If you are a beginner with racetrack days and own a racing motorbike, you are also probably new to the idea of taking it everywhere with you.
What is more, it is likely that you do not learn how to strap down a motorcycle on a trailer to travel around with it.
Due to the vast number of vans and trailers being used to move motorcycles, this article is not going to be a universal go-to manual whenever one wants to strap down a motorbike.
Nevertheless, we will discuss some of the key things you would really like to prevent while tying a motorbike to a trailer, but also a few of the alternatives you have and actions you should avoid doing.
So, keep on reading below to find out how to safely strap down a motorcycle on your trailer.
The Mistakes To Avoid
It is not necessary to be greatly knowledgeable about the anchor points of keeping a motorcycle safe and protected when you are going on a motorcycle road trip.
What you are seeking is to prevent a couple of incidents from occurring, and by succeeding in that you can easily keep your bike safe.
These are the objectives:
- The motorcycle leaning to the sides
- The motorcycle moving back and forth
- The tires sliding to the sides
So, imagine a standard trailer that comes with an installed wheel lock that prevents the bike from moving forth and back and also from sliding to the sides with the support of the main channel that the motorcycle goes into and stays at.
With this being done by the trailer, you practically only have to use the ratchet straps to keep the motorcycle from tilting to the sides.
Now, you can transport the motorbike with just two ratchet straps tugging on both sides of the frame, your motorcycle is definitely not going anywhere now.
Nonetheless, if you have a flat frame trailer, you will have to tie your motorcycle with more effort and money spent, as you will probably have to add a purpose-built wheel block and get a couple more ratchet straps, to avoid any of the aforementioned issues from occurring.
Even though I agree that you shouldn’t have to overdo it, you should be absolutely certain that the security measures you’ve selected will hold the motorcycle firmly in position.
Your motorbike rolling down the street you are driving is the last thing you or anybody else wishes to witness.
Suggestions for Strapping Down A Motorbike
Allow Some Flexibility In The Suspensions
Even though you want lots of pressure to prevent undesired bounces or seeing straps being unhooked, you also wouldn’t want to fully bottom out the suspension because this might not assist your motorcycle to manage bumps effectively, causing it to respond negatively to these.
You must find the perfect combination of a secure hold and an amount of tightness that will allow the motorcycle to deal with any bumps.
Try to adjust the ratchet strap on your motorcycle in such a way that it will feel very tight, but there will still be some room for it to move – about one centimeter is enough.Â
Don’t worry if you do not find the perfect tension from the very first try, you will eventually discover the right level of stress after a couple of tries.
Choose Robust Motorcycle Bits To Serve As Anchor Points
Under sufficient pressure, parts like a peg and the motorcycle’s tailpipe, as well as the handlebars might be destroyed.
If possible, utilize the motorcycle’s frame, bottom yoke, and swing arm as your major anchor points because they can withstand a lot of pressure.
So, choose your anchor points judiciously and be gentle with the more sensitive parts if you must use them.
Do My Forks Need To Be Protected?
There has been a lot of discussion concerning the consequences of squeezing the front end when in motion, with some claiming that it destroys them and others claiming that they can ride for thousands of kilometers with the motorcycle strapped down with no issues whatsoever.
The choice is yours to make, but considering how suspensions work, we do believe it’s more than okay to compress the forks for longer durations so long as you don’t overdo it as described before.
You will be just given that you have firmly strapped your motorcycle down, to the point that it is safe but not to the point where the suspension is bottomed out.
The Motorcycle And The Trailer Should Be Rocking As One
When you try to move the motorcycle after strapping it down, you should witness the motorcycle and the trailer rocking as one, as if the motorcycle is literally tied to it.
If that is the case, take it as a confirmation that your motorcycle is securely attached to the trailer.
Top Securing Alternatives
When it comes to securing your motorbike for travel, there are a lot of alternatives (some of which are really weird), but we have chosen a handful that is the most effective and won’t empty your wallet.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel Chocks are used for vans, box trailers, and flatbed trailers.
They are ideal if they’re fixed on the ground to prevent any lateral motion.
They’ll offer you a pretty solid configuration when combined with a pair of ratchet straps on the frame.
Tire Downs
A remarkable piece of equipment that eliminates fork compression by clamping just on the back wheel.
They are well-known for being quite secure, and if you have anything keeping the front wheel firm, you can get away with simply utilizing tire downs.
The only disadvantage is that if the two mounting points are not located correctly, the tire downs will not be as useful and may even break!
Ratchet Straps
We bet you don’t need us to introduce you to the ratchet straps.
These straps have been around for a long time and have been used for a wide range of equipment, gear, and so on.
With proper usage of the ratchet straps, you can ensure that your motorbike is completely secure.
Summary
Use the information and techniques provided above to discover how to strap a motorcycle on a trailer and secure a motorbike for travel.
You don’t have to go overboard with the ways you can strap it down, but you’ll need to be certain it’s tight enough for the motorcycle to make it to your final destination.Â