5 MIN READ
Motorcycle Transport: How can you safely transport a motorcycle?
Transporting a motorcycle requires careful planning and attention. Here are some tips to safely transport your motorcycle.
Why would you transport a motorcycle?
Perhaps your motorcycle is out of order and you want to transport it to the garage. You bought a second-hand motorcycle that hasn’t gone through inspection yet, or perhaps you bought a project bike to tinker with as a hobby project and it is simply not yet in working order. Furthermore, not every motorcycle has the necessary homologation to ride on public roads. For example, you are not allowed to ride on public roads with motocross bikes and track bikes. Other people will transport the motorcycle from A to B, and unload the motorcycle on site to go for a ride.
Choose the right transport method
These are the most common ways we transport motorcycles:
Trailer: The most common method is with a trailer equipped with a wheel clamp and anchor points. If it is not a covered trailer, then the motorcycle is exposed to weather conditions.
Van or pick-up truck: If you use a van or a pick-up truck, make sure the motorcycle is securely anchored, as you would do in a trailer. In a van, the engine is best protected against weather influences.
Motorcycle carrier rack: These are attached to the tow hitch and provide a platform for the motorcycle. Take into account the weight restrictions of the carrier and avoid placing too heavy motorcycles.
Loading the motorcycle for transport with a trailer
Depending on the way you transport the motorcycle, you will need certain accessories to secure the motorcycle properly and ensure safe transport. We go through the necessary steps to carefully load the motorcycle and the right tools to help you with this.
Prepare the trailer
Check if there are enough attachment points available to secure the motorcycle. If these are not present, you can place them on the trailer. You can choose to install four Acebikes D-rings, or an Acebikes railset to make it easy for you.
By using a motorcycle wheel clamp in which you can place the front wheel, you create the space to secure the motorcycle without the risk of tipping over.
Park the trailer on a flat surface and check if it’s properly attached to the towing vehicle. Place the loading ramp and make sure it is securely fastened and cannot shift or come off during the loading of the motorcycle. Make sure the loading ramp is positioned towards an open space. This way, you ensure yourself of enough room to ride the motorcycle onto the trailer.
You can choose to block the wheels of the trailer with the help of wheel chocks. This prevents the trailer from rolling forward or backward during loading.
Prepare the motorcycle
Remove unnecessary accessories or luggage from the motorcycle. This prevents you from losing them on the way. If you want to roll the motorcycle, make sure it is in neutral. If you want to ride it on, you can do this carefully in first gear. Check in advance whether the ramp can bear the weight of the motorcycle and the rider.
If you want to transport a motorcycle that is not yours, it is a good idea to inspect the motorcycle in advance and document all existing damage. This can prevent misunderstandings or discussions about transport damage afterwards.
Placement on the trailer
Place the motorcycle in the middle of the trailer with the nose of the motorcycle facing the direction of traffic. By positioning the motorcycle centrally, the balance of the trailer is maintained, which reduces the risk when taking corners.
If you first place the motorcycle in the wheel clamp, you don’t have to worry about the motorcycle potentially tilting while securing it.
Use tensioning straps or special belts to secure the motorcycle
It is important to secure both the front and the back of the motorcycle well with tensioning straps or specific tools. Use two straps for the front and two for the back.
Attach the loops of the straps at the front of the engine to sturdy parts of the frame, the handlebars or to the front fork of the motorcycle, and fasten them to the anchor points provided on the trailer. Pull the straps tight, but be careful not to tighten them too much. Press the front wheel suspension slightly to stabilize the motorcycle. The correct tension is important to maintain stability, too much tension can damage parts, warp them or overload the front fork.
TIP: Use a handlebar harness to secure the front of the motorcycle via the handlebars.
To secure the rear of the motorcycle, you can hook or loop tie-down straps to the frame, subframe, or the passenger footrests. If you prefer to keep straps away from the frame, you can use the Acebikes Tyrefix attachment to secure the rear wheel. This way, there is no load on the rear suspension. The Acebikes Tyrefix is equipped with special friction material, providing excellent grip on the rear tire.
After you have fastened all the belts and attachments, it is important to gradually tighten them all. This ensures that the engine is well anchored all around. If there is too much tension on one side, the stability is at risk.
Check all anchor points, try to test the suspension travel of the engine to see if nothing can shift. Then check if everything is still securely fastened and the tension remains within limits. Make sure you have checked everything at least twice, you can never be too sure. Now you are ready to hit the road!
Riding tips for safe motorcycle transport
Pay attention to the following points when you’re going to drive, especially if you’re not used to driving with a trailer.
Do:
- Smooth riding
- Periodic checks of the attachment points
Don’t:
- Hard braking
- Quick acceleration
- Taking sharp turns at high speed
Safely unloading the motorcycle
When you have reached your final destination, it is time to unload. Unload the motorcycle carefully and slowly, keep the engine stable when you reverse it off the ramp.
If all of this is new to you, you might want to practice a few times before your trip to get the hang of it. If you have any doubts, it’s important to enlist the help of some friends. It would be a shame if the motorcycle would drop because you were too stubborn to ask for help.
Summary
- Use a loading ramp to load the motorcycle for transport. This makes loading easy and safe.
- Use a wheel clamp to secure the front wheel. This way, the motorcycle stands upright and you can easily secure it.
- Use tension straps or other accessories to secure the motorcycle at the front and back for stability during the journey.
- Tighten the straps with feeling, ensure the motorcycle can’t go anywhere and that there isn’t too much force to warp or damage materials.
- Drive carefully.
Remember that safety is of the utmost importance. If you take the time to securely fasten and protect your motorcycle, you ensure it arrives at its destination in the same condition it left.
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Nathan is our webshop employee who is ready with advice and assistance to help customers. When he is not answering customer questions, he writes helpful texts and blogs for the RAD site.