Can a motorcycle be towed?

No. Bikes must be loaded onto a flatbed or into a van. There is no safe way to tow, dolly or spec lift a motorcycle.

How is a bike secured on a recovery truck?

Ratchet straps from the handlebars or forks compress the front suspension against deck anchor points, with soft loops to protect paint and a wheel chock to hold it upright.

Can I ride my bike after dropping it?

Not until the forks, wheels, brakes and controls have been inspected. Damage after a drop is frequently invisible and affects handling.

Is a puncture on a motorcycle rideable?

No. A deflating tyre on two wheels affects stability immediately and should be recovered rather than ridden, even for a short distance.

Will my bike be covered while in transit?

It should be under the operator's goods in transit insurance, but check the limit if your machine is high value, classic or custom built.

Motorcycle Recovery Guide: How Bikes Are Moved Safely

Why bikes need different equipment

A motorcycle has two wheels, no parking brake in the automotive sense, and nothing to stop it falling over the moment it is left unsupported. It cannot be towed, dollied or spec lifted in any circumstances, so every recovery is a load onto a flatbed or into a van. Loading requires a ramp with enough length to avoid grounding the exhaust or belly pan, and a wheel chock or front wheel clamp to hold the bike upright once it is on the deck. Operators who regularly move bikes carry these as standard rather than improvising.

Securing a bike properly

The accepted method is to compress the front suspension slightly with ratchet straps running from the handlebars or fork legs down to anchor points on the deck, so the bike is held under tension and cannot bounce loose. Soft loops protect the paintwork and prevent straps biting into brake lines or wiring. Straps should never be attached to plastic bodywork, mirrors, brake or clutch levers, or the exhaust. The rear is usually steadied with a second pair of straps or a wheel chock. A bike that has any slack in the straps will move on the first roundabout, and once it starts moving it usually goes over.

Common reasons bikes need recovery

Flat batteries after standing over winter are the most frequent, closely followed by punctures, which are far more serious on a bike than on a car and should never be ridden on. Chain and sprocket failures, snapped clutch cables, electrical faults, running out of fuel where there is no reserve, and low speed drops that bend a lever or footpeg all feature regularly. After any drop or collision, damage to the forks, frame, wheel rims or brake lines may not be visible, and riding on to see how it feels is a poor idea.

Where the bike is going

Have a destination in mind before the truck arrives, because it affects cost and time. That might be a dealer or independent workshop, a tyre specialist, your home garage, or storage while an insurance claim is settled. If the bike is going home, think about access: gravel drives, steep kerbs, narrow side gates and awkward garage entrances all make unloading harder, and a bike cannot simply be reversed off a deck by one person on a slope. Mention any of that when you book.

After an accident

Rider safety comes first: move away from the carriageway before worrying about the machine. Photograph the scene, the bike where it came to rest and the damage before anything is moved, because it matters for any claim. Do not attempt to ride a bike that has been down, even if it starts, until the forks, wheels, brakes and controls have been checked properly. Gear matters too: collect your helmet and any luggage, and keep the helmet even if it looks undamaged, because it may need replacing and forms part of the claim.

What to tell the recovery operator

Give the make, model and rough weight, because a large touring bike or a heavy adventure machine needs different handling from a 125. Say whether the bike rolls freely and whether the front brake still works, since a seized wheel or a failed brake changes how it can be loaded. Mention any damage, whether it will start, whether the steering lock is engaged, and whether you have the key. Describe where it is: a bike in an underground car park, down an alley, or on soft ground is a different job from one on a kerbside.

Storage and insurance

If the bike needs storing, ask whether it will be kept inside and how it will be secured, because motorcycles are far easier to steal from an open yard than cars. Check that the recovery operator's goods in transit insurance covers the value of your machine, particularly for classic, custom or high value bikes where a standard limit may not be enough. Ask for confirmation in writing if the value is significant. A properly equipped operator will not object to the question.

Frequently asked questions

Can a motorcycle be towed?: No. Bikes must be loaded onto a flatbed or into a van. There is no safe way to tow, dolly or spec lift a motorcycle.
How is a bike secured on a recovery truck?: Ratchet straps from the handlebars or forks compress the front suspension against deck anchor points, with soft loops to protect paint and a wheel chock to hold it upright.
Can I ride my bike after dropping it?: Not until the forks, wheels, brakes and controls have been inspected. Damage after a drop is frequently invisible and affects handling.
Is a puncture on a motorcycle rideable?: No. A deflating tyre on two wheels affects stability immediately and should be recovered rather than ridden, even for a short distance.
Will my bike be covered while in transit?: It should be under the operator's goods in transit insurance, but check the limit if your machine is high value, classic or custom built.

Need help now? We are based in Oldbury and dispatch 24/7 across the West Midlands.

Call 07402 666 687

Motorcycle recovery: how bikes are moved safely