South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Would like to pick yer brains for any tips/advice on how to load 2 bikes into a van and make sure they don't fall over?
Will a SWB transit be the best bet?

Soz if this seems like a total pleb/girley question but I not got a clue (and yes open the rear door to start i realise would be a good idea )

Thanks folks

Load them in one at a time, most vans have tie down points in the corners and along the centre line. Use ratchet straps to hold the bikes down.

1 Ratchet strap wound around each handle bar going to tie down points
For extra security can do ratchet strap on each side of sub frame going to rearward tie downs

Make sure they are really tight (i.e. compressing the suspension)

Tends to be worth tie clipping the front brake on.

I'm sure someone has pictures here.

Just put both bikes front wheels against the bulk head, full steering lock on the side stands. Left right as close to the left and right as close to the right. On the right hand bike a ratchet strap from right handlebar to front mounting point and left handlebar for the left bike. Put a ratchet strap between both bikes via the top of the fork legs. This means both bikes cant move. Then just one more per bike towards the back end, rear pillion pegs/subframe to hold the rear end down.

wot he says ^^^^

after a while you get to find where is best for you and how to secure your bike, when we first used the trailer it looked like a spiders web with all the straps.

make sure you buy good quality straps tho, as a few have found out if you buy crap kit either the strap stretches under load or the ratchet mechanism bends and lets go.

remember when fixing to the handlebars to wind the strap around the throttle in a forward motion so as not to have the throttle pulled into the open position and try to avoid trailing them down over the fairing as they don't take much pressure to crack.

you can get wheel chocks that hold the bike in place and also handlebar straps that mean you don't need to hook directly onto the grips - these help alot.

Thanks guys

More importantly - where are you off to...?

Smiler wrote:More importantly - where are you off to...?

Yeah ...Where are you off to? Do I need to pack your bags? Do i need to organize a locksmith?

I can't remember you asking me if you were allowed!!

scorcher wrote:

Smiler wrote:More importantly - where are you off to...?

Yeah ...Where are you off to? Do I need to pack your bags? Do i need to organize a locksmith?

I can't remember you asking me if you were allowed!!

Oo, you're on sticky ground there Matt!!!!

Have a great time Sam!!!!

Funky wrote:1 Ratchet strap wound around each handle bar going to tie down points
For extra security can do ratchet strap on each side of sub frame going to rearward tie downs
.

I'd never wrap around the handle bar,have seen too many people turn up at trackdays minus a handlebar due to this technique

i personally use a over the handlebar strap, as si said it stops the throttle opening, doesnt put too much strain on the clipons but also helps keep the ratchet straps away from your fairings and for about £15 its well worth it. using this strap i can load the bike onto my trailer on my own as its just makes life so much easier

Left bike I use one ratchet strap and one off those red luggage strap things.

Push the bike up against the bulk head, stall the bike so it's in gear, side stand down, top left corner from the bulk head down across the bike to the rear, snag on the exahust bracket, over the back wheel adn to the rear most left tie down point is more than enough.

But to make sure I go from the frame midway along the bike to the middle left tie down with a non ratchet luggage strap to pull it onto it's stand.

Right hand side I get a cheapy quilt from tescos, throw it over the bike to protect the plastics and ratchet strap it to the right hand side off the van.

When I started it was a proper cats craddle in there, now it's 2 straps at most and those luggage ones in case the ratchet gives in transit, oh and driving sensibly helps.....