Tie Down a Motorcycle
Incorrectly tying down a motorcycle may lead to it falling out of your truck or trailer and onto the road while you're driving. To keep your motorcycle safe during transport, use an effective procedure to tie it into the bed of your truck or trailer so it won't fall out. Follow these stops on how to tie down a motorcycle.
Steps
- Place a motorcycle wheel chock towards the front of your truck bed or trailer. A motorcycle wheel chock is a wedge of metal or another sturdy material placed in front of the motorcycle's front wheel to prevent any movement.
- Load your motorcycle into the truck bed or trailer. Push the motorcycle up a ramp, or have some helpers pick up the motorcycle to get it into the truck bed or trailer.
- Push the front wheel into the motorcycle wheel chock.
- Wrap soft loops around the base of the left and right side handle bars. Soft loops are straps that keep the hooks of your ratchet straps off of your motorcycle to prevent scratching.
- Hook your ratchet straps to the other end of your soft loops on the handle bars. Ratchet straps are made for standard tie down applications and help keep your motorcycle firmly secured.
- Attach the other end of your ratchet straps to a secure point on your truck or trailer.
- Tighten your ratchet straps. Pull the slack out of one strap and tighten it gently. Repeat the action on the other ratchet strap. Each strap needs to be pulled tight enough so the bike will be standing upright with the aid of the straps.
- Find a stable component on either side of the rear of your motorcycle. Every motorcycle is a little different, so make sure that the part you choose is a sturdy and structural component of the motorcycle, such as the frame.
- Wrap soft loops around each of your stable components on the rear of your motorcycle.
- Attach your ratchet straps. Hook your ratchet straps to the soft loops on your motorcycle and to the bed of your truck or trailer.
- Tighten the ratchet straps on the back of the motorcycle. Pull the slack from the straps and then pull them tight.
- Double check all four straps. Make sure that each one is tight and hasn't become loose during the process of tying down your motorcycle.
Tips
- Once you're finished strapping down your motorcycle, stand in the floorboard of your truck or trailer and jump up and down to simulate driving on the street. This will give you an idea of how well the motorcycle will ride in the truck or trailer, and will help you determine if need to tighten the straps.
- To ensure a strong hold, use a ratchet strap with a metal buckle and a tooth-style gripping plate.
- Periodically check the straps. If you're going for a long drive, get out of your car or truck occasionally and assess your motorcycle's position. Adjust the straps if the motorcycle has shifted.
- Have a helper hold the motorcycle upright while you're tying it down.
Warnings
- Do not tighten your ratchet straps to the point where you bend components of your motorcycle.
Things You'll Need
- Motorcycle
- Truck or trailer
- Ramp
- Wheel chock
- Ratchet straps
- Soft loops
Related Articles
- Transport a Motorcycle
- Trailer a Motorcycle
- Ride a Motorcycle (Beginners)
- Get Motorcycle Repair Training
