| Author | Message | ||
     Moosestang |
Where can you place a strap on these bikes if the bars have zero degrees to them?  Where do they strap gixxers and other sport bikes with negative bars? Surely not around the bars. Thanks for any help, i've never trailered a bike before, but I have 4 ratcheting straps and some common sense. | ||
| Lightningrob |
Soft hooks work great, but if you don't have any you should strap at the lower tree, (the lower fork brace just below the headlights). | ||
| Lightningrob |
If I'm using my trailer I strap it down at the passenger pegs too. It may be overkill, but better safe than sorry. Did you finally get a ride? Give us details... | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
use soft straps  | ||
| Diablobrian |
I agree, soft straps at the lower triple and I run a strap around the rear wheel too to keep it from walking around. | ||
| Damnut |
If you strap the rear wheel make sure you put a rag on the wheel first so you don't scuff the rim. | ||
| Moosestang |
My straps have a soft loop built in so you don't have to attach the metal hook to the bike. So you can put the straps around the fork just above that brace? Should you tighten so the fork is slightly compressed or not compressed at all? I should be getting this 05 xb9 so long as it checks out when I get there. http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/mcy/753660624.html Maybe I'll pick up some separate soft straps incase I need to strap it around the frame. Is there room to run a strap between the frame and airbox cover? What about in the rear? Around the brace for the seat or are the passenger foot peg mounts strong enough? Thanks. (Message edited by moosestang on July 17, 2008) | ||
| Lightningrob |
I always compress my fork a little, but not too much to blow the seals. For the rear, the passenger peg braces have always treated me well. The back tire advice by Diablobrian and Damnut is a good idea too. | ||
| Nik |
canyon dancer. | ||
| Ducxl |
Canyon dancer.....But more importantly,used in conjunction with a Baxley branded "Sport Chock".Or even a similar product.I'd now never carry a bike without one.You don't even need to compress the forks. | ||
| Ducxl |
 I love this thing.At home when i arrive i just ride into it and jump off,no kick stand required | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have had canyon dancers tear the grips on bikes which is why I prefer soft ties. | ||
| Damnut |
Yea I'm going to get rid of mine as well for the same reason. That last trip from Homecoming did a number on my Rizoma grips. I love the Canyon Dancers but they don't play well with my Rizoma's. | ||
| Barker |
CANYON DANCER!! one canyon dancer. thats all. always held my bike. rock solid, easy , cheap and matches the bike's color.  (Message edited by Barker on July 17, 2008) | ||
| Diablobrian |
unless you have more than one. I have 3 in my garage. | ||
| Bigredwood |
I've always hated doing fork seals for no reason. And just slightly overcompressing your forks when loading up your bike is the easiest way. (especially after a good work out on the track / road.) In the dirtbike world a new method is being developed to secure bikes to the trailer or truck. This was the only product on the web that I could find. http://www.shop4motorcycletrailers.com/product/SA0 01 But i know there are about four companies fighting to make the first, well developed design. I, myself, am too cheap to buy a fancy product like in the link. I made a spring loaded device that is similar. It is just a few bits of .125" square tubing a spring and an afternoon worth of welding. I am not sure of the applications to a Buell, but my dirtbikes and quad hook up great. I just roll them into the chock and step on to the clamps. When I want to unload I just kick the releases and back out. P.S. Whenever strapping a bike down remember to barely strap the front. Use a chock and just enough tension on front straps to keep the bike upright. Then go to town on the rear strap (over seat or through footpegs). If you are strong enough to blow out a rear shock when strapping your bike down . . . I'll rebuild it for the cost of shipping! (Message edited by bigredwood on July 18, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Do any of our sponsors sell wheel chocks? | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I kinda like this idea... http://www.pit-bull.com/trailer-restraint.shtml | ||
| Moosestang |
Speaking of wheel chocks. What is the width of the front tire on the xb9? I'm going to bolt two 2x4's to the floor of my trailer and leave just enough space between for the front tire to sit. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I've seen those systems Steve, and I like them, but they have been so expensive as to be prohibitive to the average rider or racer on a shoestring budget. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I'm thinking of swiping a bike rack from a high school, cutting it and welding it into the back of my truck. I cannot believe how expensive some of those chocks are. | ||
| Lightningrob |
Moosestang, I measured mine at 4 5/8" from the widest points. Thats with a 120/70 tire. | ||
| Bigredwood |
There are some alternatives to expensive wheel chocks. I understand they don't hold the name brand but are effective. I actually use the econo-chock on my offroad trailer. Here are two that you can get shipped from Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=96349 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=97145 | ||
| Ducxl |
Harbor Freight is just another China outlet store. Our fellow Americans in Dothan,Alabama manufacture TOP quality products. I've got a number of friends who've bought Harbor Freight tire changers and been miserably disappointed. But i digress,tying down a motorcycle using the method of only using straps applies undo forces on the forks. Our beloved motorcycles deserve more than bargan basement solutions. Respectfully submitted,Greg | ||
| Citified |
I will have to second the canyon dancer. best tiedown system I can find. other than $300 wheel chocks. | ||
| Spatten1 |
With the crossroads bars I'd also recommend tying on around the lower triple. The amount that the crossroads flex when they are used to tie the bike down is friggin scary. Looks like airplane wings in a storm flexing up and down as you go down the road. |
