What should come off your motorcycle before the tow truck arrives in Steveston?
Anything that can fall, flap or walk away. Saddlebags and a top box you can unclip, the tank bag, a phone on a bar mount, a cover, a loose cable lock and your helmet if it is hanging on the bars. Take them home in the car or bring them along.
Fixed luggage can stay, but empty it: a full top box puts weight high up. Our guide on how motorcycle towing works shows where the straps go.
Why take photos of your bike before it is towed?
Because a photo settles any question later. Take the left side, the right side, front and back, then the dash with the odometer, and any existing scratches.
After a crash, the photos help with your claim as well. ICBC's page on getting a damage estimate explains what comes next, and it is worth keeping every towing receipt with them.
How do you leave the locks, steering and gears ready for loading?
Take the disc lock off and put it in your pocket, then unlock the steering and point the front wheel straight. Click the bike into neutral and push it a little to check it rolls. Keep the key with you and hand it to our driver when we arrive.
Key lost or a lock you can't open? Read can a motorcycle be towed without the key first, and tell us when you call. The five checks before you call for a bike tow cover the same ground in one list.
Is there anything on your motorcycle we should know about before we strap it?
Yes, tell us about anything low or fragile: a low exhaust, a belly pan, a full fairing, aftermarket pegs or a lowered suspension. Those change the ramp angle and where the soft loops go on the frame. We never strap to the bars, levers or fairing, whatever the bike.
Here is the short list to tick off while you wait:
| Do this | Why it matters | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Bags, tank bag, mount and helmet off | Nothing loose shifts or goes missing | You |
| Photos of all sides and the dash | A clear record of the bike as it was | You |
| Disc lock off, steering unlocked, neutral | The bike rolls straight up the deck | You |
| Tell us about low or fragile parts | We pick the right strap points | You, on the call |
| Wheel chock and soft straps on the frame | The bike rides upright and steady | Us |
How do you clear a path for the flatbed in Steveston Village or a parkade?
A flatbed needs room to tilt its deck right beside the bike. In the village, if you are parked in a lane off Moncton Street, check the signs: some Steveston lanes fall under the City's lane permit parking pilot, and a car parked tight beside the bike can block the ramp.
In a condo or townhouse parkade, send us the gate code and the clearance posted at the ramp. Underground parkades and low ceilings are a published $50 extra, and we mention it before we book. Can a standard tow truck handle a motorcycle explains why it is always the flatbed that comes.
What should be sorted before your motorcycle leaves Steveston?
The drop-off. Have the full address of your garage, dealer or mechanic, and call the shop to say the bike is coming, especially late in the day. Tell us if it closes before we can get there and we plan it with you.
Then stand back off the road while we load; the motorcycle towing rules Steveston riders should know explain why. Our towing services page lists what else we move.
Getting your bike ready for a Steveston tow, in short
Take the loose gear off, photograph the bike, leave it unlocked and in neutral with the key in your pocket, and give the flatbed room to tilt beside it. Tell us about low or fragile parts and the drop-off, and we look after the chock, the straps and the drive. How to secure your bike on a tow truck shows that part step by step.
Getting a Motorcycle Ready to Tow in Steveston FAQ
Should I leave fuel in the tank before my motorcycle is towed?
Leave it as it is. The bike rides upright in the chock, so there is no need to drain or top up the tank for a local tow.
Can I leave my helmet locked to the bike?
Better not. Take it with you. A helmet on the bars or seat can get in the way of the straps and is easy to lose.
Do I need to wash or clean the bike first?
No. Just clear anything loose. Mud and road grime from the dyke make no difference to how it loads.
What if I can't get the steering lock off?
Leave it and tell us. A bike with locked steering that won't roll straight is a published $40 extra, and we guide it up the deck as it sits.