How to Safely Tie Down a Motorcycle, Scooter, Cruiser or Bike for Transport
By Dennis McCartney
CBXManMotorcycles.com
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Lots of folks like to take their bikes or scooters with them on trips and it's worth doing because it's fun going riding in different places. The problem is that lots of riders have never transported a bike before or only do it once a year and are not experienced enough to know the proper methods to properly securing a vehicle for trailer transport.
We trailer bikes several times a week and have not lost one yet.
- We use soft ties around the front forks just above the bottom triple clamp on each side. These work with everything from CBX's to Sport Bikes.
- We then use only and I stress only good quality ratchet straps to tie down the front of the bike first with one on each side. Just snug them up but not so tight as to blow the fork seals because the next part it what really holds the bike in place.
- We attach another ratchet strap to each side of the swing arm directly in front of the rear axle or as close to it as we can. These straps pull the bike down and back pulling against the front straps. I was shown this method about 12 years ago and have not ever lost a bike while using this method.
You'll need four ratchet straps and 2 to 4 soft ties to get the job done right and you'll need a good place to attach these straps to the floor or frame of whatever truck or trailer you are using. These straps cannot be attached to the wall of a trailer. They must be pulling down!
Any questions about safely securing your bike for transport, drop us a note!