Tying down a motorcycle for transport

[matt167]

Good friend of mine recently wanted me to buy a motorcycle to ride with her and take the test with, so I found one I could afford and I pick it up tomorrow ( '00 GZ250, I rode dirt bikes 10 years ago but not much else )

I have to rent a trailer as I don't have one, and Uhaul is closed to get a motorcycle trailer.

How do I strap the bike down without a front chock?

 

[jbcurt00]

Sort if depends on available tie downs in/on trailer...

What kind if trailer,

No pickup bed avail?

I was able to put a Kawi Ninja 250 in a shortbed Ford Ranger and used front & rear corner anchors, some ratchet straps wrapped w terrycloth rags for a 3hr drive back after purchase.

 

[matt167]

Run of the mill garden trailer. tie downs on the outside. It's like $35 for me to rent for the day

My truck is actually a '21 Ranger and it has the 6' bed. Problem is that it sits much taller than an old Ranger. I'd hate to wreck the truck and the bike if it came off the ramp.

 

[poconojoe]

When you tie it down, make sure you fully compress the suspension. You want it tight without any bounce.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Yup, have someone sit on it as it's strapped down....

 

[matt167]

I ended up with a different, better bike. The guy with the Suzuki texted me when I was right near his house, that it needed a carb clean and wasn't running right. I didn't even bother looking after that point... I found this one farther away and picked it up today. 2012 V star 250 with 3,100 miles. Same price

I had someone sit on the seat as I cinched it up tight. I used a cheap HF motorcycle chock strapped into the trailer and it rode 2hrs home without any issues. I tightened the straps once

 

[poconojoe]

I ended up with a different, better bike. The guy with the Suzuki texted me when I was right near his house, that it needed a carb clean and wasn't running right. I didn't even bother looking after that point... I found this one farther away and picked it up today. 2012 V star 250 with 3,100 miles. Same price

I had someone sit on the seat as I cinched it up tight. I used a cheap HF motorcycle chock strapped into the trailer and it rode 2hrs home without any issues. I tightened the straps once

It fit a nicely in that trailer!
Glad it all worked out

 

[matt167]

Yup. It's a little small for me to own ( trailer ) but it worked well and towed well. It was an Ohio Steel trailer which I rented from the big orange store. I think they make them for HD only, as they have "HDR" in the model number and Ohio Steel lists them as Home Depot Rentals.

 

[sphelps]

Nice VStar ! Reminds me of my Maruader .. Another good idea on strapping bikes down to a regular trailer is to screw down a couple 2x4’s to keep the tires from slipping side to side. Just a precaution I guess .

 

[matt167]

Nice VStar ! Reminds me of my Maruader .. Another good idea on strapping bikes down to a regular trailer is to screw down a couple 2x4’s to keep the tires from slipping side to side. Just a precaution I guess . View attachment 338197

Nice bike, and yeah I was thinking about doing that, but the trailer was rented. I strapped the cheap HF bike wheel chock in, but I should have gotten the better model. All in all, it worked out