Ferry tie downs - an idea.

[Wraithwrider]

This may have been aired before but I've had an idea.

I have a ferry trip looming and I don't trust the sidestand on my 1200 to take the weight of the bike plus the force added by the tie downs and the motion of the sea. The weld doesn't look very substantial and I know that Tobers had his fail.

The potential problem with using the mainstand as I understand it is that the bike may rock forward and ride off the stand.

So I intend to get one of my old kayak tie downs and tie it from the mainstand's horizontal cross bar for'd to somewhere on the bike, preventing it retracting.

Peter

 

[Possu]

Tie down strap through front wheel & back on to the centre stand will stop it rolling forwards. Leave in first gear as well if you want.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

This may have been aired before but I've had an idea.

I have a ferry trip looming and I don't trust the sidestand on my 1200 to take the weight of the bike plus the force added by the tie downs and the motion of the sea. The weld doesn't look very substantial and I know that Tobers had his fail.

The potential problem with using the mainstand as I understand it is that the bike may rock forward and ride off the stand.

So I intend to get one of my old kayak tie downs and tie it from the mainstand's horizontal cross bar for'd to somewhere on the bike, preventing it retracting.

Peter

I'll show you my ideas, when we board the ferry - Peter,
I always use the centre stand, chock both wheels (with chocks supplied) and tie down from rear footrest hangers, attaching them to floor in a line roughly parallel to rear wheel centre line.

Job done in less than 5 mins.

 

[James Bryan]

Bar Strap

Or , -- Lash out the grand total of £9.99p at M&P or Price Busters etc. and acquire a "Bar Strap" .
Said device slots over the handlebar and allows you to attach a tiedown to each loop ajacent to each handgrip - viola !
You are now able to leave your pride & joy on it's centre stand totally secure (personally tested to force ten+) .
Dedicated bike recovery firms developed the idea and use them when carrying a bike on a flatbed truck - first time you see it in operation you would put your motgage on it not being possible ...... but it is the bee's knees .
You can spend additional cash on some flash tiedowns , or go along to your local BMW dealer and ask them nicely if they will let you have an uncut set of white delivery tie downs . The ones that BMW use to secure bikes for delivery to dealers . Free , clean , roll up nice & small for the tankbag along with the Bar Strap and more than up to the job .
Wheel chocks are an optional extra for those of a paranoid disposition .
All the best ,
Jim .