Thread: How do you tie down your bikes?

preach on brotha!

1. Attach both ends to an anchor point.
2. Slip the strap into the spool as far as it will thread.
3. Ratchet until just before something starts to break off the bike.
4. Drive 100 miles, repeat step 3.

You got style my friend...

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Before that, if the bike had a place to do it (the front part of the 929 subframe worked), I'd put the soft ties there (or somewhere approximately in the foot peg area, then tie them down at ~45 degree angle pulling forward. For this two-strap method, the front wheel must be in a wheel chock. I loved this method, it put equal pressure all the way around.

that's the method I've used since getting my Baxley, its even how they recommend you do it in the paperwork that comes with the chock.

Originally Posted by davef

I've had a Canyon Dancer mess up my throttle grip, also. I now use baxley chocks with ratchet straps going forward and two cam lock straps from the footpegs going almost straight down to keep the rear end from bouncing sideways.

see that bolt on the bottom pointy end of your tail fairing, the 929 fairing doesn't have the fairing there, just subframe meeting main frame. its the perfect spot to throw a hook around and then forward to the corners of the truck bed. no other straps needed. snug up the ratchets and if you try to shake the bike the entire truck shakes.

Originally Posted by figment

preach on brotha!

1. Attach both ends to an anchor point.
2. Slip the strap into the spool as far as it will thread.
3. Ratchet until just before something starts to break off the bike.
4. Drive 100 miles, repeat step 3.

I've never made the straps that tight. Compress the forks half way so it is able to move a little. Pulling it in all the way could bust fork seals, no?

You want to compress the forks as little as possible.

My CR used to leak around the seals when tied in, but not when ridden...used to drive me nuts.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

I've never made the straps that tight. Compress the forks half way so it is able to move a little. Pulling it in all the way could bust fork seals, no?

It can. But with modern forks, its much less of an issue.

Oh, and for my ... I used a Canyon Dancer rather frequently. Particularly from my trips to and from Miller. 6+ hours now (each way) and 8+ when I lived in the Tragic City. I did experience some of the problems mentioned, but not frequently. Up to this point, its always been a street bike and so the copious amounts of adhesive that I used on my grips to keep them in place rarely caused much slippage.

The CDII looks like a slick deal. But I'd definitely go with a wheel chock or a pit bull rear stand if it works.

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

see that bolt on the bottom pointy end of your tail fairing, the 929 fairing doesn't have the fairing there, just subframe meeting main frame. its the perfect spot to throw a hook around and then forward to the corners of the truck bed. no other straps needed. snug up the ratchets and if you try to shake the bike the entire truck shakes.

Check out my pic in post #19, I'm going to the subframe point you're talking about with my soft straps and ratchets. However, for my bike and my trailer, that wasn't always enough because the rear would bounce over bumps and then step out sideways. That why I now use a set of cam lock straps going down from the footpegs/swingarm region to anchor the rear wheel to the trailer. That seems to work best for me.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

I've never made the straps that tight. Compress the forks half way so it is able to move a little. Pulling it in all the way could bust fork seals, no?

that was me being a smarta$$.

I've tried putting the straps at an angle to keep the jounce from having such an impact on the straps.

Originally Posted by davef

Check out my pic in post #19, I'm going to the subframe point you're talking about with my soft straps and ratchets. However, for my bike and my trailer, that wasn't always enough because the rear would bounce over bumps and then step out sideways. That why I now use a set of cam lock straps going down from the footpegs/swingarm region to anchor the rear wheel to the trailer. That seems to work best for me.

that's a nice bike and looks like a good way of securing it.

Yeah DaveF, seems you have quite the system going there.. I'd definitely look at the Pit Bull or ST type system if I had a trailer. It would even be easier with a wheel chock in a trailer when you can drill holes or use e-track in the appropriate places. I think for now I'm either going to go with the CD II's or Cycle Cynch. Many are complaining about the CD’s so I’m leaning Cycle Cynch. I already have 2 pair of the good Ancra pull type tie downs, so those along with the grip type should work for now. Thanks gt702 for the offer… Man, you are pretty close. I’ll just go ahead and buy them since they are cheap and will hold me over until I get the trailer. Now that MrsSilver has been with me to the track she can see the need for a trailer anyway. It’s a science to fit everything in the dang truck. Plus pushing a 400 + lb bike up a ramp sucks. Thanks for all the input

Anyone wanting a PitBull trailer restraint, give me a shout and I can pickup and deliver to Grattan.

Did you know PitBull was in Huntsville, AL?

Originally Posted by figment

that's a nice bike and looks like a good way of securing it.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Yeah DaveF, seems you have quite the system going there..

Thanks Guys. It's a bunch of E track mounted to the floor of the trailer, plenty of moveable D rings and some holes drilled in the side rails. This year the other bike will be BartoZX10's.

I can hardly wait...3 more work weeks!

Cycle cynch and baxley sports chocks