Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Knew I had a photo somewhere (this was before I got my Lockstraps and Fork Saver)

Do it like this....

Brill that, confirms what I had in mind

I use cam lock straps and use these on the handlebar strap, the TA is otherwise difficult to tie down on my trailer it only has tie points on the central cross piece. The trailer is small enough to fit in my SMax (not in the Fiesta though!)and large enough for an Africa Twin, limit is generally tyre widths.

I've been trailering bikes forever and seen in done a million times good n' bad..

I find a wide strap over the BACK TYRE is the best way. The strap should be at the 2'oclock position with the strap being pulled in the opposite direction to the back of the trailer. Comprendé ???

If you go over the seat or pannier rails etc, the suspension is still active and the bike can move.

On the front I use two SEPERATE rachet straps on each side, wrapped around the handle bars or headstock. With bikes with long travel forks, I use a wedge between the headstock and tyre.

I've not had a bike even budge a inch since using this method.

Mad Cow wrote: Don't use tie downs with hooks but rather continous loops so that the suspension flexing can't cause them to fall off.

Good point.....

*Touring Ted* wrote:I've been trailering bikes forever and seen in done a million times good n' bad..

I find a wide strap over the BACK TYRE is the best way. The strap should be at the 2'oclock position with the strap being pulled in the opposite direction to the back of the trailer. Comprendé ???

If you go over the seat or pannier rails etc, the suspension is still active and the bike can move.

On the front I use two SEPERATE rachet straps on each side, wrapped around the handle bars or headstock. With bikes with long travel forks, I use a wedge between the headstock and tyre.

I've not had a bike even budge a inch since using this method.

So compress the front suspension and let the rear suspension sit naturally by locked the back wheel down and not by say pillion grab handles.

Cheers all. Great help. My ties do have hooks. I had planned to wrap the hooks in duct tape to close them.

I only ever strap the front down as per mad cows picture. Used one of them plastic fork brace things but it actually moved and caused the straps to go loose. Fortunately I noticed it before it fell over. Don't use it any more especially after I was told by a main dealer that the bikes are stored for months at a time in the crates with the forks compressed so a couple of hours being compressed isn't going to do much harm.

When i was into track days and trailering bikes lots we started using these after a few blown fork seals through being too keen with the rachet straps!

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycl ... sportsbike

Whilst a bit dear this system is tops. You can use them and nothing else but we tended to use rachet strps off the frame either side for added safety.

HTH. Corners (reformed trackday junkie!)

Corners R Us wrote:When i was into track days and trailering bikes lots we started using these after a few blown fork seals through being too keen with the rachet straps!

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycl ... sportsbike

Whilst a bit dear this system is tops. You can use them and nothing else but we tended to use rachet strps off the frame either side for added safety.

HTH. Corners (reformed trackday junkie!)

I also really endorse Tyre Down.

Had mine for a few years now, bought it on recommendation and am really delighted. Previously I could waste 15+ minutes messing about with traditional straps, + I blew fork seals through straping down handlebars too hard without a wedge.
This is so simple and effective

The product

The test

The review
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... e-down.htm