Motorcycle Towing in Quebec: Safe Transport for Every Bike
Motorcycle towing requires a flatbed truck equipped with a wheel chock, soft tie-down straps, and an operator trained in two-wheel loading. Standard tow trucks and wheel lifts cannot safely tow a motorcycle — they risk frame damage, scratched fairings, and tip-overs during transport.
Cost in Quebec: $125–$300+ | Method: Flatbed only | Available: 24/7, all bike types
Your motorcycle breaks down on Route 138 outside Beauport. Or you get a flat on Chemin Royal on Île d’Orléans with no way to ride home. Or you need to move a newly purchased bike from Montréal to your garage in Quebec City. In every case, you need motorcycle towing — and the way your bike is handled during that tow makes the difference between arriving safely and arriving with bent handlebars, scratched paint, and cracked fairings.
Motorcycles are not cars. They cannot be hooked to a wheel lift. They cannot be dragged on dollies. According to the SAAQ, Quebec has over 200,000 registered motorcycles — and every one of them requires a flatbed truck, a front-wheel chock, soft straps at four anchor points, and an operator who understands centre of gravity, lean angles, and how to secure a 200 kg machine that wants to tip over at every bump.
At Quebec Remorquage, motorcycle towing is a dedicated service — not an afterthought. Our motorcycle towing operators carry bike-specific equipment on every flatbed truck and handle everything from scooters to touring Harleys, sport bikes to vintage café racers. This guide covers how safe motorcycle transport works, what it costs, and what every Quebec rider needs to know.
Why Motorcycles Need Specialized Towing
Towing a motorcycle is fundamentally different from towing a car. The physics, the risks, and the equipment are all different — and using the wrong method can destroy a bike worth thousands of dollars.
Here is why standard car towing methods fail for motorcycles:
- Two wheels, no stability — A motorcycle has no inherent side-to-side stability without a rider. It must be held upright by a chock and straps, not just placed on a truck bed.
- Exposed components — Fairings, exhaust pipes, mirrors, and turn signals are all unprotected. A chain or metal strap in the wrong place causes immediate cosmetic damage.
- Low weight means high movement — A 250 kg motorcycle bounces and shifts far more during transport than a 1,500 kg car. Improper securing leads to tip-overs on the truck bed.
- Fragile finishes — Chrome, custom paint, and polished aluminium scratch easily. Only soft, padded straps should contact the motorcycle frame.
- Suspension travel — Straps must be positioned to compress the suspension slightly, preventing the bike from bouncing. Over-tightening can damage fork seals and shock absorbers.
⚠️ Never accept a wheel lift or hook-and-chain tow for your motorcycle. These methods will damage your bike. If a tow operator arrives without a flatbed, a wheel chock, and soft straps — refuse the service and call a motorcycle towing specialist. The cost of proper towing is a fraction of the repair bill from improper handling.
How Professional Motorcycle Towing Works
When you call Quebec Remorquage for motorcycle towing, here is the step-by-step process our operators follow:
Dispatch and arrival. You call, describe your motorcycle (type, make, model) and location. We dispatch a flatbed truck equipped with motorcycle-specific gear. ETA arrives by text.
Flatbed is lowered to ground level. The hydraulic bed tilts or slides to create a gentle ramp angle. For low-clearance sport bikes, the angle is minimized to prevent exhaust or fairing contact.
Motorcycle is loaded carefully. If the bike runs, the operator may ride or walk it up the ramp. If it is disabled, the operator manually walks it up while controlling balance. A winch with a soft strap may assist if the bike cannot roll.
Front wheel locked into chock. A wheel chock (steel cradle bolted to the truck bed) grips the front tire and holds the bike upright. This is the most critical piece of equipment — without it, the bike can lean and fall during transport.
Four-point soft strap tie-down. Padded ratchet straps are attached at four points — two forward (handlebars or fork tubes) and two rear (rear pegs, swingarm, or subframe). Straps compress the suspension slightly to eliminate bounce without over-stressing components.
Secure transport and delivery. The flatbed is raised and locked. The operator drives carefully, avoiding sudden braking and sharp turns. Your motorcycle is delivered to your home, mechanic, or dealership and unloaded with the same care.
💡 Rider Tip: Before the operator loads your motorcycle, remove any loose items — saddlebags, tank bags, phone mounts, and GPS units. These can shift during transport or get caught in straps. If your bike has a disc lock on, remove it before loading to prevent wheel lockup on the ramp.
Types of Motorcycles We Tow in Quebec
Our motorcycle towing service handles every type of two-wheeled vehicle on Quebec roads. Each type has unique securing requirements that our operators are trained for:
🏍️ Sport Bikes
Honda CBR, Yamaha R-series, Kawasaki Ninja, Ducati Panigale. Low ground clearance requires careful ramp angle. Straps attach to clip-on handlebars and rear pegs.
🛣️ Cruisers & Touring
Harley-Davidson, Indian, Honda Gold Wing. Heavy (300–400+ kg) with wide handlebars and saddlebags. Requires high-capacity chock and extra-wide strap spacing.
🌲 Adventure & Dual-Sport
BMW GS, KTM Adventure, Suzuki V-Strom. Tall suspension travel requires adjusted strap tension. Crash bars provide additional anchor points.
🛵 Scooters & Mopeds
Vespa, Honda PCX, Yamaha NMAX. Lighter weight but fewer anchor points. Floor-mounted chock and handlebar straps keep them stable during transport.
🏆 Vintage & Custom Bikes
Classics, bobbers, custom builds. Irreplaceable parts require extra padding at every contact point. Operators handle these with maximum caution and additional protective material.
⚡ Electric Motorcycles
Zero, Energica, LiveWire. Heavier battery weight concentrated low. Flatbed transport avoids any risk of wheel-dragging motor damage.
Motorcycle Towing Costs in Quebec (2026)
Motorcycle towing costs less than most riders expect — especially compared to the cost of riding a damaged bike or leaving it roadside overnight. Here are typical ranges for Quebec in 2026:
*Prices vary by distance, bike weight, time of day, and recovery complexity. For exact quotes, call (418) 476-1522. See our complete towing cost guide for full pricing details.
💡 Save Money Tip: If you are buying or selling a motorcycle that needs transport across Quebec, ask about multi-bike discounts. We can often transport two motorcycles on a single flatbed at a significantly lower per-bike rate than separate trips.
When You Need Motorcycle Towing in Quebec
Riders call for motorcycle towing for many reasons beyond breakdowns. Here are the most common scenarios we handle across Quebec:
- Mechanical breakdown — Engine failure, clutch problems, electrical faults, or overheating that leaves the bike unrideable
- Flat tire with no spare — Unlike cars, motorcycles do not carry spare tires. A puncture on the road means a tow to a tire shop
- Accident or drop — After a collision or a drop, even if the bike looks rideable, hidden damage to the frame, forks, or brakes makes riding dangerous. See our accident towing service
- Dead battery — If a battery boost does not revive the bike, towing to a shop is the next step
- Seasonal transport — Moving your bike to or from winter storage. Many Quebec riders store bikes from November to April
- Purchase or sale transport — Delivering a newly purchased bike from a seller or dealership to your home
- Track day or event transport — Moving a race-prepped bike to Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Calabogie, or other tracks without putting street miles on it
- Out-of-province moves — Relocating to or from Quebec and need the bike transported via long-distance towing
No matter the reason, every motorcycle tow uses the same professional loading, chocking, and strapping process to guarantee safe transport.
Motorcycle Towing • 24/7 Quebec
Flatbed trucks with wheel chocks and soft straps — every bike type, any distance.
Motorcycle Dropped or in an Accident? Check This First
After a motorcycle accident or drop, the adrenaline rush can mask how much damage actually occurred. Before deciding whether to ride home or call for a tow, check these critical items:
- Handlebars — Are they straight? Misaligned bars mean bent forks or a twisted triple tree. Do not ride.
- Levers — Can you fully operate the clutch and front brake? A broken lever eliminates your ability to stop or shift safely.
- Foot pegs and shift lever — Bent or missing pegs and shifters make riding impossible.
- Wheels — Spin each wheel by hand. Any wobble means a bent rim — riding on it risks a blowout.
- Fluid leaks — Check for oil, coolant, or brake fluid on the ground. Any leak means the bike is not rideable.
- Exhaust — A dented or cracked exhaust can restrict flow or burn your leg. Inspect before riding.
- Frame sliders and crash protection — If they absorbed the impact, the underlying frame may still be straight. If there are no sliders, assume frame damage is possible.
⚠️ When in doubt, tow it out. Riding a motorcycle with hidden damage — even at low speed — puts your life at risk. A bent frame, cracked fork, or compromised brake line can fail without warning. The cost of a tow is nothing compared to the cost of a second accident caused by undiagnosed damage. Read our post-accident towing guide for full steps.
Seasonal Motorcycle Transport and Storage in Quebec
Quebec’s riding season typically runs from May through October — meaning most riders need to move their bikes into and out of winter storage each year. Motorcycle towing for seasonal transport eliminates the stress and risk of riding in marginal weather during the transition months.
Fall pickup (October–November): We collect your motorcycle from your home, apartment, or parking spot and deliver it to your storage facility. This avoids riding on cold tires, on potentially frost-covered roads, and during Quebec’s unpredictable late-season weather.
Spring delivery (April–May): When riding season returns, we pick your bike up from storage and deliver it to your door — serviced, charged, and ready to ride. No cold morning ride home on stiff tires and winter-weakened road surfaces.
For riders who also need help preparing their vehicle for the riding season, check our post-winter vehicle checkup guide — many of the same principles apply to motorcycles.
How to Choose a Motorcycle Towing Service
Not every towing company knows how to handle motorcycles safely. Before trusting anyone with your bike, verify:
- They use a flatbed — wheel lift and hook-and-chain are unacceptable for motorcycles
- They carry a wheel chock — without it, your bike has no stable anchor point on the truck
- They use soft straps — chains, metal hooks, and unpadded ratchet straps damage chrome, paint, and plastic
- They have motorcycle experience — ask how many bikes they tow per month. Inexperienced operators are a risk
- They provide upfront pricing — no “we’ll figure it out when we get there” quotes
- They are available 24/7 — breakdowns do not wait for business hours
For a complete evaluation framework, read our detailed guide to choosing a reliable towing company in Quebec. Every criterion in that guide applies to motorcycle towing with the added requirement of bike-specific equipment.
Beyond Motorcycle Towing: Full Rider Support
A motorcycle breakdown may involve more than just transport. Quebec Remorquage’s full service lineup supports riders with:
- Battery boost for dead motorcycle batteries — see battery boost service
- Accident recovery with insurance billing — see insurance towing
- Roadside assistance without membership — see roadside assistance
- Long-distance motorcycle transport — see long-distance towing
- Flatbed towing for cars too — if your truck and trailer broke down with the bike on board — see flatbed towing
- Scrap motorcycle removal — for bikes beyond repair — see scrap vehicle removal
Every service is available 24 hours a day across our full Quebec City service area including Sainte-Foy, Beauport, and Charlesbourg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does motorcycle towing cost in Quebec?
Local motorcycle towing in the Quebec City area typically costs $125 to $200. Medium-distance tows (20–60 km) range from $200 to $350, and long-distance transport starts at $350. Quebec Remorquage provides exact quotes before dispatch — call (418) 476-1522 for current pricing.
Can a regular tow truck tow a motorcycle?
No. A motorcycle must be transported on a flatbed truck with a wheel chock and soft straps. Standard wheel lift trucks and hook-and-chain setups cannot secure a two-wheeled vehicle and will cause damage. Always request a flatbed with motorcycle-specific equipment.
Will towing damage my motorcycle?
Not when done professionally. Our operators use padded soft straps, a secure wheel chock, and four-point tie-downs designed for motorcycle transport. Every contact point between the strap and your bike is padded. We have towed thousands of motorcycles without damage — from vintage collector bikes to brand-new sport models.
Do you tow scooters and mopeds?
Yes. We transport all two-wheeled motorized vehicles including scooters, mopeds, Vespas, and electric bikes. Smaller vehicles use the same flatbed, chock, and strap process as full-size motorcycles with adjustments for their lighter weight and smaller wheels.
Can you tow my motorcycle after an accident?
Yes. We handle post-accident motorcycle recovery including uprighting a downed bike, collecting scattered parts, and securing damaged components for transport. We also work with insurance companies for direct billing. After any motorcycle accident, avoid riding the bike — call for a tow and have it inspected at a shop first.
Is motorcycle towing available 24/7?
Yes. Quebec Remorquage provides motorcycle towing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends. Breakdowns during evening rides and weekend trips are common — we are fully equipped during these peak riding times.
Can you transport my motorcycle to or from winter storage?
Yes. Seasonal motorcycle transport is one of our most popular services. We pick up from your home, apartment, or garage and deliver directly to your storage facility in the fall — then reverse the trip in spring. This avoids riding in marginal weather during Quebec’s transition seasons.
Does insurance cover motorcycle towing?
Many motorcycle insurance policies include towing coverage, particularly after accidents. Coverage amounts and limits vary by provider and plan. Quebec Remorquage works directly with major insurers and can bill them on your behalf in many cases. Check your policy or ask our dispatcher for assistance.
What should I remove from my motorcycle before towing?
Remove saddlebags, tank bags, phone mounts, GPS units, and any loose accessories. Disable disc locks if installed. Turn off heated grips or any electronic accessories. If your bike has a cover, remove it. These steps prevent items from shifting, getting caught in straps, or being damaged during loading and transport.
Can you tow two motorcycles at once?
In many cases, yes. Our flatbed trucks can accommodate two standard-sized motorcycles side by side with separate chocks and independent strap systems. This is a popular option for couples riding together, group trips where multiple bikes need transport, and dealers moving inventory. Contact us for multi-bike pricing.
Your Bike Deserves Better Than a Hook and Chain.
Flatbed motorcycle towing with wheel chocks and soft straps — 24/7 across Quebec.
Sport bikes, cruisers, scooters, vintage, electric — every bike, every time.