Some day, hopefully never, but probably likely, your motorcycle is going to give up on you and leave you stranded roadside, leaving no choice but to call the towers.
But towing a bike, especially one with unique size and awkward weight distribution, can be tricky. A good towing service knows how to make sure your bike is safely loaded and transported, avoiding the following mistakes.
1. Not Using The Right Equipment
Specific bikes need specific towing equipment. As it is, not many tow companies own a lot of bike specific towing equipment. Be mindful that some bike models can't have their wheels move while the engine is not running and if you need to keep your bike off the road, choose a flatbed style trailer, for example. A good brand and model is the Condor Motorcycle Loader for Flat Beds.
2. Not Securing The Bike
Your bike isn't made to stand upright all on its own and needs special straps to keep it secure while towing. This cushions and protects it from the invariable bumps and knocks throughout the tow journey.
Strap the handlebars toward the front tire and make sure that the rear tire is secured using a strap that is near the seat. They should then take up the slack and tighten them so that the front suspension bottoms out and prevents the bike from moving. Vulcan makes very good and durable heavy duty straps and bike tie-downs.
3. Not Leaving Enough Room
Even the most securely strapped bike is bound to move slightly during travel, so there should be enough room to allow for this movement, or you risk damage to your bike.
Leave about six inches past the handlebars to ensure that it doesn’t bump into anything. You will also want to leave about the same amount of space in the rear of the bike as well.