SpeedStrap Blog
Best Way to Tie Down Your Motorcycle
Nov
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TIE DOWN A MOTORCYCLE?
If you ride on two there will come a time when you will need to haul on four. Whether it’s to pick up your new bike for the first time, travel to a race, or deal with an unexpected breakdown, we put together these tips to help you tie down a motorcycle for safe hauling.
LOAD MOTORCYCLE ONTO TRAILER OR TRUCK
Ensure your ramp is securely fastened to your truck bed or tailgate with a sturdy strap to prevent back slippage. Before loading the bike, secure one end of each of your front two tie-down straps to one of the anchor points on your cargo bed’s front.
When guiding your bike up the ramp, a second ramp leading to your truck’s bumper, or a motorcycle stand that can be used as a stair for a step-up is a great way to size yourself when loading a bike.
REST MOTORCYCLE ON KICKSTAND OR WHEEL CHOCK
A wheel chock is essential if you transport a heavy Motorcycle often. Wheel chocks supply a solid anchor point for the front wheel and are usually strapped or bolted into place. If you don’t have a wheel chock the front tire of your motorcycle can be wedged into the corner of the bed.
By doing this, the bike’s front wheel can be braced. When transporting a dirt bike, it’s a good idea to support the forks with a fork chock to prevent long–term compression. Allowing any give in the straps and tie-downs means risking having the bike come loose and fall over. A thorough tie-down secures the bike to prevent any movement.
PASS SOFT LOOP STRAPS SECURELY AROUND THE HANDLEBARS OR FRONT FORK
When strapping down the front of the bike, have a friend sit on it to keep it upright in the truck bed. Put a strap through an anchor point on your bike. This could be the frame, crash bars, or the fork stanchions above the triple tree. Only the fabric strap should contact the bike, not metal hooks.
Metal hooks on the strap should be attached to the tie-down points in your truck bed, bed walls, or bed rails. You should be able to see the suspension compress as you tighten the strap. This process should also be repeated on the other side of the bike.
ATTACH TIE-DOWN HOOKS TO SOFT LOOPS
The front straps connect the bike to the truck bed or trailer. If something up front fails, such as a broken or loose strap, strapping down the rear of the bike is essential.
ATTACH OPPOSITE TIE-DOWN HOOKS TO ANCHOR POINTS
Similarly, to how you strapped down the front, you need to strap down the back. Find the anchor points in the rear of your truck bed and run a strap around your bike’s frame, subframe, or rear swingarm and back. Make sure the straps are snug but not too tight, or you could damage the bike.
To prevent straps from blowing in the wind, tie down the excess slack once everything is secured.
Light Duty Kits
Light Duty Kits
1.5 inch Ratchet Tie Downs (UTV, Buggy)
Kinetic Tow Ropes
TIGHTEN THE STRAPS UNTIL ALL OF THE SLACK IS GONE
Make sure each strap is evenly tensioned after the first fastening round. Next, grab your bike and give it a good shake. You’re good to go if everything stays in place.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Speedstrap’s Motorcycle Tie Down Kit is an excellent choice if you’re looking for tie-down straps for your Motorcycle!
It’s the last tie-down you’ll ever need!
