1. Get off the road
Coast or push the bike as far from traffic as you can: a shoulder, a driveway, a parking lot. On a freeway, get yourself behind the guardrail if there is one. Turn on your hazards if the bike has them. Keep your helmet and gear on while you're near traffic; you're far easier to see in high-visibility gear.
2. Quick checks
- Kill switch: the most common "won't start" there is. Make sure it's in the run position.
- Side stand and clutch: many bikes won't start with the stand down, or in gear without the clutch pulled.
- Fuel: check the gauge, or the reserve setting on older bikes.
- Battery: dim lights and a weak click point to the battery. Bikes that sit for weeks lose charge quickly.
- Tires and chain: look for a flat, a thrown chain or a broken belt. Don't ride on any of those.
3. Don't ride it if
A tire is flat or damaged, the chain or belt is broken, brakes feel wrong, fluid is leaking, or the bike went down. A crashed bike can have bent parts you can't see. Call 911 first if anyone is hurt.
4. What to tell dispatch
- Where the bike is, and whether it's on a slope, gravel or grass
- Year, make, model and type: sport, cruiser, touring, dual-sport, trike
- Whether it rolls, and whether you have the keys
- Damage: bent forks, a locked wheel, broken levers
- Where it's going: home, a shop, a dealer or storage
5. How the bike is loaded
On our flatbeds, motorcycles ride upright with the front wheel braced, held by soft straps to solid frame points, compressing the suspension just enough to keep the bike steady. Straps stay off fairings, paint, the exhaust and brake lines. Tell the driver about any preferred tie-down points. More on our motorcycle towing page.
What it costs
Motorcycle tows are quoted on the phone, because bikes and loads vary. For a car or SUV tow, our posted rate is $120 plus $8 a mile. Call (414) 254-1468, 24/7.