How do you tie down a motorcycle?

Tie down a motorcycle for transportation by securing the front wheel, and attaching straps to each side of the bike at the handlebars and the rear of the frame. Attach the other end of the straps to secure areas on the truck bed or trailer. Ratchet the straps to tighten.

1. Secure the front wheel

   Place a motorcycle wheel chock or locator into the center front of the truck bed or trailer. Load the motorcycle front first, pushing the front wheel into the chock.

2. Attach the front straps

   Wrap the handlebars with a soft cloth to prevent scratching. Hook one end of the tie-down strap to the handlebars. Hook the other end to the side of the trailer or a secure edge of the truck bed. Repeat on the other side.

3. Attach the rear straps

   Select a sturdy area on the rear bike frame. Wrap it with a soft cloth. Attach the tie-down strap over the cloth, and then attach the other end to the trailer or truck frame. Repeat in the same location on the other side.

4. Tighten the straps

   Use the ratchet mechanism on the tie-down straps to tighten them. Work back and forth between the straps to tighten each strap evenly. Push the front fork of the motorcycle down 30 percent to ensure the straps are tight enough to hold the bike in place during transport.