motorcycles are heavy, and it’s important to choose ramps that can hold their weight.
• Use ratcheting tie straps to secure the ramp to the truck. Most motorcycle ramps have hooks for this very purpose.
• With help from a friend, walk the motorcycle up the ramp and into the bed of the truck. Never try to do this alone.
• Once the motorcycle is in the truck, secure it to the bed using tie straps and wheel chocks.
• With additional tie straps, secure the handlebars to the sides of the bed to prevent side-to-side movement.
• Run another strap around the swingarm and secure it to the bed of the truck.

Although it’s not the best way to move a bike, it is possible to use a van. By following most of the steps listed above and covering the interior of the van with drop cloths or blankets, you’ll get your bike where it needs to go with no damage on either end.

Moving a Motorcycle With a Tow Dolly

Of all the ways to tow a motorcycle, this one is the least common. To pull a bike on a dolly, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps. Start by hooking the front wheel to the dolly, leaving the bike’s rear wheel firmly on the ground. To prevent damage to the gearbox, be sure to shift the bike into neutral before departing.

With a maximum capacity of around 800 pounds, no need for additional trailer lighting, and a roughly 3x2 footprint, tow dollies are an easy, compact, and cost-effective option for those who need to tow their bikes.

Follow These Tips for Easier Motorcycle Towing and Moving

Towing or transporting motorcycles can be difficult, and if it’s not done right, it can result in significant damage. There are several common mistakes, including not using the proper equipment, not securing the load, not knowing the law, not having enough insurance, and not practicing beforehand. By learning the right methods and avoiding these simple mistakes, you will get the bike to its destination safely.

And, if you’re in the market for a new bike with a hassle-free delivery experience, turn to the team at the American Motorcycle Trading Co. With our wide-ranging selection of clean, low mileage used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, there’s sure to be one that gets your motor running. Browse our inventory of pre-owned motorcycles, get pre-approved for financing, and start your motorcycling journey here.