Transporting the bike

[SRTie4k]

How do you guys secure your bikes in the back of a truck? I've always been told to use tie-down straps attached to the grips or the bar on either side, and tighten them to compress the front suspension. That's it, and its supposed to hold it pretty well.

Yet I've got this possibly unfounded fear that the grip might snap off or I'm placing too much stress on the bars considering my bike weighs something like 430lbs, and it likes to sway back and forth when I hit potholes or round tighter corners. Granted the front forks are on the soft side, I still wonder whether I'm doing it right or not.

Are my fears baseless? Is this the proper way to secure a bike in a truck bed?

[Pittenger5]

Some people say never do it, but I used canyon dancer for years with my 636 and my EX500 with no issue. It WILL pull the grips now and again, so I just safety wired the fuckers on and fixed when needed.
Now that I have dirt bikes, I just run tie downs around the triples and Im good to go.

[brendanp]

I use the 18" double loop straps around the tubes and then come off of that with the ratchet tie downs. And I always 4 point it

[kb1]

I wouldn't put tie downs on the grips themselves, I've heard that it can freeze the throttle, is that correct? Causing it not to snap back properly?

[Pigman]

I use a canyon dancer strap and two tie downs and ur good.....no issues

[klepsta]

I use soft straps to the clip-ons and tie downs to the anchor points in the bed. Also run tie downs through the passenger pegs to the rear anchor points. A canyon dancer or cycle cynch are recommended as a better option.

Also a wheel chock never hurts, keeps the bars from turning.

[SRTie4k]

I wouldn't put tie downs on the grips themselves, I've heard that it can freeze the throttle, is that correct? Causing it not to snap back properly?

I dunno, on the Zed I have bar end mirrors so I just use rubberized hooks on the bar bend with ratchets on the front anchor loops. I've never had a problem, but that doesn't mean I'm doing it correctly.

[Pittenger5]

I wouldn't put tie downs on the grips themselves, I've heard that it can freeze the throttle, is that correct? Causing it not to snap back properly?

I never had that problem, the only problem Id have is like I said, the grips sometimes get pulled in, so they hit the throttle housing which causes it to stick, you just gotta pull the grip back out to proper placement and its fine.

[kb1]

I dunno, on the Zed I have bar end mirrors so I just use rubberized hooks on the bar bend with ratchets on the front anchor loops. I've never had a problem, but that doesn't mean I'm doing it correctly.

Yeah I have a Zed as well, I've only had it on a trailer a couple times and both times someone else has strapped it down...I'm just throwing questions out there.

[kbroderick]

When I tie down my bike, I use soft straps over the lower triples, out below the fairing, ratchet straps to the soft straps. Rear straps go to the passenger grab handle on my bike; I'd probably use the passenger peg mounts if that wasn't an option, but the grab handle is way sturdier than the peg mounts with respect to lateral movement.

I do it that way (a) because the Ninja250 FAQ at http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page says to and (b) it seems to work pretty good. Two relevant cautions noted there:
a) bars may or may not be constructed to take the forces involved, hence the triple tree recommendation
b) if you really crank down on the ratchet straps, it's possible to compress your suspension beyond where you do riding it; this is particularly problematic if your fork tubes aren't smooth (hardened bug guts, rock chips, etc) and thus take a toll on your fork seals

[keeena]

Best option: an active capture type (Strapless or Pitbull Trailer Restraint). No loading of suspension and no stress on forks/stem = best. Quick 1 person job too.

Close 2nd place: a wheel chock (simple type, or a clamping model like Baxley or Condor). At least 1 pair of tie downs still needed w/ the chock. There is no or minimal loading of suspension, depending on where/how you place tiedowns. Also an easy 1 person job tho not quite a quick.

Lastly: straps only. Downside of straps-only is the possibility of fork seal wear/damage and the grip issue mentioned above. For pickups, there is a product called BedBuddy which helps keep front tire from moving side/side and would probably let you lighten up the pressure on the suspension a little.

I think you're ok w/ any method personally. If you just use straps: use 2 pairs (1 front, 1 rear), go as high as possible on 1 pair, as close to 45* angle (out to the side), pull forward against bed a little and use soft extensions. If you can avoid using grips, great. For occasional trailering this is fine.

[Yamamaha]

2 canyoneers criss crossed b/w bed and cab down to the frame, rear sets criss crossed to the tail hooks with soft-ties.

Took them 530 miles, then back home another 530.

Had to do this because I had a plastic bed liner and the frame was the safest way to lock them in, we cranked the shit out of our handlebars and 0 problems. Also vital to our success were my homemade wheel chocks made of plywood and 2x4 fit to our front

[breakdirt916]

I have also always been afraid of the sticking throttle, so I used to just tie it around the top of the triple clamps with soft straps when I had a truck (may she RIP)



edit: 2 trucks



I did the same when I use the minivan

[SVRACER01]

box bar for the truck
canyon dancer for the bike
i never use ratchet tie downs (they are either too tight or not tight enough)
ratchet tie downs are good for the rear wheel. in a truck i dont do the rear usually. on a trailer i do.