Securing Speedy in bed of truck

[GunslingerRC]

For reasons directly related to my mild (yet temporary) retardation, I have to get my 08 Speedy to the dealer on Monday for some needed repair work. I'll be loading it into the back of a friend's truck, and have taken care of the tie downs, ramp, etc.

Question is... How much load, if any, should I put on the front forks when I tie it down? I've heard around 1/3 compression is about right, but I didn't see that specified in my manual. (Well, that's mainly because I don't own a manual). Last thing I want to do is put the forks under a load if not required, and end up ruining them too.

Thanks. And any other suggestions are welcome.

[SKANK]

You don't have to rachet down too much about 1/3 way down. Just so you dont have any notictable right/left wobble when you tug it. I either put the hooks around the risers or loop the strap around the top tree and fork tube right and left sides. I even put mine on the kickstand sitting in the truck bed and tie it down like that. Additionally I would put a strap around the rear wheel to anchor the back end for a little x-tra security to prevent endos.

[Catenaccio]

This is not a suggestion. Simply a story of what I did when I brought my Speedie home from SLC. I used ratcheting straps around the triple tree and front forks and around and through the rear wheel. I really cinched the bike down, almost to full compression. (My 2nd son always accuses me of over-tightening.) The bike couldn't have moved had it been hit by a grenade.

When I got home and unloaded, some 350 miles later, the bike was fine but I'd bent the front portion of my pickup bed! It had a small 120/70-17 bend from the bike's front tire pressing into the leading edge. Bummer! Since then I cinch a bit looser and check a bit more often.

I've heard good things about Canyon Dancers http://www.canyondancer.com/ but never used any.

[955IGUY]

i don't use ratchets i use the pull tight type with loops for hooking around the bars or trips. i always just pull it down as much as possible usually have someone help compress the forks a bit. i have used something similar to the canyon dancers but prefer just using the looped straps. but as they said above its good idea to secure the rear tire as well so it don't bounce around on you.

[mnhoulden]

Unless you are gonna take a week to drive to the shop I wouldn't worry about compressing the forks. Short jaunt no worries. Just don't dent to your truck!!!

[Ride.]

I haul my bike on trucks or trailers all the time. Also other track riding friends haul their bikes all the time too. You simply need the bike braced side to side. Fork compression really needs to be no more than a 1/4 to 1/3. We use Canyon Dancers sometimes too and they help a little by making things a little simpler to hook up. Then put a strap on the back just to keep it down and keep it from sliding side to side. There's really no pressure needed at all on the back, and very little on the front. Unneeded pressure is just putting unwarranted stress on multiple crucial parts of your motorcycle.

That story about bending your truck bed. Holy **** dude! That's borderline retardation!

[Catenaccio]

No, that day it was full blown stupidity winning over my normal levels of retardation. I had a little help from the salesman, but I blame only myself for bending the bed. My bad. Oh well. Live and learn.

[GunslingerRC]

If I dent the truck bed I'm in real s**t as I borrowed it from a friend. Though that would be kind of a fitting ending to the situation I got myself into.

Btw - Bike went on to the truck with no problems this evening and all is tied down and secure. Should be back riding by this time tomorrow.

Thanks for all of the advice.

[Catenaccio]

Good luck!

[SKANK]

The moral is don't do it too tight even if you are only cinching it down for a few hours. It's not necessary, especially if you drive safely and are lucky enough not to have an accident. Its won't fall if its secured well enough...period