Cook Strait Ferries Megathread

**BMWST?** · 12th January 2013, 17:43

Kaitake and Aratere were ok I had my own tie downs (3) two in front 1 at back bike in gear Aratere I arranged things so the front wheel was hard against bulkhead but I have lots of places to attach tie downs both sailings were so smooth the main stand would have been cool or side stand and in gear/chocks

**Paul in NZ** · 12th June 2013, 10:16

Well Vicki and I have booked us and bike to head down to ChCh for the TOMCC 20th get together.

12th July - Winter? Christchurch??? WTF were we thinking back then or perhaps we were all made of sterner stuff...

Anyway - we are on the 2:30am sailing but they allow you onto the boat 10pm the night before so we have booked a cabin where we will hopefully sleep the trip away until the 6am arrival. Then its off the boat, breakfast and off we go. Sounds a lot better than the usual mid day arrival.

Anyone else used the cabins on bluebridge before? Any good?

ps -= the heated grips seem to work thank goodness...

**Trade_nancy** · 13th November 2013, 10:54

I've trolled this megathread and gleened some good tips. I'm heading over for the Burt Munro - virgin for bike on ferry. I tried setting up tie downs on the bike in the garage last night (Sprint GT) and it is an arse of a job to avoid fairing damage. Can't seem to use the bars/risers and tried from the lower triple tree - that hits fairing too.
So I scouted around for OXFORD Wonder Bar Straps - which nestle on the bar ends and would solve this problem. Can't buy these anywhere at the moment. One on Tardme - but he hasn't replied to me to say he has stock.
So - if anyone has these and wants to sell - let me know - otherwise - I thought of a workaround by making my own. Just wrapped a length of flat 1" tie down around each grip and made a loop at each end. See the pic.
OK - anyone see why this would be a regrettable decision on my part? Only thing I noted MIGHT need changing - is the throttle side so that wrap pulls it shut and not open..but with it looped the way I have it, I can give it a good yank and it doesn't affect the throttle.

**Gremlin** · 13th November 2013, 13:08

Your other option is to tie down on the fork clamps from underneath, which allows the suspension to continue working.

**shafty** · 13th November 2013, 13:23

Hey Trade Nancy

Check out www.aerofast.co.nz - look under 'motorcycle' (obviously) - that's what I got and works great

At the time - a few years ago - none of the bike shops had them in stock so they agreed to sell me one direct

Good luck

Shafty

**Trade_nancy** · 13th November 2013, 14:22

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Your other option is to tie down on the fork clamps from underneath, which allows the suspension to continue working.

Tried that - has to come down and out the side fairing on a nasty angle which would cause at least rubbing.
HOWEVER.....I just got a phone call from friendly Honda shop who found a complete bar end harness with straps and caribs for $59 and I talked him down to $49. Tried em 5 mins ago - ripper.

**Trade_nancy** · 13th November 2013, 14:25

Originally Posted by shafty

Hey Trade Nancy

Check out www.aerofast.co.nz - look under 'motorcycle' (obviously) - that's what I got and works great

At the time - a few years ago - none of the bike shops had them in stock so they agreed to sell me one direct

Good luck

Shafty :

Thanks Shafty - just had a look and it seems they have a good assortment but was lacking in pics to see what was what. But as I just mentioned in other posting reply - I managed to get a nice set at City Honda in town. Guy there was a pretty obliging and did some running around to find me some.
Who said Honda was gay...

Edit - dunno where that angry red face came from - but can't delete him...

MD · 13th November 2013, 16:22

Never had a problem just relying on the tie downs provided by the InterIslander ferries for years of regular sailings now. I tend to attach to the footpegs and one handlebar, usually the high side. That Cook Strait is always calm, just like a mirror to look at all year.

Bluebridge- does anyone know if they provide decent ropes/tie downs? Had to book on the BB for this summer with all the Interislander sailings cancelled. Not used them in many years.

**Gremlin** · 13th November 2013, 17:21

MD, both companies advise you to carry your own tie downs. You might strike it lucky and they have some, but I wouldn't trust them. Seen plenty fail once some pressure was applied to the cam buckle.

**Trade_nancy** · 13th November 2013, 17:42

Originally Posted by MD

Never had a problem just relying on the tie downs provided by the InterIslander ferries for years of regular sailings now. I tend to attach to the footpegs and one handlebar, usually the high side. That Cook Strait is always calm, just like a mirror to look at all year.

Bluebridge- does anyone know if they provide decent ropes/tie downs? Had to book on the BB for this summer with all the Interislander sailings cancelled. Not used them in many years.

I assume you mean that you are leaving your bike on the lean stand and not lifting it up vertical on straps..just securing it on the lean? I intend having it upright and off the stand..leaving stand down. So for that - no matter whose tie downs I use - still can't attach to bars without straps over the bar ends. Seems there is a division of opinion on that - leave bike leaning or lift up and brace it. I guess it is a case of - both are right - if done right.

**shafty** · 13th November 2013, 17:45

Hmmmmm strongly recommend leaving bike leaning on its side stand......

**Trade_nancy** · 13th November 2013, 18:19

Originally Posted by shafty

Hmmmmm strongly recommend leaving bike leaning on its side stand......

Still thinking on it.....get mixed opinions on this issue...personally I feel it seems a safer option on the stand as long as not pulled down hard on that side to stress the stand. But many people on this thread have said NO...I'm thinking I'll not be able to decide till; I'm onboard and spy on how others have done it.

**Coldrider** · 13th November 2013, 18:50

Always have mine upright off the stand, I take a couple of cotton rags to pack under the tiedowns/buckles where they cross the upper fairing, been doin' it that way for 25 years. Also quite often the bikes get parked in the centre of nowhere. Use a rubber chock if available to pull the front down on, or the rear wheel will have to be tied down, and the front pulled down against the restrained rear.

**BMWST?** · 13th November 2013, 19:30

Just back from a strait crossing on bluebridge,some odd tie downs,lots of specially made up short cords,lotd of rubber chocks,st Regina lots like interislander ,straitsman quite oddly set up,nice though,bedt food on the strait though and slow(4 hours)