How should a motorcycle be strapped on a tow truck?
Upright, chocked and held from both ends. The front tire goes into a wheel chock at the front of the deck so the bike can't roll or turn, then two straps pull forward and down from the front and two pull back and down from the rear. Held that way, the bike can't rock off its centre.
It is the method on our motorcycle towing page, and why we always use a flatbed, one of the towing services we run from No. 1 Road.
Where do the straps go on a motorcycle, and where should they never go?
Straps belong on solid, load-bearing parts. At the front that means the lower triple clamp or the fork legs low down, using soft loops so the ratchet hook never touches paint. At the back it is the frame, the subframe or the passenger peg mounts, again with soft loops.
| Part of the bike | Strap it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lower triple clamp or fork legs, low down | Yes, with soft loops | Solid, and close to the chocked front wheel |
| Frame, subframe or passenger peg mounts | Yes, with soft loops | Holds the rear down without touching paint |
| Handlebars | No | Bars can bend or slip in their clamps |
| Clutch and brake levers, mirrors | No | They snap easily under load |
| Fairings and side panels | No | Plastic cracks when a strap pulls on it |
| Exhaust | No | Often hot, and dents easily |
Why do a flatbed and wheel chock matter when strapping a bike in Richmond?
The chock does half the work. With the front wheel locked straight, the straps only keep the bike upright, not stop it turning or creeping forward under braking. A bike with a free front wheel can turn its steering under a hard stop at a light on Steveston Highway, and then the straps go slack.
A flatbed also keeps both tires off the road, so nothing is turning the chain or the final drive on the way to the shop. Our motorcycle towing cost guide for Richmond riders explains how the flatbed rate is priced, and our take on whether a flatbed is needed for motorcycle towing covers the trade-offs.
Riders in the village ask for motorcycle towing in Steveston by name; the setup is the same.
How tight should tow truck straps be on a motorcycle?
Tight enough to compress the suspension part way, and no further. Pulling the forks down a little keeps tension on the straps when the truck goes over a bump, so a strap can't go loose and let a hook drop out. Cranking until the forks bottom out can hurt the seals and leaves nothing to soak up the road.
We also check the side stand is up and nothing loose is left on the seat. A strap that rubs a cable or brake line gets moved.
Does the wind and rain around Steveston change how a bike is strapped?
A little, yes. Garry Point Park has power kite zones for a reason, and a tall touring bike on a flatbed catches that wind off the water. On those days we check the straps again before we pull out of the lot, and we take Steveston Highway at an easy pace.
Wet straps can settle and lose a little tension, so on a damp November morning we give them a second pull after a few minutes. When we load beside traffic, BC's Slow Down, Move Over rule means drivers have to pass our flashing lights at 40 km/h where the limit is under 80, which gives us the room to do it properly.
What should a rider check before the strapped motorcycle leaves?
Walk around it with us: straps clear of bodywork and cables, the front wheel square in the chock, the key and loose gear off the bike. If anything looks wrong, say so; we would rather fix it in the lot.
Our checklist before calling a bike towing service and what to do while waiting for a motorcycle tow truck cover the rest.
If the bike stopped on the road rather than in a lot, read what to do when your motorcycle breaks down in Steveston, and if you are weighing a few options, here is how to compare motorcycle tow companies in 15 minutes. You can also send us photos of your bike ahead of time.
Strapping a motorcycle on a tow truck in Steveston: the short version
A motorcycle should ride upright on a flatbed with the front wheel locked in a chock, soft loops on the lower forks and the frame, and straps pulled just far enough to compress the suspension part way. Nothing hooks onto the bars, levers, mirrors or fairings. On windy or wet days around Garry Point we check the straps a second time, and you walk around the bike with us before it leaves.
Motorcycle Tie-Down FAQ for Steveston, Richmond BC Riders
How many straps hold a motorcycle on the flatbed?
Four. Two pull forward and down from the front and two pull back and down from the rear, with the front wheel locked in a chock so the bike can't roll or turn.
Can a strap go on the passenger pegs or the exhaust?
The passenger peg mounts are fine with soft loops. The exhaust is not, because it is often hot and dents easily.
Why do you give the straps a second pull on a wet day?
Wet straps can settle and lose a little tension, so on a damp morning we tighten them again after a few minutes.
What should I take off the bike before it is strapped down?
The key and any loose gear. We also put the side stand up and make sure nothing is left on the seat.