Bike over on the Eurotunnel

[J biker]

Of note. On the crossing with the motorcycle, there was a bike close to ours that fell over, hitting another bike next to it. In fairness the ride was smooth enough, so maybe left in neutral and also not much lean on the side stand? So take care. Your bike might be ok, is the one next to it ? Some of the floor plates in the middle of the carriageways were also a bit loose.

=====

I have started a fresh thread.

Richard

 

[Khulu]

We have used the tunnel 3-4 times a year for several years now. Often travelling in the car with the dog. Most trips we have had an earlier crossing. Only once a delay of about 1 hour. Wheels fell off the train or something..
Used the crossing last year with a motorcycle, that was on time.
Busy times are…busy. No surprise. Avoiding peak times is better, obviously.
All in all experience so far has been very good.

Of note. On the crossing with the motorcycle, there was a bike close to ours that fell over, hitting another bike next to it. In fairness the ride was smooth enough, so maybe left in neutral and also not much lean on the side stand? So take care. Your bike might be ok, is the one next to it ? Some of the floor plates in the middle of the carriageways were also a bit loose.

The bike probably fell because they insist the bikes are parked with the sidestand to the rear of the train. If the train brakes hard the bike will lift and, potentially, fall over. I have this argument with them every time.

 

[Wapping]

The bike probably fell because they insist the bikes are parked with the sidestand to the rear of the train. If the train brakes hard the bike will lift and, potentially, fall over. I have this argument with them every time.

The Chunnel carries about 2,000,000 cars a year. They don’t seem to publish figures for the number of motorcycles. However, if we guess it’s say 5% (that looks pretty generous) that’s 100,000 motorcycles. It’s remarkable how quiet the internet is vis-a-vis “Me steed’s gone flying, ‘cos the cnut slammed the brakes on”.

That said, I have been parked on the train in just about every configuration known to man, including in a cradle when the thing first started. The only direction they haven’t tried is facing backwards. I can also recall when even looking at the central channel of the carriage drew a sharp rebuke from the loading chimps.



PS My tip when going onto the train. Leave a decent interval between you and the bike in front and don’t be rushed by the loaders. The interval is handy in case (as is not infrequent) the bike in front is ridden by someone who has never been on the Chunnel before. You don’t want to be suddenly stopping on the sometimes wet and slippery steel decking when you first ride on. Likewise give the bikermate time to park, set his bike over and stand around admiring it, before you slide in next to him. When you do park, get your own bike leaned over and hop off sharply, before the bikermate numpty behind you, gets carried away…. And parks so as to leave you no room.

My second tip…. Don’t fire your awsome steed up and blip the bloody open can, gassing and deafening the bods behind. Just wait patiently and ride away with the minimum amount of noise, gasses and fuss.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I tend to hold the handlebar of my bike when I use the Chunnel as it does seem to wobble about a bit* during the crossing.

*The bike, not my hand.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The Chunnel carries about 2,000,000 cars a year. They don’t seem to publish figures for the number of motorcycles. However, if we guess it’s say 5% (that looks pretty generous) that’s 100,000 motorcycles. It’s remarkable how quiet the internet is vis-a-vis “Me steed’s gone flying, ‘cos the cnut slammed the brakes on”.

That said, I have been parked on the train in just about every configuration known to man, including in a cradle when the thing first started. The only direction they haven’t tried is facing backwards. I can also recall when even looking at the central channel of the carriage drew a sharp rebuke from the loading chimps.



PS My tip when going onto the train. Leave a decent interval between you and the bike in front and don’t be rushed by the loaders. The interval is handy in case (as is not infrequent) the bike in front is ridden by someone who has never been on the Chunnel before. You don’t want to be suddenly stopping on the sometimes wet and slippery steel decking when you first ride on. Likewise give the bikermate time to park, set his bike over and stand around admiring it, before you slide in next to him. When you do park, get your own bike leaned over and hop off sharply, before the bikermate numpty behind you, gets carried away…. And parks so as to leave you no room.

My second tip…. Don’t fire your awsome steed up and blip the bloody open can, gassing and deafening the bods behind. Just wait patiently and ride away with the minimum amount of noise, gasses and fuss.

Can you use the centre stand ?

 

[Burridge01]

That said, I have been parked on the train in just about every configuration known to man, including in a cradle when the thing first started.

Bloody hell,that seems like a lifetime ago.Had a Bird then,trip down to the Dordogne.Nowadays I wedge the tyre up against the raised walkway,1st gear,side stand.Never had an issue

 

[Wapping]

Bloody hell,that seems like a lifetime ago.

The cradles were used when the Chunnel first went into service in or around 1994. I then had my VFR 750. They limited the number of bikes on each train to something like four, all in separate cradles. The operators were convinced (as some still seem to be today) that motorbikes woukd go flying. They never did.

I’d have a modest wager that more bikes have gone over whilst loading, than when parked up in the carriage.

 

[Khulu]

The cradles were used when the Chunnel first went into service in or around 1994. I then had my VFR 750. They limited the number of bikes on each train to somrging like four, all in separate cradles. The operators were convinced (as some still seem to be today) that motorbikes woukd go flying. They never did.

I’d have a modest wager that more bikes have gone over whilst loading, than when parked up in the carriage.

I saved a Spanish one once which was to fall over due to good train brakes.

 

[Wapping]

I saved a Spanish one once which was to fall over due to good train brakes.

¡olé!

 

[Burridge01]

The cradles were used when the Chunnel first went into service in or around 1994. I then had my VFR 750. They limited the number of bikes on each train to something like four, all in separate cradles. The operators were convinced (as some still seem to be today) that motorbikes woukd go flying. They never did.

I’d have a modest wager that more bikes have gone over whilst loading, than when parked up in the carriage.

I just about remember them,you certainly have a good memory.
We did a run to Paris via the tunnel on the Lambretta's once.How they laughed as we popped out the other end of the train,leaving it full of 2 stroke smoke

 

[siddo]

Can you use the centre stand ?

No.

 

[oblertone]

A friend had his 1100 Pan highside after a bit of abrupt braking on le shuttle; fortunately he collared an employee as witness. After some harrumphing they paid to replace the scratched exhaust system, which covered what he had paid for the bike.

 

[Wapping]

A friend dropped her Suzuki, on the very slippery deck, when you first enter the carriage and go a quarter right to move down the train. Eurotunnel coughed up without a murmur, I’m pleased to say.

She had to stop because the loading chimp stepped in front of her, to look down the train. She was fine until she put her foot down, which just slip away,

 

[SBD]

No.

You can, but they get very stroppy. I pointed out that I don’t have a sidestand on my Guzzi.

 

[Guru Gora]

I’ve always parked at about 30 deg to the left of the train heading, using the kerb as a chock.

1st gear, side stand.

Tend to stay close to the bike, it’s not a long crossing.

Never once had or seen a drama.

 

[Wapping]

Can you use the centre stand ?

They have made that compulsory in the past; just one of the many variations. The amusing thing is that they demanded the bike be in gear…… you can work it out, I’m sure.

Other variations have included:

Parked on the right.

Parked in two lines, all facing forwards.

Parked herringbone, sort of.

Parked on the left, on the side stand but with the back wheel having to be on the silvered centre channel. It was the law!

Parked on the left, on the side stand but with the back wheel having to be nowhere near the centre channel. It was the law, too!

I have been put in the double height wagons, with coaches.

I have been mixed in with cars but this is now quite rare, I think.

I have never been put on the top deck and never heard of anyone (on a motorcycle) being put up there.

 

[andy tims]

We had a heavily loaded bike fall over & cause a domino effect last year when the train driver hit the brakes hard at one point.

Luckily no damage done.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I guess that's what happens when they employ female drivers.

 

[J biker]

The bike in question was a nearly new KTM 890 adventure. So luckily not worth much…

 

[G&T]

I’m a Chunnel virgin. Please tell me it’s not worse than the pucks and metal floor cables on ferries. Bstard things!