Motorcycle Broke Down and Got Towed, But It Fell? It Was Actually the 'Wrong Truck' That Caused It!
A video recently went viral online that made fellow riders sweat: A foreign rider's motorcycle broke down and they called for a tow truck, but the bike fell over during the towing process. In the end, the owner had to help the driver pick the bike up!
Many people criticized it as "unprofessional," but actually— it looks like an operational error, but it was really the wrong tools and methods being chosen!
🚨 Why did the bike fall during towing? The real reason is here:
Reason 1: The tow truck "had no crane arm" and was not suitable for towing a broken-down motorcycle
From the video, although the tow truck had a platform, it was a tilting type that required pushing the bike up. No crane arm → no mechanical lifting → can only rely on manual pushing.
But motorcycles are big and heavy, so pushing it up like that is extremely risky!
Reason 2: The vehicle couldn't start and could only be wheeled
If the motorcycle could still start on its own, it might have been possible to slowly ride it onto the platform. But this time, it was a completely dead bike, so it could only be pushed or wheeled.
Bike's weight + tilting platform = one slip and the whole thing comes crashing down!
Reason 3: Improper strapping and equipment affects safety
Even if tie-down straps are used, you must confirm that they are secure and that the equipment is suitable for the motorcycle. When towing a motorcycle, you should use specialized straps, wheel chocks, anti-slip pads, and other protective equipment. Incorrect angles and pressure points can all lead to a risk of tipping over.
👉 Always check that the equipment and strapping are in place before driving!
✅ What is the "correct" way to rescue a motorcycle?
Actually, it's not that you can't rescue a motorcycle, but you have to "use the right truck + use the right method":
🔸 Method 1: Lift-gate truck
It has an electric lift-gate at the back like an elevator, not a ramp!
Operating procedure:
- Wheel the motorcycle onto the lift-gate
- Electrically raise it to the height of the truck bed
- Push it into the truck bed and secure it
👉 Suitable for non-starting bikes when no crane is available, much safer than a ramp!
🔸 Method 2: Crane-equipped tow truck
With a crane arm, you can directly lift the motorcycle onto the truck bed. No wheeling, no pushing, it's the most suitable for broken-down or accident-involved bikes! As long as the driver operates it correctly and secures it with straps, the whole process still requires great care, as improper crane operation can also cause vehicle damage!
📌 If you are a motorcycle owner and your bike breaks down, what should you do?
✅ You must ask first: "Is your truck a crane truck, a flatbed, or one with a lift-gate?"
✅ If it can't start, make it clear: "I can't ride it up myself!"
✅ Send photos of the bike's condition to the driver so they can assess if they can tow it.
🧠 Conclusion: Not every tow truck can tow a motorcycle!
Wrong truck, missing tools, no experience → it's a recipe for disaster!
This incident of the bike falling wasn't because the tow truck couldn't tow it, but because the wrong method and the wrong type of truck were used!
If they had just used a tow truck with a crane arm, or a truck with a lift-gate, the entire accident could have been completely avoided!
📣 A word to motorcycle owners: Just because you see a "platform," doesn't mean it can be towed. Use the right type of truck, find the right person, and your beloved bike will be safe!
💬 Selected hot comments from netizens:
Ou Zexiang: An embarrassment abroad.
Peter Sheng: Towing cars doesn't mean they know how to tow motorcycles, this is not a professional two-wheeler tow at all.
Li Guoyang: If they charged ten thousand yuan for a tow, I bet no one would mess it up. Unfortunately, people in Taiwan still choose the cheap option.
Guo-Shiang Lai: On the highway, the police will just get you an unprofessional one, and at a sky-high price 🤣
Mars Wu: Just toss the bikes of us two-wheeled commoners随便, it's not like they're a noble four-wheeler, no one will care (#sarcasm don't take it seriously)
Rescue King: Many people don't know, car and two-wheeler rescue are completely different! Tools, truck beds, experience are all different. You can't just tie it down with any rope, that's not how you handle a motorcycle.
Cai Xiaokun: So what? Lifting it on and off with a crane won't make it fall? The problem is, are you riders willing to pay for that crane? 🤔
💭 Actually, the netizens are right: whether the tools are professional is one thing, but whether the owner is willing to pay is the real dividing line!
📹 Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/632774089850603
📰 News Link: https://news.ebc.net.tw/news/living/503651