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TOWING MOTORCYCLES

Your motorcycles are not only your pride and joy, they're also costly. So here are some guidelines for keeping them safe during transit.

•  Before you tow, make sure your trailer is in good mechanical shape. This includes having working turn signals, adequate tail lights, well-lubricated wheel bearings and tires that are properly inflated and in good condition. Also, make sure you have ample insurance coverage in the event of an accident or theft.

•  Enlist the help of a friend to make loading and unloading easier and safer.

•  Use a loading ramp, preferably one about seven feet long, to prevent damage to your oil filter and other components as the motorcycle enters the trailer. This is especially important if your trailer does not have a beavertail (sloping) back end.

•  Position the load a bit forward of center to keep most of the weight on the hitch. Loading too heavily on the rear may result in excessive trailer sway, which can lead to an accident.

•  Secure each bike's front wheel in a wheel chock so it cannot turn while the trailer is in motion.

•  Keep the bike stable by attaching soft straps to the triple tree or other sturdy part of the frame, then by securing the straps to anchor points at a 45 degree angle. Soft straps will help prevent the bike from getting scratched.

•  Ratchet-type tie-downs are recommended since they enable you to increase tension on the motorcycle suspension to keep bikes upright and stable while the suspension absorbs road shock.

•  To keep the front wheel securely in the wheel chock, make sure the anchor points are even across from each other and forward of where the straps are hooked to the bike.

•  Tie down the rear of the bike by attaching straps to the frame, passenger hand grips or passenger foot pegs. Or you can lay the strap across the seat and secure both ends to anchor points at a 45 degree angle.

•  Protect your bikes from theft, especially if you're stopping for an overnight stay, by using fork locks, brake locks and a lock on the rear door of the enclosed trailer.

•  Never put a cover on your motorcycle when towing it on an open trailer since grit and the movement of the cover can scratch the chrome or paint.