How to Tow Your Motorcycle

If you need to transport your motorcycle and you can’t ride it from point A to point B, then it only make sense to tow it. Using a trailer, either an enclosed or open-bed trailer, to tow your motorcycle will get it where it needs to be and the nice thing is that a motorcycle is a pretty easy thing to tow, all things considered.

Interstate Cycles in Lake City, serving Jacksonville and Gainesville, is your Florida motorcycle dealer. Here are the steps you need to take to tow your motorcycle in a trailer safely.

Know the Terminology

When using a trailer to tow your motorcycle, you’ll want to know what a few terms mean before you start:

• Ball mount: the square piece of metal that slips into the hitch.
• Hitch: the hollow metal piece on a vehicle that accepts a ball mount.
• Tagalong: a type of trailer that has no brakes of its own. Very small.

Focus on Stopping

It’s easy enough to get a trailer in motion when you start your vehicle and move forward. The really challenging part is when you need your trailer and towing vehicle to both come to a complete stop. Trailers with brakes are a good way to ensure that you have sufficient power to stop. You’ll need to ensure the brakes are attached to your vehicle in order to be able to use them.

Use the Right Towing Vehicle

While most vehicles are capable of towing something, the best results come from using a sizeable and sturdy vehicle like a large pickup truck. The biggest vehicle combined with the lightest trailer will make it really easy to tow. Why is a big truck the best option? Primarily for the amount of stopping power it has, especially if you’re going to be towing on inclines. You need power to get up the hill and power to brake as you descend it again.

Secure Your Motorcycle

When you wheel your motorcycle up the ramp and onto the trailer, make sure you take the time to secure the bike in place. Try to balance it right in the middle so it’s not weighing down one side of tires too much. Use ratchet straps, ropes and tie-downs to secure the motorcycle in place so it doesn’t shift while you drive.

Go Slowly

Once you get on the road with your towing setup, it’s important to be vigilant and take it slow. Bear in mind that the traffic around you probably won’t be very forgiving so you’ll have to be very cautious and give yourself plenty of space to stop. Keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors and signal all your lane changes in advance.

Looking to purchase a new bike? Visit our dealership in Lake City, FL, today to view our current stock of new and used motorcycles for sale. Talk to our friendly sales team if you’d like assistance with financing options on your motorcycle purchase. Interstate Cycles proudly serves all of our Florida customers in Gainesville and Jacksonville.