Tie-downs

[RnB Fan]

This is probably a silly question but I am taking my bike across the Strait on the ferry next week and so I need to buy some tie-downs for the trip. Having never taken my bike on the ferry before I will admit to being a little nervous about the whole "securing the bike on the ferry thing". Can anyone advise me if there is any minimum length tie-down I should buy or are one sort better than others. Any help appreciated.

[The Baron]

Hi any set of four tie-downs will do and yes take your own. When you tie your bike down on the ship put one wheel against the wall or piller etc. Leave your bike on the side stand (three points on the ground) not your main stand and strap all four corners of the bike. Some people I know also take a small length of string to tie one wheel firm to the ground. Have fun on your trip.

[RnB Fan]

Thanks for the advice.

Cheers.

[barty5]

Dont buy cheap arse ones ie: the thin ratchet tyre are crap they break and they are a pain to undo.
The pull through type that are nice and thick sold as bike tie downs work well just remember once pulled down tie a knot with the left over strap round the buckle that way they wont slip by accident.
Enjoy trip.

[klingon]

One more tip: Tighten everything up so the suspension/forks are a bit compressed - means the tyres have a nice firm grip on the steel surface.

And don't be afraid to ask for advice if there are other bikers tying their bikes down too (assuming they look like they know what they are doing). That's how we all benefit from each others' experience

[Kinje]

The pull through type are good. One either side on the front and pull down the suspension.

There are often wheel chocks lying around that you can grab and put round the wheel.

Are you on the Kaitaki? That one is kinda tricky to tie down on as they just have this length of chain along the deck to tie up to The rest of the boats have good anchor points.

Have a great trip. Might see ya down there

[Katman]

As has been alluded to there are different degrees of quality in tiedowns. Don't just go for cheap ones. The clasps can slip and they are often rated to a lesser breaking strain.

Stick with known brand names like Aerofast or Oxford.

[scott411]

i would stick with aerofast, still NZ made and good quality, i have had oxford ones and they are only average in my opinion,


most good bikeshops should stock aerofast ones

[Maha]

As has been alluded to there are different degrees of quality in tiedowns. Don't just go for cheap ones. The clasps can slip and they are often rated to a lesser breaking strain.

Stick with known brand names like Aerofast or Oxford.

Or the ones Tamahere used years ago? they must have been pretty good...dont know the brand though.

[nodrog:Me]

the aerofast ones are the probably the best i have used, only used 2 on the front when i took my RSVR to the south island, never moved an inch.

[Strider]

cool. Planning to head over to Nelson for the new year and always ment to ask on here about tie downs on the ferry vrossing. Will check out them aerofast one.

[RnB Fan]

Thanks for the help and advice. Off to the shop now.

[bully]

get one of thos oxford bra strap things, it holds the tie downs off the fairings.

[Gremlin]

Since we're talking about this, any argument on side stand down vs up?

Trailers etc. always believed side stand up, and do so, and used this theory on the ferry with a fully laden blackbird, but I seemed to be the exception on the ferry, with most tying the bike down on the side stand...

[Ocean1]

I've seen one of the older hook-both-ends tie downs come off the bars on a bike that was snugged down on it's side stand, the bike had leaned well over on the stand.

I've never left the stand down, just hook up the side with the stand down first, pull the slack out of that tiedown then haul the other side down within mebe an inch of bottomed out that side, back around, kick the stand up and pull that side down the same.

Add something to stop the back end moving around sideways and that's it.