Tie downs

[StarTraveler649]

Any suggestions on tieing down a Spyder to a trailer for a road trip ?

HAuling the Spyder to Panama City for Thunder Beach. Can't ride it due ot the inability to carry my bags, my scuba gear and my wife ! :sour:

I am thinking of tie downs through the rims front and rear, but first time securing a Spyder so not sure. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[dabreitbach]

Thats exactly how you do it. Right thru the wheels. Just do not run it thru the rear pully.:2thumbs:

 

[StarTraveler649]

That is why I love this site, less then 2 minutes and I have an answer !!! :2thumbs:


Thanks !

 

[mike3069]

There are suggestions in the owners manual you can look at also.

 

[Don in E Texas]

Don't know what trailer you might be using, but do watch the very front end of your Spyder that it clears any up-ramp you might use. Also check that the exhaust area does not hit in the area where the ramp ends and the trailer bed starts.

Owners manual shows how to tie down the bike. You have the correct idea of tie-down just as Dabreitbach said.

Enjoy your journey.

don

 

[Biker]

That's exactly how I did it also when towing my Spydie to Daytona. Through the front wheels. Then sides, then back end. It's not going anywhere after that. As far as loading it from the tailgate? Be very careful. The Spyder only has 4 1/2 ground clearance. The tailgate should be about level with the bed of the trailer so you don't catch the nose on the gate. I found a little embankment at my house and dropped the tailgate on that to make it more level to drive right in the bed. Sound like a plan? Good luck.

 

[rkteck]

Warning

I have always went through the rim to tie both of our Spyder's down on the trailer but now have noticed wear marks on my custom rims from the strap.
I did'nt notice anything on my wife's stock rims but you can see where the strap has rubbed through the finish and created small marks on my black rims.
I am going to try a soft cloth between the rim and the strap for all future trips.

 

[ataDude]

I am going to try a soft cloth between the rim and the strap for all future trips.

Try some of the seat belt pads available at auto parts stores. Right size, cheap price.

.

 

[DynamoBT]

Just last week I trailered my Spyder home. Don's 30" ramps described in the "How To" section worked like a charm. Tied down from front tire rims and the rear wheel rim. The Spyder didn't budge, and the trips was bumpy enough to rattle loose some relays!!

Safe trailering. I've hauled horses for years and never saw such crazy drivers as I saw last week. I swear the current state of the economy, possible swine flu pandemic, and regular wear and tear is really putting people on edge these days. So just be careful out there.

 

[stpd0021]

FYI...... Make sure to place some kind of smooth cloth between the rims and the straps. They will rub and make rub marks on your rims.

 

[StarTraveler649]

Good advice all, thanks !

I have pulled horse trailers as well for many, many years, so pulling the trialer is definitely not a problem.

 

[NancysToy]

FYI...... Make sure to place some kind of smooth cloth between the rims and the straps. They will rub and make rub marks on your rims.

Don't use a smooth, hard cloth, it can make the problem worse. A soft cloth or some shearling is a better pad. Most of all, make sure your tie-downs are sufficiently tight. Most chafing is caused by movement of the motorcycle due to insuffient tension or the wrong angle on the tie-downs. After you tow for a while, things loosen up and start to chafe. Good idea to retighten after a few miles, just to make sure things didn't move. BTW, I am also a firm believer in doubling up on the tie-down straps. A broken one can mean disaster.
-Scotty

 

[Firefly]

I learned about the Spyder bottoming out the first time I brought her home on a trailer - my large Big Tex landscape trailer has a full gate that swings down - with meshed steel.

Well - lets just say when I rode the Spyder down off the trailer that mesh gate worked great ----- just like a cheese grater on the bottom of my spoiler!

Uggggg !

Also do NOT tie onto the passenger handbars - the can break easier than you would think!