Transporting a SV in a Merc Sprinter?

[DaveRushton]

Hi Guys, I will be moving to Milton Keynes at the end of the month and i need to transport all my things and the motorbike there also. I have hired a sprinter which should hopefully get me there quickly :P

What will be the best way to secure the bike in there? I was thinking about wedging it in between a couple of double mattresses and some strapping?

Any Ideas?

Thanks

[Wildkid]

Ratchet straps, steering lock , tape on the brake lever and some foam if its lent near the wall, will support it easily.

[andrewsmith]

Ratchet straps, steering lock , tape on the brake lever and some foam if its lent near the wall, will support it easily.

This

[DaveRushton]

Thanks! Best place to get Ratchet Straps from?

[andrewsmith]

Machine Mart, Toolstation back of a waggon

[Mr Speirs]

Butt the front wheel right up against corner of the bulk head and right hand side of the van. Leave the bike on the side stand. PVC tape the brake lever down so the front brakes are on. Strap the front round the bottom yoke onto the tie down point in the corner. Then strap across the bike over the riders seat from the tie down infront of the right hand wheel arch to the front left hand side tie down point. Use a towel on the seat to spread the load.

Done this before. Works fine and doesn't move.

[dkid]

Ratchet straps, steering lock , tape on the brake lever and some foam if its lent near the wall, will support it easily.

+1. Always moved my moto-x bikes this way. Solid.

[DaveRushton]

Just ordered 3x cargo lash's with ratchets for 11.26. 25mmx4.5m I hope to god they hold the bike!!

[DanSp]

Machine Mart, Toolstation back of a waggon

Ebay... get most things cheap on there! :)

[andrewsmith]

Should do
I use a 60mm 5t as a wind lash on equipment that weighs a lot more

[Fallout]

All has been said. The bike moves far less than you'd imagine, so long as you don't drive like a tool! Roundabouts are the killer. That's when you tend to enter them quite quickly and find yourself suddenly remembering you have a bike in the back! :)

[DaveRushton]

In Milton Keynes it is only roundabouts lol :/

[Wildkid]

In Milton Keynes it is only roundabouts lol :/

I can vouch for this! I do training in Milton Keynes for Audi and Milton Keynes is just dual carriageways and roundabouts?

[wolf89]

i dnt know about all that how ever i will reccomend a guy who spends all his time doing bike deliverys ive personally used him twice he is cheap and has a kitted van for the sole purpose of moving bikes. i only reccomend incase you cnt put it in your van :)
http://transbike.co.uk/ hope the move goes ok.

[DaveRushton]

Thanks dude ill take a look!

[DaveRushton]

£76 quote - thats bloody good! I will try chucking it in the van first mind!

[wolf89]

no problem man really wouldn't recommend anyone else to do it after the help i received when my first bike got stolen. helped me push my bike quarter of a mile through a park with a locked back wheel and up onto his van all after surgery week before. definitely look after the bike and it will all be insured. he has a mile and price thing on his website so you can check price without even ringing up.

[wolf89]

yeh dnt blame ya trying it in the van first but thought id offer you a good quality service so you can have a backup. he is the sole driver and he spends half his week sleeping round uk in his van so hes not late for pickups if he has some in scotland or far distances. he is very committed to looking after peoples bikes. anyways sorry for going on hope you get it sorted mate :)

[DaveRushton]

Haha thats ace dude no worrys, gonna give the van a go - If i fail ill call him :)

[wolf89]

hope it all goes well man :)

[phil24_7]

The way I transport my bikes is. Front wheel against the metal bulkhead, strap the front wheel to the bulkhead tie down points, use the rear tie down points to strap the rear wheel in, then 1 strap to pull the bike onto the sidestand, simples! You could also use a rear paddock stand before strapping down the rear wheel, then as long as you don't drive like a twonk, you shouldn't need the 3rd ratchet strap. Don't go nuts when tightening else you'll bend the stand. Also remember that if any of your straps pull down on the bike, make sure they don't compress the suspension as this can cause the seals to blow.

[DaveRushton]

Thanks :) I have 3 straps now - I do own a rear paddock stand also will try that!

[yorkie_chris]

I would NOT use a paddock stand. They are way more stable on the sidestand.
You lot make it sound really bloody complicated!

Put front wheel hard up to front corner.
Put on sidestand
Put in gear

Put one strap to something to stop it going backwards or right (front corner tie down? Sprinters usually have them...)
Put one strap to stop it going left.

Having the tripod arrangement of the sidestand is way more stable than trying to keep it upright.

You can easily loop straps through the frame.


By the way I commonly transport my own XJ900 like this in a vito and one of that things wheels weighs more than an SV ;)

[sniff]

We got the race bike round the UK in a sprinter with rear paddock stand. Never had any probelms to be honest. Just make sure it very secure before doing the off. And use something to soffen the sides tank ect so you dont get any dents or scuffs.

[phil24_7]

Chris - I always use the padlock stand with the track bike, only use the 2 straps, and I've never had a problem. I have also been known to drive like a look sometimes!

[DaveRushton]

Hmmm thanks guys, after looking at all of this i forgot about a ramp....i think i will make one, hope it holds!

[Bigtaff]

I've used half a scaffolding plank as a ramp in the past with no problems

[phil24_7]

I used to use a scaffold plank chopped in half until I happened upon an extendible alluminium one through my old work!