In plain English
Drivers use soft ties on both sides to pull the bike toward the chock and the trailer floor. Properly placed, they protect handlebars and clip-ons from scratches.
Ask your driver to use soft ties, especially on bikes with polished or painted parts.
Why it matters when you ship
A cheap hook scratch is one of the most common cosmetic complaints. Soft ties are a simple way to prevent it.
Example
A driver loops two soft ties around the lower fork legs, hooks the ratchet straps to them, and tightens until the bike is stable.
Related terms
Learn more
Soft ties: common questions
Why are soft ties better than metal hooks?
Soft ties wrap around parts instead of hooking onto them, so nothing hard touches paint or chrome.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Soft Ties: Meaning in Motorcycle Shipping”, https://transportli.com/glossary/soft-ties/, updated November 11, 2026.
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