09-20-2016, 12:11 PM
Hello all,
I've been visiting this forum anonymously now for over a year and I finally found a used 2013 I will be picking up tomorrow. The only problem is it is 200 miles away from me and I need to trailer it back home and I have never trailered a bike. I'll be using a U-Haul motorcycle trailer and I bought 2 pair of Moose Racing standard tie-downs with soft-ties 1" wide and 7' long at the local Honda dealer. These straps are the non-ratcheting type but instead have the spiked roller wheel that digs into the strap. I was hoping for any pointers on tying the bike down.
Would you veterans-of-towing use these type of straps? I have ratcheting straps already and will be bringing those too. Another question I have is fork compression. How much travel does the front fork have and how far in inches do you think it should be compressed to secure it on the trailer? The parts guy showing me said he would compress the forks a few inches. He also asked what I bike I was tying down before he chose those straps, so I just assumed they would do the job. I looked at a 2014 on the dealer showroom floor where I bought the straps and I think I will use the front ties on the triple tree and the rear ties to the frame just beneath the rear of seat (I took the seat off at the dealers for viewing).
Any advice would be appreciated. I do have a smart phone and will be looking for replies on the way to get the bike although I know it is short notice and a long shot for replies. I'll also post pics of the tie down and report if I was successful. "If I was successful" sounds really bad I know, but it is my first try at trailering a bike.
p.s. I enjoyed your review of your 1st oil change, the ferret.
I've been visiting this forum anonymously now for over a year and I finally found a used 2013 I will be picking up tomorrow. The only problem is it is 200 miles away from me and I need to trailer it back home and I have never trailered a bike. I'll be using a U-Haul motorcycle trailer and I bought 2 pair of Moose Racing standard tie-downs with soft-ties 1" wide and 7' long at the local Honda dealer. These straps are the non-ratcheting type but instead have the spiked roller wheel that digs into the strap. I was hoping for any pointers on tying the bike down.
Would you veterans-of-towing use these type of straps? I have ratcheting straps already and will be bringing those too. Another question I have is fork compression. How much travel does the front fork have and how far in inches do you think it should be compressed to secure it on the trailer? The parts guy showing me said he would compress the forks a few inches. He also asked what I bike I was tying down before he chose those straps, so I just assumed they would do the job. I looked at a 2014 on the dealer showroom floor where I bought the straps and I think I will use the front ties on the triple tree and the rear ties to the frame just beneath the rear of seat (I took the seat off at the dealers for viewing).
Any advice would be appreciated. I do have a smart phone and will be looking for replies on the way to get the bike although I know it is short notice and a long shot for replies. I'll also post pics of the tie down and report if I was successful. "If I was successful" sounds really bad I know, but it is my first try at trailering a bike.
p.s. I enjoyed your review of your 1st oil change, the ferret.