| Author | Message | ||
     Futureimagineer |
I just got an INCREDIBLE deal on my first motorcycle (a 03 Buell XB9S) on eBay. Now I have to travel 200 miles or so to pick it up. My parents have a garden trailer that can handle the weight & it has a rear gate that folds down (this is the kind that you can put a tractor on with out a problem.) 3 questions: Does an '03 have tie down points, how many tie down straps should I use, and how should I tie it down. I'm guessing that I don't need anything to keep the wheels in... but I am hoping someone can let me know. I'm planing on pu2ting 2 straps on each side to keep it upright and a strap on the front wheel and one on the rear wheel to keep it from going front or backwards. The only solution outside of that... is like renting a uhaul; and that wouldn't show any advantage that I can see (outside it being enclosed). Your experience will be greatly appreciated!! | ||
| Roadrage |
Assuming your trailer has a front wall of some kind to place the front wheel against, all you need are two tie downs on the handlebars running to each front corner, compressing the front forks as much as possible. Use strong straps with reliable buckle (with or without ratchet), no bungee material. I've been transporting bikes in this manner for 20 years, never had a problem. Need not worry about the rear unless your going to be bouncing over some really rough roads. | ||
| Ulywife |
Remember that you have compressed the front forks! When you get ready to unload the bike, make sure someone has a good hold on the bike and ready for it to spring when you let the tension go on the tie downs. If not, it could get very ugly very quickly. Some dealers sell soft straps which loop through themselves around the handlebars and then you connect the tie downs to them and the trailer. This keeps any metal or black plastic covering from rubbing on your bike. If loading or unloading at night, don't use black tie downs -- too hard to find in the dark! Get red or something easier to spot. After traveling a short distance, stop and check the tie downs and make sure the bike hasn't shifted. We also tie the "tails" of the tie downs so they don't flap in the wind. Best of luck - E-bay is how my husband got his M2 on Mother's Day no less - LOL! Kristi  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Yeah, you really only need two straps. You can hook these on the handlebars, or around the fork legs above the bottom tripple tree. I like the fork leg, but it all depends on the angle of the strap and if it feels secure. | ||
| Toona |
I do the two on the front (handle bars down to front corners) and still at least put one thru the rear wheel from bed corner to bed corner, but I usually tie the back down Like the front using the passenger peg mounts. You just never know when you will need to do an emergency stop. The extra 2 rear straps are cheap insurance. | ||
| Jaimec |
Why do you need to trailer it? Does the bike not run? My friend bought a used Ulysses on eBay from a dealership in Harrisburg. He took the Amtrak out, and RODE the bike back to Long Island... | ||
| Trac95ker |
Don't put your kickstand down when you tie it down. The stand wasn't made for that. It may break and the bike would fall down and ruin your day. | ||
| Percyco |
Why do you need to trailer it? Does the bike not run? One reason my be that the bike is not registered (dealers can do the paper work for you, private owners cant ). And I dont think I would jump on a bike that Im not used to, or have gone over and ride it 200 miles I think hes doing the smart thing.....  | ||
| Jaimec |
Trailering a running motorcycle is against my religion. I even have a sticker on my Beemer that says "If you see this motorcycle on a trailer, call 911" | ||
| Futureimagineer |
I want to trailer the bike because I just passed my Rider's Edge Course... so I don't think my skill level is up to a 200 mile drive on the Interstate. I'd rather get it home, and build up my skills on the bike. Give me a month or so & I will be ready for that. | ||
| Percyco |
If I had a BMW....I wouldnt trailer it either ! I wouldnt like all the oil leaked onto my nice trailer..............  sorry......couldnt resist that one, Beamers are pretty cool ! (Message edited by percyco on September 11, 2006) | ||
| Slaughter |
I also agree with tying around the forks, above the bottom triple. Works just fine, very secure. Ratchet-straps are nicer than conventional "yankee" straps but I've used ropes too in the past. Not as convenient as the "Canyon Dancer" type handlebar tie-down but perfectly stable. | ||
| Jaimec |
FYI: Contrary to what a lot of inexperienced riders believe, the interstate is the EASIEST place to ride! Everyone is going the same direction, there are no intersections, no cross traffic, no pedestrians and no one on bicycles. You generally don't have any shifting to do, just rolling the throttle on and off; probably won't even have to touch the brakes. Surface streets are a completely DIFFERENT story! Intersections, pedestrians, left turning vehicles, driveways, traffic lights, stop signs... you get the idea. | ||
| Jaimec |
Percyco: BMWs don't leak oil. You must be thinking of another European brand... Even in museums, BMWs are the bikes WITHOUT the catch pan beneath them... | ||
| Dpoole |
I did what last year what you're doing now. Use two straps on the handlebars and trailer the bike. The interstate is the safest, but 70+ mph winds are not the first experience you want. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I want to trailer the bike because I just passed my Rider's Edge Course. Common sense does prevail. Good thinking. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
congrats! ain't eBay motors cool?  i found my ducati on eBay. use a "canyon dancer" (about $30) on the handlebars (avail at any sportbike shop) a ratchet strap around each front forks is a nice extra degree of safety. then, either an additional left and right strap on the bike of the bike, or one around the rear wheel. that's how i trailer! welcome and smart choice not to make the maiden journey of 200 miles on a brand new license, D | ||
| Roadrage |
New rider and new bike, yeah, trailer is the way to go. You'll be able to have a good look over your machine before your first ride, tire pressure and condition, brakes, oil, belt, steering and wheel bearings, etc, etc, etc. | ||
| Dragonbuell12r |
I agree about putting the straps around the forks above the lower triple. Why put that stress on the handle bars and top triple when you don't have too. I would be worried that I have the straps too tight. | ||
| Slaughter |
I've seen Canyondancer bending the bars on the XB. Good system but it does bend the bars if you really tighten it up. Haven't heard of bars breaking but in the pic (from their website) - you can see that the loads go into the ends of the bars.  | ||
| Xb12rdude |
Yes they bend bars, don't use them. I didn't even tighten them that hard either. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hmmm that's odd, I've used canyon dancers for years without bending any of my bars. You can't go wrong with soft ties at the lower triple clamp though. Also if you over-tighten the straps on the front you can blow out fork seals. I also always stabilize the rear of the bike. Usually by hooking a strap to one of the rear corners of the trailer, looping it through and around the rear wheel and then anchor to the other rear corner. This keeps the rear of the bike from "walking" if you hit bumps, pot holes, railroad crossing etc. saves wear and tear on the bike and trailer. Good job thinking clearly about how to retrieve your new "baby". Keep it up! | ||
| Butch_xb9r |
This is how its done!   | ||
| Cmm213 |
Just borrow a buddys truck and tie it up in the bed. You can go faster without the trailer | ||
| Alanshouse |
Is that picture real? Who would have to transport a bike that bad? | ||
| Buellgirlie |
someone without friends who have trucks and trailers, apparently  yeowch! D | ||
| Mattwhite |
The most important thing is to take your time and have some help to hold the bike up while your securing it. I use a four point - bars and passenger peg brackets. It's a motorcycle trailer with a wheel chock. You can buy a chock to mount in a trailer or rig something up to keep the wheel from moving sideways. I've heard it's pretty easy to bend the bars with ratchet tie-downs. The CityX bars bend up right next to the mount so the force is applied right there. Triple trees are probably better, but the ratchet side of my tie-down was too long, so I had to go to the bars. Also make sure you don't pinch wires on the bars. Most of the motorcycle shops have "Soft-Straps" - a little loop of the same material used on the ratchet tie-downs, so you don't have the metal hook right on the bike. Trailering is a pain, but It'll be worth it when you get to ride. | ||
| Ulendo |
geesh and I though this ( http://www.trailtail.comwas what you guys were talking about  |
