Motorcycle riding provides the kind of thrill and excitement that you can hardly experience anywhere else. However, all the joy turns to misery when your motorcycle breaks down. You are left with only one thought in your mind and that is to take your bike and yourself to safety.
But how do you do that effectively? It's pretty straightforward for a car but not so much for a motorcycle. So, how to tow a motorcycle? Well, we are here to answer just that, and this guide will help you decide the best way to tow your motorcycle safely.
What You’ll Need Before You Tow Your Motorcycle
Before you take any steps to secure your motorcycle, it is wise to plan ahead and acquire the right equipment for the towing. Before you even start hooking up the ratchet straps, you’ll need a few things to successfully tow your motorbike.
A Plan
The first thing on your agenda should be to devise a full-proof plan. Naturally, you want to strategize for the worst-case scenario and then slowly move on to the best possible case. What if you are stranded in a remote location where there is nobody to help you? What happens if you don’t have a car?
You must weigh all your options and compare the scenarios, so you are ready for whatever the situation demands.
Assistance
Riding alone can be fun, and at times the only thing you can do, but it is always better if a buddy tags along for the ride. There are several advantages to this, one of which includes help in times of need.
So, if you get into an accident, or get a flat tire, for example, you will have someone by your side to will help you, no matter the situation. Your friend can also prove helpful in towing your motorcycle, so you are not left stranded on the side of the road.
Towing Straps
You can’t start towing your bike if you don’t have the right equipment for the job. Without the right tools, even a riding buddy wouldn’t be able to help too much. Therefore, get yourself a pair of towing straps. So, when you are stranded, you can use the harness to attach your motorcycle to a car or another motorcycle and tow it safely.
If you are indecisive about which towing straps to buy, you can try out our personal favorite, the Rhino USA Ratchet Tie Down Straps. These badboys have a high load rating of 1,823 pounds, so you don’t ever have to worry about them snapping. We have tried and tested them several times and found them to be the perfect accessory for riders.
Wheel Chock
A motorcycle wheel chock is a sturdy wedge that holds the bike in place and stabilizes it so there is no lateral movement. A wheel chock comes in handy during repairs, when you want to park your motorcycle, or when you want to tow your motorbike. Once the wedge is secured under the wheel, one end of the strap is attached to the wheel chock and the other to the towing vehicle in front.
The secure nature of the wheel chock allows the motorcycle to be towed without any difficulty. We have found that the Extreme Max Standard Motorcycle Wheel Chock works best in this situation. It is durable, sturdy, and perfect for towing your motorcycle.
How To Tow A Motorcycle (With A Car, Truck, Or SUV)
You have limited options when it comes to towing a motorcycle safely. You can either use a car, an SUV, or a truck for ease. If you want, you can also use another motorbike, but that is neither easy nor safe. So, it’s best to stick to the basics and use a four-wheeled vehicle at all times if possible.
Use A Motorcycle Tow Dolly
The first option on our list is a motorcycle tow dolly, which is perhaps the most cost-effective way to tow a bike. Yes, you would have to invest in buying one initially, but the tow dolly pays dividends in the long run. In essence, it is like a car dolly but with space for only one wheel.
The device attaches to a hitch on the back of your vehicle and the front wheel of your bike is secured on top. A set of metal clamps holds the tire in place, so you can safely tow your motorcycle wherever you want.
The motorbike tow dolly comes in various shapes and sizes. So, it's your job to find one that fits your bike's front wheel perfectly. But in some cases, a wheel chock can also be attached to the trailer hitch on a vehicle, for the same effect. The only aim is to stabilize the front wheel and restrict its movement while avoiding contact from the road.
Use A Motorcycle Carrier
Have you ever seen cars driving around with bicycles attached to the back? It's quite common nowadays, and many people use it. However, did you know that you can get one for your motorcycle as well?!
Well, you shouldn't be surprised because motorcycle carriers are all the rage nowadays, among enthusiasts, which means you should get one for yourself too. After all, why shouldn’t you? The carrier can attach to almost any vehicle and help you tow or transport your motorcycle to any destination.
In other words, a motorcycle carrier is a handy accessory. If your bike breaks down and you need assistance, you can always call someone from home to bring your car to the site and pick up your motorcycle using the carrier. It’s a smart and easy solution, which is why many riders have opted for this method.
If you are unsure which one to get for yourself, we recommend going with the TMS Heavy Duty Motorcycle Hitch. We have one for our personal use, and let us assure you, this carrier does not disappoint. It is lightweight, portable, and can hold some of the heaviest bikes in the business. Try one for yourself, and you'll see why we love it so much.
Use A Trailer
The next option and perhaps the safest one is using a trailer to tow your motorcycle. You must be aware of how a trailer helps carry the load, but it’s important to know how to tow a motorcycle using a trailer.
To start, you would first need a trailer with no covering. Secondly, you won't need a huge one, so you can save some money on that end. Thirdly, you would require a set of straps to secure the motorcycle to the trailer.
When you have all the right items in one place, you can put your motorbike on the trailer and attach it to the towing vehicle. However, you should make sure that the towing vehicle is powerful enough to pull the weight of both the trailer and the motorcycle. In other words, the car you use should have a decent amount of torque to pull the load.
But if you have an SUV or a truck, you shouldn't have to worry too much as these vehicles are built for such work.
Use A Truck
If you have a pickup, you might not need anything else, given that your truck’s bed is big enough for your motorcycle. However, you will need a ramp, as that is the only way to load your motorcycle onto the truck's bed. You can get the fancy ones online or in a motorcycle store. But if you want to improvise, you can likely use any type of standard ramp as long as it’s wide enough for your bike’s tires.
The rest can be brought down to technique. We'll explain how that works. So, you start up your motorcycle and put it in gear. Once that is out of the way, you should stand on the right side of your motorcycle and release the clutch slowly. Your bike will start to move forward and up the ramp.
When you are halfway up, and it’s getting hard to reach for the handle, climb up the truck using a stepping platform. This technique will allow you to stay by the motorcycle’s side and steer it safely onto the truck’s bed.
Next, attach the wheel chock to stabilize the bike and use the straps to tie the wheel to the far ends of your truck. That’s it! Your job’s done!
How To Tow A Motorcycle (Without A Car)
Sometimes it might not be possible to arrange a vehicle to tow your motorcycle. In such situations, your only shot is to call the motorcycle towing service or use your friend’s motorcycle to your advantage. These ideas are not necessarily the safest, but you can use them as a last resort.
Use Another Motorcycle
You can use your riding buddy’s motorcycle or take help from a passerby, but only do that when you have no other option. That’s because using another motorcycle to tow yours can be dangerous for both you and the other rider. But how to tow a motorcycle using another bike?
It’s pretty easy. You don’t need a harness or anything else. All that’s required is the power of the human body’s leg muscles. Essentially, you will sit on your motorcycle while the other rider places their leg on the footrest on your bike. After that, the support rider will start to accelerate, and his foot will act as a medium that transfers power to your motorcycle. You will both start moving forward and eventually reach your destination.
However, there is a lot of danger for the other rider as there is always a chance for their foot to slip. Plus, it is dangerous to go side by side in traffic. So, avoid this method as much as possible and choose other options whenever you can.
Call A Motorcycle Tow Company
When all else has failed, your only option is to spend some money and call the towing company to rescue you. We won't recommend calling them when you have many other ways to tow your motorcycle. But if you don't own a truck or a car and your friends are also unavailable, then calling the towing company is the safest option.
Tips & Tricks For Transporting Your Motorcycle
People Also Ask (FAQs)
How much does it cost to tow a motorcycle?
An average motorcycle towing company will charge you $75 to $130. The charges could be more or less depending on your state.
Can you tow a motorcycle with a small car?
The general rule is that you need 80 lb-ft of torque for every ton you tow. So, a car that makes 80 lb-ft is highly capable of towing a motorcycle.
What is the cheapest way to tow a motorcycle?
While we do not recommend this solution, the cheapest way is to tow your motorcycle using another motorcycle. You don’t really need any extra tools, and you don’t have to call a tow truck.
Are motorcycle hitch carriers safe?
Yes! In fact, we would recommend using a hitch carrier if you need to transport your motorcycle. As long as everything is tied down correctly, you should have no problem towing a motorcycle with a hitch carrier.
Conclusion
In essence, towing a motorcycle is a fairly easy job if you have the right equipment, knowledge, and motivation. If you plan ahead and keep your loved ones informed of your riding schedule, you might never get stuck by the roadside ever again! We hope this guide helped you understand how to tow a motorcycle safely and effectively.
