Fairings and ferries

[Midge]

Went over on the Bluebridge ferry from wellington to get my self to CHCH last Wednesday, did the normal things stropped down the bike and went up for a quick nap only when i came down i noticed they had all been tightened a lil and a extra 1 put on. I thought ok fair enough someone was just helping well that was until i was 5 mins outta picton when a truck went by and my right fairing musta grown a liking to it cos it followed suit. Well as you could imagine i wasn't really happy and on closer inspection they had cracked my front fairing which caused the left little plastic joins to snap off and all of the right side in turn having it ripped off completely. HAHA not really cool at all.

Any how i rang them up and spoke to couple of people that had really good customer service skills and made me reconsider my initial thought of ever going on there again.

Has anyone else had bad experiences on the cook straight ferries??

[skidMark]

Hang on, what does a truck have to do with the extra tie down?

[Boob Johnson]

Hang on, what does a truck have to do with the extra tie down?
Jesus Sparky it aint that hard to follow the story :Pokey:


The truck went by & im guessing the gust of wind normally associated with such a mass was enough to displace the fairing :rolleyes:

[skidMark]

Jesus Sparky it aint that hard to follow the story :Pokey:


The truck went by & im guessing the gust of wind normally associated with such a mass was enough to displace the fairing :rolleyes:


Oh click 5 mins OUT of picton, i thought he meant as in 5 minutes away from stopping in picton, as in still in the ferry and he came back nad it was broken.

My bad half asleep.

As you were...

[AllanB]

Been a few years, but the last time I took a bike over it was made clear than it was my responsibility to strap the bike down and they would not touch it at all. If they were worried why not make an announcement on the PA system and you could go down and check it out.

I'd be seriously pissed.

Check their fine print as well - they probably have a arse-covering clause in there.

[skidMark]

Been a few years, but the last time I took a bike over it was made clear than it was my responsibility to strap the bike down and they would not touch it at all. If they were worried why not make an announcement on the PA system and you could go down and check it out.

I'd be seriously pissed.

Check their fine print as well - they probably have a arse-covering clause in there.

Yeah they probably have something saying they can strap it down some more is they see there is a danger it could fall and damage another vehicle or some crap.

[Disco Dan]

When I used it, they pointed me to the bike park and said "straps over there" and walked off.

Luckily there was another dude on a bike whom had been over before and gave me a few pointers!

[awayatc]

I feel for you, but they have themselves fully covered:

The smallprint:

Securing ropes
For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of loss or damage during carriage the Carrier may use lashings or securing chains or ropes to stabilise or secure any vehicle or other Property. The Carrier is not liable for any loss or damage to a vehicle or other Property, or to anyattachment or fitting on any vehicle or other Property, if that loss or damage is caused by the chafing or moving of lashings or securing chains or ropes which have been attached by the Carrier in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure that any loss or damage resulting from carriage is minimised. In attaching or fitting lashings or security chains or ropes, the Carrier is not required to take into account the special requirements of any vehicle or Property. Any special requirements will only be catered for at the discretion of the Carrier and by prior arrangement

Basicly the ferries accept NO liability ever in regards to damage to your vehicle.......Many many vehicles have been declared a total loss and towed off the ferry, after a rough crossing....racehorses destroyed etc....

It is not the first time something like this comes up, maybe KB should make its users aware of the dangers of crossing Cook Strait....Talk to your insurance BEFORE you cross please.....

[skidMark]

I feel for you, but they have themselves fully covered:

The smallprint:

Securing ropes
For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of loss or damage during carriage the Carrier may use lashings or securing chains or ropes to stabilise or secure any vehicle or other Property. The Carrier is not liable for any loss or damage to a vehicle or other Property, or to anyattachment or fitting on any vehicle or other Property, if that loss or damage is caused by the chafing or moving of lashings or securing chains or ropes which have been attached by the Carrier in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure that any loss or damage resulting from carriage is minimised. In attaching or fitting lashings or security chains or ropes, the Carrier is not required to take into account the special requirements of any vehicle or Property. Any special requirements will only be catered for at the discretion of the Carrier and by prior arrangement

Basicly the ferries accept NO liability ever in regards to damage to your vehicle.......Many many vehicles have been declared a total loss and towed off the ferry, after a rough crossing....racehorses destroyed etc....

It is not the first time something like this comes up, maybe KB should make its users aware of the dangers of crossing Cook Strait....Talk to your insurance BEFORE you cross please.....


Well personally i would take towels to protect between fairing and tie down. and probably a few of my own straps.

You do have to tie them down right though. ie load up the front suspension.

[awayatc]

Well personally i would take towels to protect between fairing and tie down. and probably a few of my own straps.

You do have to tie them down right though. ie load up the front suspension.

You can indeed limited the damage that way for your average crossings.....
However it has happened more then once that the Railway carriages themselves fell over....
Big trucks toppled,...and start sliding into other vehicles that start sliding into....(you get the drift?)
And then unfortunately the only way things get off the ferry is by towtruck...with the help of some big cranes....

[Disco Dan]

Choose a nice calm day?

[bully]

on a ute, i use a tie down bra, it pulls down on the grips and goes over fairings. maybe its what you need, oxford has them i think.

[MIXONE]

Your own tiedowns are a must.After that it's in the hands of the gods.Seagods that is.
I've crossed heaps of times and the only time I suffered any vehicle damage was when my bike was in the back of a furniture removal truck.

[skidMark]

You can indeed limited the damage that way for your average crossings.....
However it has happened more then once that the Railway carriages themselves fell over....
Big trucks toppled,...and start sliding into other vehicles that start sliding into....(you get the drift?)
And then unfortunately the only way things get off the ferry is by towtruck...with the help of some big cranes....

i think they need to build a railway bridge across cook straight au :devil2:

Or like...

A bridge, that like, cars can use. and trucks and motorbikes etc.

[Biggles2000]

Had somthing like this happen to me. Picked up my new car from Auckland and going home the lovely seamen on the ferry wrapped a chain through the mag wheels and tightened the thing up.
Get the damage fixed and take them to the small claims court. The small claims court will determine a fair settelment. The ferry operator can not contract out of being stupid.

[homer]

all very interesting reading
so they want your money and yet want no accountability, which they will have an insurance for that reason .
but in the event of a run aground or boat collision and say death , your get to sue them or seek compensation.

I just think i wont put my bike or car on the boat .

[pritch]

I just think i wont put my bike or car on the boat .

That does seriously limit your options. A sort of self imposed prison sentence.

There are other threads on KB about using the ferries and there is good advice therein.

Opinions are divided as to which company is better, but I tend to prefer the thoughts of those who have actually used both.

[homer]

Yeah i think my tought maybe a little . um un thought
but its gives a bad impression .

sounded like every time you go on a boat with your bike itll need fixing ?
lol

[pritch]

sounded like every time you go on a boat with your bike itll need fixing ?
lol

It shouldn't, but a rough crossing is always a possibility. I've only done a few crossings, eight in total, but so far so good...

[homer]

so they must supply all the strops etc
I dont even know how youd tie the bike down
althought i have a centre stand , id probably put it on the side stand
tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .
then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .
correct or miles away

[FJRider]

so they must supply all the strops etc
I dont even know how youd tie the bike down
althought i have a centre stand , id probably put it on the side stand
tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .
then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .
correct or miles away

As close as you need to get, in good weather. If shitty conditions are predicted, MORE. AND CHECK THEM OFTEN DURING THE CROSSING. Your OWN strops are advised. You KNOW they are useable then.

[homer]

oh ok
cheers for that , not heading on the boat any time soon but good to know
interesting thread .

[CookMySock]

tie down the handle bars each side and pull about an inch down on the front sus .then strop down the rear over the seat and pull about 2 inch down .correct or miles awayPull it all down tighter than that, especially the front. Be careful not to overload and side-stand and damage it - ie keep bike upright as possible.

DB

[pritch]

AND CHECK THEM OFTEN DURING THE CROSSING.

In my experience neither Interislander nor Bluebridge will permit access to the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.

[FJRider]

In my experience neither Interislander nor Bluebridge will permit access to the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.

If permission is asked for, with crew escort /(Usually) availability you can.

[CookMySock]

If things got really rough the vehicle deck would be a very unhealthy place to be.yeah that would be wild to see ay.. all those cars and trucks munting and rolling.. haha, hop in and let all their handbrakes off so they really get their boogie on lol..

DB

[FJRider]

Not with my bike/car strapped down there

[madandy]

I crossed in 1998 and they strapped my bike down for me. did a good job too. I wasn't exactly surprised to find I had to do it myself when riding the Ducati home recently.
The Ferry ticket stated no liability etc. but seeing as we are to strap down our own bikes these days and yuo did and then someone has tied your bike down some more after you had vacated the vehicle deck I'd be more than a little fucked off myself. The dumb bastard probably cracked your fairing tightening the strap and should be hauled over glowing hot coals for touching your bike when they make us responsible for securing them in the forst place.

[fireliv]

Phoenix and I have had bikes cross with both companies. We have always tied down our own bikes, and it really isnt that hard to work out how to do it.
Have found that they are really about the same, but the blue bridge will allow a bike to go on without a rider if need be putting it on as freight.

Hard luck with your bike, just one of those things, but yes I would be pissed off at the fact that someone touched it and put a strap on it.

[pete376403]

Only crossed on the Interislanders so far, this years Brass will be the first time on BlueBridge. In 14 years crossings have varied from mild to wild, but my bike has always travelled undamaged, after being tied down by me.
On the sidestand, two tiedowns from bars to deck pulling down on the front springs as much as I can. Then two tiedowns at the rear, from the passenger grab rails down to the deck and pull down on the rear springs as far as possible also. Finally find a couple of the big rubber wedges (car wheel chocks) and kick them either side of the back tyre.

[Dino]

Only ever used the Interislander before, they have always been good about leaving me to tie down my own bike.

I am using Bluebridge for the first time on Thursday so I hope no one else touches my bike then. I Have my own tie downs with me which I know work so hopefully no reason for anyone else to touch it.
.

[chanceyy]

I highly recomend investing in the oxford handlebar bra .. keeps the straps off the fairings

I have travelled on the bluebridge .. granted they assisted me with the tie down on the way over & on the way home I called dogsnbikes from the kitchen as I could not anchor betsy down enough & he also threw a chock under her front wheel

but the bra is a damn great investment in keeping the straps well off the fairings (they are approx $60)

[Forest]

If you're going to cross the strait, it is definitely worth investing in a good set of straps.

[sunhuntin]

ive only been on interislander... one had bikes at the back, the other had bikes at the front.

homer... definately get your own straps. the ones they supply are fairly dodgy and can be filthy and wet. i use two of my own on the front, pulling down alternate sides till i cant go any furthur. i then use two of theirs on the back, and same again. a wheel chock under the front isnt a bad idea either. its also a good idea to get there early so you have pick of parking... id hate to tie a bike down while surrounded by bikes... prefer to do it with room to move. also, ive found sometimes "your" deck anchors can be taken by the guy next door.
i use a side stand too... no center stand option, lol. dont be in a rush to get it tied down so you can go upstairs... take your time till you are satisfied. bikes generally get first on option, so you have the entire loading time to get things to your standards.

[thehollowmen]

Except when it isn't.
I borrowed two good ones off my little brother, and the interislander staff thought I was nicking theirs.



If you're going to cross the strait, it is definitely worth investing in a good set of straps.

[crazybigal]

Those tie down bra's are great on a full faired bike.
i use it on the blackbird, i tie the bike upright, bra on and tie down the bike from all 4 corners then wedge the chock under the front wheel for good measure
the bras are like $30 bucks not $60
make sure you use closed type hooks on your tiedowns for the deck not the open hooks, if it gets any slack they will let go.
Depending on the ferry some have a cross type groove in the deck for the hooks and some have actual steel d type shackles mounted to the deck.
Dont use the tiedowns they have onboard, they are shite!.



I highly recomend investing in the oxford handlebar bra .. keeps the straps off the fairings

I have travelled on the bluebridge .. granted they assisted me with the tie down on the way over & on the way home I called dogsnbikes from the kitchen as I could not anchor betsy down enough & he also threw a chock under her front wheel

but the bra is a damn great investment in keeping the straps well off the fairings (they are approx $60)

[HenryDorsetCase]

where can I get one online? bit reluctant to go looking for a bra at work (again)....

[Forest]

Many years ago when I was still a student, I took my GSX1100EZ across the strait on one of the Inter-islanders. I didn't have any straps so the ferry staff lent me some tie-downs.

Tie-downs is really a bit of an exaggeration. More truthfully they were old skanky bits of rope that had been marinating in a mix of oil and sea-water.

Fortunately I got the bike across in one piece. But it really taught me that I needed to be more self-reliant when it came to securing my bike.

[Mikkel]

on a ute, i use a tie down bra, it pulls down on the grips and goes over fairings. maybe its what you need, oxford has them i think.


I highly recomend investing in the oxford handlebar bra .. keeps the straps off the fairings

I have travelled on the bluebridge .. granted they assisted me with the tie down on the way over & on the way home I called dogsnbikes from the kitchen as I could not anchor betsy down enough & he also threw a chock under her front wheel

but the bra is a damn great investment in keeping the straps well off the fairings (they are approx $60)

Oxford does a couple of different models - their "Supreme" version with clip on carabiners, nice padding and hefty straps is $85 and it works very well indeed.


Your own tiedowns are a must.After that it's in the hands of the gods.Seagods that is.
I've crossed heaps of times and the only time I suffered any vehicle damage was when my bike was in the back of a furniture removal truck.

I disagree, the tiedowns and ropes provided on the Interislander are quite capable of doing the job. If you're travelling light the added weight of carrying tiedowns would be an annoyance.


Many years ago when I was still a student, I took my GSX1100EZ across the strait on one of the Inter-islanders. I didn't have any straps so the ferry staff lent me some tie-downs.

Tie-downs is really a bit of an exaggeration. More truthfully they were old skanky bits of rope that had been marinating in a mix of oil and sea-water.

Fortunately I got the bike across in one piece. But it really taught me that I needed to be more self-reliant when it came to securing my bike.

Yes, they still have the old ropes - but they serve a different purpose.

Having made 4 crossings inside the last 6 weeks this is my advice for tying your bike down:

1. Put the bike on the sidestand.
2. Take one of the ropes with a hook that is on the ferry, make a loop around your rear tyre and hook/tie it down to fasteners behind your bike. Make a good solid knot - getting the rope tight is not important.
3. Roll your bike slightly forward so the rope holding the rear tyre in place becomes taught.
4. Take a tiedown and attache it to the sidestand side of the headstock assembly (or forkleg/tripleclamp). On a faired bike take the tiedown from the attachment point and put a couple of windings around the handlebar - as far out as possible. Adjust the tiedown so that it is taught - but does not compress the suspension.
5. Do the same on the other side. When both tiedowns are in place you tighten the right hand (unless your sidestand is on the right side of your bike...) tiedown as much as you can, hereby compressing the fork - compressing it just about halfway should be adequate.
6. Grab your stuff and go have a peaceful nap :)

Hope this helps...

[crazybigal]

try motomail, its an oxford product so do a google on it.



where can I get one online? bit reluctant to go looking for a bra at work (again)....

[Mikkel]

where can I get one online? bit reluctant to go looking for a bra at work (again)....

Many of the dealers in Chch stock them as well. I got mine of Don at Pitlane.

[sunhuntin]

tiedowns dont weigh that much... but they do take up space that could be used for something else. my leather saddle bags, i can fit tie downs [tightly rolled and bagged] and a pair of sneakers, and thats one side completely full to bulging. [literally!]

if there is a better way of carrying them on the bike where they wont take up space, im keen to hear it. like, my bungy cords are kept on the grabrail 24/7. if i could put tiedowns on the same spot, itd be great.

the interislander ones arent too bad, but i prefer to use my own cos i know they are in good condition and clean. as said, i use my two, plus two of theirs.

[crazybigal]

http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/shopn:sp:1777545837:pv=TBIKE,tb=6

these are the rolls royce of bras.
i got a copy of the oxford basic one from TSS in lower hutt for about $30.

[Mikkel]

tiedowns dont weigh that much... but they do take up space that could be used for something else. my leather saddle bags, i can fit tie downs [tightly rolled and bagged] and a pair of sneakers, and thats one side completely full to bulging. [literally!]

if there is a better way of carrying them on the bike where they wont take up space, im keen to hear it. like, my bungy cords are kept on the grabrail 24/7. if i could put tiedowns on the same spot, itd be great.

the interislander ones arent too bad, but i prefer to use my own cos i know they are in good condition and clean. as said, i use my two, plus two of theirs.

Of course if you have plenty of bag space no worries. My last trip I had a smallish tank bag and a 40 l backpack. Although I tried to keep the backpack as light as possible my shoulders are still quite sore now from ~1500 kms of riding with that on.

[sunhuntin]

bugger that... thats the exact reason i have a top box... carry crap in that, and backpack gets bungied onto the pillion seat, tied to the box brackets. ive also invested in a tank bag and will eventually get a pair of oxford saddlebags.

maybe look and see if theres a way of securing your bag to the pillion seat? save your back on long trips.

[FJRider]

A tank bag is good for those small necessary items.

[pritch]

My method, where possible, is bike bra and tiedowns (with caribeeners). These are kept in the tank bag handy. Put the front brake on and keep it on with duct tape. Put the bike in gear and use the chocks. And book on the Arahura because it has properly designed bike parks...