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Trailering my bike

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Geeza, Apr 13, 2007.

  1. Geeza

    Geeza New Member

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    Location:
    Gascony, SW France
    Much as I’d like to ride it, I need to take my bike (along with the family) on a long trip soon.

    Can anyone give me some advice on how I should tie it down in my trailer – I’m guessing you guys might call it a stock trailer? 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, canopy made of aluminium about 7 feet high, and a ramp for access – get the idea?

    So I’m thinking: should it be on or off the kick-stand, should the forks be compressed, best route around the frame for the tie-downs etc.

    Any help would be mucho appreciated!
    Geeza, Apr 13, 2007
    #1
  3. Texas Road Glide

    Texas Road Glide New Member

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    on my trailer, i have 4 eye hooks, planted down on the floor,for each bike, no wheelchalk or anything. i have a dresser,and a 1200 sporty. i plant the front in down till the shocks almost max out,and plant the backdown just a little,to keep it from dancing on rough roads.i never put the kickstand down.my wife wants me to add wheelchalks, but this system has worked for ever,i see know need for change. it works fine
    hope this helps.......

    TRG
    Texas Road Glide, Apr 13, 2007
    #2
  4. Geeza

    Geeza New Member

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    Thanx, TRG. Where do u route the tie-down straps? I guess the forward one is obvious - thru the steering head. How about the rear one?
    Geeza, Apr 13, 2007
    #3
  5. bikerjim1

    bikerjim1 Moderator

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    Wrap the rear ones around the swingarm and have the hook loop back to the strap ( assuming you're using the standard 1" tie-down straps).
    Whenever I actually have to trailer my scoot, I use 4 tie-downs...guess there's no such thing as overkill when it comes to securing such an expensive load on a trailer!
    bikerjim1, Apr 13, 2007
    #4
  6. Ted

    Ted New Member

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    Geeza

    I do the same as Texas Road Glide but I lake a 2x4 on both sides of the front wheel and a tire stop in front. The reason being if the bed is wet or the trailor would slide sideways the bike can go down. My trailor has a channel front to rear and up the front tire. When the shocks are pulled half way down. It cant move. I put a bungy cord around the rear tire
    I am gathering the parts to build a trailor that I can haul in the trunk of a car. It will bolt or pin togather. Later Ole Ted
    Ted, Apr 13, 2007
    #5
  7. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Pingle makes a good front wheel chock, JMO it's worth having, I've seen bikes tied down without them come over in an enclosed trailer. You have $20K of bike do it right, 2x4's whatever you use. Again JMO


    Tie downs you should use 5, one around the front wheel to the chock pulls bike forward

    Two on the frame/engine guard area, if you don't have a guard there is a metal tab on the frame, go around it up above the top of the motor, never ever do bars, many have reported bars that break, especially if they are drilled and internally wired.

    two on the rear pulling the rear forward to the chock.

    Get good ratchet ties, 2 inch wide belts, locking ratchets, don't ever use those cheap wallyworld boat pressure tie downs, they will work loose
    hotroadking, Apr 17, 2007
    #6
  8. dukeofdirt

    dukeofdirt New Member

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    I use six tiedowns. Two on either side of the handlebars and one on either
    side at the rear, ALL PULLING THE BIKE FORWARD TO THE CHOCK! I also use
    soft ties where I'm attaching to the bike. Ratchets are a must and I check
    the tiedowns every time I stop for gas, etc.
    dukeofdirt, Apr 18, 2007
    #7

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