How to transport a motorcycle after a road accident
Even the most experienced and careful motorcyclist is not immune from road accidents. The most unpleasant cases are when the motorcycle breaks down as a result of a fall and cannot move independently. In this case, the only solution to the situation is to call in for a tow truck.
It is not worth towing or transporting motorcycles on your own – you can lose important parts on the road and cause even more damage to the motorcycle body. Motorcycle transportation is as difficult as towing of broken cars: it requires special skills and equipment.
Motorcycle transportation rules
Transportation of your damaged motorcycle shall be carried out in a proper manner. For example, motorcycles should not be transported in the horizontal position, as the paintwork could be damaged. Besides, this method does not allow to securely fix it. Motorcycle transportation requires availability of a special fixation system including safety harness and wheel locks.
In case of severe damage, when the undercarriage does not work, a tow truck with a manipulator is needed, and for transportation of new motorcycles, it is better to use a tow truck with a special trailer.
Motorcycles can be towed using a towline only if they have a sidecar.
Methods for motorcycle transportation after a road accident
It is required to use a low-bed tow truck to transport motorcycles after an accident on the road. The driver has the necessary cables, chains and other fastening elements to securely fix the motorcycle on the board of the tow truck.
The motorcycle shall be transported only in the vertical position, with securely fixed wheels and body, which will prevent damage to the plastic and deformation of the frame.
Depending on the nature of the damage, choose one of the three transportation methods:
- Transportation utow trucksing a with a hydraulic manipulator – in case of a motorcycle steering failure and wheel locking, it is necessary to use a special vehicle with a crane manipulator. It allows to raise the motorcycle to the desired height and place it onto the specified place on the platform, and then fix it securely. This method is suitable for motorcycles fallen in a gulley, a ditch or a pond.
- Transportation of the motorcycle using a curved platform tow truck – is suitable if the damage is minor and the motorcycle can be placed onto the platform manually. The motorcycle is to be fixed with safety harness.
- Transportation using a trailer – a special trailer is attached to the tow truck for transportation of small motorcycles and scooters. It is equipped with the required fixation system and can house even several motorcycles.
It is prohibited to transport a motorcycle in a regular minibus or using a cable connected to a passenger car – in this way you can not only lose important parts of a broken motorcycle, but also lose control and drop it on the road once again.
Ordinary vehicles do not have special equipment for motorcycle transportation, so the motorcycle can just fall during transportation and be damaged even more – a special tow truck with a motorcycle fixation system is needed here.
Thank you!) Interesting article. 😉