Why motorcycle towing is an underserved opportunity
Most tow operators focus exclusively on cars and trucks. Motorcycles represent a meaningful percentage of registered vehicles — approximately 10 million registered motorcycles in the United States — but only a fraction of tow companies actively market motorcycle towing capability.\n\nThis creates a gap. When a motorcycle rider breaks down, they often struggle to find a qualified operator and end up waiting significantly longer than a car driver would. The rider who finds a reliable, properly equipped operator remembers that operator. Motorcycle riders talk to other riders — the referral network within riding communities is tight and loyal.\n\nThe barrier to entry is low. A wheel chock and a set of soft tie-down straps cost $150-500 total. The equipment investment pays back on a handful of tows, and the differentiation it creates against competitors who do not handle motorcycles is immediate.
The equipment investment required
Adding motorcycle capability to an existing flatbed operation requires three things.\n\nA motorcycle wheel chock: $100-400 depending on quality and adjustability. A quality adjustable chock handles wheel sizes from 16 to 21 inches, covering the range from cruisers to adventure bikes. Mount it permanently to the flatbed deck or use a removable system depending on your operation.\n\nSoft loop tie-down straps: $50-150 for a quality set of four. These are inexpensive relative to the protection they provide. Replace them when they show wear — frayed or damaged tie-downs are a liability risk on any tow.\n\nFamiliarity with loading procedure: Watch a few professional motorcycle loading videos and practice with a bike before your first paid call. The technique is straightforward but muscle memory matters when you are loading a bike on a highway shoulder with traffic passing.
Where to find motorcycle towing clients
Motorcycle dealerships and independent repair shops are the highest-value accounts for operators building a motorcycle towing business. A powersports dealer that does not currently have a reliable tow partner is a warm prospect — walk in, introduce yourself, and demonstrate that you have proper equipment.\n\nRiding clubs and motorcycle associations are another strong channel. Clubs often maintain a list of recommended service providers for members. Getting on that list requires showing up at a club meeting, demonstrating your equipment, and making yourself known to the group.\n\nOnline presence matters for motorcycle towing in a way it matters less for general towing. Riders research everything. A Google Business Profile that explicitly lists motorcycle towing as a service — with photos of your wheel chock setup — will generate calls from riders who could not find any other qualified operator.\n\nJoining dispatch networks through platforms like TowMarX gives you inbound visibility to dispatchers who are actively looking for motorcycle-capable operators in your area. See how to structure a towing contract when dealerships want to formalize the relationship.
Pricing motorcycle towing services
Motorcycle towing can be priced at a modest premium over standard vehicle towing to reflect the specialized equipment and additional care required.\n\nA reasonable approach is to add $15-25 to your standard flatbed rate for motorcycle calls. This covers the equipment premium without pricing you out of a market where most riders have limited alternatives. At $90-115 for a local motorcycle tow versus $75-95 for a car tow, the premium is justifiable and most riders accept it without pushback.\n\nFor dealership accounts with consistent volume, negotiate a flat rate that is competitive with your car towing rate. A dealer sending you 15 motorcycle tows per month does not need to pay a per-job premium — the volume justifies standard pricing in exchange for the guaranteed relationship. See how to build a complete tow business pricing strategy that covers all vehicle types. See how to build motorcycle towing accounts.