Advice on Using Tie-Downs

[garyahouse]

So there ya go. Everything you ever wanted to know about tie downs... but we forgot one. You can tow your bike without any tie downs. Talk about easy... just put a car tire on the thing. Drive it up into the trailer, leave it in gear, hop off the bike, and it stands up by itself.

So, pick your favorite response, and happy towing.

That completes our official

"everythingyaeverwantedtoknowbouttiedowns."

Gary

darksider #44

 

[danh600]

I love my condor chalks. They would almost hold the bike up without straps. (No I haven't tried that)

There are adjustment holes on the condors. I put the FJR in the 3rd hole and it does not rub. For the cruisers I leave the condors all the way to the last hole.

My method:

Condor chalks

Soft loops

Racket straps

Enclosed trailer

I would not put my FJR on some set ups I see. I would be too nervous.

We have a cargo trailer that has been converted to a toy hauler camper. Our bikes have been on several long trips and a multitude of weekend camping trips. So far no damage from towing.

 

[BikerGeek99]

First of all, welcome to Ohio! There are a few of us around here, but be warned - all the roads in Ohio are flat, straight, and boring. Oh, so boring. The roads in Ohio are so flat, straight, and boring, in fact, that a group of weirdos gets together once or twice a year in Marietta to lament how much all the roads in Ohio suck.

Anyway.

Depending on your timeline, and if ya don't want to drag the bike to NJ and back, if you want a safe place to stash your bike for a little while, I'm in Marysville, which is northwest of Columbus, and I've got garage space. Well, it's cluttered as **** right now but this would be good motivation to get things ship-shape.

 

[N4HHE]

Use the loops from the bottom of the triple to a tiedown on the floor. Make sure the forks compress 50% (not more!).

There are tiedown straps with built-in "soft-ties". Or you can purchase separate soft-ties, about 12" long with a loop in both ends. Or you can use a simple tie-down strap with hook in each end by running up from your anchor around the fork leg and all the way back down with the other end of the tie-down.

 

[N4HHE]

A couple of trailer queens eh?

Yup! Pampered sissies!

Husaberg is on its 4th set of chain and sprockets. Many more tires. I carry spare brake pads in my riding gear bag and have no idea how many I've gone through. Had 2 sets of wheels until I busted all the spokes out of the aftermarket rear.

KTM belongs to a friend.

 

[N4HHE]

What size canyon dancers are best for the FJR?

Read the warnings and instructions at the Canyon Dancer website. Says not to use on handlebars with greater than 4" rise.

No reports of FJR riders bending handlebars with Canyon Dancers but plenty of other makes and models have been damaged. Thats why most of the CD packaging is warnings and there is a big list of don'ts on their website.

There really isn't any excuse for Canon Dancer other than there is something which makes people think they are supposed to tie motorcycles from the handlebars.

 

[El Toro]

1. Don't try the condor chock without tie downs. Don't ask me how I know. No FJRs were damaged during the experiment.

2. The FJR bars aren't going to bend ... at least I don't think that's how they would fail due to down forces. I think they would likely fail at their bolt on point ... in fatigue.... and that it would not be so much fun to find out. This is a big issue for me, and it is a major reason why I prefer the Cycle Cynch to the Canyon Dancer.

 

[tjcin]

Thanks for the offer BikerGeek, that's very generous. We are not in Ohio full time yet, but it won't be too long from now. I won't be needing a place to stash it, I plan on getting it back to NJ and racking up some miles this summer.

 

[tjcin]

My Condor and the Canyon Dancers arrived this week. Today is the day to install the Condor in my trailer.

 

[PhatAir4Me]

Canyon Dancers

That looks like the Bend Riverside Inn behind you...?

 

[PhatAir4Me]

Hey Rob, that Beemer guy has too much money!

Government employee.... say no more.

Sure is you could tell, zoom in on that front tire!

 

[danh600]

1. Don't try the condor chock without tie downs. Don't ask me how I know. No FJRs were damaged during the experiment.

Haha. I was wondering if anyone tried that. I have to admit. I keep my Honda cruiser in my trailer on

condors unstrapped and I have moved it to mow around. It hasn't fallen over yet.

I never store the FJR in the trailer. It get's hot in there and I am not sure if that would do

something to all the Tupperware on the FJR. Plus, if anyone stole my trailer when my FJR was in it

I would cry or die or something.

 

[HyperPete]

I have used the Canyon Dancer once. I hated it.
My advice is to use the soft loops around the bottom triple clamp, run the tie downs to eye bolts in the trailer floor. The use of a relatively cheap Harbor Freight wheel chock will make this whole process more secure.

Exactly what I do, and I bought the Harbor Freight chock, too. Make certain you get good quality tie-down straps that are rated for about twice the weight of your bike, to be safe.

 

[PhatAir4Me]

I have used the Canyon Dancer once. I hated it.
My advice is to use the soft loops around the bottom triple clamp, run the tie downs to eye bolts in the trailer floor. The use of a relatively cheap Harbor Freight wheel chock will make this whole process more secure.

Exactly what I do, and I bought the Harbor Freight chock, too. Make certain you get good quality tie-down straps that are rated for about twice the weight of your bike, to be safe.

Yep don't buy those cheap bright orange pieces of sheet at HF, I see them laying along side the road all the time, that should tell you something.

 

[HyperPete]

I have used the Canyon Dancer once. I hated it.
My advice is to use the soft loops around the bottom triple clamp, run the tie downs to eye bolts in the trailer floor. The use of a relatively cheap Harbor Freight wheel chock will make this whole process more secure.

Exactly what I do, and I bought the Harbor Freight chock, too. Make certain you get good quality tie-down straps that are rated for about twice the weight of your bike, to be safe.

Yep don't buy those cheap bright orange pieces of sheet at HF, I see them laying along side the road all the time, that should tell you something.

Agreed. U-haul sells Pro-grip brand that gets good reviews. They are inexpensive, too.

https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Motorcycle-towing/