We all have a basic idea of what to do when we’re getting our cars towed… but when it comes to motorcycles, people assume that they’re never going to need to be towed… Some even think that motorcycles can’t be towed when that’s not true at all!
Motorcycles can break down just like cars, and if you’ve got one that’s on the heavier side, you’ll just be stuck in the middle of the road with your bike with you. And that’s not something anyone looks forward to. In that case, you’re going to have to call Motorcycle Towing NJ, or a motorcycle towing company in your general area, to come and help you move your motorcycle to a safer location! But if you’ve never had your motorcycle towed before, there are a few things you need to keep in mind! So, we’ve put together a basic guide that you can follow when you’re in that position!
#1: Pull up to a safe side of the road
Even if you’re not 100% sure that your motorcycle can’t move on its own, it’s important that you figure it out away from oncoming traffic. Make sure you’re pulling up on the side of the road, have your hazards on, and are visible so no one accidentally runs into you while you wait for the tow truck to arrive. If you have anything reflective, like a reflective jacket, this would be the time to use that too, so everyone can see where you’re standing/sitting.
#2: Inspect your bike for any damage
Once you’re out of the traffic’s way, you can inspect your motorcycle to try and figure out what exactly went wrong. Most of the time, you’ll be able to spot the problem right there, and when the towing truck gets there, you could have them provide roadside assistance instead and be on your way! If you conclude that the damage is significant, you can have the motorcycle towed as originally planned!
#3: Prep the bike for pickup
The next thing you need to do is prep your bike for pickup. This means you’ll have to disable any alarms and locks that might be on your bike, so it doesn’t get stuck when it’s being towed. If you’ve noticed that your bike has deflated tires or anything else that might get in the way of towing, make a note of it and inform the towers before they attempt to tow the motorcycle. This will ensure that your bike is as safe as it possibly can be during the towing.
#4: Ask about all the towing information before they tow
Once the tow truck arrives, don’t just wait for them to put your bike on their truck to ask all the important questions and information. Ask it before the towing! This will include things like how they’re going to be towing, if they have insurance in case anything goes wrong, and the most important one, where they’re going to tow your motorcycle to. Many towing companies will only tow your vehicle to their own lot. From there, you’ll have to arrange your own pickup. If that’s not what you want to go for and want to pick your own drop-off location, make sure the towing company you’ve hired offers that. If it doesn’t, stop the process immediately and call in a different service, or make arrangements for a lot pickup instead!
#5: Make sure to get a written invoice
Finally, one of the most important things you’ll need to do while getting your motorcycle towed, is to never believe a “rough verbal estimate”. This might mean you’ll be hit with “invisible fees” later on and will have to pay a lot more than you expected. Instead, get all the variables out of the way by getting a written invoice! So you know exactly what you’ll be expected to pay!
