How to Tie Down a Dirt Bike on a Trailer (Step-by-Step)

To tie down a dirt bike: put the front wheel into a wheel chock, loop a soft strap around each side of the handlebars, pull the bike forward and down with two straps to compress the forks slightly, then run two more straps from the rear of the bike backward. Use four straps total, re-check after a few minutes of driving. Done right, the bike sits rock-solid with the suspension doing part of the work.

Here's the full method.

What you'll need

• 4 × tie-down straps (25 mm soft-loop cam-buckle straps are ideal for dirt bikes)
• 2 × soft loops (if your straps don't already have soft loop ends)
• A front wheel chock (strongly recommended — it makes the whole job easier and safer)
• Optional: a bar harness or handlebar strap to spread the load

Step by step

1. Position the bike. Roll the front wheel into the chock (or hard against the trailer front) so it can't roll forward. Keep the bike upright and centred.
2. Attach soft loops around each side of the handlebars, close to the triple clamp — not out at the bar ends, and never around brake or clutch lines.
3. Hook up the front straps. Clip one strap to each side, running forward and down to anchor points on the trailer. Angle matters: forward-and-down pulls the bike into the chock.
4. Compress the forks — slightly. Tension both front straps evenly until the forks compress about a third of their travel. This preloads the suspension so bumps don't create slack. Do not bottom the forks out — fully compressed forks stress the seals on a long trip.
5. Add the rear straps. Run two straps from the rear of the bike (frame, subframe or rear footpeg hangers) backward and down. These stop the bike lurching forward under braking.
6. Even out the tension. Check the bike sits straight and all four straps are snug and evenly loaded.
7. Secure loose ends. Roll or tie off excess webbing so it can't flap or catch the wheel.

Why cam-buckle straps make this easier

Dirt bikes are light and get loaded often, so you want straps that tension smoothly and release fast. That's exactly what a cam buckle does — and a friction-free roller buckle like Rollercam lets you pull to full tension with one hand and release it in a second, without the fight of a standard cam buckle or the over-crush risk of a ratchet.

The straps we use

The Rollercam Moto Straps handle the front: two 32 mm hook-end straps with Rollercam buckles and soft shackles for the handlebars, so there's no metal on your bars or paint. For the rear, add two Hook End or Loop End straps. If your trailer is short on anchor points, L-Track with load ring studs gives you anchors anywhere along the rail. See the full range in motorcycle tie-downs.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Only using two straps — you need four for a stable, multi-directional hold.
• Straps straight up-and-down — angle them forward/back so they resist movement.
• Bottoming out the forks — compress a third of the travel, no more.
• Looping around cables or bar ends — loop close to the triple clamp on the bars.
• Not re-checking — webbing settles; re-check after 5–10 minutes and at fuel stops.

Frequently asked questions

How many straps to tie down a dirt bike? Four — two pulling forward from the handlebars and two pulling back from the rear of the bike.

Do I need a wheel chock? Not strictly, but it's strongly recommended — a chock holds the front wheel while you strap up and stops the bike rolling, making the whole job faster and safer.

Should I compress the forks? Yes, slightly — about a third of the fork travel. This keeps tension over bumps. Don't fully compress them.

Where do I attach the straps on the bike? Front: soft loops around the handlebars near the triple clamp. Rear: the frame, subframe or rear footpeg hangers. Avoid cables, levers and plastics.

Choosing straps for a road or adventure bike? Read the best motorbike tie-down straps in Australia.