Motorcycle towing in Adelaide
On the tray, a bike stands upright against the headboard with straps pulling it down at the front and rear.
4.8 on Google from 41 reviews
In short
A motorcycle travels upright on a tilt tray, front wheel against the headboard and ratchet straps pulling it down at the front and rear. SA Best Towing moves sports bikes, cruisers, tourers, scooters and dirt bikes around Adelaide, with strap points chosen to suit each bike. Call 0457 300 057 and tell us if it won’t roll.
What we move
- Sports bikes
- Cruisers
- Tourers
- Adventure bikes
- Naked and commuter bikes
- Scooters
- Dirt bikes and trail bikes
- Café racers and older bikes
A Yamaha on the tray and a hatch on the lift
A red and black Yamaha sports bike stands upright on the tray, front wheel at the headboard, with ratchet straps holding it to the deck. Behind the truck, a white hatchback with a damaged front corner rides the rear lift with its front end raised. Gum trees and a bare paddock fill the background. A bike leaves most of the truck free, and on this trip a car came along behind.
How motorcycles go onto the tray
The tray tilts until its tail touches the road. Here’s the order it goes in for motorcycles.
Walk the bike up the tray
The tray tilts down to the road and the bike walks up it in neutral, with the driver on the bars.
Front wheel to the headboard
The front tyre goes up against the headboard, square to the tray. That stops the bike creeping forward under braking and gives the front straps a fixed point to pull against.
Front straps pull down on the bars
Two ratchet straps run from the handlebars, close to the clamps, out to each side of the deck. The driver ratchets them until the forks compress partway, which holds the bike upright and stiff.
Rear straps through the frame
At the back, straps loop around the frame or subframe, or over the rear tyre to the deck.
What the driver watches for
Fairings and clip-ons on sports bikes
Sports bikes have fairings that crack under a strap and clip-on bars tucked inside the bodywork. On those, the front straps go to the lower triple clamp or the fork legs instead.
Top-heavy cruisers and tourers
A loaded cruiser or tourer carries its weight up high and leans hard if a strap slips. Tell us when you call if it has full panniers or a top box.
Bikes that have been down
After a spill a bike can have bent bars, a snapped lever or a twisted fork. We find strap points that are still solid and leave broken parts alone. Tell us what’s bent when you call.
What changes the price
Every job is priced on the phone before it’s booked. These are the things that move the number.
- Distance from Angle Park to the bike and on to the workshop or home
- A bike that won’t roll or needs extra time to secure
- Late-night and weekend callouts
- Sharing the trip with a second bike or a car
- A bike that has to be wheeled out of a laneway or car park first
“Very good guy was nice really fast response amazing price”
Questions about motorcycles
Answers to common questions. If yours isn’t here, ring and ask.
Do you tow motorcycles that won’t start?
Yes. A dead battery, a flat tyre or an engine that cranks and won’t fire makes no difference to loading, as long as the wheels turn. If the rear wheel is locked by a seized chain or a gearbox stuck in gear, tell us when you call so the driver can plan the load.
Can I ride in the tow truck with my bike?
You can, in the cab with the driver, while the bike rides strapped on the tray behind you. If a mate needs a seat as well, say so when you book. Take your helmet, jacket and anything in the top box with you, since loose gear left on the bike can blow off on the road.
How much does motorcycle towing cost in Adelaide?
It depends on the distance, the time of day and whether the bike rolls. We give you a price on the phone before we book, based on where the bike is and where it’s going. Our towing cost guide explains what else moves the price.
Do you tow scooters and dirt bikes?
Yes. Scooters go up the tray like a road bike, but their small wheels and plastic bodies mean the straps go to the frame under the floorboard. Dirt bikes and trail bikes ride on the tray too, registered or not.
Can you move my bike after an accident?
We can once the scene is cleared. In metropolitan Adelaide a roster tow truck takes crashed vehicles from the scene, and the roster line is (08) 8116 9209. After that, we move the bike from the holding yard or your home to a smash repairer or workshop. Tell us what’s bent so the driver picks strap points that are still solid.
Can a tow truck pick up a motorcycle?
A tilt tray can, and that’s how we move bikes. The tray tilts to the road, the bike walks up, and straps hold it upright against the headboard. Some of our Google reviews are tagged “Motorcycle towing”. When you call, tell us the make and model, where the bike is, and whether it rolls.
Also on the tray
Related services
- Breakdown towingA flat battery or a cooked engine. We carry the car on the tilt tray to the mechanic you choose.
- Accident towingAfter a crash, we move the damaged car from the holding yard to the repairer, assessor, home or wrecker.
- Tilt tray towingThe whole vehicle rides flat on the tray, wheels off the road. A second one can follow on the rear lift.