How to Tow a Kawasaki 440

The Kawasaki 440 is a motorcycle model introduced in the early 1980s by Kawasaki. Like any other motorcycle, if you wish to transport the Kawasaki 440 without riding it, you must tow it behind your vehicle. Also like any other motorcycle, the Kawasaki 440 must be properly secured before you begin to tow it. With the proper equipment, you can be towing your Kawasaki 440 motorcycle in a matter of minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Motorcycle trailer with wheel chock
• 3 ratchet soft loops
• 3 ratchet straps

Instructions

1. Park the vehicle you will be using to tow the trailer on a level surface. Lift the motorcycle trailer's hitch mount onto the vehicle's trailer hitch and lock it in place. The locking process varies from trailer to trailer, to so see your trailer's owner's manual for specific instructions. Connect the trailer's tow chain to the vehicle's hitch for added security.

2. Start the motorcycle, place it in "Neutral" and walk the motorcycle up the trailer's ramp. Insert the front wheel into the motorcycle wheel chock and lock the wheel in place. The locking process varies between different wheel chocks, so see your chock's owner's manual for specific details. With the wheel locked in place, you may turn off the motorcycle.

3. Wrap a soft loop around each of the bike's handlebars. Connect one end of the ratchet strap to the soft loop on the left handlebar and the other end to the strap connection point on the left, front side of your trailer. If your trailer does not have a strap connection point, you can hook the ratchet strap under the front edge of the trailer. Connect a second ratchet strap to the right handlebar's soft loop and to the strap connect point on the right, front side of the trailer. Ratchet the straps down until they are tight. The angle between the strap and the floor of the trailer should be roughly 45 degrees.

4. Wrap a soft loop around the bike's rear wheel bracket. Connect one end of the third strap to this soft loop and the other end of the strap to a strap connection point on the rear of the trailer. Again, if your trailer does not have a designated strap connection location, you may hook the ratchet strap under the rear edge of the trailer. Ratchet the strap down until it is tight. There should also be a 45-degree angle between this strap and the floor of the trailer.

5. Shake the bike with your hands to simulate the bumps and movement of being towed. When doing so, only the trailer should move. If the bike moves a significant amount, tighten the straps and check that the wheel chock is locked in place.

6. Start up the vehicle being used to tow the motorcycle and tow the motorcycle to the desired location. When towing a trailer, do not exceed 55 mph and take the extra weight added to your vehicle into consideration when braking. Also, take wide turns to allow the trailer to swing around behind you. Avoid sudden and/or severe vehicle movements, as these can cause your trailer to tip or cause you to lose control.

Tips & Warnings

• If your motorcycle trailer does not have a motorcycle wheel chock, you can buy and install one yourself using the supplied installation hardware.

• Check the owner's manual for the towing vehicle before attempting to tow the motorcycle to make sure that it is capable of towing such a load.

References

• Sport Utility Trailers: Motorcycle Tie Down Procedures
• Discount Ramps: Safely Tie Down Motorcycles for Transportation
• Edmunds: How to Tow a Trailer
• Harbor Freight: Motorcycle Wheel Chock Manual