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Buying a motorcycle can be a big investment, so it’s smart to make sure that your ride is safe and secure when transporting it.
But doing isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
In fact, you have to consider a lot of things to ensure that there is no room for costly errors. We’ll go over them below.
An improperly tied-down motorcycle can be a tragedy just waiting to happen.
Aside from damaging your ride, it can also pose a safety hazard to the trailer and other people on the road, which is why it’s very important to learn the basics of tying down a motorcycle on a trailer properly.
Is it possible to tie down a motorcycle without a chock?
There have been divided opinions about tying down a motorcycle on a trailer without using a wheel chock.
Some would say it’s okay as long as you tie the bike as securely as possible and if you’re only transporting it a short distance.
But tying down a motorcycle without using a wheel chock leaves the possibility of the front wheel turning and the entire motorcycle moving or tipping while being transported.
This is especially true if you’re traveling on a rough road where bumps could make the wheels unstable.
So, if you want to transport your motorcycle as safely as possible, it’s best to use a wheel chock to secure the wheels during your trip.
If you don’t have the budget for a metal wheel chock, you can always make one from wood or any other sturdy material.
How To Tie Down a Motorcycle on a Trailer
Aside from a good wheel chock, you also need ratchet straps to secure your motorcycle properly following these steps:
1. Secure the Wheel Chock
Put the wheel chock towards the front end of your trailer before loading the bike using a ramp.
Once the motorcycle is on the trailer, push the front wheel towards the chock to keep it from moving.
2. Protect the Bike
Start by wrapping soft loops around the base of both the left and right handlebars.
Soft loops protect your motorcycle against the hooks of the ratchet straps that could cause scratches while giving you something to secure the hooks to.
You can also use soft hooks on your ratchet straps to keep your motorcycle safe.
3. Attach the Ratchet Straps to the Front of the Bike
Hook one end of your ratchet strap on the left and right handlebars of your motorcycle and the other end onto a secure point in your trailer.
4. Tighten the Straps
Tighten your ratchet straps gently at first to secure the motorcycle.
Make sure that each end is pulled tight enough to keep the motorcycle standing upright with the help of the straps.
5. Attach Ratchet Straps to the Rear of the Bike
Look for a sturdy area on either side of your motorcycle’s rear end like the frame to secure your ratchet straps.
Don’t forget to use soft loops again to protect your motorcycle from scratches.
Follow the same technique in attaching and tightening your ratchet straps at the back of your motorcycle.
Make sure that you pull the slack from your straps to make them as tight and secure as possible.
6. Secure the Rear Wheel
For additional security and to make sure that your bike’s rear end doesn’t bounce around during transport, you can do a second tie-down running around the anchor point on the bed and around the rear wheel.
This will keep the motorcycle from moving from side to side while you’re on the road.
7. Double Check for Tightness & Anchor Points
Once everything is in place, double-check each of the four ratchet straps to make sure that everything is tightly in place and nothing became loose on the process of tying down your motorcycle.
It’s also good to do a test drive for a short distance just to see if your motorcycle will stay in place and nothing will move when the trailer is in motion.
When tying down your motorcycle, be sure to invest in good quality ratchet straps, soft loops, and a wheel chock to keep everything in place and protect your motorcycle from any damages during transport.
After all, you paid good money for your ride, it’s only fitting that you also invest in the right tools to keep it safe and secure whenever you’re transporting it on a trailer.
