I went with apex no rise clip-ons on my monster and love em. I'm working on gettin the bikes to the mountains this weekend and realize that I dont really have any room on the bars to hook on for the tie-downs. I've seen the straps that go across each side of the bars and you can loop on to those but last time i used one it really messed up my grips. Any advice? I don't really have time to order anything online before our trip. I thoguht about looping around the lower triple and ratcheting down on that, anyone have any experience with that?
use soft hooks around the fork tubes above the lower triple clamp, they work great...and can be used w/ regular hook type tie downs(http://www.thunderpress.net/MONTH_ARTICLE-pdfs/2007/0707/HogTies/01SoftTiesReviewGS.jpg) ...should be easy to find at a local MC shop
yea, what he said ^
It's the proper cheap way to do it. Used to strap nearly all of them down in the trailor this way when I worked at a shop. It'll keep a Triumph Rocket III in place, it'll keep you bike down.
Why should clip-ons make a difference?? Anyway, just ties the bike down at the triples. It'll be fine. And let's be clear so that you do it right. Don't attach the hooks to the lower triple. Loop the tie downs around the fork legs between the triples and then tie 'em down. The soft hooks shown above will help as well, but they're not necessary.
I think the device you're talking about is a Canyon Dancer. If you make sure that it's set so that it doesn't twist your throttle, a Canyon Dancer is fine. I routinely use 'em for tie-downs. That said, the triples work fine as well.
Same here, I always strap bikes down that way unless there's no option due to bodywork or whatever.
For that, I use a Cycle Cynch II.
http://www.cyclecynch.com/CCpages/CCproduct4.html (http://www.cyclecynch.com/CCpages/CCproduct4.html)
Works fine, just have to be careful to not ding the bodywork with the attached tie-downs.
Also have to restrain all three strap ends so they don't tattoo the paint.
Make sure to use ratchet straps to connect to the soft ties as the pull tab straps have a tendency to loosen up over long trips. (solid but don't force it)
thanks guys, i'll check the local motorcycle dealer today for the straps since i prob won't be able to get em in time from online retailers.
here's a good and detailed write up
http://www.mad-ducati.com/ShowPage2.php?PageName=tiedown/TieDown.html (http://www.mad-ducati.com/ShowPage2.php?PageName=tiedown/TieDown.html)
not a close up, but this is how I pass straps through the triple / forks:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/2491032662_b4bd938c5b_o.jpg)
^ going to Sturgis?
[laugh]
Quote from: bobspapa on June 22, 2010, 05:49:50 AM
^ going to Sturgis?
[laugh]
Not that trip. When I have gone to Sturgis (1992, 2005, 2006) I ride.
;D
The tie-downs I use have a sewn (bar-tacked?) loop right at the cambuckle.
I loop the hook through the frame and then the hook attaches to the little loop. Only the strap touches the frame. The front wheel is wedged against the front wall of the bed of the truck and the suspension is partially compressed. Same thing to tie down the rear, only straps go through the opposite grab handles to avoid the exhaust cans. [thumbsup]
Good Luck
[bacon]
All good advice here. I do like to anchor the bike at all four "corners" similar to mitt's picture. With four properly placed straps you could flip my trailer and the bike would still stay in place! Good luck with the trip, sounds like fun! [moto]
I think BP can get you some Canyon Dancers.
Got some soft-tie straps from a local motorcycle shop. They are only 1 inch but hopefully thats enough. I plan on doubling up ratchet style tie downs at each end (I have a few extra), just in case. The trailer I'm using is a 5x8 and we're moving two monsters so I'm a bit weary of something coming loose going down the highway. I've normally taken a larger trailer but this was all that we could come up with this trip.
Not to change tread topics, but anyone gonna be in the Boone, NC area or Shady Valley this weekend?
Quote from: dax on June 23, 2010, 03:41:27 AM
Got some soft-tie straps from a local motorcycle shop. They are only 1 inch but hopefully thats enough. I plan on doubling up ratchet style tie downs at each end (I have a few extra), just in case. The trailer I'm using is a 5x8 and we're moving two monsters so I'm a bit weary of something coming loose going down the highway. I've normally taken a larger trailer but this was all that we could come up with this trip.
Once you leave your house, drive a couple of miles. Then pull over and make sure the straps are tight and everything is ok. I make a habit of doing this. It only takes 30 seconds or so.
Quote from: Spidey on June 23, 2010, 06:40:27 AM
Once you leave your house, drive a couple of miles. Then pull over and make sure the straps are tight and everything is ok. I make a habit of doing this. It only takes 30 seconds or so.
Except when the bike is laying on the trailer and you have to set it back up ;D Never has happened to me, but I helped a guy who had drove a long way then lost the bike on the trailer just a mile from home.
mitt
Man, that sucks. Really sucks.
Yeah, maybe check it after less than a coupla miles. I have a van, so I do a quick reach back and check the straps are tight at a stop sign three blocks from my house and then I have a specific gas station about 2 miles away, right before the freeway, at which I stop for an out-of-the-seat check.
I was with Tigre once, and we had his streetbike in the back of his minivan. He'd just tied it down (poorly, as it turns out) and we drove a coupla blocks. As he left a stop sign, it rolled out of the chock ( :o) and was just barely slowed down by one of the loose straps. Luckily, I was in the passenger seat and managed to jump back, toss my body under it and save it. Nothing like watching a custom paint job bounce off tool kits and other metal bits inside a van.
Quote from: mitt on June 23, 2010, 08:18:23 AM
Except when the bike is laying on the trailer and you have to set it back up ;D Never has happened to me, but I helped a guy who had drove a long way then lost the bike on the trailer just a mile from home.
mitt
Happened to me. Drove for about 200 miles and right before I got back on the freeway, I looked back and it was on its side. That really sucked. I got it back up and tied as well as could be expected, got on the freeway and off on the next exit. No fun at all.