Towing / Transport: Discussion of Trailers, Wheel Chocks, Tie-Downs, Ramps, etc for Transporting Motorcycles.
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What is the best way to load...
11-04-2003, 3:46 PM
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#1 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... It is very tricky trying to load the two bikes. They fit width wise, but it is a pain trying to strap them down. And with the closeness to the tie down hooks, the canon dancer sucks. I actually don't want to use those anymore. Does anyone have a suggestion regarding straps and tie down positioning?
Thanks in advance... |
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11-04-2003, 3:49 PM
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#2 |
Join Date: 05-08-2003 Location: Plano, Texas (DFW)
Bike(s): none Age: 50 Posts: 3,088
Rep:  (64) Rep Power: 9
| Re: What is the best way to load... dont do it. |
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11-04-2003, 3:49 PM
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#3 |
Join Date: 09-11-2001 Location: Ft Worth
Bike(s): 00 RC51, 03 YZ450F Age: 40 Posts: 263
Rep:  (10) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote:
firebladetoronto : It is very tricky trying to load the two bikes. *They fit width wise, but it is a pain trying to strap them down. *And with the closeness to the tie down hooks, the canon dancer sucks. *I actually don't want to use those anymore. *Does anyone have a suggestion regarding straps and tie down positioning?
Thanks in advance...
| with a ramp........
No, get some soft ties. They are used for dirt bikes that run crossbarless handlebars. Any 'real shop' should have them. Wrap them around the lower fork tubes and triple clamps. |
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11-04-2003, 3:49 PM
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#4 |
Join Date: 03-31-2002 Location: Vista, CA
Bike(s): '01RC51, '05 Triumph America, '96 F3 Posts: 1,303
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... If you have tie-down points in the bed floor, 3 of them in the right place, you can tie them by the lower triple clamp to the mount points and crank 'em down |
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11-04-2003, 3:50 PM
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#5 |
Join Date: 03-31-2002 Location: Vista, CA
Bike(s): '01RC51, '05 Triumph America, '96 F3 Posts: 1,303
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... wow, 3 responses at the exact same time |
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11-04-2003, 3:52 PM
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#6 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... Rent a cheap utility trailer. |
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11-04-2003, 3:54 PM
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#7 | | Shake and bake!
Join Date: 05-22-2002 Location: Quebec, Canada..... for how long???
Bike(s): 05 1000RR Age: 34 Posts: 2,298
Rep Power: 17
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
Pete : Rent a cheap utility trailer.
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11-04-2003, 3:54 PM
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#8 |
Join Date: 05-07-2003 Location: CHS, SC, USA
Bike(s): 1300,625,600,150 Age: 36 Posts: 3,600
Rep:  (35) Rep Power: 9
| Re: What is the best way to load... /T-T\
Tie the bikes together, and then using two sets of ties, tie each one off on its open side |
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11-04-2003, 3:56 PM
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#9 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote:
sportbiker929 : Quote (firebladetoronto @ Nov. 04 2003, 3:46pm)It is very tricky trying to load the two bikes. *They fit width wise, but it is a pain trying to strap them down. *And with the closeness to the tie down hooks, the canon dancer sucks. *I actually don't want to use those anymore. *Does anyone have a suggestion regarding straps and tie down positioning?
Thanks in advance...
| with a ramp........
No, get some soft ties. They are used for dirt bikes that run crossbarless handlebars. Any 'real shop' should have them. Wrap them around the lower fork tubes and triple clamps.
Do you have any pictures on how the sit around the forks...because what I am picturing in my head seems like it is attempting to pull the forks apart. |
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11-04-2003, 3:57 PM
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#10 |
Join Date: 03-10-2002 Location: The Lab
Bike(s): 01 929 R/B, TZ 250, KLX 110, Cag ff Age: 37 Posts: 1,324
Rep:   (140) Rep Power: 9
| Re: What is the best way to load... I'm with you on this one the bikes will be to close for comfort |
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11-04-2003, 3:58 PM
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#11 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
Pete : Rent a cheap utility trailer.
| I am trying to stay away from that...when I am on the road, it is a pain to have to pull that stuff around. Plus I don't have a hitch on the truck yet. |
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11-04-2003, 4:00 PM
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#12 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
coderedcbr : Quote (figment @ Nov. 04 2003, 3:49pm)dont do it.
| I'm with you on this one the bikes will be to close for comfort
There is actually quite a bit of space. I can walk between the bikes. I already did, but don't like the way they were tied down. I ended up damaging the upper fairing on one bike. All I need is a better tie down method. The truck is a bit short, but plenty wide. |
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11-04-2003, 4:06 PM
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#13 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... I believe Conq had some pics of this, but I can't seem to find them anymore...Keith...? |
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11-04-2003, 4:14 PM
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#14 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... Sorry, but I am with those who have said it's 'too close for comfort.' The only way I'd strap two bikes next to each other in a 5' wide bed is using two Baxley wheel chocks bolted to the bed floor.
I guess I am just too accustomed to pulling trailers (short and long) to understand how towing a 6x8 trailer is bothersome. And getting your truck equipped with a suitable hitch is a piece of inexpensive cake. |
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11-04-2003, 4:20 PM
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#15 |
Join Date: 03-10-2002 Location: The Lab
Bike(s): 01 929 R/B, TZ 250, KLX 110, Cag ff Age: 37 Posts: 1,324
Rep:   (140) Rep Power: 9
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
firebladetoronto : Quote (coderedcbr @ Nov. 04 2003, 3:57pm)Quote (figment @ Nov. 04 2003, 3:49pm)dont do it.
| I'm with you on this one the bikes will be to close for comfort
There is actually quite a bit of space. *I can walk between the bikes. *I already did, but don't like the way they were tied down. I ended up damaging the upper fairing on one bike. *All I need is a better tie down method. *The truck is a bit short, but plenty wide.
How long is your trip? Do you have stock bodywork on the bikes? I had a 929 and a TLR in a 1500 Chevrolet was wide enough and long enough it is the straps that are the problem. |
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11-04-2003, 4:21 PM
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#17 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote:
Pete : Sorry, but I am with those who have said it's 'too close for comfort.' *The only way I'd strap two bikes next to each other in a 5' wide bed is using two Baxley wheel chocks bolted to the bed floor.
I guess I am just too accustomed to pulling trailers (short and long) to understand how towing a 6x8 trailer is bothersome. *And getting your truck equipped with a suitable hitch is a piece of inexpensive cake.
| No, don't get me wrong, I would love to buy a nice enclosed trailer, but I don't have the budget for that now. I don't normally carry two bikes, but do sometimes. I just want a cheap way to get this done now, and later on, buy a trailer and stuff.
Also, I live in an apartment, and have no place to store the trailer when it is not in use. |
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11-04-2003, 4:34 PM
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#18 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
ConqSoft : Quote (firebladetoronto @ Nov. 04 2003, 4:06pm)I believe Conq had some pics of this, but I can't seem to find them anymore...Keith...?
| First, http://www.fireblades.org/cgi-bin....t=6619;
Second, http://www.cbrxx.org/gallery/events_dealsgap_040203
Thats funny, I didn't read that first thread prior to posting...how funny was that...
Sorry Mr. Conqsoft....hehehe
Now I looked at your pics, and how do you have the straps hooked up under the bodywork? Is it as previously mentioned, just over the lower triple.
Would/Could this method work without using the chocks?? |
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11-04-2003, 4:40 PM
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#19 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... FBT, I wasn't suggesting *buying* a trailer, just renting one for your trip (and I didn't realize that it was an overnight stay, so I can understand a cost issue). |
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11-04-2003, 4:45 PM
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#20 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
Pete : FBT, I wasn't suggesting *buying* a trailer, just renting one for your trip (and I didn't realize that it was an overnight stay, so I can understand a cost issue).
| It is actually a one month stay, and I will be getting a trailer next year, but as I mentioned, this is just for the time being...get a couple of straps and add a tie down to the truck.
NEW PROBLEM:
Phoned Toyota, and they will NOT add another tie down to the bed. I need to find a specialty shop. They mentioned something about double reinforcing it, and welding and stuff?
Does anyone have any thoughts on adding tie downs to pick'em up trucks? |
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11-04-2003, 4:48 PM
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#21 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... In the latest issue of Sport Rider, in the same aforementioned article about tie-down straps, there's a product made to be attached to the front rail of a truck bed that has tie-down points and 'divets' to hold the front wheel straight. Looked like a pretty good idea. Do you have that issue? |
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11-04-2003, 4:53 PM
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#22 |
Join Date: 07-27-2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario
Bike(s): 02 CBR954 Silver, 02 CBR954 Black Age: 39 Posts: 972
Rep:  (41) Rep Power: 8
| Re: What is the best way to load... Quote: |
Pete : In the latest issue of Sport Rider, in the same aforementioned article about tie-down straps, there's a product made to be attached to the front rail of a truck bed that has tie-down points and 'divets' to hold the front wheel straight. *Looked like a pretty good idea. *Do you have that issue?
| No, but sounds like it is worth looking into...what month would that be, December?? November?? Thanks for the info. |
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11-04-2003, 4:59 PM
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#23 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... FBT, I'll respond here when I get home, in about 2 hours, if someone else hasn't already thrown the info up. I'm thinking it must be the December issue, but not 100% sure. |
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11-04-2003, 10:53 PM
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#24 |
Join Date: 11-08-2001 Location: Houston, TX
Bike(s): '06 CBR1000RR, '06 CRF450X, '06 CRF100 Posts: 5,998
Rep Power: 20
| Re: What is the best way to load... Sorry for the delay, FBT. The product is called the 'Bed-Buddy' by CCR Sport. Web address is www.ccrsport.com, phone # 626-695-1218. Cost is $140, according to the magazine. |
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11-05-2003, 9:01 AM
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#26 |
Join Date: 07-07-2002 Location: US
Bike(s): '84 Magna V30 Age: 5 Posts: 16,528
Rep Power: 35
| Re: What is the best way to load... It's very possible, but use lots of straps. I've fit a Shadow 750 and a Buell into the back of a Ranger. Put one in backwards, and strapped them down severly. Neither moved a 1/2 an inch during the whole 8hr ride |
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11-05-2003, 10:12 AM
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#27 |
Join Date: 05-08-2003 Location: Flyover Country
Bike(s): Bikeless Posts: 8,830
Rep Power: 17
| Re: What is the best way to load...
When Bigkid and I took our 954s to the Hoot in June, we wouldn't have thought of trying to shoehorn both in the back of my full size Chevy.
Be careful FB, don't want to see you muck up your bikes. |
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11-05-2003, 10:25 AM
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