Ferry Tiedowns

Suddie

Suddie

Joined
May 18, 2023
Messages
3
Age
46
Location
New zealand
Bike
St1300
Hi guys,

I've just recently purchased my first st1300. Wondering if you could five me some pointers on where I can attach my tiedown for on the ferry. My last bike was a cbr954rr and I just used the handle bars.
 
Take off the tip bar covers and strap to the metal frame underneath.

The passenger grab bars are also a good place. I would use both places. I would NOT use the handlebars. They're rubber mounted and not sturdy enough.

Also, I suggest leaving the bike in gear and strapping it so the transmission slack is taken up. Alternatively, a few rubber bands around the front brake lever will help keep it steady.
 
As per UP, you may find they insist they do it now anyway. It seems to have changed in the EU over the last few years. On the Portsmouth to Bilbao service last year they wouldn't let anyone tie their own bikes down. They had fancy straps with air cushions.
Upt.
 
Passenger grab rails are plastic,but they tied my bike down for years before l had that knowledge.In gear & thru the rear wheel is preferable.
 
Jethro said:
Passenger grab rails are plastic,but they tied my bike down for years before l had that knowledge.In gear & thru the rear wheel is preferable.
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Are they, or do they just appear to be?

They are where Honda states to attach the rear lifting straps to hoist the motorcycle out of the shipping crate when they arrive at the dealer. If they are solid enough to lift the motorcycle, they are more solid than plastic would seem to be.
 
I carry a pair of loops and ratchet straps. One loop through the lower triple tree attach a ratchet strap to the loop and the other end to the tie down ring on the deck. I remove the seat then attach a loop to the frame at the rear fender, then put the seat back on and hook the ratchet strap to the loop then to the ring on the deck. ( the bike is on the side stand and in gear.).
 
Suddie said:
...where I can attach my tiedown for on the ferry.
Click to expand...
On ferries (or car trains) you'll have to be quick...
On the dock I prepare double lashing loops on the lower triple and the passenger rails (or carrier stay to gain clearance on the panniers)
During embarkation I dart into my spot, place bike on sidestand, crack out my own tie-downs and attach them (front: right to left & left to right to gain clearance for the fairing!), gentle tension on LHS straps, then tension the RHS ones, pulling the bike vertically (off the sidestand) and into the springs... balance tie-down tension, done...

IMG_20220908_131134.jpg

Additionally I've some neoprene sleeves with zipper to cover the straps in areas they might touch painted surfaces (latching on the deck isn't always in favor of larger motorcycles)

IMG_20220831_134356.jpg

same technique works on trains (showing the reverse routing, loops wrapped around the fork tube above the lower clamp)

IMG_20220826_192031.jpg


Loading-masters/deck-hands on ferries take one glimpse, share an impressed thumbs up and move on to other business...

Untrained (hence sometimes overzealous) personnel on car trains must be kept away, as they would start attach more straps just anywhere on the bike: rotors, fork bottoms, handlebars (they're rubber mounted!!), fairing holes, through the wheels, around the spokes... :oops:

But I get where this comes from, as there many ignorant "tourist riders" just park their mount and walk away, leave "dirty jobs" to the low rank servants or such attitude... :mad:
 
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ddemair said:
I suggest leaving the bike in gear...
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Suddie said:
Up to 5m swells here in NZ
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...fighting the image of piston-rings rubbing up and down narrow spots o the cylinder walls... ;)

I've a Middleton Parking Brake on my 1100, but the rubber band idea seems valid, i.e. cut from an old inner-tube, just don't forget to take it off (an ST will push a locked front wheel... :biggrin:)
BTW inner-tube: such might also make a good protection-wrap for the passenger rails (ST1100 rubber-coated steel, ST1300 painted plastic), before attaching the loops...

dunno if the links works in NZ:

 
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@ST1100Y in your post #12 I see a bike that seems to be badged "Honda ST 700". Is this an optical illusion? A great looking bike that that I have never seen or heard of! Please elaborate! o_O
 
diferg said:
@ST1100Y in your post #12 I see a bike that seems to be badged "Honda ST 700". Is this an optical illusion? A great looking bike that that I have never seen or heard of! Please elaborate! o_O
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Running joke at the other pub: https://www.nt-owners.org/ :cool:
It's a Honda NT700VA I got for my GF, who likes a lot an rides the wheels off... (Feb through Nov)
 
Andrew Shadow said:
Are they, or do they just appear to be?

They are where Honda states to attach the rear lifting straps to hoist the motorcycle out of the shipping crate when they arrive at the dealer. If they are solid enough to lift the motorcycle, they are more solid than plastic would seem to be.
Click to expand...

I can confirm the ST1300 grab rails are plastic as mine broke when my garage collapsed on it as you can see in my avatar. Very burly plastic but plastic all the way through.
 
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