Greenfield and West Allis sit in the heart of one of America's best-known motorcycle regions. Milwaukee's motorcycle heritage runs deep, and the streets around 76th Street, Highway 100, Greenfield Avenue, and National Avenue see every kind of bike from spring through fall. Each type of motorcycle has its own quirks when it comes to towing: a heavy cruiser, a lightweight sport bike, and a fully loaded touring bike all need to be loaded and secured differently. Lake Front Towing tows motorcycles across Greenfield and West Allis with that in mind.

Cruisers

Cruisers are heavy, long, and low. Their weight makes them stable once secured, but loading them takes control and patience — a heavy bike that starts to lean is hard to stop. Chrome and polished parts are everywhere, so straps must be routed carefully. Long, low exhaust pipes and floorboards can scrape on the bed if the loading angle is too steep. Our operators lower the bed to a gentle angle, winch the bike up slowly, and secure it in a wheel chock with soft straps at the lower triple clamp or frame.

Sport bikes

Sport bikes are lighter but wrapped in plastic fairings that crack easily and are expensive to replace. Their suspension is firmer and their clip-on handlebars are not a place to attach straps. Many have very little to grab onto without touching bodywork. Our operator uses soft loops around strong points of the frame or lower triple clamp, keeps straps away from fairings, and tightens evenly to keep the bike straight. If the bike has been dropped, tell us about any broken fairing pieces so they can be secured or carried separately.

Touring bikes

Touring bikes combine weight with bulk: saddlebags, top cases, fairings, and accessories. Some weigh as much as a small car's worth of loading effort. Before loading, empty the saddlebags and top case of loose items, or let the operator know what is inside. We take extra care with luggage and lights, and secure the bike so it cannot rock under braking.

Adventure and dual-sport bikes

These tall bikes have long suspension travel, which means they compress a lot when strapped down. Over-tightening can bottom out the suspension and stress seals. Our operator compresses the suspension only partway, enough to hold the bike firmly. Crash bars on adventure bikes often provide useful, strong attachment points.

What to tell the dispatcher

When you call (414) 520-7264, these details help us send the right truck and gear:

  • Make, model, and type of bike.
  • Whether it rolls, steers, and has a working front brake.
  • Whether it was dropped or crashed, and which parts are damaged.
  • Any accessories like saddlebags, top cases, sidecars, or trailers.
  • Your location, including the nearest cross street or business.
  • Where the bike should go.

Breaking down in the city

Greenfield and West Allis have busy streets with frequent intersections, parked cars, and pedestrians. If your bike dies in traffic, get it to the curb, a side street, or a parking lot if you can. Push it with care, since a heavy bike that tips over is hard to lift. Once it is off the road, stand on the sidewalk, away from traffic, and call us. Let the dispatcher know if you are on a busy stretch so we can prioritize.

Event days and group rides

Motorcycle events, rallies, and group rides bring lots of bikes into the area at once. If a bike in your group breaks down, designate one person to stay with it and call us, so the rest of the group can continue safely. Give the dispatcher a clear location and the rider's phone number. If several bikes need help — for example, after a storm soaked electronics — tell us how many so we can plan.

Rain, storms and electrical trouble

Summer storms roll through the Milwaukee area quickly, and riders caught in a downpour on Highway 100 or National Avenue sometimes find their bike sputtering or dying afterward. Water in connectors, a soaked air intake, or a drowned battery can all cause trouble. If your bike quits after riding through deep standing water, do not keep trying to restart it — water drawn into the engine can cause serious damage. Push it somewhere safe, let it sit, and call. A shop can check it properly once it is towed in, and you avoid turning a minor electrical issue into an engine repair.

Custom and modified bikes

Greenfield and West Allis riders take pride in their machines, and many bikes carry custom paint, aftermarket exhausts, lowered suspension, or extended forks. These changes can affect how a bike sits on the deck and where straps can safely go. A lowered cruiser may need a gentler loading angle, and an extended fork may not fit a standard wheel chock without adjustment. Mention any modifications when you call, and the operator will adapt the setup.

After the tow

We can deliver the bike to a dealer, an independent shop, your home, or secure storage. If your insurer is involved after a crash, keep the tow receipt and photos with your claim. And when the bike is back on the road, take a moment to check the straps' contact points for any marks — with proper soft straps, you should not find any.

Frequently asked questions

Can you tow a bike with a flat front tire?

Yes. A flat front tire can still sit in a chock, and the operator will secure the bike accordingly.

Can you tow a trike?

Yes. Trikes are loaded differently from two-wheeled bikes. Mention it when you call.

Do you also cover Hales Corners and Franklin?

Yes. Our motorcycle towing covers all of southern Milwaukee County and nearby communities.

Need your bike towed in Greenfield or West Allis? Call (414) 520-7264. Learn more about our motorcycle and specialty towing.