How to Load and Tie Down a Motorcycle in a Truck or a Trailer

[pinkfloydoors]

Those straps that you used, my step-dad insisted on using those on his bike and eventually he wisend up and used real-ratcheting tie-straps. I realize you guys used them in a different maner on this video but i still cannot see those types of straps being secure, or getting the bike anywhere near tight enough as a ratcheting tie down ever could. I mean, you tighten them by hand and I could never get enough force to feel secure in those straps

[canyonchaser]

@pinkfloydoors How tight are you wanting to tie down your bike? Do you expect it to stay put in case you end up inverted? The biggest mistake most people make is tying down their bike far too tightly. This causes blown fork-seals, damaged springs, bent handlebars and can actually make the bike more prone to falling over. If you follow the instructions laid out in this video, then you'll have plenty of tension on the straps for the bike to be stable.

[delbobo76]

Thanks, I'm thinking about purchasing a 1996 Honda Nighthawk 750 and need to trailer it from Bakersfield,CA to Las Vegas, NV a little over 200 miles. This info has been very helpful to me ,thanks Canyonchaser!

[delbobo76]

I noticed he only tied down the front, should I imply he tied down the back also or isn't it neccessary?

[canyonchaser]

@delbobo76 It kinda depends. For really heavy bikes its not a bad idea. It's important to use rear straps to compress the rear suspension - not pull the motorcycle backwards. Usually lighter bikes, like sport-bikes and dirt-bikes don't really need rear straps unless you are traveling a long way or over really rough terrain.

We virtually never use rear straps.

[NORTY50]

Nice video. Here's a coupla things I'd mention:

1. If you have "Heli-bars" you may want to not use Canyon Dancer equipment as it'll cause add'l stress on the bars.

2. Leaning the bike side to side to cinch the tiedows, you must check for clearance with your rotors and the sides of the rails.

3. When loading the bike up the ramp, you must check for clearance with "lowers" and the sides of the rail. For this reason, it's better to push (with help from a friend) rather than use the engine.

[dp2WF]

@NORTY50 If you tie down a bike so tightly that it bends the heli-bars, you are probably making your straps too tight.

[jrod0550]

Where did you get a trailer like that?

[canyonchaser]

@jrod0550 It's just your average, every-day 3-rail trailer. Ours came from Royal Trailer.

[RallyKey]

is it alright that when i put a soft tie over the front wheel brake?

[canyonchaser]

@RallyKey If I understand the question, I would not wrap a soft tie over the front brake lever. Leave the bike in gear instead.

[lilrara11804]

great vid

[jhawley]

Very informative video but I still prefer to use ratchet straps as I'm a pretty small guy and can't get enough force to securely use cam buckles.

[canyonchaser]

@jhawley The trick with the Cam-Locks is to lean the bike from side to side to make the straps tighter. Lots of people try compressing the forks by pushing straight down - which really doesn't work that well.

We've seen too many ratchet straps fail and too many ratchet-straps release all at once to ever use them on our own bikes. Also, ratchet straps tend to result in people cranking the bike down far too tightly, causing unnecessary pressure on the forks and fork seals.

[dp2WF]

@jhawley I hate ratchet straps. I had one pop free and dump my bike all the way off the top of the trailer. Never using those again.

[cabrio996]

I miss those mountains... Thanks for making me homesick Dave.

[jkddaddy]

nicely done video. thanks for the great tips. So why ensure the bike is straight, say in the back of a pickup, as you indicate not straight is not a good idea?

[canyonchaser]

@jkddaddy When a bike is tied down on an angle you have uneven weight on the straps, if something slips or shifts, the bike is much more likely to fall over. Ensuring the bike is straight puts even pressure on the straps so if something slips, the bike is much less likely to fall over.

[nakedshaggy]

Good idea for a vid, guys. I miss Nancy, though. ;-)

I said goodbye to straps and $280 a few months ago and I don't miss them one bit.

[hiimbong]

is that the same 848 that replaced the army sv?

do you recommend the canyon dancer 2 with the cups or the original?

i have the original but it pulls on the grips too much sometimes.

[canyonchaser]

@hiimbong Yep, thats the 848 that replaced the Army SV. The only way to keep the grips in place with either the CanyonDancer or the Cycle Cinch is to safety wire your grips.