Ferry Tie-Down

[dpeace]

I'm taking my R1150RT on one of the ferries to the West Bend Rally. I have never had to tie it down before and I really don't know how. Where do I hook the tie-downs on this bike? How many will I need for the ferry? Is there any other equipment I will need?

[vetbmwrider]

Depends on which ferries you are using. The SS Badger will make you use your side stand which makes a 3 point contact. The Lake express will let you use your center stand if you like; the problem with using your center stand is that you only have 2 point of contact. My personal choice would use the side stand on both boats. I would also carry some soft straps to aid in the tie down. I hook up the soft straps either to just over the fender on the forks just watch out for the brake lines. Depending on some years of RTs the handle bars, they can not handle the down force pressure if you tie down from them, which could result in bent or broken handle bars and the bike falling. The rear end of the bike can be tie down from most areas of the frame. On either ship if you have problem just ask one the crew they will help

[lazygoodan]

Vet,
Thanks for the info. I've never been on either ferry, but I will be using both ferries (one each way) for the rally.

I've trailered my R1100RS a few times (I know, but I have a good excuse -- taking the whole family to the cottage for vacation). I've secured the bike using four tie downs (2 each side), without using the center stand or the side stand. I've tied down suspension arm at the front, and to the frame at the rear. This effectively pulls the bike down on its suspension, allowing the suspension of the bike to absorb bumps.

If I have the side stand down, any pounding of the boat on the waves will be transmitted directly to the frame of the bike. Maybe the ferries are big enough that the ride is smooth, but I'd never tie my bike down that way on a trailer.

[vetbmwrider]

When you tie the bike down with the side stand down you will do just park the bike and tie the bike down snug and leave it gear. Yes, Lake MI can be very rough a few years back it was so rough it damaged the Lake Express vehicle doors and that was during the summer and I recall having a blue sky day here in Milwaukee. If I was going to use the ferries system I would use the SS Badger because of more areas to tie off from and I just like the old like the old ship. I have used both with no problems one is just faster then the other.

[osaiyid]

I was thinking about the Ludington-Manitowoc ferry. Any comments?:dunno

[Fritzc]

I was thinking about the Ludington-Manitowoc ferry. Any comments?:dunno
Unless something has changed, I suggest you bring your own tie downs for the Badger. The Badger has a steel grating you park your bike on and you hook onto the floor and ratchet them down snugly.:)

[vetbmwrider]

The SS Badger does not supply cargo straps. The story is that people would not return them, so they stopped supplying them to the customers. When I use the SS Badger I bring 4 straps and 2 soft straps to tie down my bike. Some may say that an over kill. I have seen people only use 2 straps and their bikes where ok, but in rough water they had worry look about them during crossing.

[dpeace]

Okay, another dumb question. What's the difference between a tie-down and a soft tie-down?

[lawman]

a good question, not a dumb question. a tie down will attach (or hook on to) your bike by way of an S hook either metal or plastic coated metal; to protect your bike you should use a soft tie which is a piece of material with a loop on each end that you can thread through the bike frame, prior to passing the hook of the tie down through the two loops; some newer tie downs have a built in sort tie; highly recommend their use....wj

[vetbmwrider]

To find soft ties most motorcycles shops carry them or you can find them in most motorcycle catalogs or online. The price for them range for a pair range from 8 to 25 dollars depending on the length and who you purchase them from.

[jettech01]

I'm taking my R1150RT on one of the ferries to the West Bend Rally. I have never had to tie it down before and I really don't know how. Where do I hook the tie-downs on this bike? How many will I need for the ferry? Is there any other equipment I will need?


I have used the USS Badger before (2002 I believe) and you would be advised to use 4 tiedowns.
The front spot that is prefered by many is to loop a couple of soft tie's around the lower front legs (just above the front fender) be careful of the brake lines. Then connect the tiedowns to the soft ties, and then secure the rear area with a point near the rear pegs (area) frame. Soft ties will be good here as well. You will not be able to access your bike during the crossing so be careful to secure all items loose or able to (vacate the bike) come up missing.
The entire lower deck (cargo hold) of the Badger is closed to passengers during the crossing.

[BigTim]

Someone recently told me the Express supplies the tie downs. I would take a set anyhow there will be a lot of bikes crossing so just in case it's cheap insurance, and soft ties also!

I have trailered motorcycles all over the US and if you control the front end the rest will follow. The exception would be the rear end could slide under some conditions. One strap wrapped around the tire and wheel anchored on each side will do the trick.

Remember, where the head goes the body must follow. Good luck on the journey.:thumb :thumb

[GSCookeMnster]

So, while I've tied down a bike in a trailer, never had to do it on a ferry. When I traveled to Nova Scotia, I watched some motorcycles being secured on that ferry. They used 2 tie downs, one on each side and the ferry had blocks for the wheels front & rear. What I'm hearing is that I need 4 tie downs, one running off from each side and then one each for the front and rear. Is that how it works.

PS- I plan on taking the Badger over on Monday morning and the Lake Express back on Sat, so I'll get to see the lake both ways. Can't wait, just need to get my butt in gear and make some reservations before the boats fill up.

Brian

[vetbmwrider]

On either the SS Badger or the Lake Express they do not have blocks for the tires. On the Lake Express you are tying off from fixed points on the floor. The area in which you park your bike is about 3x6 ft area which is fine if you have a sport bike or small bike. The last time I used this ferry the owner of the bike could use the side stand which makes a 3 point contact with the car deck, or they could use the center stand which only make 2 point contact with the car deck. My preference is using the 3 point contact because 1. The bike is in gear 2. Both tires on the deck 3. The side stand does help support the bike. The lake express does supply cargo straps or tie downs. But if the ferry is crowded you may have to search for them because these are the same straps that cars will be using also. I would secure my bike with 4 straps and use soft ties in aiding in securing the bike. With my K 1200lt I always use the soft ties because of very little area to tie of from and they give ways to secure the bike with out the straps rubbing against the plastic.

The SS Badger gives you more room to secure your bike and more angles to tie off from because of the grated floor, and you have to supply your own cargo straps, and I would also use 4 straps and soft ties to secure my bike.

[jaytee]

I called a nice lady at the SS BAdger office and they suggested 2 tie downs with an s-hook on each. Apparently one parks their bike on a grating: the s-hook goes to the grating, the other to a suitable place on your bike. I have a 1200gs and I terminate the tie down ( a loop) on each side of the the forks where the cross brace and fender meet. This way the front whell doesn't move, but the bike can bounce on its usspension. (I've shipped the bike across Canada that way with no problems). Also I've crossed Lake Huron on an Ontario ferry. They supply an old hunk o rope that one lashes to a deck ring the onther end to a suitable place on the bike (see above). Also I've crossed to Vancouver Is., BC and the ferry service there supplies a big "stepped" wooden chock that you jam under the right side of the bike, while the bike is in gear and on its side stand. Hope this helps?? My only other suggestion with S hooks, especially on the down end: if the bike moves up and down it is possible for the S hook to unhook... and you've got a bike on its side!! (I know this to be true). So "mouse" the hook (an old sailing term that means to secure the open end of the hook) with twine or duct tape so it can't unhook. (I use a piece of shock cord to keep the hook under constant tension).
Is this legible?.... I am on my 3rd galss of wyn....

[Shmegma]

I have a 1200CLC and this monster is a bit side stand foot sensitive. When parking the bike on this type of floor grating in the ferry, is there any opportunity to get stuck, bent or anything else? I was thinking of taking a side stand plate to put the foot on. Any suggestions or concerns?

[vetbmwrider]

The gratiing is the same as one would find used on any bridge. If the CLC uses the same sidestand as 1200c maybe I would use some type plate, I never have taken my 1200c across lake MI on the SS Badger so I cannot tell how the side stand would work on that on her. I would think about what tie down points you have for the bike. Because the CLC is like the K1200lt not very many tie down points.

[Fritzc]

I have a 1200CLC and this monster is a bit side stand foot sensitive. When parking the bike on this type of floor grating in the ferry, is there any opportunity to get stuck, bent or anything else? I was thinking of taking a side stand plate to put the foot on. Any suggestions or concerns?
I've crossed on the Badger several times and used the sidestand without any problems. A plate would be a good idea and I always carry one even though I rarely use it. The Lake Express has solid steel decks with "Deadmen" ( I think that is the term) to hook your tiedowns to. I definitely would take my own tiedowns even though they say they are supplied. :nod

[sjbmw]

I plan on bringing 2 ratchet straps on the Lake Express.

http://www.cargogear.com/OneItemInfo.aspx?partnum=HIRTD1X12E

Someone posted that using a centerstand is not the best idea, why is that?

[jdmetzger]

I plan on bringing 2 ratchet straps on the Lake Express.

http://www.cargogear.com/OneItemInfo.aspx?partnum=HIRTD1X12E

Someone posted that using a centerstand is not the best idea, why is that?

It depends on what sidestand you have. For an airhead, I'd be afraid of the stock sidestand snapping mid-trip. Still, the sidestand is going to be more stable, overall. It spreads the weight out over 3 points in a triangle. The centerstand is really two point (or 3 if you really ratchet it down), but those points are in a straight line, so it could still be prone to tipping over. Granted, I have transported my bike in a trailer on it's wheels using only ratchet straps and it was fine, but I also used an excessive number of ratchet straps, and had plenty of attachment points.

[dlearl476]

I just spent the last two weeks in Europe and have 4 ferry trips: Dover Calais and Liverpool Douglas. I took lots of ferry pics and I'll load them asap (Im in JFK right now) Suffice it to say, the ferry employess pretty much did it all, very efficiently.

[SHAG]

I was thinking about the Ludington-Manitowoc ferry. Any comments?:dunno

I'm riding the Badger Monday morning :wave

[srb]

Whenever I've trailered a bike or put it in a pick-up truck, I've used neither the side nor center stand. Two tie-downs up front (soft straps if needed) compress suspension a little, and maybe one or two in the back.

[danielroth]

For those of us with horizontally opposed motors, especially older models, when you pull into the spot on the ship where the guy tells you to tie down. Tip your bike to the RIGHT after shutting down the motor (the more you can tip it for >5 seconds, the better). This will aid in draining the oil that sits in the left head and help avoid a smoky startup in a ship hull. Dramatic, but not cool unless on a Harley
I rode across on the Badger last fall. Do bring your own tie downs. I used two, one on each side of the upper triple tree that hooked to themselves at the top end. Make sure your front tire is right up against the bulkhead. Depressing the forks when holding the front break and tightening the straps in progressive steps on the side stand. This is why I suggest tipping to the right to drain the left head of oil due to the more extreme lean angle.
-dan in michigan

[dlearl476]

Better late than never. Ferry tie-down:

http://crs-america.smugmug.com/photos/167437922-S.jpg

"Side-stand and in gear" the crew ties the far foot peg to an aluminum railing between rows of bikes. (Liverpool-Isle of Man)

http://crs-america.smugmug.com/photos/167412039-S.jpg

Dover-Calais, once again "Side-stand and in gear" ratchet strap over the seat to stars in the deck. Crew did it all.

http://crs-america.smugmug.com/photos/167436757-S.jpg

The queue for the return.

http://crs-america.smugmug.com/photos/167436859-S.jpg

A few bikes on board!