Trailering the bike

[Andy W]

I get my Fazer next week, collecting it with a bike trailer.


I've been reading up on best ways to strap the bike down but there seems to be differing schools of thought!


Primarily in whether or not to use centre stand.
Also, whether to strap swinging arm, wheels etc. or forks ,etc. & compress the suspension by about 50%.


Any ideas, suggestions, experience welcome!


Thanks.

[slappy]

Don't know if this helps but I sometimes transport bikes in my son's van, I always put it on the sidestand and then one of us compresses the front forks as far as they can and then ratchet straps round handlebars. At rear again push down as far as you can the ratchets through pillion peg hangers. Forgot to mention put it in first gear as well and put foam, old cushion or something similiar anywhere the straps might touch anything less fragile than metal.
Never had one move or damaged yet.

[sadlonelygit]

I wouldn't use a stand as a 3rd point of contact as they have been known to break
If the trailer is a proper bike jobbie then it will have some form of wheel immobiliser.
1 strap of each of the bar ends and compress the forks +50%.
Pillion footpegs are also a good tie-down point. As has been mentioned, put gloves/jacket under any straps that go over seat or near paintwork

[Megawatt]

Don't use side or centre stands. Use tie downs either attached to handlebars or bottom yoke.  Pull down evenly, keeping bike vertical until about2" of fork travel left. Tie rear of bike so that it stays in middle of van or trailer, no need to compress it.

[Andy W]

Fantastic info. folks, thanks a lot...I'm a lot less nervous about it now!


I'll post up with pics. when I return...you'll get a laugh out of seeing my towing vehicle.............

[Millietant]

Trailered our Fazer 1000 to the Nurburgring a couple of times, using a full handlebar tie down and a ratchet strap from each foot peg carrier - not pulled really taught, just enough to keep the back end from bouncing.


Worked perfectly. Also used the same technique on my Aprilia RSV, on my FJ 1200 and similarly on all of our dirt bikes - been doing it this way for over 20 years and never, ever, had a problem.

[dannymassive]

I'll post up with pics. when I return...you'll get a laugh out of seeing my towing vehicle.............

I look forward to seeing the pics Andy!

[sinto]

On the note of trailers, what's the recommendations for a single bike trailer?
Might be looking into getting one to move my daughter's scooter from Glasgow to Carlisle as she studies there and wants to use her scooter while she's there and obviously she's not wanting to ride it up and down the back roads.
Cheers.

[locksmith]

Might be easier to hire a van for the day, move all her crap as well

[Robbie8666]

 

for a moped / small bike I'd use a van!

[sinto]

move all her crap as well

That's her mum's job!

for a moped / small bike I'd use a van!

Might use it to tow mine down there as I work there sometimes too

[Andy W]

Here's the promised update folks..!


TUESDAY: Exeter to Louth, north of Lincoln, towing the empty trailer....a bit bouncy but no issues...Phew!
Met Carl (Donkey), did the deal on his beautifully looked after Fazer 10000.
Nice chap that he is, Carl helped me load the bike onto the trailer & I set off from Louth to meet my niece in Lincoln for a Pizza Hut dinner.
Onwards from Lincoln to Norwich again with no problems...I'm getting used to towing the bike trailer & quite enjoying myself.
WEDNESDAY: I off loaded the bike at my brother's house & rode it a 50 mile round trip to visit my mum - awesome fun in blazing sunshine...what a great bike to ride...huge grin all day!
TODAY: Bike loaded & off to see mum at the care home before heading home to Exeter.
My lovely mum, who has Vascular Dementia, had me giving her wheelchair wheelies around the village this morning, laughing with delight & then wanted me to take her for a ride on the trailer..! 

Here's some piccies taken at mum's care home this morning - Carl said that the very last thing he expected to see turn up outside his house was what greeted him...........it's an 800 mile round trip & the little beauty never misses a beat.........................

[locksmith]

Nice car!!!

What a great post

[PieEater]

What a great post

+1

[Megawatt]

Great write up and beautiful car. Enjoy your thoughts mate, I'm loving mine.

[PieEater]

Enjoy your thoughts mate, I'm loving mine.

  Errrmmm OoooKayyyyyy

[dannymassive]

Great stuff Andy, glad you got it loaded up okay

[gicut58]

quote:

TUESDAY: Exeter to Louth, north of Lincoln, towing the empty trailer....a bit bouncy but no issues...Phew!
Met Carl (Donkey), did the deal on his beautifully looked after Fazer 10000.


Fazer 10000  wow!

[Andy W]

quote:

TUESDAY: Exeter to Louth, north of Lincoln, towing the empty trailer....a bit bouncy but no issues...Phew!
Met Carl (Donkey), did the deal on his beautifully looked after Fazer 10000.


Fazer 10000  wow!

What? You never seen one? They're very fekking quick..!