Hi all, for anyone who carries motorcyles, when you tie down a street bike, do you do it on the centerstand if one is available or just resting on the wheels being held up by the tension of the straps? (With dirtbikes it's obviously always been the latter, but I've never tried to load a street bike into a pickup before, and putting it on the centerstand would also ensure there's no pressure on the tailgate with the short bed.)

-- Jim

 

When I haul my streetbike(Hayabusa) in a trailer I DO NOT use the center stand. I simply tie in 4 places 2 front and 2 rear. On the trailer I use a drive in chock too.

I am not sure if that helps you any or not. Just remember to effectively hold the bike in the truck the front ties must be angled back. Which means you may have to tie the front of the bike to the rear truck cargo tie downs and the rear of the bike to the front tie downs. This way the bike cant roll because the tie down angle is correct.

Don

 

Thanks very much, will have to look out for this! Why do they have to be angled back? (If they're tight and securely tied to the bars in a straight line with the triple clamp or slightly behind, why would they need to be angled further backward? We used to tie motocross bikes down in my old truck with only two tie downs, to the bars, and it's been a long time, but if I remember correctly, they were angled forward.)

Also, please pardon my complete ignorance here, but what exactly is a "drive in chock"? Thanks again for the help!

-- Jim

 

Jimwright,

I hauled my Harley Sportster no problem. I used regular tie-downs in the front (attached to the front bed hooks) and a ratchet tie-down in the rear (wrapped around the sissy bar and tied to the rear bed hooks). It did not budge one bit. If you did the opposite (front to rear, rear to front etc.) I would think they would fight against one another. Just make sure the suspension sucks down in both the front and rear. You really can get by with just the front. But the heavier street bikes tend to want to bounce more. Having the rear tied keeps it from bouncing. I also made a 4'x4' plywood platform to straddle over the tailgate acting as a footing to help distribute the load. My tailgate was caving in after several Dirt Bike trips. It has not caved in any further since I started using the footing.

A wheel chock is a U-Shaped piece of steel tubing bent at about 45 degrees that holds your front wheel in place. You can install them in your bed. I recommend it if you plan on hauling your street bike often. It will save the front wall of your bed in the long run. Street bikes are heavy and when you roll them up the momentum tends to want make it hit the bed before you can stop it. That is if you're loading it by yourself.


------------------
2001 Supercrew 4x4 XLT Harvest Gold, 5.4L, Bed Extender, 6 disc CD changer, Limited Slip, Keyless Entry...
MODS: K&N filter, Trenz billet grille, Rhino Bed Liner...

 

Or get a Baxley Wheel Chock. They are great

 

Wow - the disinformation here is astounding ...


OP - all you need to know:


http://www.pingelonline.com/recommended_tiedown.htm

http://www.pingelonline.com/tie_downs.htm

-OR- BIG DADDY's

http://powertye.com/store/index.php?...&category_id=1

MGD

 

I've hauled my Ninja 250 in the bed before... but I've got a 8' bed. It's nice fitting a whole motorcycle in my bed and still able to close my tailgate is nice.

I just use the tiedowns in the bed along with some nice ratcheting straps.

 

i dont think the OP really cares anymore...unless he was REALLY planning in advance...

 

D'oh !!

Awwww.. WTF !!!

What Is it with these ancient thread resurrections as of late ????


MGD

 

i wont mention any names...but you can look for yourself lol

 

And it just keeps on going too

 

Get you a canyon dancer and you can tie your bike down in the bed of the truck with no problem

 

Just be careful with the canyon dancer. Sometimes they will twist the grips off the bike or at least wad them up if you dont take care when you strap it down

 

I got tired of using my canyon dancer because it has messed up so many grips on the handlebars. I am done with them now.