Hi, This may seem like a silly question......however I will ask it anyway !. I want to tow the GTR on my bike trailer and want to know if anybody else tows. I have a Goldwing which I often tow
which is easy to strap down with plenty of crash bars etc.....The GTR apart from the handlebars don't seem to have obvious tie down places....could anyone advice please.....any photo's
Cheers Sidders :mfr_lol:
Evening Sidders. Could you strap it down through the wheels or would that be too low down? I was thinking if you strapped the wheels first and then put secondary strap over the seat that may be sufficient. Another option is Motrax sell handlebar tie down straps, do you have any of those?
- strap down starting at the lower triple three
- do NOT strap down using the handle bars.
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No no no !!!! NEVER tow a GTR !!! It was made to ride !!!!!!!!!
Deon
Ok...I have the straps for the handlebars but dont trust just one set of straps all the way to Norfolk
Dont want to scratch the frame or bend anything or the worst possible....it falls off the trailer...will have to have a dry run putting it on this weekend
Sidders
I've put alsorts on the trailer, from BMW's to race bikes.. and i use one of these http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/motorcycle-trailer-tie-down.htm
One of the problems with transporting bikes, is the bounce :banana: , you tie the thing down tight, go over a bump, the suspension compresses and 'ping!!!' of flys the tie down straps... these straps hold the rear wheel tight down sos it doesn't jump.
also i have one of them 'bump stop' front wheel chocks on the front of the trailer .. :smartass:
I do it all the time, we are going on holiday 2nd week in september i will post some pictures then, put a strap on each handlebar then a strap through each grab rail ( remove panniers ) to your anchor points. That said here are a few tips that i would strongly reccomend you do, you must put the bike on the centre stand, this will stop any bounce in the suspension, next you must make the bike level, i use a piece of 18mm ply ( 12" x 18" ) under the front wheel and the same under the back wheel, tighten the straps until the suspension just begins to compress if you twang the straps they should give a bow like sound but do not overtighten. I guarantee the only thing that will move the bike is a CHIEFTAN TANK !!!
Depending how you strap the bike down you may need to use some padding in places, do not put a strap over the seat, it will rub with the motion of the trailer and may cause damage to the seat this is not a serious anchor point.
I use ratchet straps with the hooks at each end, when strapping the handle bars only strap the end of the grips any further in and you will rub the sides of the fairing.
One last point, if you are strapping down with a bulkhead at the front ( van etc ) you will definately need to remove the front mudguard other wise you will run the risk of cracking it, i know to my cost !!!!
I have put my GTR on my bikelug trailer loads of times, and I use a handlebar strap and two ratchet straps on the grab rails. I used to work for the AA and that was the way we used to strap down most bikes and I never lost one in 18 years.......... The only advice is to slightly compress the suspension with the straps and re-check every now and again!
Quote from: Barry7 on August 22, 2012, 11:35:59 PM
The only advice is to slightly compress the suspension with the straps and re-check every now and again!
:agree: Having safely transported my classic bikes all over the U.K for many years I can confirm that to compress the suspension is the key to safe transportation :yes:
Evening to all.
Many Thanks for the replies and the advice..I am going to have a Dry run this weekend and a trip around the block to confirm suitability of my Loading......Tie downs etc... before we set off for Norfolk next week.
Cheers Sidders :mfr_lol:
I agree compressing the suspension is the way, but not too much there is the possibility of popping the fork seals and i have seen a few popped, but a good 4 way strapping will hold solid.
http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,36154.0.html
http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,15347.msg57813.html#msg57813
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