If we’re ever given the choice of transporting a motorcycle or riding it to our destination, then we would always choose the latter. Even if it means crossing a timezone. However, under certain circumstances, you might have to transport it all the way.
Hauling it on the trailer, securing your two-wheeler buddy is the real deal. Bad tie-down jobs may damage your motorcycle and that is a tragedy you would want to avoid. So read on for a crash-course on how to tie down a motorcycle.
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Why Is Securing Your Motorcycle Important
Before we get into the basics of how to tie down a motorcycle on a trailer, you must know why we’re stressing on it. Do not mistake it for a cakewalk.
It might seem like all you have to do is haul your 500pounds vehicle up the trailer and put some ropes here and there. However, that is not the case. Especially if it’s your first time, things are going to be difficult.
Driving any vehicle with a trailer is not the same as operating just the car or truck. Most bike trailers are moderately light, but that doesn’t mean that the driving experience will be as easy as merely driving a car or a two-wheeler. be the usual one.
Try to practice driving with the trailer joined, learn to identify when to stop when you back up, and get acquainted with how your vehicle responds to changes with the additional weight.
Once you’re sure about your capacity to move the vehicle and the trailer, you can go ahead and get your bicycle on it. The job gets easier if you have a ramp and thus, numerous trailers come equipped with foldable ramps.
A lot of motorcyclists have scary tales about smashing their bicycles into their vehicles or driving them off the trailer inside and out. But again, it’s not easy to move a 500-pound bike up a slope utilizing your muscles alone. Even if you can, ride the cruiser up the slope gradually, or take help in pushing it.
Keep the motorcycle in gear when you shut it off. If by any chance the straps loosen, it’s less likely to roll away.
Basics Of Transporting A Motorcycle
In our guide of how to tie down a motorcycle, the topmost priority is the security of your motorcycle. You wouldn’t want to move your precious possession after she’s lashed. Tie-down straps and wheel chocks would be the best tools for this task.
Motorcycle tie-down straps come in two varieties: ratchet type or cam buckle. Cam clasps use grinding made by the tie as it goes through a spring-stacked, cam-molded clasp to hold the lash set up.
Ratchet type lashes work in a similar way, but with a fastener-clasp to dynamically fix the tie. Both permit you to secure the bicycle by yourself and tend to knock up the strain on the suspension to minimize shock loading.
Shock loading is caused when the vehicle pulling your bicycle hits an obstruction, making the bicycle’s suspension to compress. At the point when the suspension packs, the ties go slack.
However as it bounces back, the straps snap rigid once more—which can in the end slacken or break them. The more you load the suspension while tying it, the lesser are the chances of it getting compressed during towing.
Some guarantee that wrench lashes are more compelling at boosting pressure, however, our experts claim cams are better since they’re simpler to work with.
How To Tie Down A Motorcycle
The first job on the list is to get your truck in level as much as possible. Snare the straps to your floor, and expand them as much as possible to tie down your bike. You should also be able to reach them.
Keep your loop straps prepared in case you’re utilizing them. Set up your incline so it’s in accordance with the wheel chock in your truck bed and push your bicycle onto the trailer, straight into the chock.
At the point when the front tire is secure, connect the lashes’ S-snares to a basic part on the bicycle, grasping the remaining part and pulling tight.
When utilizing ties, the standard way is to attach to the left front strap (joined high on the bicycle) first sufficiently to cancel the slacking. Repeat the same with the front tie-down.
When straps are secure, make sure the sides of the front tire and brake rotors are away from the chock. Give the straps a final yank to ensure they’re even and firmly fixed, and your motorcycle is vertical.
If You’re Tying Down Two Bikes Together
In case you’re stacking two bikes and their handlebars meddle, try putting the other motorcycle in a reverse manner. It’s generally best to stack the heaviest model in the forward direction as it distributes the load evenly.
After you’ve secured the front, it’s advisable to tie the back for additional solidness. Pick a high zone on the chassis to join the straps for extra stability. The straps should be pulled down an inch or two forward to ensure the motorcycle is tied firmly.
It must not shake forward, back, or sideways. With buckle-clasp ties, it’s ideal to have somebody pack the back suspension while you fix the straps.
Tools For Tying Down Your Motorcycle
The perfect knowledge of how to strap a motorcycle to a trailer is not enough. You need the essential tools to transform your learning into reality.
The most important tools to tie down your motorcycle onto the trailer are the tie-down straps. Since ratcheting tie-downs are expensive, you can choose ties that are solid and thick with substantial equipment.
Even though tie-down tools are essential, they shouldn’t cost you a fortune. Go for cheap ratcheting tie-downs as they are easier to compress.
A good wheel chock is another useful device for stacking up your vehicle, especially when you’re carrying out the responsibility solo. The wheel chock can be either metal or plastic and will shield the front wheel from moving while you secure everything.
You may need a canvas, or a motorcycle cover to shield it from dust during transport. Bind the canvas or spread to the two-wheeler instead of the trailer—it’s not load-bearing, so you don’t need to fasten the lashes cautiously.
However, even if they do get dirty, you can always use special motorcyle cleaners to make your beloved two-wheeler shine.
Watch out for where your ties lay, as well as the straps. You don’t need another metal hook scratching your bicycle’s paintwork. Foam padding attached to your straps can help prevent harm to your vehicle while voyaging.
Tips To Tie Your Motorcycle Effectively
With any motorcycle, you must focus on four tie-down points for the greatest security. The thought is to have two straps focused at the front and back. Utilizing an X design gives the best strength and connecting the lashes high on the motorcycle is better than having them low.
Keeping in mind the general load of your cruiser is important. Your straps must have the capacity to deal with the weight of your vehicle.
Although a 3-wheeler model varies from the two-wheeler one, the basic knowledge of how to tie down a motorcycle would remain the same.
Loosen The Ties!
Tying your motorcycle doesn’t mean having to strain your muscles. So loosen up, relax, and tie your motorcycle effectively. We hope this article on how to tie down a motorcycle has been of ample help to you.
However, we would still recommend riding it, as nothing beats the thrill of riding your two-wheeler buddy on the highway.