Interislander

[MD]

I've done dozens of crossings and used to use their ropes but like Beemer said, they are filthy. Now I take 4 tie-downs. I think some folks take it all too serious making a science out of the project. I don't have my ropes very tight at all. What's the harm in a little play side to side. So long as there are multiple ropes pulling in different directions the bike can only move a cm here or there. More important to me is making sure none of the ropes touch the plastic work and scratch the fairings. I often attach to the rear footrests, although a higher point would be better I suppose. The front is a bit of a bugger on sportsbikes. I find directing the ropes around the top of the forks (that bit that protrudes above the yoke) can keep them off the plastic. Like someone said try and have a long reach to the ground point so the angle is not so steep. That 'tie your ropes to a loose chain' idea doesn't look to safe but I've had to use it. Sometimes I run a rope up one side, over the riders seat then down the other side. This gives plenty of suspension compression in one hit. In fact done right there's bugger all need for more than this one rope. Oh crap now I've gone and made a science out of it. You pricks.

[sunhuntin]

good thread. there is another over in newbie riders, but not as big. im planning on going over in november with a group, so there will be others there who hopefully know what they are doing! LOL. only thing im worried about is the bike tipping over. dont mind if she gets a rub or two from the ropes.

[Ralph]

Oh yeah, I used 4 tie downs aswell.

[Ruralman]

A lot of you guys have mentioned tying down onto the side stand - when I tie down my dirt bike on a trailer I always take the weight onto the tiedowns and then put the stand up out of the way before compressing the springs and tightening everything up. The bike is held more securely this way. It can sort of lever around if the sidestand is down and it is also hard on the studs that mount the stand to the swing arm.
I haven't done a ferry crossing with the T/A but I would try to do the same. This way the bike tends to be more upright as well.

[shafty]

I shot down to Chch from Tauranga on Tuesday, back on Wednesday, taking a 1500 Meanstreak down, bringing a 750 Shadow home. I'd intended taking my own tie downs, but forgot as it was a "quick trip", and had no probs with the ropes on both the Interislander and the Bluebridge. Good advice given so far, but what I did, was used the side stand (no choice on a cruiser, lol), made sure the bike was in 1st gear, ran 1 rope from the steering to the ground, and the same at the rear end. Then I used a 3rd rope to connect the 2, to tension them up, as with their ropes, it's a bit harder to achieve some tension. Then a rubber wedge under both wheels.

Also, when disembarking, I disregard their "do not start your engines until told to". Reason being, I want my sickle to be nicely warmed up before I ride down the greasy wet ramp, - no compression slides for me thank you!!!

Have fun - it'll be no sweat for you, if you chill out and take ya time.

[Ralph]

A lot of you guys have mentioned tying down onto the side stand - when I tie down my dirt bike on a trailer I always take the weight onto the tiedowns and then put the stand up out of the way before compressing the springs and tightening everything up. The bike is held more securely this way. It can sort of lever around if the sidestand is down and it is also hard on the studs that mount the stand to the swing arm.
I haven't done a ferry crossing with the T/A but I would try to do the same. This way the bike tends to be more upright as well.

Thats a good point you make, and I'm not sure exactly why it couldn't be done. However I don't think I have the nerve to put the stand up on the ferry but for some reason I would on a trailer or the back of a ute. Do you use a bike stand for the front wheel on the trailer? I would maybe thats why the stand would be up, still would work fine without the stand though.
I do put most of the tension on the side without the stand for that reason to.

[Maha]

Ever thought of taking going by plane and taking the bike as 'carry on'??.....

[Highlander]

Going back a lott of years now, there used to be an outfit flying a freight run from Wellingbone to Blenheim my old man used them a couple of times with his motorcycle - faster and cheaper than the ferry he reakoned.

[Ruralman]

Thats a good point you make, and I'm not sure exactly why it couldn't be done. However I don't think I have the nerve to put the stand up on the ferry but for some reason I would on a trailer or the back of a ute. Do you use a bike stand for the front wheel on the trailer? I would maybe thats why the stand would be up, still would work fine without the stand though.
I do put most of the tension on the side without the stand for that reason to.

No I don't use a bike stand. Its an old trailer with a plywood deck which can get quite slippy but I'm sure it sits better without the stand down. Often there are 2 bikes. We put one strap over the rear wheel of both because one bike shop owner told me that was required to satisfy the Traffic boys - apparently they can go end over end without it if the front of your vehicle comes to a "sudden halt"