Crossing the Strait?

[Posh Tourer :P]

Do you want me to add you into the lists I made in this thread??

If so, which list? I'll update it after exams are done (the 9th)....

[Stevo]

Good to hear from y'all. We have been off tiki touring for the last couple of days being Marlb Anniversary weekend and all.

Went up thru St Arnaud to Murchison then back up to Takaka in the Golden Bay yesterday and then cruised our way leisurely back today

A fantastic couple of days weather wise and a few different roads. Plenty of other bikers making the most of it too. I have a sister in Welly but we be keen to stay with or just catch up with some other bikes sometime.

Are planning on riding up to Wanganui on Xmas day for the Street races. Anyone else heading up from Welly?? Not exactly sure on the return date.

[Stevo]

Do you want me to add you into the lists I made in this thread??

If so, which list? I'll update it after exams are done (the 9th)....

Ok. I PMd you I think. Good luck for the exams, and hope the riding is not interrupting study time too much, lol.

[LB]

Are planning on riding up to Wanganui on Xmas day for the Street races. Anyone else heading up from Welly?? Not exactly sure on the return date.

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Yep, we're heading up to Wanganui Christmas day - not sure exactly what time yet...if it's cracker weather it might be a really early like a 6am start and via Wairarapa/Pahiatua Track/Vinegar Hill/Waiouru/National Park/Paraparas.
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[Stevo]

That's a pity cos the earliest ferry would not get in till 8-830am. I think Kickaha is going up too from this side of the ditch.

[vifferman]

The tiedowns on the lynx are good ratchet tiedowns and I use them if crossing on it,on the other ferrys I have been on they're crap,but you're better off taking your own and tieing your own bike down

Yeah, that's what I was told too. I've taken a bike on the ferry only twice, and both times they had rope to tie them down with. Not much good, as it's hard to get it tight, and they're all grungy. OK when you're getting on (you can wash your hands on the ferry) but when you're disembarking, you're left with grubby hands to stick in your gloves.

I always tie my bike down at all four corners and on the centrestand
don't rely on the ferry staff to do it for you as unless they're asked quite often they wont

I was told NOT to use the centrestand - if the bike moves around it could slip, your bike will fall over, tied down or not. So on my VF500 (which had both stands), I put it on the sidestand. Advantage is that you then have the bike sitting on both wheels, with the sidestand as an extra support, and the tiedowns are pulling against compressed suspension at both ends, to keep the tiedowns tight.

Best idea is to take your own tiedowns if you can, so you can practice with them before hand and know how they work, also it means if there are any problems hooking them on (like fairings getting in the way) you can sort it beforehand, rather than being on the ferry and going "WTF do I do now?!!?"

[Posh Tourer :P]

I was told NOT to use the centrestand - if the bike moves around it could slip, your bike will fall over, tied down or not. So on my VF500 (which had both stands), I put it on the centrestand.

Best idea is to take your own tiedowns if you can, so you can practice with them before hand and know how they work, also it means if there are any problems hooking them on (like fairings getting in the way) you can sort it beforehand, rather than being on the ferry and going "WTF do I do now?!!?"

By which you mean sidestand.....


Yes practice is definitely a good idea.....

[Mongoose]

Take your own rachet tiedowns, scrunch the front suspension down tight as and the bike will sit pretty well.I use one on the back just to help locate in place if things get rough.
I have done this a few times with no problems and as some one up there mentioned, them ropes they give you are not worth squat, oily gressy suckers that they are.

[vifferman]

By which you mean sidestand.....

Thanx, Dude. Now corrected.

[Mongoose]

By which you mean sidestand.....


Yes practice is definitely a good idea.....

Err yes, i too forgot the centre stand part, maybe its a feature I rarely use. You could pretend to be like a bunch of bikers that crossed at the same time as me one day, no stands to worry about.Five bikes and not a single stand in sight .Power poles at the terminal were fully booked for those bikes

[Kickaha]

That's a pity cos the earliest ferry would not get in till 8-830am. I think Kickaha is going up too from this side of the ditch.

Yeah me and Diesel Pig are booking tickets soon,possibly crossing over on the Friday night so if it's nice weather I'll see you a 6am Lynda,other wise we're proabably staying at your place Friday night Stevo

I haven't ever had a bike move or slip tieing down on the centrestand and if tied correctly I don't really see how it could happen,but I might try Firestormers method next time anyway

[Stevo]

Fair enough then. Sure we can cook up up a roast or a barby if you do decide to stop by. Think the Mrs booked our tickets today for the 10ish sailing on Xmas day. No early ferry I don't think??????????
Nevermind