Crashed in Trailer!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,419
Likes: 56,986
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
An old adage goes "There are two kinds of Bikers, Those that have crashed and those that are going to crash" ... Looks like you may have paid your "dues" without inflicting any pain on your person. Hope everything works out well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 3
From: Sevierville, TN
So the other day when I took delivery on my 2014 Limited, our son got sick and couldn't go so I had to go by myself and couldn't find anyone to go with me, so I took my enclosed trailer to haul it back.
After all the paperwork was completed I drove the bike up in the tailer and put it on the kick stand. The salesman and shop guy insisted on strapping it in for me and I figured they had strapped down a lot more than I had (I had only trailered my old bike once)
They knew I was particular about not getting ANY scratches on it and I had gone in a purchased some strap extenders to be sure I did not get any scratches...
So after a couple head scratches, the shop guy goes to work and straps it in and is happy with his work. Shakes the bike and says if it moves now, your trailer has fallen apart...
I close up the back ramp and head home for my hour long journey home. When I arrive back at home, I now have an audience excited to see the new bike. I open the door and ...
...my heart stopped beating and I was speechless...he had strapped the front straps to the two front lights and it had snapped it right off.
I was extremely lucky that there was NO other damage. No scratches to anything. The bike did not hit the sides of the trailer and the engine guard and sadlebag guard protected the sides.
I immediately took photos and called the salesman who was also speechless and promised to do whatever it took to make it right.
After all the paperwork was completed I drove the bike up in the tailer and put it on the kick stand. The salesman and shop guy insisted on strapping it in for me and I figured they had strapped down a lot more than I had (I had only trailered my old bike once)
They knew I was particular about not getting ANY scratches on it and I had gone in a purchased some strap extenders to be sure I did not get any scratches...
So after a couple head scratches, the shop guy goes to work and straps it in and is happy with his work. Shakes the bike and says if it moves now, your trailer has fallen apart...
I close up the back ramp and head home for my hour long journey home. When I arrive back at home, I now have an audience excited to see the new bike. I open the door and ...
...my heart stopped beating and I was speechless...he had strapped the front straps to the two front lights and it had snapped it right off.
I was extremely lucky that there was NO other damage. No scratches to anything. The bike did not hit the sides of the trailer and the engine guard and sadlebag guard protected the sides.
I immediately took photos and called the salesman who was also speechless and promised to do whatever it took to make it right.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
I feel for ya. We take it for granted that dealership personnel know what they're doing but this is just one of many examples that some don't. Glad they're repairing the bike for you. I've had to stop trusting hired individuals and check for the obvious myself a few times.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
The chrome for tie-downs are a great idea, if you can find them to fit your bike.
(As soon as they make them for my S/E I'll buy set for my bike).
Through the years I've had one bike turn over inside of an enclosed trailer, and one tie-down strap come loose due to the hooks not being curved enough.
I'm going to buy two pairs of straps this week that have the safety spring clips that will prevent the straps from unhooking simply because they get a little slack in them.
FWIW, I hook the straps around the frame neck just above the engine and this seems to do very well.
(As soon as they make them for my S/E I'll buy set for my bike).
Through the years I've had one bike turn over inside of an enclosed trailer, and one tie-down strap come loose due to the hooks not being curved enough.
I'm going to buy two pairs of straps this week that have the safety spring clips that will prevent the straps from unhooking simply because they get a little slack in them.
FWIW, I hook the straps around the frame neck just above the engine and this seems to do very well.
