Whats the best way to strap a bike on trailer?

**Bren** · 5th September 2007, 18:41

Hey guys, as some of you know I am going down to Otago soon to pick up a bike. What is the safest way to strop them on a trailer? Do I put it on side stand, or centre stand? I have got 4 medium stregnth ratchet tie downs. Is it side or centre or another way????

**Ghost_Bullet** · 5th September 2007, 18:43

Just lay it down so you cant see it, what ya cant see must be safe???

**imdying** · 5th September 2007, 18:44

Use some rope

**Rashika** · 5th September 2007, 18:48

nudge tyre of bike up to front of trailer tailgate, a tiedown (rachet type usually the best) round each fork above either of the triple clamp at about a 45 degree angle, one on left and one on right and compress the forks, the forks will act as a bit of suspension for the bike as you drive.... Tadaaaaaa done, easy peasy.

Dont put on side or centrestand cos they can bounce off both as you are driving

now dont say us chicks know nufink

**Toaster** · 5th September 2007, 18:51

Use the side stand if you can apply pressure enough to have it securely nosed into a corner and use ratchet tie downs. Its all about getting them angles right and it wont bounce off the stand.

**Taz** · 5th September 2007, 18:55

Upright on it's wheels no stand.

**merv** · 5th September 2007, 19:02

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Upright on it's wheels no stand.

Yep agree with this man, use your tie downs and no bike stands. Pull the tie downs tight so it loads the suspension then when the trailer hits bumps all stays nice and tight. I use guide boards in the bottom of my trailers to hold the wheels in line but if you aren't setting the trailer up permanently just run the front wheel of the bike into one corner of the trailer and tie it down upright there.

**janno** · 5th September 2007, 19:07

I think this is one where there is no one correct way, but people tie for their preference.

I've trailered two bikes from Melbourne to Brisbane, both firmly tied down on the side stands and they never moved an inch. I've also trailered a bike around Brisbane which was tied down upright with no stand.

If you are secure in your tying down whatever method you choose, I don't think you'll have a problem.

**skidMark** · 5th September 2007, 19:10

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Upright on it's wheels no stand.

agreed though on sidestand can sometimes be good

but you must and i stress you must pull the front down so the forks are compressed.....as far it you can get them

or else byby bikey.

**mdooher** · 5th September 2007, 19:16

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...r-tie-down.htm

this is possibly the best (ok most interesting) method I have seen

**merv** · 5th September 2007, 19:26

The point is though there is no point loading against a stand because there are quite severe forces when the trailer bounces on the road and you don't want to either have a stand go through the floor of the trailer or bend itself on its mounts. No matter what others are saying I'm saying don't bother with the stands. The suspension of the bike is a different story it was made for taking bumps. I didn't vote because you never allowed for that choice.

Regarding this

Originally Posted by mdooher

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...r-tie-down.htm

this is possibly the best (ok most interesting) method I have seen

It sort of looks OK but again to deal with bumps I'd still run a couple of tie down up to handlebar level to anchor the bike more safely.

**El Dopa** · 5th September 2007, 19:52

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Upright on it's wheels no stand.

+2 (or 3, or however many) from me.

Before you attempt loading, make sure you have:

- lots of tiedowns (they're only about $10 for 2 pairs at hammer hardware, so go crazy. I usually use four. I have been known to use six).

- a ramp (or at least a long, VERY sturdy, wide plank. Longer the better)

- a couple of strong friends.

For a servo-type trailer:

Once the bike is on the trailer bed, stick the front wheel of the bike in one of the front corners of the trailer. Wedge it in tight, bike at an angle across the load bed.

Use one of the tie-downs to compress the front end and hold it in position. MAKE SURE you don't trap any of the cables. Splay the two ends out to the sides wide for stability. Find hook-on points on the trailer where the ends won't slip.

Second tie-down on the back (for example around the pillion pegs). Compress the rear shock. Splay it out as above.

Use the rest of the tie-downs wherever you feel is necessary on the bike and the trailer to hold the bike upright. P for Plenty. Don't trap any hoses, electrics or whatever.

Putting the bike shocks in compression should mean force is exerted upwards, keeping the ties tight, keeping the bike in position. It'll bounce a bit and absorb the bumps as you drive over them.

Leaving the bike on the stand will allow these forces to stiffly jolt the bike as you drive through potholes, and can knock bits loose and cause minor damage.

NOTE

If you are using a servo trailer, the bed is higher than a dedicated bike trailer. Therefore, the belly of the bike can easily catch as the front wheel gets onto the load bed, with the back wheel still on the ramp. This is where your friends come in handy - DO NOT get yourself in a position where it is just you and the bike half on (or off) the trailer. You will have your hands full keeping the bike upright, and you will find you can't go backwards and you can't go forwards. This is not desirable. Friends can help lift the bike.

If you are using a bike ramp, it will have an end specially shaped for placing on the load bed - it will be flat.

If you are using a plank, it will not have a flat shaped end, and will move around more easily. It is a very good idea to tie it in position firmly (the ramp too, come to that). This helps avoid the situation where the ramp/plank shifts out of position when the bike is halfway up it. Not desirable.

If you can park the trailer on a slight downhill slope (facing downhill), this will make a high trialer easier to load (flattens out the ramp slope).

Gravity is a bitch. Do not give her even half a chance to fuck your bike up.

**barty5** · 5th September 2007, 19:55

no stand front wheel either put in to front corner of trailer so it cant slip side ways or in center up to you then one across trailer through and around back wheel so back wont move from side to side on all the bumps you drive over

**dangerous** · 5th September 2007, 19:58

Originally Posted by Toaster

Use the side stand if you can apply pressure enough to have it securely nosed into a corner and use ratchet tie downs. Its all about getting them angles right and it wont bounce off the stand.

NO

Originally Posted by Rashika

nudge tyre of bike up to front of trailer tailgate, a tiedown (rachet type usually the best) round each fork above either of the triple clamp at about a 45 degree angle, one on left and one on right and compress the forks, the forks will act as a bit of suspension for the bike as you drive.... Tadaaaaaa done, easy peasy.

Dont put on side or centrestand cos they can bounce off both as you are driving

now dont say us chicks know nufink

YES

Due to the distance you will be traveling Id tie the back down aswell 1 tie down on each side.

I wouldnt use any stands as I have seen them snap, fall over and punch through the deck.

**obstacle** · 5th September 2007, 20:05

Perfect timing! I'll be having to think about this on saturday.

The way I've always done it with dirt bikes is to compress the front suspension with the front wheel up against the front board and tie downs going out and forward to keep the front end locked down. It usually just takes a couple of tie downs across the back to hold the rear wheel in place. I've never had any need to run straps across the seat or top of the bike.

But then the weight and suspension on a trail bike is a lot different to a sports bike. I guess we'll find out on saturday if the weather craps out.