The right equipment for motorcycle towing
Motorcycle towing requires equipment specifically designed for two-wheeled vehicles. Using the wrong equipment risks tipping, sliding, or damaging the bike during transport.\n\nA flatbed tow truck with a wheel chock is the standard for professional motorcycle towing. The wheel chock holds the front wheel upright and stationary during loading and transport. Without a chock, the bike must be held by someone during the entire loading process — which is unsafe and impractical.\n\nSoft loop tie-down straps are required to secure the motorcycle. Hard metal hooks damage chrome, paint, and soft components. Soft loops attach to the handlebars, frame, or other hard mounting points and are tightened with ratchet straps to keep the bike upright and stationary throughout transport.\n\nMotorcycle trailers are an alternative to flatbeds for short-distance transport. A proper motorcycle trailer has built-in wheel chocks and tie-down points designed for bikes. However, flatbeds are more common in professional roadside settings because they can be deployed quickly without a separate tow vehicle.
How to load a motorcycle onto a flatbed
Loading a motorcycle onto a flatbed is a two-person job done correctly. One person guides the bike up the ramp while the other steadies it from behind.\n\nThe ramp angle matters — too steep and the bike is difficult to control, too shallow and the exhaust or lower fairings may contact the ramp. Most professional flatbeds have adjustable ramp angles for different vehicle types.\n\nOnce the front wheel is in the chock, the bike should stand upright without being held. If it does not stand on its own in the chock, the chock is not the right size for that wheel diameter.\n\nStrap attachment points should be on hard frame components — handlebars wrapped with soft loops, frame attachment points, or designated tie-down rings on sport bikes. Never attach straps to brake lines, cables, mirrors, or soft fairings. Compress the suspension slightly when tightening straps so the bike does not bounce during transport.
Towing a motorcycle that is down or cannot be rolled
A motorcycle that has been in an accident and is lying on its side, or one with a seized wheel or locked drivetrain, requires additional care during loading.\n\nFor a bike that is down, the operator typically needs to right the motorcycle before loading. This requires assessing the damage first — a bike with frame damage, bent forks, or a compromised wheel may need to be loaded while tilted or on a specialized recovery sled rather than rolled upright.\n\nFor a bike with a locked rear wheel (seized brakes, locked drivetrain, or a flat that cannot support rolling), the operator uses a dolly under the wheel to allow movement without rolling the tire. This protects both the tire and the pavement and allows the bike to be positioned for flatbed loading. See the specific considerations for towing a motorcycle after an accident.
What operators and owners should never do when towing a motorcycle
Several towing practices that are acceptable for cars cause damage when applied to motorcycles.\n\nNever use a standard wheel-lift on a motorcycle. Lifting only the front or rear wheel and allowing the other to roll will damage the drivetrain on shaft-drive bikes and creates instability that can drop the bike during transport.\n\nNever strap across soft components. Fairings, seats, and windscreens are not structural and will crack, dent, or deform under strap pressure. All tie-down points must be on metal frame or handlebar components.\n\nNever tow a motorcycle by its handlebars without proper soft loops. Direct contact between a metal hook or chain and the handlebar finish will cause immediate cosmetic damage.\n\nNever transport a motorcycle without checking fluid levels if it has been on its side. Fuel, oil, and coolant can migrate into cylinders or air boxes when a bike has been lying down. Running the engine without clearing these fluids causes serious engine damage. See what professional motorcycle towing costs in 2026. See your full motorcycle roadside assistance options.