Tie down Mx bike

Deminiman

Hi, I am new to motocross, and am wondering what is the best and most secure way to tie down my bike. I have a single bike trailer, and I have been using a ratchet strap across the seat. But unfortunately my trailer has no springs, so it bounces on our great Irish roads, which causes the bike to fall over. Does anybody know of a fool proof way to tie a bike down. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Please Kill Me

Really, really not sounding smart, but use more straps! As a sideline, I transport bikes for mates (and my own to trackdays) and I use about 5 straps. One on each handlebar, one across the seat, and two at the back, one left side, one right side.

CJhaughey

With an offroad bike the amount of suspension travel makes it difficult to tie the forks down properly without overpressurising the forks and blowing seals.
What I used to do was get a block of wood 4"x4" and cut it so it would just fit above the front tyre between the mudguard.
This allowed me to put a tiedown on each bar and crank them right down until the forks compressed and the wood became trapped between the tyre and guard.
Once this is done the front end becomes rigid and doesn't give as the trailer bounces.
Makes for a very stable bike.
You can buy plastic gizmos that do the same job but they aren't as cheap.
Buy GOOD tiedowns, I use Ancra brand ones as they are by far the best.
I've seen plenty of bikes go down the road and its always more expensive than buying good tiedowns first day.

Deminiman

Thanks for that, gonna invest in better straps, better safe than sorry.

Please Kill Me

CJhaughey wrote: »

What I used to do was get a block of wood 4"x4" and cut it so it would just fit above the front tyre between the mudguard.
This allowed me to put a tiedown on each bar and crank them right down until the forks compressed and the wood became trapped between the tyre and guard.
Once this is done the front end becomes rigid and doesn't give as the trailer bounces.

That's a really good idea!

CJhaughey

Please Kill Me wrote: »

That's a really good idea!

Works for all bikes not just offroad ones, and really helps with seal life.

Deminiman

CJhaughey wrote: »

What I used to do was get a block of wood 4"x4" and cut it so it would just fit above the front tyre between the mudguard.
This allowed me to put a tiedown on each bar and crank them right down until the forks compressed and the wood became trapped between the tyre and guard.
Once this is done the front end becomes rigid and doesn't give as the trailer bounces.
Makes for a very stable bike.

Dont this yesterday, bike didn't budge, am delighted with it.. Thanks a million for the advice!!! :):)

LK KID

CJhaughey wrote: »

With an offroad bike the amount of suspension travel makes it difficult to tie the forks down properly without overpressurising the forks and blowing seals.
What I used to do was get a block of wood 4"x4" and cut it so it would just fit above the front tyre between the mudguard.
This allowed me to put a tiedown on each bar and crank them right down until the forks compressed and the wood became trapped between the tyre and guard.
Once this is done the front end becomes rigid and doesn't give as the trailer bounces.
Makes for a very stable bike.
You can buy plastic gizmos that do the same job but they aren't as cheap.
Buy GOOD tiedowns, I use Ancra brand ones as they are by far the best.
I've seen plenty of bikes go down the road and its always more expensive than buying good tiedowns first day.

where do you buy the tie downs from?
i use allmoto,ccm,russells mx for most of my parts,do they sell good one?
the block for the forks id good idea and lots of lads do it.dont bother buyin one just google plans for one and youd have it done in 20mins for less than a fiver.

Please Kill Me

LK KID wrote: »

where do you buy the tie downs from?
i use allmoto,ccm,russells mx for most of my parts,do they sell good one?
the block for the forks id good idea and lots of lads do it.dont bother buyin one just google plans for one and youd have it done in 20mins for less than a fiver.

Four of my tie-downs I got in Dog's Box when it was open, so I'm guessing most bike shops have them. The other ones (proper ratchet straps) I got in a hardware store.

paddy147

How I brought my Ducati 996 home from Sligo,when I bought it.:)

paddy147

Lidl and Aldi have good quality heavy duty ratchet strap sets for not alot of euros.

Thatnastyboy

I use full size ratchet straps from the motor factors/hardware, two on the front, one across the swingarm,

and I use 18inch cable ties to secure the wheels to the bottom of the trailer, might sound silly but it stops the initial movement on bumps that might allow left/right/up down movement and either loosen the straps or bounce the hook off the mounting point on the trailer.

Saw a lads bike come off the trailer and pass him out pulling up to a crossroads one day and that was enough for me to ensure the bike is tied down perfect every time.

Please Kill Me

paddy147 wrote: »

How I brought my Ducati 996 home from Sligo,when I bought it.:)

LMAO!! Nice and warm too by the look of it!! :pac:

paddy147 wrote: »

Lidl and Aldi have good quality heavy duty ratchet strap sets for not alot of euros.

Yep, have about 4 or 5 of them too. Pretty handy and inexpensive!

paddy147

Please Kill Me wrote: »

LMAO!! Nice and warm too by the look of it!! :pac:



Yep, have about 4 or 5 of them too. Pretty handy and inexpensive!

Yep,went to Sligo in the Transit Van early one morning,and brought her home later that afternoon.:)

Lovely bright sunny morning,and then it absolutely pi55ed rain in the afternoon on the way back home to Dublin.

Typical.:(