How to tow a motorcycle
A motorcycle goes on a flatbed, upright and strapped. There is no acceptable wheels-down version: a bike cannot be dragged behind a truck without damaging the drivetrain, the bearings or the machine itself, and it will not stand up on its own.
Where the straps go
Straps run through the suspension or structural points, compressing the forks partially so the bike cannot bounce. Never by the handlebars alone: the bars are not designed to hold the machine's weight against a truck's motion, and an over-tensioned strap on the forks can damage the seals.
A front wheel chock does most of the work of holding the bike upright. Without one, the machine depends entirely on strap tension.
Where the damage shows up
Fork seals from over-compression, scratched fairings from badly placed straps, and bearings from being dragged. Photograph the bike strapped down before it leaves: if something appears later, that photograph is what separates transport damage from pre-existing wear.
Related questions
Sources (1)
- Towing and Recovery Association of America — Training and certification levels (accessed 2026-08-17) T2