Transporting a Motorcycle – Strapped Down Safely
Block the front wheel, four straps crosswise over the triple clamp and frame, lightly preload the suspension – or book a van with driver and skip ramp and trailer altogether.
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How to Transport a Motorcycle Properly
Prepare the machine
Remove cases, tank bag, and loose parts, fold in the mirrors, switch off the alarm. On older machines, close the fuel tap. Photos of the condition before handover are worthwhile – especially when collecting a machine after a purchase.
Load it over the ramp
Push it up a sturdy, non-slip ramp with the engine off, working in pairs – don't ride it up. The front wheel goes into a wheel chock or against the bulkhead so the machine can't roll while you strap it down.
Strap down crosswise
Tension four straps crosswise to the front and rear – on the triple clamp and frame, never over levers, fairings, or plastic. Lightly preload the suspension so the straps can't loosen en route; unload the side stand.
Which vehicle do you need?
A motorcycle weighs 150–300 kg and needs a van with a loading ramp and lashing points; even large machines stand safely on the 2.7 m load floor. A wheel chock and four straps are part of the kit. All dimensions and payloads in the van guide →
Transporting a Motorcycle: The Right Preparation
Depending on the class, a motorcycle weighs 150 to 300 kilograms – too heavy to improvise, too valuable for loose straps. Before loading, remove cases, tank bag, and all loose parts, fold in the mirrors, and switch off the alarm so it doesn't trigger at every bump. On older machines with a fuel tap: close it.
The typical occasion is collecting a machine after a purchase – often unregistered, so riding it isn't an option. Take photos of the condition at pickup and briefly note the mileage and handover in writing; with used purchases that prevents later arguments.
Strapping a Motorcycle Correctly – the Four-Point Rule
The core of every motorcycle tie-down: four straps, tensioned crosswise to the front and rear, attached to the triple clamp and frame – never to levers, indicators, fairing parts, or plastic. The front wheel sits in a wheel chock or firmly against the bulkhead so the machine can't creep forward.
While tensioning, lightly preload the suspension – roughly a third of the travel, never to the stop. That keeps the straps taut even when the suspension works during the drive. The side stand is unloaded and the machine stands vertically on both wheels. Our glossary article on load securing explains how straps and anchor points work in general.
Trailer, Van, or Freight Forwarder?
The motorcycle trailer is common but has prerequisites: a towing vehicle with a hitch, the right license class depending on total weight – and on open trailers the machine travels exposed to weather and stone chips.
In a closed van, the motorcycle stands weather-protected, discreet, and secured to proper lashing points. A freight forwarder pays off mainly for long distances with lead time, such as a purchase at the other end of Germany – but with a delivery window rather than your preferred date. For short-notice transports and regional collections, the van is the most flexible solution.
Loading Without Damage: Ramp, Weight, Second Person
Most transport damage happens not on the road but at the ramp. So: use a sturdy, non-slip loading ramp, push the machine up with the engine off, and work in pairs – one person steering at the handlebar, the second supporting and pushing at the rear.
Don't ride up the ramp: on narrow rails, a moment's hesitation is enough for a fall, and nobody holds on to 250 kilograms. Once up, the machine is immediately blocked in the chock or against the bulkhead before the straps go on.
Freight Forwarder, Courier, or Van with Driver?
If you own neither trailer nor ramp and chock, there's no need to tool up for a single transport: a van with driver handles the whole trip – with Maxmove same-day on request, and a second person for loading as a bookable extra. That's especially practical for collecting a machine after a purchase, when it isn't registered yet.
You see the binding price in advance in the transport cost calculator – depending on distance and vehicle class, with no quote loop by phone.
Frequent Questions About Motorcycle Transport
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