Motorcycle Transportation Best Practices
Motorcycle Transportation Made Easy

For motorcycle riders who
need to get their bike from point A to point B, there are several
options to take. Some riders simply want to
transport their motorcycles to a new location without riding
the entire way. Others transport their bikes because they are
moving to a new area or maybe because they've sold their bike.
There are a lot of reasons why you might need help with motorcycle
transporting, but first things first, you have to make sure you're
safe and secure on your travels. With a few simple and easy steps
to keep in mind, you'll find even a coast to coast move a
breeze.
Using A Pickup Truck
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url="http://www.chaparral-racing.com/product/high-roller-ratchet-tiedown/310-0042.aspx"
name="High Roller Ratchet Tiedown" image="310-0044"
alignment="right" ]One of the best ways to get your ride to its
destination is by using a pickup truck. The bed is perfect for
hauling a motorcycle and most truck beds have built-in tie downs or anchors. If
your truck doesn't have these latches, you can purchase them and
easily install them into the bed for added security.
Next, you want to invest in some premium tie down buckle straps, so
you know your ride is secure. Depending on the layout of your truck
anchors and tie downs, you typically want to connect two straps to
the handlebars. These straps should come from the top left and
right anchors. It's smart to keep these straps at a 45-degree angle
to your tire, since you'll want to have the bike as straight as
possible.
You will need to do the same thing for the bottom left and right
anchors as well. Tie them at 45-degree angles of the rear tire to
keep the motorcycle as straight as possible. This will equally
distribute the weight of your motorcycle in your truck bed.
Working In Small Spaces
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name="CCR Sport Bed Buddy Mini Size Motorcycle Tie Down Rack"
image="LV45-002-B" alignment="right" ]If your truck bed is too
small to tie your bike completely vertical, you might want to try
placing the front tire in the top left or right corner. However, if
you decide to do this, you run the risk of damaging your exhaust as
it will likely be very close or pressed up against the side of the
truck bed. Try to get as much room as possible as you don't want to
seriously dent your pipes.
Since your bike is tilted sideways, bumps in the road will push the
bike around a bit more, which is why it's smart to wrap your
exhausts with a towel and then duct tape the towel around your
exhaust pipes. This creates a thick protective sleeve for your
exhaust pipes to avoid scratches or dents. You'll need this during
your motorcycle transportation, as the straps can loosen.
Another option is to extend your working area by leaving the truck
tailgate down. To make sure your ride does not escape, you will
likely want to invest in a motorcycle transportation system built
for pick up trucks, such as the Bed Buddy from CCR Sport.
These devices attach to your truck bed and give you a location to
tie your bike down, and one specifically built for motorcycles at
that.
Using A Flatbed Trailer

If you don't have a truck or the bed is simply too small,
there are other routes - such as motorcycle transportation
carriers that attach to back of trucks and SUVs with a trailer
hitch. If you're only looking at a one-way move, renting a flatbed
trailer is one of the best options because you can easily place
your motorcycle in the middle of the trailer and tie it
vertically.
Flatbeds allow you to get your bike completely straight, which
helps keep it from harm while you are moving. You can use straps
that connect to each side of your handlebars, which are then tied
downward to anchors in the middle of the flatbed. This will
stabilize your ride.
Once you have the front stable, use the same technique on the rear
of your motorcycle to secure the back. It's beneficial to add more
straps from the base of the flatbed to the motorcycle. Every
connection should be tense and provide little to no wiggle room for
your ride to move during transportation.
When you feel like your ride is safe and secure, you're ready to
hit the road with your hitch or motorcycle in your truck bed.