Q&A for How to Trailer a Motorcycle

That is up to you. It is safer to leave it in gear, as this stops it from rolling if the straps break.

Only if they can be locked in the straight-ahead position, as this is the position you want them in. For this, the motorcycle wheel chocks are a good investment, as they are made to not only keep it from going forward, but to hold it in the straight position.

Yes, it can. Some trail bike riders put a spacer to stop front shocks being fully compressed.

Refer to your vehicle/trailer manuals. My car manual states 60% of the weight in front of the trailer axle and 40% behind it. I believe this will give maximum trailer stability in almost every situation with almost any trailer.

Four. Two on the front handle bars so the front forks are compressed, and two on the rear above the shocks on the frame to compress the rear suspension. It helps to have the tie down straps as widely spaced as possible both to the sides and the front and back. Along with wheel cocks, this will hold the bike from rolling back and forth should you need to brake hard. Like riding, prepare for the worst case scenario.

I would not keep the bike on its center stand as this will increase the height and center of gravity, so the bike will move more and become unstable.

No. The starter has no connection to being trailered - unless you strap the motorcycle to the trailer by the starter.

You should shut off the fuel petcock when you aren't riding the bike, so yes.

No. You may damage or trip on it. Strap down the left front strap first ,leaving lots of slack. Make sure the kickstand is still supporting the bike. Then the right side till the stand just leaves the floor of the trailer. Go back and adjusting the left, then the right, till the bike is vertical and secure. Then put the stand up.

A fork saver is a tool used to protect the front suspension on a motorcycle while it is in transport. Although most common on dirt bikes (due to their long travel and soft suspension), all motorcycles with a front fork can save the operator from damaging the front suspension. Locate gap between the front fork and tire on your dirt bike (or motorcycle). This gap is located at the front of the motorcycle, just above the tire.