Bike on a ferry

[cimbian]

I am planning on taking my Transalp on the Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen next weekend. What's the drill on riding onto the ferry and on securing the bike?

[Rhys]

Not a lot really, you queue up in the bike queue, a member of the ferry staff will then direct you where to park your bike then it will be strapped down.

Some people like to keep an eye on the bike whilst it is being strapped down to make sure it's done properly.

[cimbian]

Thanks. Do you know if they strap across the seat or from the handlebars? I only have a side stand fitted.

[Rhys]

They strap across the seat, using a large pad between the strap and the bike.

Having just a sidestand is fine, some people recommend using the sidestand on the ferry rather than the centre stand.

[cimbian]

Thanks.

[canazei1200]

Stick it on the side stand in gear and strap across the seat. I have a 2003 multistrada that must have the worlds worst side stand nearly feel off the side stand in a petrol station and it was on the flat. Also took a gsa to ireland and it was so rough the ferry couldnt dock for 2 hours. Dont worry it will be fine

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[davsato]

watch them when they strap it down, they have actually broken one of my seats before, going gorilla on it, pulled it off the mounts and broke the lugs, luckily on the seatpan not the frame! dont want to worry you though, that was once in dozens of crossings they are generally pretty good, just keep an eye on them. personally i prefer centre stand and chocks on both wheels, the varadero is so tall it leans over too far when they strap it down on the sidestand, then they built a platform out of chocks to try and strap it down onto, centre stand is much easier. (for MY bike. each bike is different.)
you COULD strap it down yourself, but i dont recommend it, if anything happened their insurance wouldnt want to know.

never done the caen crossing, thats the fastcat isnt it? quick and gentle then. have a good trip mate

[wheelbothends]

Old hands always put bike in gear and apply the front brake using a small strap or bungie. No need to bind it murder tight, just enough to keep brake on so it acts like a car handbrake, an old side-car riders trick. I use a rubber band cut from old inner tube which is always wrapped around the throttle grip anyway - it helps with making grip less tiring on long runs.

[Tramp]

if you want you can place a towel under the strap but Ive never bothered or had a problem..when you arrive and are called to the hold to disenbark the cars and lorrys can block you in...be carefull for slippy diesel and if wet its slippy..

Also sometimes you need to remove the strap yourself as the ships crew are busy..just put the starp somewhere you wont trip on it or..yes its still attached to your bike and down you go..not me but a guzzi rider in a hurry :laugh: :laugh: .

caen is aeasy port to ride out of and swiss normandy isnt far away..

[Phil]

thats a good crossing, you'll be fine. just keep on eye on them though when they strap it down, the last time i crossed they strapped them down but didnt come and undo the straps at the end - amazing how many bikers couldnt undo the straps!

Ive also had my bike tied to a handrail by some shitty old rope, that was on a St Malo crossing.

But as tramp said...look out for slippy bits. On one crossing i was on 1st and the metal floor was sopping wet and quite slippy...then we all had to do a sharp U-turn and power up another metal/wet/slippy ramp to get onto the upper deck, then another sharp U-turn to park the bikes...few hairy moments! (it coz the ship wasnt very big)