Trailering a bike?

A few weeks ago, I bought a single bike trailer to take my bike to Sprints and track days next year.

But I have no experience of tying down and using ratchet straps.
I was intending to use it to today as I am getting a new rear tyre on my SV, but decided it would just be easier to ride it to the garage instead.

Anyone got any tips and what not to do?

Cheers

Lushman

[Mr Speirs]

If it has a stop for the front wheel then buy a tyre down and job done.

I use on of these and a couple of ratchet straps. Easy to use and works a treat.

[Kenzie]

Originally Posted by trudd

I use on of these and a couple of ratchet straps. Easy to use and works a treat.

Those are ok but the ratchet you get with them is poo. Use that kit but with a better strap. I also run a strap over the pillion seat with a towel to protect the bodywork.

[Jayneflakes]

We use some sprung clips that we got from the Kawasaki dealer, they use them to strap down bikes in crates it seems. We also use ratchet straps, but not the thin cheap ones. Usually we strap the front end down good and hard, using the forks tubes between the yokes rather than fragile parts (like handlebars that the RAC used when they picked me up last!).

The rear end of the bike can then be secured easily and with a lot less fuss. Rather than just tying the wheels, we tend to use higher points too just incase the bike tries to fall over. Higher up the bike gives you more leverage and thus more security, but you do have to be careful what you fix the straps too. We also ensure that the bike cannot move back and forth.

The reason we have to do this is because we have a flat bed trailer and not a bike specific one. The principles still apply though. I hope that this is of help to you.

Originally Posted by Kenzie

Those are ok but the ratchet you get with them is poo. Use that kit but with a better strap. I also run a strap over the pillion seat with a towel to protect the bodywork.

Mine didn't come with any straps but yes I would agree that a decent set of straps is worth the money. I used to put straps on the back as well but don't bother anymore but I guess a lot of it will depend on the trailer design and tie down points.

Remember a car or van towing a trailor is limited to a max speed of 60mph and forbidden from using third lane on motorways

I have seen them belting down the third lane on motorways at 70-75mph and a few mile further down the motorway on the hard shoulder paying homage to the boys in blue.

[Sir Trev]

I'm guessing there will be some videos on Youtube explaining the different trailer tie-down methods?

[NTECUK]

Machine Mart do some good straps including the handle bar adapters.

[johnnyrod]

The cheap ratchet straps are indeed crap, mine lasted a few years and have frayed to bits. Got some Draper ones now, they were there at the time, much better but no plastic coating on the hooks.

I put one strap each from the handlebar to somewhere below and in front (in reality both ends hook in the same place but it's loop around the bar). Also one over the seat to stop it bouncing up and down.