Tie Down Tips

[Chippy4467]

Originally Posted by Will Morgan

On the ferries across the Bay of Biscay you put the bike in gear on the side stand. Then the crew use one big ratchet strap over the seat from deck anchor points either side. They ratchet them down HARD with a purpose designed cushion under the strap. The only problem I've ever had is it can take a while for the seat foam to recover its shape! They don't ever fit straps on handle bars, luggage racks or engine crash bars

My Gen1 was lowered and so bike sat very upright on side stand so when they ratcheted it down with the strap it was actually upright so could have tipped over  - I insisted on a second strap from the LHS upper protection bar to deck - they didn't want to at first but eventually agreed

[Meese]

I just bring my own ratchet straps so by the time the ferry guys get to me, I'm already locked down.

[Deaks]

Ditto for the strap across the seat for almost every ferry I've been on.

Only exception was from Dubrovnik to Bari and there were no tie down points in the floor, they just put all the bikes on their side stands and in gear, then strapped all the bikes to either the railing (if they were right next to the bulkhead) or the bike on the left (and therefore bracing yours against the side stand).
I was a bit apprehensive as it looked like they were making it up on the spot and the rest of the loading procedure was equally poorly organised but when I came back it the bike hadn't moved so I guess it worked out in the end!

[1675]

Crash bars and footrest hangers for me, though crews have just used the cushion over the seat method. I also carry a short quick release strap for the front brake lever which can be re used many times.

[Bjorn_OW]

Maybe a bit late as OP probably have made the trip by now. But still, lashing on ferries are important to know. I frown on the "over saddle" method as it requires so hard lashing over the bike that you're certain the suspension is well compressed. With a risk of the saddle to tear or break. If not being lashed down hard this way, the bike is likely to shift and move if rough sea is encountered as the bike's suspension compress and release due to the vessel/ferry movements at sea.

But to an ADV bike that normally has protruding pillion foot rest hangers and even solid crash bars, three anchoring lashes are required. I'd like to lash down the bike myself in this way:
1) Put the bike on the side stand.
2) Engage 1st gear.
3) One lashing from the left pillion foot rest hanger diagonally forward, out from the bike to forward lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
4) One lashing from the left pillion foot rest hanger diagonally rearward, out from the bike to rearward lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
5) One lashing from the right pillion foot rest hanger lateral out from the bike's right hand side - preferably perpendicular to the bike, to lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
6) For additional peace of mind, strap the front brake lever to the throttle handle by means of a small adjustable strap as a "parking brake".

Done this way, your bike is secured to forward, rearward, lateral and up/down movement. It can also be lashed down way harder than usually is achieved by the single lashing over the saddle.
Have a safe trip and enjoy the ride!

[Will Morgan]

Originally Posted by Bjorn_OW

Maybe a bit late as OP probably have made the trip by now. But still, lashing on ferries are important to know. I frown on the "over saddle" method as it requires so hard lashing over the bike that you're certain the suspension is well compressed. With a risk of the saddle to tear or break. If not being lashed down hard this way, the bike is likely to shift and move if rough sea is encountered as the bike's suspension compress and release due to the vessel/ferry movements at sea.

But to an ADV bike that normally has protruding pillion foot rest hangers and even solid crash bars, three anchoring lashes are required. I'd like to lash down the bike myself in this way:
1) Put the bike on the side stand.
2) Engage 1st gear.
3) One lashing from the left pillion foot rest hanger diagonally forward, out from the bike to forward lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
4) One lashing from the left pillion foot rest hanger diagonally rearward, out from the bike to rearward lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
5) One lashing from the right pillion foot rest hanger lateral out from the bike's right hand side - preferably perpendicular to the bike, to lashing point in ships cargo deck. Lashing length need max to be +1m / 3-5'
6) For additional peace of mind, strap the front brake lever to the throttle handle by means of a small adjustable strap as a "parking brake".

Done this way, your bike is secured to forward, rearward, lateral and up/down movement. It can also be lashed down way harder than usually is achieved by the single lashing over the saddle.
Have a safe trip and enjoy the ride!

That's OK on some ferries but having so many straps would be totally impossible on others. The ferry from UK to Spain is usually so crowded with bikes there is hardly enough space to stand between them. In that situation the option of several straps to different lashing points around the bike is totally unrealistic. You just have to manage with the minimum straps using the lashing points closest to he bike.

As for crushing the seat, I've never had a problem although it has looked like you might expect damage. They use a "cushion" to spread the load. As has been said before the deck hands know what they're doing = they tie hundreds of bikes down every day while we probably only do it a couple of times a year.

[Deaks]

 

In addition, with the single strap across the seat, when you ratchet it on the left side the aim is not really to fully compress the suspension but to tension the the bike against the sidestand.

In any case, you can only do so much and then you have to leave it and hope it's not a horrific crossing. 

[RedShane1]

They used the crash bars (like I hoped they would)and it worked a treat.
Happy now that they actually knew what to do (but that was one crew on one crossing ...) 👍

Originally Posted by Chippy4467

My Gen1 was lowered and so bike sat very upright on side stand so when they ratcheted it down with the strap it was actually upright so could have tipped over  - I insisted on a second strap from the LHS upper protection bar to deck - they didn't want to at first but eventually agreed

[jures]

Just crossed very very rough mediteranian sea on ferry for Tunis. Bike only on side stand and in gear, straps from front and rear body to floor on left side to support weight to left, never strapped on right side to avoid shift of weight.

Do not engage you brakes at all times. This is not good for cylinders, fluid etc, its not designed for long pressure. Also suspension will not be able to compensate movements

And never put it on center stand, both tires need to be on the ground and weight leaned on inside while on side stand. Engaged gear makes sure it cannot move front back and straps ensure it cannot flip on right

Never strap the bike on handlebars because straps need to pull bikes body down to ensure presure against side stand. Handlebar needs to be free to compensate some movememts

Just do what I said and thats it, bike and its suspension will do the rest. Bike has to allow micro movements to compensate movements. If not something can brake….its the law of fisics.

Its different when you put it on trailer - on trailer bike is straight and you need to push it down in order not to allow side movement. Its why on trailer also handlebar needs to be fixed and tied down (or strong tie down of the front suspension)