Tips for Transporting Your Motocross Bike or Enduro
Whether you are a racer transporting a motocross bike from one competition to the next, or you are transporting your enduro motorcycle to your next adventure, you’ll want to make sure that it arrives safely and without incident.
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Your transportation solution will likely depend on your budget, your vehicle, and how far you plan to travel, as well as the amount of passengers and gear you regularly bring along.
Pickup Truck Bed
Safety should always be your first priority. If you’re transporting by way of a pickup truck, loading your bike into the bed isn’t as simple as one might think. The sheer number of fail videos online are proof of how easily things can go terribly wrong.
A Few Quick Tips:
- Two is better than one. The riding community is always happy to help, so ask a friend or stranger to assist with loading and unloading when possible.
- Ensure that you secure the ramp to the truck with clamps to keep it from sliding.
- Angle the truck slightly downhill, if possible, to reduce the angle of the ramp and position your bike as far forward in the bed as you’re able for proper weight distribution.
Hitch-Mount Motorcycle Racks
A hitch-mount motorcycle rack is often a more cost-effective option than a full trailer, especially if you’re only transporting a single bike. It allows for full use of the truck bed and can easily be loaded and unloaded solo. Make sure to choose a rack that is rated for your bike’s weight and hitch class. Ensure that you are using high-quality tie-downs and soft loops to avoid damage to your bike. Secure your bike to the rack using quality ratchet straps.
Trailers
If you are transporting multiple bikes, a trailer might be a better option for you. Open trailers are typically a more affordable alternative to enclosed models and tend to be easier to load. Enclosed trailers add weight and cost, but provide a higher level of security for your bikes and belongings, as well as maximum protection from the elements and road debris.
Bike Transport Best Practices:
Ensuring that your bike is secure before you hit the road is essential. Below are a few of the best practices to employ when you tie down your motorcycle:
- Invest in quality straps and ensure that the ratchet straps you purchase are rated for motorcycle hauling.
- Use soft loops or employ soft rags to protect your bike from strap chafing.
- Make sure that you achieve even tension with all straps. Tighten evenly, but don’t over-compress your suspension.
- Secure loose ends and tie off excess straps to prevent damage.
- Use at least four quality straps to ensure safe transport.
- Avoiding positioning straps in locations that will clamp or squeeze brake lines, throttle cables, or fairings when tightened.
- A wheel chock or fork saver will allow you to keep the front wheel stable and protect your suspension.
- Loop tie-downs to solid points like the bike’s frame, forks, or crash bars.
- Straps can loosen as loads settle, so check them after the first 10 to 15 miles and readjust if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Transporting your motocross or enduro bike should be a fun experience, not a stressful one. By taking just a few steps prior to your trip, and making sure that you have straps and a trailer, rack, or truck and ramp that can handle the job, you can get your bike from one adventure to the next with the confidence that it will make it there safely and in one piece.
Anna Cecilia Tozzi
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