ratchet straps for hauling my bike to NC

[wareaglef100]

Would these be sufficient, or do you recommend any others from either Sears or any other site?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G4


I appreciate all input and help!
Steven

[guerra]

Whats wrong with your bike? does it not run? don't take this the wrong way but the only time my bikes see a truck or trailer is if their broke. and i live in west Texas where it is almost riding wheather year round. i dont know where you live so there may be 12' of snow in your area? about the straps those work really well... what bike do you have?

[Ranchero50]

How heavy is yor bike and how much do you value it? What are you hauling it in, truck or trailer, wood or steel floor? What type roads and traffic?

Personally I buy the best straps I can find, four straps for $18 is what $4.50 each to support your bike. The description doesn't say the load capacity which reflects the piss poor salesforce out there today. I would look for at least a 1000lb capacity strap.

When my buddy went to Daytona we welded some 5" C channel to his trailer deck for each bikes tires to ride is so they couldn't kick sidewaysm then strapped them, two front, two rear at 45` angles to help keep the bikes from shifting for-aft.

Jamie

[wareaglef100]

I have a Kawasaki Vulcan 750. Nothing wrong with my bike. I am moving to NC and will be driving my 70 F100 lwb, hauling the bike in the back. Want to make sure to have good straps. btw, where would I tie them down on the truck? Would I thread one end through each of the corner thingamajigs (those square holes in each corner of the bed)?

[Racer Z]

The advertisement doesn't tell me how strong they are. As pointed out, the bigger and heavier your bike, the stronger your straps need to be. I've been hauling bikes around since before I had a licence, both for pleasure and for hire. I use the $25 each straps that are rated for 1000 pounds or better. And I do not like the self-ratcheting type.

Depending on the type of motorcycle you have, you may also need a set of "soft ties" and or a "Canyon Dancer". Most motorcycle shops will have everything you need.

I always put a strap on each corner of the bike. I've seen other guys not and laugh at me until their bike falls over. And yes, I've had bikes fall over in my truck too.

I keep a set of these in my truck at all times. It's amazing how often I use them carry things around other than motorcycles.

[wareaglef100]

The advertisement doesn't tell me how strong they are. As pointed out, the bigger and heavier your bike, the stronger your straps need to be. I've been hauling bikes around since before I had a licence, both for pleasure and for hire. I use the $25 each straps that are rated for 1000 pounds or better. And I do not like the self-ratcheting type.

Depending on the type of motorcycle you have, you may also need a set of "soft ties" and or a "Canyon Dancer". Most motorcycle shops will have everything you need.

I always put a strap on each corner of the bike. I've seen other guys not and laugh at me until their bike falls over. And yes, I've had bikes fall over in my truck too.

I keep a set of these in my truck at all times. It's amazing how often I use them carry things around other than motorcycles.

Thanks Racer. Have heard about the soft ties. Would need one for each corner, correct?

[wareaglef100]

Okay, think these are a lot better...

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... id=2630215

[Racer Z]

Thanks Racer. Have heard about the soft ties. Would need one for each corner, correct?

That depends on your bike.
Dirt bikes have plenty of good, strong mounting locations with nothing in the way to scratch or break. You probably won't need any soft ties if you have a dirt bike.

Modern street bikes with full fairings do not have easy to reach mounts. Some of what looks like a mount won't hold the load. You may need four soft ties to strap a full-fairing or full dresser in. Try to grab the frame or lower triple-tree fork mount with a soft tie.

The "Canyon Dancer" is a trade-marked product name that grabs each handle bar and offers excellent support while avoiding the delicate fairing. I have used this on full dressed Gold Wings and other HUGE bikes as well as the pocket racers they were designed for. It's not an inexpensive product. But a new fairing costs a lot more.

[Racer Z]

Okay, think these are a lot better...

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... id=2630215

I would feel safe using those. I think the last set I bought is rated at 1250 per strap and I would feel confident using four on a big bike. In fact I have used them on big bikes.

[DuckRyder]

I'll use nothing but Ancra:

ANCRA
Any good bike shop should be able to get them for you if they don't have them, if not Dennis Kirk.

Dennis Kirk Motorcycle

[The Good Humor Man]

I use one one each side of the handlebars, the loop one around the front tire, to a low hook on each side, and then do the same with the rear tire. You don't want to tie it high, and have the tires slide sideways, the bike will tip over.

[fordman]

the color of the streaps determines how much wieght they can protect. green is wimpy yellow are 330o pound it says. red is better and blue is the top of the rating. that the way i was told.

[Happy_Camper]

I'll use nothing but Ancra:

ANCRA
Any good bike shop should be able to get them for you if they don't have them, if not Dennis Kirk.

Dennis Kirk Motorcycle

I'll second that vote! I have hauled bikes all over, and Ancra straps have always worked great for me.
I like the bike center of the bed, and parallel with the length of the truck. Then I tie down to the front two corners, and if only the bike is in the bed, I'll tie down from the subframe, or footpegs to the back corners. Or make a loop around the rear tire, then cross tie to the back two corners. I block the front wheel so it wont turn either way. I've run pretty hard through rough canyon roads like this.
In short bed trucks I've gone corner to corner, but never really felt comfortable. Hard to tie down securely to keep it upright on rough roads.
Safe travels!

[Racer Z]

I had a customers bike in the back of the company truck once. I worked at a motorcycle shop and the truck was outfitted for the purpose of hauling bikes. The bike was an old CB650 or similar style bike, prone riding position and no fairings.

I had strapped in using "Ancara" straps, one on each corner of the bike. I had grabbed the steel handle bars with the hooks and run down and forward. I also grabbed the steel seat bar at the rear and went straight out and down. This was my usual method of tying a bike in.

It all seemed good and off I went. After a few miles I saw movement in the mirror. I turned my head to see the bike on it's side, flailing around. Of course I pulled over and stopped to investigate, heart pounding knowing I was in deep doodoo.

One of the front straps had come loose and the bike was at about a 50 degree angle, still being supported by the three remaining straps. It was just inches from smashing the truck and causing serious damage to the bike. As near as I can figure, I had not sucked the suspension down fully. A bump or dip in the road caused the suspension to compress allowing a strap to unhook.

Had I not used the rear straps, the bike would have been flung into the sharp corner of the truck's bed sides causing major havoc to the motorcycle. Fortunately for all, there was no damage to the bike or truck and I lived to tell the tale.

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i use nothing but keeper 2" straps for the big stuff

i like to use 1" straps for very light loads under 500lbs

EDIT: i forgot to mention the 2" keepers are about $15-20 each