Why Flatbed-Only Matters: How NOT to Tow a Motorcycle

We've unloaded bikes at Morgan's that survived the crash fine and got wrecked by the tow. Here's what wrong looks like — and what you should see when a truck shows up for your motorcycle.

The three ways bikes get hurt in transit

• The car dolly. Built to cradle car tires. A bike on a dolly balances on its wheels with side-load on the forks every turn. One pothole on the Dan Ryan and it's down — strapped to the rig that dropped it.
• The improvised pickup ramp. A 2x10 plank, two guys, and hope. Most dropped-during-loading damage we see starts exactly like this.
• Hard hooks on soft parts. Ratchet hooks over the bars, through the wheel, or around the fairing stay. Torn paint, bent levers, cracked plastic.

What right looks like

When a proper motorcycle flatbed arrives you should see: a level deck that lowers or a real ramp with a walkway, a front wheel chock so the bike stands on its own before strapping, four soft straps at the triple-tree and frame — compressing the forks slightly so the bike can't bounce — and nothing touching paint or plastics. The bike rides upright, square, and still.

Why we're flatbed-only

Lights Out tows motorcycles exclusively — sport bikes, cruisers, baggers, trikes. No car dollies, no wheel lifts, no "we'll figure it out." That's the whole point of calling a motorcycle-only company: the equipment and the hands that load your bike do this every day.

Need it moved without a scratch? (773) 420-7086 — 24/7 across Chicago & the suburbs.

Quick answers

Can a regular tow truck tow a motorcycle?

Technically they'll try — that's the problem. Wheel-lift and dolly rigs are built for cars. On a bike they load the forks sideways, crush bodywork, and let the machine pivot. The result is usually cosmetic damage at best, bent forks at worst.

What is the correct way to tow a motorcycle?

A flat, level deck; a wheel chock holding the front wheel; four soft straps to frame or triple-tree compressing the suspension slightly; nothing touching paint, plastics, or levers. The bike rides upright and cannot pivot.

Do soft straps really matter?

Yes. Bare ratchet hooks on bars or bodywork chew through paint and can crack fairings as the truck moves. Soft loops spread the load and touch only points designed to take it.