trailer tie down and fork compression

[buckwheat_imp]

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.

[LongRanger_imp]

Congrats on finding your 2013 CB! Well done.

I'm not a veteran of towing but I recently had to bring my Ducati home in the back of a U-Haul pickup truck. I stopped at the auto parts store and bought an inexpensive set of four ratcheting tie-downs. The only tidbit I have to provide is to not secure the bike while it's on the centerstand or sidestand -- have someone steady the bike vertically while you're tightening down the four straps as evenly as possible. I compressed the Ducati's forks about an inch and the bike remained perfectly stable. I honestly don't think you need to overthink it -- just make the sure the bike is steady and won't roll forward or back, or from side to side. Use your common sense and you'll be fine -- it's not rocket science. If you like, pull over after 10-15 minutes and check the straps. Good luck and have fun!

[Frulk_imp]

+1 on Long Rangers reply. I trailer bikes all the time. Make sure you compress the front forks maybe an inch or so. Leave it in gear. Since it's a motorcycle trailer you won't have to purchase a wheel chock. If the exhaust is hot make sure your straps don't touch the headers or muffler.

[buckwheat_imp]

+1 on Long Rangers reply. I trailer bikes all the time. Make sure you compress the front forks maybe an inch or so. Leave it in gear. Since it's a motorcycle trailer you won't have to purchase a wheel chock. If the exhaust is hot make sure your straps don't touch the headers or muffler.

Thanks to Longranger and frulk for your replies. I knew not to ratchet it down on either stand, and to leave it in gear from reading I have already done. The U-Haul trailer I don't consider a real chock. It has no indent on the floor. No back of tire support, unless I receive equipment at time of rental. All it is really is a "v" that protrudes outside the front wall. The "v" angle is rather wide too and I don't think it will give much if any side wheel support. Just my opinion though as of course I've never used one for a bike.

Still looking for any and all replies. Thanks for you 2 who have already chipped in.

[Cormanus]

Congratulations on getting the seat off, buckwheat. It's fooled many a new owner.

Oh and welcome.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Just like LongRanger said. Compress the forks a bit. You CAN use the handlebars if you want. Also, if your tie down ends are long, tie them off somewhere ( or to each other front to back ) to keep them from flapping in the wind. The loose ends can tear into paint and plastic parts quickly. Two weeks ago I brought a friend's BMW back from Canada, 600 miles one way, and had no issues.

[CIP57_imp]

http://www.cyclecynch.com/CCpages/CCproduct4.html

Go to products and than cycle cynch II

I've used these for years, no need to compress the front forks. If your on a steel slippery deck tie down they rear otherwise its not needed.

[feralchimp_imp]

I would only use ratcheting straps, but only because that's what I've used in the past and I know what to expect from them.
I would loop the tie-downs over the lower triple instead of using canyon dancers on the stock bars.
Per longranger's original reply, no need to go nuts compressing the forks. An inch or two should be fine. But 200 miles isn't that long a trip so if you get zealous the forks can probably take it.
If you're renting the same UHaul trailer I usually use, I like to run a strap through the rear wheel, between the two rear corner tie-down points (using softstraps as little strap extensions if needed). Very little tension on that strap; just enough to help stabilize everything over bumps, during braking, etc.

Congrats on the find!

[LongRanger_imp]

Just like LongRanger said. Compress the forks a bit. You CAN use the handlebars if you want. Also, if your tie down ends are long, tie them off somewhere ( or to each other front to back ) to keep them from flapping in the wind. The loose ends can tear into paint and plastic parts quickly. Two weeks ago I brought a friend's BMW back from Canada, 600 miles one way, and had no issues.

I don't like the sound of that. I hope he's okay!

[silverbub_imp]

The only suggestion beyond those already mentioned I have is to emphasize that you should not use tiedowns on the back frame... any "snuggling down" of them will surely bend the frame... even a little... and throw off frame alignment... Rather... very lightly snug down the back wheel by wrapping the tie down around the wheel from each side at same point on wheel(close to tire contact with trailer bed) & secure the hook ends onto the U-Haul anchor loops on side or back of trailer bed... again... it takes next to no "snuggling" of the tiedowns on back of frame to misalign the frame... don't ask me how I know... oh... and of course... you might want to use some "duc tape" to close the open hooks on the front tie downs so they do not "jump" out of the anchor rings on the trailer bed when the forks compress as you are traveling & hit bumps or go over railroad tracks etc... again... from lesson learned,,,ENJOY YOUR CB1100 NEW RIDE!