How to strap down bike in pickup?

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by GatorGreg, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Hey all, I’m buying another bike tomorrow and I’ve rented a pickup truck to get it. What’s the best way to strap it down in the back? What kind of straps do I need?
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  2. dbuzz77

    dbuzz77 New Member

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    I have strapped down on the bars on a different bike before but now i have some about 8" long with 2 loops, 1 loop goes over the grips and the other loop hangs down to strap a ratchet strap on to.
     
  3. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Depends on what model of bike. The service manual says not to use the handlebars on a VFR because of their design. But
    I use a Canyon Dancer but not a lot of force. Use a good chock that will secure the front wheel so it can't move around and
    lightly tighten the front straps. Tighten the rear ones to do all the holding in place.

    I used a Condor chock to hold the front end when we drove to pick up my wife's new bike. Couple 2x4's kept it from moving
    to either side and the rear was snugged down hard. No problems in 350 miles.
     
  4. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

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    Here's how I usually transport my bikes.. six to eight times a year.
    [​IMG]

    I walk along side of the bike to use the motorcycle engine power to get itself onto the truck bed.

    [​IMG]

    Strap the bike down WITHOUT compressing the suspension. Allow the suspension to work while the bike is being transported.

    Use figure eight loops and ratchet straps to secure the bike from lower fork legs, axle location, centerstand or the wheels/tires where they are meant to support the weight of the bike.

    Avoid securing the bike with straps from grips/handlebar, since they are only designed for human strength to control the bike, not for ratchet straps with 1000 lb. weight limit to secure the bike during transport.

    BTW, try to park the truck on the lower part of an incline, it would make the ramp slope lower, easier to get the bike onto the truck.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  5. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Previously I strapped mine from the front forks with the front tire against the bulk head of the box of the truck. Do not put the bike on the center stand. That will damage the box of your truck.

    I disagree about not compressing the forks. If you don't, they will compress on rougher roads and you risk the straps coming loose. There is nothing wrong with compressing the front forks to the extent they would compress with a rider riding it. I suggest there are many 200# plus riders here.

    I then strapped the rear down with straps attached to the passenger foot peg brackets. Again, compress the rea shock to the same extent you would if you were riding.

    Leave the bike in gear. Tie off the loose ends of the straps so they don't flap around to cause damage to paint. And duck tape the tied off ends so they don't unravel.

    So basically 4 straps. If you are really concerned about movement of the bike, use an additional 2 or 4 straps to tie the bike in a cross fashion, securing front of bike to rear of truck and then rear of bike to front of box. That will prevent forward/backward movement of bike. If travelling along distance, re-check the tie downs about 10 miles out, then every couple hundred miles or each fuel stop. YOu never can be too careful to insure there are not loose straps

    I am heading out in a couple weeks to haul my bike from West Coast BC to Sacramento, then loading up a second bike and continuing onto Atascadero. I will try to remember to take pix and post up in mid November when I get back.
     
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  6. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Thanks for all the great tips guys! I also found a helpful vid on YT:

     
  7. cat0020

    cat0020 Trumper

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    Suspensions are meant and designed to work when bike is in motion, not to be compressed over long period of time during transport.
    Never a new bike would be shipped from overseas with suspension compressed in the crate during transport.

    There are plenty of ways to secure the bike without compressing the suspension and make it secure for transport and allow suspension to soak up the bumps during transport as they are meant to do.
    By pre-loading the suspension to secure for transport, likely you risk the straps coming loose when additional bumps compress the suspension more during transport vs securing the bike from something solid that won't compress (nearly as much) during transport, like wheels or lower fork legs.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2018
  8. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    Hey Greg, my first questions would be if you are going to be solo, what kind of truck (bed length and height), what kind of motorcycle, and what kind of ramp.

    I would get some good quality tie downs, ratcheting is nice but not mandatory. You may also consider getting/using some Soft Ties or strap extensions (basically just a dedicated loop of strap material). For the front of the bike, depending on accessibility, you can look at lower triple clamp, upper triple, or handlebars (at the fork clamps, Not at the bar ends). Watch for tie down or strap contact with parts of the motorcycle, especially plastics/fairings - you can tuck some soft cloth/towels or other materials in between strap and plastic (or maybe painter's tape something into place).

    I think the video you found covers most things. A wheel chock is nice but also not mandatory (and you may need extra gear to secure that in place too). Two people are definitely going to be easier than one. I was used to a ramp with a U shaped cross section (as opposed to flat across), individual preference. As far as anchoring the top of the ramp, if you use a strap like in the video, I think it would be more secure/stable if you attached the strap/hook closer to where the ramp meets the bed of the truck. Evening out the difference in heights between loading surface and bed of the truck is HUGE - even loading from the slightly higher elevation of a curb, rather than the street, makes a difference.

    If you're solo, you can still get the bike centered and evenly compressed - you just have to preset all the gear in place, start off using the side stand, take your/more time and break things down into smaller steps/increments when attaching/tightening. If no chock, use the front wall of the bed. If the bed is too short for a straight shot, you can try putting the front wheel diagonally into the front left corner. Btw, if you're solo, it's all about getting the momentum up and keeping it going (and balanced) while you smoothly step up into the truck.

    One thing that I was taught was to tie the free ends of the strap material under or up against the tie down buckles/hardware so that if the buckles failed or if the strap started slipping through, you wouldn't really lose any tension. Also, preplan the unloading - where, when, how, any extra help, etc.

    (When I was working in the service department of a Honda/Kawi dealership back in the day, one of my jobs was to go out and pick up customers' bikes. I had the old beat up shop Toyota pick up, a U ramp that attached to the bed of the truck via bolts at the end of the ramp and holes in the bed of the truck, tie downs, soft ties, shop towels, and that was pretty much it - and I went out solo every time. I think the toughest bike I ever had to load was an early 90's Goldwing, fully decked out, with a flat front tire. I never dropped a bike but there were a few times when I was straight lucky.)
     
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  9. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Success!!! Picked up this mint condition 2010 Honda Elite 110 with only 914 miles on it (4 of them were from my test ride)! It was manufactured in 12/09 and the seller bought it new in July 2010 with 2 miles from Florida Motorsports in Naples, FL. He usually lives up north and used the scooter only while staying in his gulf front condo in Naples to take his wife to restaurants, shopping, etc. Otherwise it was kept in the building’s underground garage - this scooter has led the good life! LOL. Dealer maintained with all books and records and both keys - got it for $1,200. Only mod is a trickle charger attachment and the seller threw in the charger for free. This will make a great companion for my VFR :D
     

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    Last edited: Oct 6, 2018
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  10. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    Dude, that's a SCOOTER (not a "bike")!! :D

    I think you might have been able to just throw that into the back seat of your Camaro with the top down... haha
     
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  11. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    LOL - I actually thought about that for a fleeting second! :D
     
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  12. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    No kidding. Just throw the little fuller in the back seat and use the seatbeltss
     
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  13. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    LOL - She’s fairly heavy - over 250 pounds dry I think.
     
  14. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    OK. I am getting confused now. Are we still talking about a bike...or my ex wife. And dry weight?......
     
  15. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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  16. Laker

    Laker New Member

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    Jesus... Just so you know I'm not waving at you
     
  17. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Especially if he is wearing one of those really geeky powder blue round helmets with a black sun peak
     
  18. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Please don’t - that would be gay :p
     
  19. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    I won’t be wearing a helmet on the scooter (cue the forum’s ATGATT lynch mob) - just flip flops, shorts, shades, and more than likely a Hawaiian shirt :D
     
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  20. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    And robin egg blue Bermuda shorts with knee high white athletic socks and brown sandals
     
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