Side or centre stand ?

[zool]

Side stand, deffo
The side stand creates a 'tripod' (stable) with 3 points of contact.
On the centre stand it feels more secure on flat dry land but is sometimes 'delicately' balance (3 panniers filled) and 1 wheel somretimes hovering, and once you get a 'GS rock-on' going with a series of big waves, it would be inevitable that the weight of the bike will see the momentum take it over and on its side, with the inevitable damage/costs.
Strappings helps, obviously & is absolutely necessary - but keep your eyes on the 'Monkeys' doing it as they will attach it to anything that looks like an anchor-point.
Side stand is the best way IMHO - just make sure its not too tight and damaging your kit

 

[PhilS]

Hi qjumper,

My experience of ferry crossings is by no means extensive, but in the last 3 years all the ferries that I have taken from Northern Ireland to Scotland have all been absolutely fine.

On P & O Fast ferries from Larne to Cairnryan, my bike has always been tied against a rail and everything is done by the deck hand. Bike in 1st gear and on the side stand (at their request), they put a piece of carpet on the seat and loop a small rope over the footpeg (opposite the rail) up over the seat and then lash to the rail - all done by hand, no ratchets involved.

On the Stena Line Superfast ferry from Belfast to Stranraer it has so far been the usual bike on the side stand and a ratchet strap over the seat, which is protected with a piece of foam. The deck hands are careful not to lash the bike down to tightly.

My experience has been that when asked the politely the deck hands are more than happy to allow one to help them with securing the bike.

I always use a couple of velcro cable tidy straps lashed together to keep the front brake engaged for the crossing. I do bring my own ratchet strap (bought in in B&Q) but so far have not had to use it.

I should have a couple of photos of my bike tied down on each of these ferries. If you would like to see them, just PM me your email address and I will send them.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

Hi Phil,

Just tried to pm you but got the message that you've either chosen not to receive pm's or can't ?

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

At least i didn't just point you at the 'Search' function

True enough,but look at all of the replies to this thread !

There's life in the old dog yet

 

[Wilsdorf]

Is that you Scott?
Do you still have the 1200GS?
John.

Hi John

Yes, it is me.

I have the 1200GS and just picking up another this week.

Hope you are all well

 

[Steptoe]

True enough,but look at all of the replies to this thread !

Yep, and still no definative answer.

And what about all those bikes that don't have a main stand, and only have a side stand.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

.......

And what about all those bikes that don't have a main stand, and only have a side stand.

They can't go on ferries

Andres

 

[APE]

Isn't a Poll the answer

Side stand every time btw

 

[PhilS]

Hi Phil,

Just tried to pm you but got the message that you've either chosen not to receive pm's or can't ?

Apologies - my subscription had expired - just renewed and have sent you a PM.

Regards,
Phil.

 

[Stig]

Done it many times now on the overnight ferry to Spain....

Sidestand down... First gear engaged... Steering locked with wheel facing left!..

Sorted!!

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

At risk of having the urine extracted (again), cheers folks and thanks to PhilS for the pics.

I feel much calmer now, even my holidays are getting stressful these days!

 

[Mutley]

Yep, and still no definative answer.

it's the UKGSer equivalent of the old joke about stupid people and a piece of paper with 'please turn over' written on both sides.

I wonder how long the same thread would last if you asked it in the other technical sections

 

[High-Tower]

1150 owner here, and I've seen a few different ideas on ferries, from the CBR600 owner who strapped his bike down so hard he broke the sidestand to the Harley guy who had 12 (and counting) bits of rope on a Hull-Zeebrugge boat.

Corsica/Sardinia ferries made me laugh, lashing the bikes to a heating pipe along one wall(?) with a bit of tatty string inches away from the cars alongside. The Dutch guy on a brand new, 16000 Euro LT wasn't best pleased, and the deckhands couldn't understand why my GSA was so wide I couldn't move it away from the shiny Merc that pulled up next to us.

But, side or centre stand, I've never seen a bike fall over on a ferry if it's tied down sensibly, aforementioned CBR600 excepted (and he was a muppet).

 

[Niklas]

Actually I prefer no load on any stand at all.

The way I do to ensure that even the worst storm won't smash the bike, is to start on the side stand.
Then two straps on the opposite side of the side stand pulls the bike in each their 45 degree angle until the side stand is so much in the air that the bike almost get to "Dead point".

Then two straps in the same side as the side stand each pulling in a 45 degree angle pulls down the bike again to ensure it won't tilt over the "Dead point".

Then I tighten the opposite side of the side stand once more.

In the end the bike is straight up with 4 lines respectevely at "North-East"; "South-East"; "South-West" and "North-West" attached at the front fork lower bridge and at the lowest point of thick frame in the back - usually close the rear foot pegs.

Bike's in gear; side stand left out for when I release the bike again; Side stand secured with a littel strap to the front wheel.

Stay in secure distance to other bikes that maybe are not that good strapped down.

I never had a damage on any tranport but I saw a few bikes getting smashed due to the "neighbour bike" tilting.