You won't believe how easy it is to move your hefty bike sideways with one hand. You might not think of a Motorcycle dolly as a useful tool, but if you work on, store, or even dance your bike around tight bends, it could become your new best buddy. Have you ever tried to turn a 900-pound cruiser in a small garage? That's right. That's pain no one needs.
Imagine this: you're late for work, helmet in hand, but your bike is stuck in a corner between lawnmowers and rakes. Why swear, sweat, and go back and forth? Put your bike on a dolly, give it a push with a big smile, and there you go! It rolls out without you having to hurt your back. Do you remember that old show where the guy tried to park his car in a straight line for 20 minutes? Yeah, you shouldn't be that.
You probably already tripped over oil pans and kicked wheel chocks if you're reading this. Motorcycle dollies save your shins from the mess. They can do more than just make things easier; they can also rescue marriages (or at least stop fights in the garage). Do you wish to get your two-wheeler through a wall of cardboard boxes? Push it sideways like it's on skates. Or maybe you have that one area in the garage where it fits perfectly, but only if you come at it from the correct angle, on a full moon, and with your tongue in the right position. Let the dolly do the work.
Don't be fooled by how things look. Most of them seem like steel sleds with wheels, but there are small differences that make a big difference. Heavy-duty wheels are a significant help. Wobbly wheels make for a bumpy ride, so be careful about quality. Some have ramps, braking levers, or locking pins. And don't even get me started on weight ratings. I've seen big bikes try to break dollies. Spoiler alert: the bikes win and the dollies don't.
Let's riff for a minute now. make you remember when Uncle Fred tried to make a three-point turn with his Harley, a glass of sweet tea on the seat, and ice on the ground? Did not end nicely. Why not make things easier? Setting it up is easy: park the bike, lock the stand, roll it onto the dolly, and let the wheels do their thing.
Some people still employ the old "back-and-forth-push" method because "that's how it's always been done." That's as bad as using bread instead of sandpaper. It's hard to break old habits. But after just one trial with a dolly, you'll want to write it a love note. You don't have to have a garage the size of a shoebox to use them. Even if you have a lot of space, parking your bike carefully keeps it secure from kids' toys, door dings, and holiday decorations that tumble from shelves.
When the wheels are out in the open instead of jammed next to a lawn mower, everything changes. Oil changes, cleaning, and chain maintenance are all easier. Even the tiniest garages tend to seem enormous. It gives you prizes for being lazy, but in the greatest way possible. You get more done, waste less time, save your back, and seem cooler in front of your pals. No matter how good you are with a wrench, this is a win-win.
It may sound like a sales pitch, but it isn't. It's exactly what a rider thinks of when he doesn't want to push his bike around like a stubborn mule. Don't believe me. You can borrow one, steal one (not really), or buy your own. If you let your motorcycle glide instead of scraping, you'll undoubtedly wonder how you got by without it.