Ducati Monster Forum

I am most likely purchasing a 03 M800, but it isn't rideable at present. Can anyone help me with instructions on strapping the duc in the back of a truck? I probably renting a truck from Home Depot, and buying straps as well. Not sure of the best methode to strap it down safely.

Avoid the bars. You can bend them with tie downs. Just past half travel on the forks is plenty.

I use the lower triple clamp as an attachment point without a wheel chock and have no issues with either of my bikes.

yep, me too.....and attach the tiedowns to the fork tubes above the lower triple clamp w/ "soft hooks", works great

also FWIW bought a '03 800 myself recently and love it

(http://www.motodepot.com/images/products/2724/resize_ancrasofthooks.jpg)

Great advice already given.  I will add, because I trucked my bike, avoid tying it down "on" the kickstand.

To clarify...

even though I don't use a chock the front wheel needs to butt up against something like the headboard.

Ancra makes tie downs with 'softhands' built right in.

I have these.  http://store.baxleycompanies.com/ancraintegraclassic.aspx (http://store.baxleycompanies.com/ancraintegraclassic.aspx)

They also make them in ratcheting.

http://www.mad-ducati.com/tiedown/TieDown.html (http://www.mad-ducati.com/tiedown/TieDown.html)

All good advice. Another measure to add is to do the following AFTER tying down the front end.

1. Move the rear wheel off to the side and then close the tailgate.
2. Once the tailgate is closed scoot the rear of the bike to butt up against the tailgate.
3. Tie down the rear so it keeps the tire up against the tail gate.
   
   

*Note this may not work if the truck bed is long enough to accommodate the entire bike without touching the rear tire. 

     

Just recently brought my S2R1000 up to DIMBY (~200 miles) and did exactly as dp said.

Also, my F150 is just about the perfect size for the bike. Pulled straight in, the tailgate just closes wedging the bike in. Other than suspension travel, the bike was solid...

I'll echo what others and ducpainter have said. I've found the best way is to load it up into the bed, wheel up against the headboard, and sit on the bike to compress the forks a bit. Then have someone else put on the tie downs and ratchet them snug.

+1 on not using handlebars.

Coupla tidbits in addition to what others have already said:

--Put the bike in gear.  Don't leave it in neutral.
--With a truck, I rarely have the rear gate up.  I just stick the bike in straight and tie it down.  I know that some people put them in at an angle, but me no likely. 
--Secure the rear if you want.  It's not necessary, but may not be a bad idea for a long trip.  Be aware that if you use the grab handles, the tie-downs will often 'walk'
-- Make sure you secure the extra length of the tie-down.  It can flap around and damage the paint or loosen the tie-down.  I like to do secure them so that the tiedown can't loosen.
--After everything is tied down, shake the bike.  The whole truck should shake.  Then it's secure. 
--After you drive for a few miles or about 5 minutes or so, pull over.  Check that everything is still tight.
 

+1

For cam straps, I ALWAYS throw a half hitch just below the cam. If the cam slips, it won't go far.  Can't hurt on ratchet straps either.  If you have enough strap to go back through the hook eye opposite the bike attachment, I'll pull it through the eye and throw a half hitch around the doubled strap.  Secures the excess as far from the bike's paint as you can get it.