Strapping down on a ferry

[Brenchleyhibs]

We're planning to take our recently acquired RGS across the water soon. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips regarding how the bike is secured when we're under way. Will I have to tie her down or will the crew insist on strapping her down. Should I take any precautions - I've heard of placing a thick magazine on the seat under the strapping to protect the seat cover.
Any suggestions or recommendations (apart from using the tunnel instead!)?

Thanks,

Andy

 

[cookie]

let the crew do it.


walk away and forget all about the bike.

 

[Glyno]

let the crew do it.


walk away and forget all about the bike.

Did that on one occasion to Caen, came back to the bike and a small but very noticeable and expensive chunk of paint was missing from the tank. Fellas know what they are doing but they can be rushed if the schedule is tight. Watch em is my advice.

 

[Mr K]

All the ferries I been on the tieing down is done by the ferry peeps... sometimes it's a bit of rope, other times ratchet straps and wheel chocks.

Sidestand and in gear, wait and see how it's done in case you want to put your gloves under a rope across your seat.

Been on crossings where waves were breaking against the high bit where they drive the boat from, they put the metal shutters down over the windows and everyone on the boat was puking and the bikes never moved.

Don't worry.

 

[Bear]

On every Channel crossing I've made in the last 10 years the crew have tied the bike down. The norm is a strap from a cleat in the deck over the seat back down to the deck. A pair of gloves or similar to protect the seat is a good idea, otherwise, as Cookie suggests, let the crew sort it for you. If you're nervous about the bike moving then hold the front brake on with a cable tie.

 

[Loiq]

crew tie it down they won't let you do too much to it... you can always pop it on the center stand like I did with my CX500 when I first went to france, then push the bloody thing around on the slippery floor for what seems like ages. Till you manage to bump it off the the stand... with everyone watching.... and laughing their arses off....

 

[knockin on]

We're planning to take our recently acquired RGS across the water soon. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips regarding how the bike is secured when we're under way. Will I have to tie her down or will the crew insist on strapping her down. Should I take any precautions - I've heard of placing a thick magazine on the seat under the strapping to protect the seat cover.
Any suggestions or recommendations (apart from using the tunnel instead!)?

Thanks,

Andy

Make sure they do it, I was on a French Ferry and a crew member strolled over and tied what can only be described as a piece of string from the Bar in front of the Oil Cooler to the Ships Bulkhead hanging down in a loop, When I complained he just shrugged and walked off,So done it myself.

 

[cookie]

actually, the glove thing is probably worth waiting for, just in case. i do that myself and should have mentioned it. i have occasionally kicked a chock under a wheel too.

it's their job to tie them down. it's their responsibility if they get damaged. if you tie the bike down and it's damaged, who's responsibility is that?

as to the endless sidestand v centrestand argument. IME the crew tell you how to park the bike, could be either. you don't really get a choice.

also IME, it's pretty rare to get a bike damaged in transit, other than when the owner bins it on a wet deck.

anyway, don't worry. just leave the bike and enjoy the trip.

 

[polecat]

Always done it myself and put a folded towel over the seat to protect it.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Bilbao ferry - loaded the bike and was looking for straps when the deck crew chased me saying they would do it. Hung around to watch and saw the crew tied the bike down with single piece of rope. But they made a decent job of it so I acted cool and wandered orf.... During the crossing, the sea got up till eventually it was quite rough. As passengers are not allowed on the car deck I assumed the deck hands would take the necessary precautions and add some extra strops.....
On arrival, bike ok but still just the one bit of skanky rope !!!
Worse still was a sign which I hadn't noticed before saying ' tying down was the owners responsibility'
I had visions of a fully laden GS skiting around the car deck bouncing of expensive Motorhomes & Porches !

Ferry's vary enormously.
Everything from a bit of skanky rope to individual stalls with a padded (nay, quilted) bar which gently caresses ones bike, holding it gently, but firmly, in place.

Some ferries provide a nice cushion to place between your seat and the nasty strap....others don't, so take something to protect your saddle (a piece of cardboard will do nicely).

 

[walkingpictures]

We're planning to take our recently acquired RGS across the water soon. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips regarding how the bike is secured when we're under way. Will I have to tie her down or will the crew insist on strapping her down. Should I take any precautions - I've heard of placing a thick magazine on the seat under the strapping to protect the seat cover.
Any suggestions or recommendations (apart from using the tunnel instead!)?

Thanks,

Andy

Last time I took the bike across from Harwich to the Hoek of Holland it was on the SeaCat and all the bikers tied their own bikes down.I am going to Holland on the bike next Thursday so will see what happens,will let you know.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Go on the Eurotunnel .. it's a far superior experience for bikes.

Although don't ask how you should park your bike on the train, they make it up as they go along each time.

.. just spotted you didn't want advice on using the eurotunnel. Sorry!


BTW .. what's your objection with the tunnel? One key benefit is that you don't have to worry about how to strap your bike and then moan about damage due to strapping of bike

Here is the benefit for the tunnel.
1. it's frequent, far more crossing than ferry
2. it's fast, as it is frequent .. if you get there early, you get put on the next train if you want.
3. it's more accommodating .. if you are late in most instances they just put you on the next train (as it is frequent, it won't be tomorrow)
4. it's safe .. you stand next to your bike for the 30 minutes crossing AND NO STRAPPING DOWN
5. it's competitively priced .. if you book early enough, it's as cheap as ferries

 

[Mr K]

Go on the Eurotunnel .. it's a far superior experience for bikes.

Although don't ask how you should park your bike on the train, they make it up as they go along each time.

.. just spotted you didn't want advice on using the eurotunnel. Sorry!


BTW .. what's your objection with the tunnel? One key benefit is that you don't have to worry about how to strap your bike and then moan about damage due to strapping of bike

Here is the benefit for the tunnel.
1. it's frequent, far more crossing than ferry
2. it's fast, as it is frequent .. if you get there early, you get put on the next train if you want.
3. it's more accommodating .. if you are late in most instances they just put you on the next train (as it is frequent, it won't be tomorrow)
4. it's safe .. you stand next to your bike for the 30 minutes crossing AND NO STRAPPING DOWN
5. it's competitively priced .. if you book early enough, it's as cheap as ferries

It doesn't go to Spain or Ireland.....

 

[Deleted Member I]

It doesn't go to Spain or Ireland.....

 

[elefantman]

just got back from euro land on tues and strapped bike myself,crew on hand for advice if needed but the job was to be done by owner,only time this hasn't been the case was on a steam racket trip to the tt when the crew tied all the bikes with one long rope so they all fell together,i'd always insist on doing the job yourself then if the worst happens then its your own fault and a lesson will be learnt

 

[Funners]

On the trip to Norway last year on both big ferry's I had to secure the bike myself, they provide the straps and the hook points in the floor but it's up to you to actually strap it down.
I just used the crash bars to secure it, it never moved an inch on any of the 4 main crossings.

 

[mvs tony]

Go on the Eurotunnel .. it's a far superior experience for bikes.

Although don't ask how you should park your bike on the train, they make it up as they go along each time.

.. just spotted you didn't want advice on using the eurotunnel. Sorry!


BTW .. what's your objection with the tunnel? One key benefit is that you don't have to worry about how to strap your bike and then moan about damage due to strapping of bike

Here is the benefit for the tunnel.
1. it's frequent, far more crossing than ferry
2. it's fast, as it is frequent .. if you get there early, you get put on the next train if you want.
3. it's more accommodating .. if you are late in most instances they just put you on the next train (as it is frequent, it won't be tomorrow)
4. it's safe .. you stand next to your bike for the 30 minutes crossing AND NO STRAPPING DOWN
5. it's competitively priced .. if you book early enough, it's as cheap as ferries

my friend in germany rang eurotunnel yesterday and asked about strapping his brand new 800gs down and was told "just lie it down"

 

[D6]

hull to Zeebrugge,,you do it yourself, u get a crap couple of pieces of rope

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Simple

Bike on side stand, put in 1st gear, strap (provided by the crew) over seat and ratchet down nice and tight. It won't move anywhere

 

[bladerunner]

Sea France to Calais have a steel grip for the front wheel and then 2 straps - the operator was completely pissed at 8am!!

On the old Swansea Cork ferry they attacked the bike with a ball of twine and tied a loose knot to a fuel pipe on the side

Most P&O have straps with a cushion attached - seems to work.

Harwich to Esbjerg ferry they give you the straps and off you jolly well go. There are often Danish bikers who will help.

The Santander ferry has a neat trick of grouping all the bikers in the front corner so you have to reverse out after all the cars and lorries has disembarked - great fun in exhaust fumes and 37'c!

Side stand, in gear - never had a problem in 30+ ferry trips.


But - do not put your helmet down on the deck or you will feel filthy diesel drip down your neck for the first day of your holiday DAMHIK!!