Cook Strait Ferries Megathread

[jellywrestler]

* bring your own tiedowns is suggested ... ???

you pay good money per square metre, much more than a car you should get tie downs provided; if let them know

[sootie]

you pay good money per square metre, much more than a car you should get tie downs provided; if let them know

As was commented - if you bring your own, you know they are going to work!

[Gremlin]

There... no searching required... read the thread.

[rustic101]

[mylodon]

I shouldn't admit this but... i was new the the country and made a hasty weekend plan to go over by nelson.... got on the ferry in wellington, some horrible hour like 5am. parked the bike (put the kickstand down) and left it...!

Not sure what I was thinking there.

When I returned to the garage bay in Picton - i found it had been magically tied down by ferry fairies.

Later i realized I packed a tent but no sleeping bag.

It was still a good trip. On future trips I made sure and tie down well - but I always used the provided straps, never a problem. Also I started bringing a sleeping bag.

[ontoit]

The few times i have been on the interislanders tie downs were provided. The last time, 8 months ago, "ship unknown" there were good tie downs and there was a rack for the front wheel to slot into, right next to the stairs. Great service by the ferry guys too.

[Winston001]

The general rule for bikers is to carry your own tie-downs. You may not need them or you may find the ship's ones have been used by other people who boarded before you. Or...you may find tie-downs covered in effluent are not to your taste. Doesn't bother me personally but I grew up on a farm. I notice others are reluctant to pick up wet green straps.

[FJRider]

I shouldn't admit this but... i was new the the country and made a hasty weekend plan to go over by nelson.... got on the ferry in wellington, some horrible hour like 5am. parked the bike (put the kickstand down) and left it...!

Not sure what I was thinking there.

When I returned to the garage bay in Picton - i found it had been magically tied down by ferry fairies.

Later i realized I packed a tent but no sleeping bag.

It was still a good trip. On future trips I made sure and tie down well - but I always used the provided straps, never a problem. Also I started bringing a sleeping bag.

I did similar once ... except nobody tied it down. It was a smooth sailing though ...

In the days when only short lengths of rope were available on the ferries ...

[Laava]

Just done the bass straight crossing to tassie and you are not allowed to tie your own bike down for ins purposes. Its great! Just hop off, leave it in gear and go to the bar!

[Flip]

I would not trust the NZ rail staff to know how to tie down a bike properly.

A short while ago they fucked a wheel on my Lotus sticking a big hook through the spoke on the mag wheel. What was even funnier was they touched the damage up with silver paint, (the wheels are a bronze pearl colour) which stuck out like dogs balls.

[duckonin]

Had another bike been beside you your front tie-down would not of looked like that...

[Kickaha]

A short while ago they fucked a wheel on my Lotus sticking a big hook through the spoke on the mag wheel. What was even funnier was they touched the damage up with silver paint, (the wheels are a bronze pearl colour) which stuck out like dogs balls.

I dont think I've ever seen a car tied down, why were they doing it?

[FJRider]

To stop them rolling around into their freight trains. It scratches their paintwork ...

[werwolf]

Nice to hear your comments, Im new to this game, had bikes before but never travelled over on ferry. My concern is this, My bike is large and heavy ( BMW R1150 RT ) Its way more stable on its center stand than it is on the side stand.
I have the tie downs, and the soft loopy things to go round the frame. BMW warn against tying to handle bars, They are cast aluminium and Im told some have cracked in rough seas ??
I can get good tying points on the front forks and at the back I can access directly onto the frame, Im just not sure about this side stand thing, The bike weighs 250kg +
Anyone with a big BMW done this ???
I could sure use the advice

[Conquiztador]

Nice to hear your comments, Im new to this game, had bikes before but never travelled over on ferry. My concern is this, My bike is large and heavy ( BMW R1150 RT ) Its way more stable on its center stand than it is on the side stand.
I have the tie downs, and the soft loopy things to go round the frame. BMW warn against tying to handle bars, They are cast aluminium and Im told some have cracked in rough seas ??
I can get good tying points on the front forks and at the back I can access directly onto the frame, Im just not sure about this side stand thing, The bike weighs 250kg +
Anyone with a big BMW done this ???
I could sure use the advice

I have travelled with BMW K100, K1 + other big bikes. I never tie the bike against the side stand. I use side stand to keep bike standing while I get sorted, but then tighten the tie-downs on both sides so she stands up straight. My logic is this: A side stand is made to carry the bikes weight. Once you tie a bike down and pull against the side stand it puts more pressure on the side stand than it was designed for. You could even brake it (or bend it).

I would not use a centre stand when tying down a bike on a ferry. Same reason as above: If the centre stand would give up your tiedowns would become loose.

My recommendation is to use 2 tiedowns ( but if you want to be really sure use 2 front and 2 rear), front wheel against wheel fitting and rubber block against back wheel. Pull both front ones evenly so bike is hard up against wheel fitting. Then tighten up both rear ones if you use them.

Never had a bike go loose on me.