2010RT ON FERRY

[maz12]

Hi, 1st time posting so go easy on me,
Im hoping to take my 2010rt to europe next year and was wondering if you could offer any advice/tips on securing the bike, The handbook states to strap to 'top fork bridges' and the 'rear footrests' then tighten to compress the suspension.
From what ive found on the internet it seems the main method is.. On the sidestand, in gear and strap over the seat. My concerns are.. will the sidestand take the forces when its strapped down and will the heated seat be damaged?
I would be intrested to hear from anyone who's taken a RT on the Ferry
cheers in advance... Dave M

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi, 1st time posting so go easy on me,
Im hoping to take my 2010rt to europe next year and was wondering if you could offer any advice/tips on securing the bike, The handbook states to strap to 'top fork bridges' and the 'rear footrests' then tighten to compress the suspension.
From what ive found on the internet it seems the main method is.. On the sidestand, in gear and strap over the seat. My concerns are.. will the sidestand take the forces when its strapped down and will the heated seat be damaged?
I would be intrested to hear from anyone who's taken a RT on the Ferry
cheers in advance... Dave M

Do a search - words like Side Stand and read all about it...................been done 1000's of times

 

[redcastle]

What Johny boxer said chum, the blokes on the ferry are so used to it it's as easy as pie.
Incidentally if your going Dover Calais use the tunnel instead, only a couple of quid more and so much faster and more convenient

 

[ghiribizzo]

I wouldnt put the strap over the seat even if lots on the Ferry do.
Which route? On the Newcastle service there are plenty of ratchet straps available.
You do it - the staff will not do it for you on that route.
I use the engine bars on the GSA - sidestand, in gear, then a strap either side ratchets it down so it's rock solid. Don't go wild tensioning it!
On the RT I'd be going for the fork tops as you say. Make sure you dont catch any cables or hoses.
A minor niggle on that trip is that you're ratcheting down onto two thin steel cables that run the length of the deck. They're not very far apart so it's a bit of a fiddle on a faired bike. But consider looping the fabric over the fork legs and making sure the hook is secure back onto the strap rather than placing the metal hook on your bike. You'll possible be better placed putting the short end with ratchet at the deck and pulling the bike down to that - other way and the ratchet will likely be in behind a panel so not ideal.
I've seen a few folk badly using three or four straps and some having a mangled seat in the morning.
One either side, pretty much straight down avoiding you're panels and you're sorted!

 

[maz12]

yikes... so many options
Johnnyboxer.. ive done a few searches and all give conflicting opinions, just wondered if someone had experience with the rt on the ferry
Redcastle.. agreed, the tunnel looks the least hassle but i was thinking of getting the ferry from Hull
ghiribizzo.. are you agreeing with the handbook and not using either side or centre stand?
from what i can gather, if the crew secure your bike then the ferry company are responsible, If you secure it yourself its down to you, This is where owning a GS would eliminate any tie down issues
maybe i should buy some crash bars for the RT and fasten to them.. But the dilema remains.. sidestand? centrestand? neither?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ok - a definitive answer

Centrestand

Tie down from the 2 rear footrest frame spars each side to hooks on the deck, at a point equal with or behind the rear wheel

This pulls the rear wheel firmly onto the deck of the ship

Nice and secure

GS or RT, it matters not

I have done this on all manner of BMW Boxers from 1100/1150 and 1200 on dozens of ferry journeys from flat calm to Force 9/10 storms on Ferries,CATS, Hydrofoils and everything in between

Never had a bike damaged and sometimes I've never tied a bike at all, just for fun

Copy me and you'll not have a problem

 

[slydog]

Ok - a definitive answer

Centrestand

Tie down from the 2 rear footrest frame spars each side to hooks on the deck, at a point equal with or behind the rear wheel

This pulls the rear wheel firmly onto the deck of the ship

Nice and secure

GS or RT, it matters not

I have done this on all manner of BMW Boxers from 1100/1150 and 1200 on dozens of ferry journeys from flat calm to Force 9/10 storms on Ferries,CATS, Hydrofoils and everything in between

Never had a bike damaged and sometimes I've never tied a bike at all, just for fun

Copy me and you'll not have a problem

take note this man knows what hes talking about your bike will be fine

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Firstly, don't worry about it.....Like many on here i've been on dozens of ferries including Iceland, Shetland, Norway etc and in severe weather and never had a problem.

The first time on a ferry I was bricking it though but now I couldn't give a monkeys as long as i'm happy with the strap tension.

Usually use mainstand and crashbars, footpegs or even sidesatand and footpegs and left in gear depending on the bike. On the Shetland ferry the deckhands shove the bike up against a matress barrier and just put the one strap over the seat(padded with my gloves) and the bike was held fast no problem. It's a GS so it'll take the odd knock or two(only joking)

If it's a 'tupperware bike' it'll tiedown fine without scratching the panels or creasing the seat but you wouldn't push it up against anything just tie it down to the floor hooks or chains freestanding.

Iceland and Norway ferries you just had to get on with it and sometimes the 'flip' straps can be a bit awkward......You can always take your own mini ratchet straps and then you know what you're working with. The worst thing is the smell of fish and diesel oil in the morning after a rough one.....!

I've helped loads of folks on ferries and some of them were really worried about damaging their pride and joy but it's never a problem easing someones fear about tieing down a bike.

The pros(usually Germans) have their bike gear off and their 'good' clothes on before they're even on the boat and have an uncanny knack of nicking the best straps but I guess that's in their genes.......!

On some ferries i've been the only bike and on the other busier routes(Newcastle-Imjuiden) there were hundreds but there were plenty of nice new clean straps and ratchets.

FP.

 

[DING-DONG]

I think your worrying about nothing tbh, im very fussy i dont like my bikes being strapped down by other peeps for various reason especially when the seat alone costs £400, however id rather it be secure than roll around the floor taking out other peeps bikes as well, so if im doing the ferry side stand down in gear strap over seat, the straps come with thick foam protectors i usually double up on the protector so that it dont mark the seat and than ratchet up im not excessive on how much at all, just enough so that the bike has no side way movement.

I did Bilboa -bay-biscay in force 9 on a duc 999r i expected bikes to be everywhere, however on return they was exactly in the same place.

Im also a big fan of the tunnel, i like to ride on and ride straight off rather than fanny around with straps ect.

 

[maz12]

THANKS ALL, like you say I am prob worrying about nothing, Advise taken onboard and looking forward to the summer.

 

[Our Gee]

Just noticed this thread maz12 and the good folk on here seem to have already covered most of your concerns, which for a first timer I can quite understand. Only thing I would add is that for a first time you are probably travelling on the worst ferry as far as transporting Bikes goes. That's if you are on the Hull / Zeebrugge. The Mezzanine Deck where nearly all of the Bikes are directed is accessed up a steep ramp (tip here is to wait until you have a clear run as stopping half way up and attempting to restart on a fully loaded RT can be interesting) which can be a bit daunting. Once up the ramp the headroom is not good and can be a bit claustraphobic especially in the morning before disembarking when the pricks on the deck below start engines 10 minutes before they need to. Once everything is secured to your satisfaction be careful leaving the deck as the Bikes are literally cramed in and Trip Hazards abound. We have seen a lady Biker carrying two helmets trip and fall between two Bikes and was really shaken up. Also we had our offside mirror knocked off by one of the P and O Deckhands as he struggled between Bikes. The best crossing on that route we have had was when we arrived at Zeebrugge very very late for the crossing to Hull, the ramp to the mezzanine deck had been lifted so we where directed to a spacious corner of the main car deck where we where actually able to walk around the LT which made securing her a doddle. We discovered the Tunnel a couple of years ago and haven't looked at North Sea Ferries since.

 

[slimpickings]

I did hull to Zeebrugge this year

Bikes are crammed in very little space between them

My tip is try to be last on
you will get more space and not have some
moron leaning on your panniers in the morning

NO straps are available .. only bits of rope

Staff will NOT help you
Even if you dropped it I doubt they would
We saw a bloke on an Harley, 2 up and enough luggage to
fill a van, drop it. Staff watched while we picked it up for him
Strangely enough... all B emers

Take your own ratchet straps, you will need two

Buy decent quality ones. Not the Lidl shite

My RT never moved an inch

came back thro tunnel ..piece o piss

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Maz, I had exactly the same concerns last year. Contacting the ferry companies was a complete waste of time - some nice young girl just said "We'll lash your bike down" and didn't understand that I wanted to know how they'd lash it down.

I booked with Eurostar after a mate recommended them. They don't tie the bike down at all, just leave it on the sidestand in gear and thats enough. I booked well in advance and it was £50 for the round trip. I'll definitely be going that way again.

Mark

 

[Malcvtr]

 

[maz12]

thanks again chaps, im certainly erring towards the tunnel,
our gee.. ive heard that the hull/Zeebrugge wasn't good for bikes, youve just comfirmed it.
slimpickings.. seems you'd agree with our gee, and pushed me to thinking of plan B
Mark.. cheers, recon ill follow your lead
Cheers

 

[Riktus]

As most of above have said if going Dover Calais then tunnel is the best and by far the cleanest and no strapping needed and all the staff are friendly and helpful.

If ferry then bike in gear steering lock on sidestand down (it comes forward enough not to fold back) and opt to strap it down yourself. Sometimes there are bits of foam padding kicking around to use as load bearers but dont go mad with the tension on the straps as like you say the heated elements only give so much.

Personally I tend to have a fleece in my topbox for emergencies and wearing at night so I tend to make sure the pockets are empty and roll it up so it makes a nice thick protector for under the strap.

Rik

 

[cookie]

steering lock on

and there was me thinking there was nothing new on these "how do i tie my bike down on a ferry threads?".

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've heard that the hull/Zeebrugge wasn't good for bikes, youve just comfirmed it.

Nothing wrong with Hull to Zeebrugge, I've used in 2-3 times a year for the last 20 years and never had a bike damaged yet (even a plastic RT)

So your worrying about nothing, sure there are better ferries, but this one shouldn't be avoided and it saves a 350 mile ride each way to Dover, which is blessing

 

[Shipwreck]

thanks again chaps, im certainly erring towards the tunnel,
our gee.. ive heard that the hull/Zeebrugge wasn't good for bikes, youve just comfirmed it.
slimpickings.. seems you'd agree with our gee, and pushed me to thinking of plan B
Mark.. cheers, recon ill follow your lead
Cheers

I used the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and had no problems at all. Beats travelling 300 miles to Dover where you would arrive knackered, have a brief respite and the back in the saddle again. Arrive in Zeebrugge refreshed, fully fueled and raring to go. Piece of cake.

 

[E. Buygum]

thanks again chaps, im certainly erring towards the tunnel,
our gee.. ive heard that the hull/Zeebrugge wasn't good for bikes, youve just comfirmed it.
slimpickings.. seems you'd agree with our gee, and pushed me to thinking of plan B
Mark.. cheers, recon ill follow your lead
Cheers

Have just booked Hull-Zebrugge for next May...the space for bikes is a bit crap and the wait in the morning frustrates some but overall, I really like the ferry, and have done it many times. If you can tie a knot, the ropes are fine. The ceiling is low but only a complete idiot would ignore this when taking his helmet off... I'm a side-stand, in gear, very quick tie down and leave stuff (including helmet) on the bike sort and have never had a problem.