How to Tow a Motorcycle

Need to transport a motorcycle without riding it all the way there? There are several methods to choose from, and it’s important that no matter which method you choose you understand how to accomplish it safely.

Here’s a quick look at several common methods for motorcycle towing and what you should know.

Transporting Motorcycles by Trailer

You can use a simple towing trailer to move a motorcycle. Ideally you will purchase a trailer that specifically accommodates the type of bike you own.

When using a trailer, you will need a proper ramp to load the bike. The ramp should provide plenty of distance to avoid needing too high of an angle, and should also have enough weight capacity to handle the load of a motorcycle driving on top of it. Our Motorcycle Ramp Calculator makes it unbelievably simple to quickly determine the minimum ramp length you need, or read more about how to choose an appropriate motorcycle ramp for your situation.

Once the motorcycle is in the trailer, it must be chocked in both the back and front to help keep it stable during transportation. If the trailer doesn't come with a wheel chock, choose a motorcycle wheel chock that fits your bike and your trailer. Most will need to be bolted to the trailer floor beforehand, however the Black Widow Pro Chock stays in place with tension - ideal if you don't want to drill into the trailer bed.

You will also need to secure the motorcycle to the trailer bed with soft loops and/or ratchet straps. Need help knowing where to safely secure it? Read How to Tie Down a Motorcycle for a complete breakdown. Begin by attaching the straps at the front and back of the bike, and attach the straps in the back rearward. This helps create some tension to keep the bike in its position.

Before driving away, double check to make sure the bike’s suspension is compressed—if it’s not, the straps could give away, which could cause the bike to become unstable and take damage during transportation. For additional information, read How to Tow a Motorcycle Trailer.

Transporting Motorcycles by Hitch-Mounted Carrier

Although motorcycle carriers attach to the hitch of a truck or SUV just like a trailer, it's important to note that they are technically not being towed, but rather hauled. They're a more affordable option than a trailer, and will save you time and space if transporting dirt bikes or small-to-medium weight motorcycles up to about 600 lbs. total (depending on the carrier capacity).

Perhaps the biggest benefit of using this method is that it avoids you having to hook up a separate trailer connection to your vehicle. You can transport the motorcycle without adding much in the way of additional square footage off the back of your vehicle.

When choosing a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier, some of the key features to consider include weight capacity, anti-tilt mechanism, whether or not it has an adjustable wheel chock, and how long the loading ramp is. The longer the ramp, the easier it will be to load.

As always, be sure to use straps to tie down the bike and keep it stable during transportation.

Transporting Motorcycles with Tow Dollies

The tow dolly is not used as frequently as motorcycle carriers or trailers, but is still an effective method of transporting a motorcycle from place to place.

With a tow dolly, you hook the front tire to the dolly and keep the back tire on the road. Place the motorcycle in neutral so its back tire will turn as you pull it, which will prevent any damage from occurring to the tire or the motorcycle itself.

The benefit of using a tow dolly is that you can efficiently and securely tow the motorcycle while freeing up some space in and on the back of a vehicle. The dolly itself has a relatively small profile and light weight, so it is easy to take off and store away when not pulling a motorcycle. Despite that small profile, tow dollies frequently have significant carrying capacities. Most can carry motorcycles of up to 800 pounds, aided by the fact that part of the bike is actually on the road, which eliminates some of the load.

Another benefit is that the dolly does not require you to wire blinkers or brake lights, as you would need to do with a trailer.

Consider these various towing options and which is the best fit for you so you are properly outfitted for the next time you need to transport your bike.