Tie Down
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
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Tie Down
I'm planning on taking the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan in about a month. I've trailered bikes before and feel confident on how to tie down, but have always had a chock to work with. On the ferry, there are no chocks, just tie down points. I have a RKC, and I was planning to tie down on the front where the crash bar meets the frame, but am worried about the front wheel being free. I know Kuryakyn makes the tie down adaptor for mounting on the front forks, which looks like it might work quite well, but I want to avoid purchasing if I can. Advise/input on tying down without a chock would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
TedMan
TedMan
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Joined: May 2008
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From: 'Noke, VA
Interesting. I've taken the bike on the Cape May Ferry and not had an issue with the bike just being on the sidestand. I just backed it up to the bulkhead and turned the bars. They keep small blocks of 4x4s there to wedge against the tires.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,549
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From: North Texas
I'm planning on taking the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan in about a month. I've trailered bikes before and feel confident on how to tie down, but have always had a chock to work with. On the ferry, there are no chocks, just tie down points. I have a RKC, and I was planning to tie down on the front where the crash bar meets the frame, but am worried about the front wheel being free. I know Kuryakyn makes the tie down adaptor for mounting on the front forks, which looks like it might work quite well, but I want to avoid purchasing if I can. Advise/input on tying down without a chock would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
TedMan
TedMan
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Just lightly tie it down..... don't compress the suspension much. Put the bike in gear. If it's a real calm day, you don't need to do anything except put it in gear. But tie downs are just insurance in case of a freighter wake. Tie at the top of the engine guards at the frame... bike in gear... lock the forks.
Better yet...... ride the bike AROUND the lake
Better yet...... ride the bike AROUND the lake
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
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Just lightly tie it down..... don't compress the suspension much. Put the bike in gear. If it's a real calm day, you don't need to do anything except put it in gear. But tie downs are just insurance in case of a freighter wake. Tie at the top of the engine guards at the frame... bike in gear... lock the forks.
Better yet...... ride the bike AROUND the lake
Better yet...... ride the bike AROUND the lake
Been through Chicago traffic a couple of times on my way out to Sturgis and don't want to do that this time. I like the thought of leisurely trip across the lake, and from there we will go around the rest of the lake, through the UP and back down. I can't wait to put the new RKC103 through its paces. Ride safe.
TedMan
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Mount Prospect, IL
Great Ride
Tedman,
I took the ferry last year and it was a great experience. They provide the ratchet tie downs. I brought my own nylon loop type fasteners to tie to the bike and then used hooked into their tie downs. I believe I just put down the kick stand and stabilized the bike using the front and rear "crash bars". The ferry ride is very smooth.
I took the ferry last year and it was a great experience. They provide the ratchet tie downs. I brought my own nylon loop type fasteners to tie to the bike and then used hooked into their tie downs. I believe I just put down the kick stand and stabilized the bike using the front and rear "crash bars". The ferry ride is very smooth.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 288
Tedman,
I took the ferry last year and it was a great experience. They provide the ratchet tie downs. I brought my own nylon loop type fasteners to tie to the bike and then used hooked into their tie downs. I believe I just put down the kick stand and stabilized the bike using the front and rear "crash bars". The ferry ride is very smooth.
I took the ferry last year and it was a great experience. They provide the ratchet tie downs. I brought my own nylon loop type fasteners to tie to the bike and then used hooked into their tie downs. I believe I just put down the kick stand and stabilized the bike using the front and rear "crash bars". The ferry ride is very smooth.
TedMan
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
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Me and my wife are planning on taking the ferry over to Michigan for the day and then spending the night at a bed & breakfast, then heading back to Milwaukee the next day.
Got the round trip ticket for a Christmas gift. Good info on the tie down situation, thanks guys.
Got the round trip ticket for a Christmas gift. Good info on the tie down situation, thanks guys.
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Road Warrior
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