Discover Info on The Right Motorcycle Tie Down, Motorcycle Trailer Hitch & Dirt Bike Trailer on This Site
Motorcycle Tie Downs
Choosing the Correct Motorcycle Tie Downs
Motorcycle owners see their bikes as an extension of themselves. They'd prefer to drive their bikes wherever they go, but sometimes this is just not possible and the bike has to be hauled. When transporting your motorcycle in a trailer, how you tie it down is a big concern. Motorcycle tie downs are extremely important.
Not only do you not want your motorcycle to become damaged, but if the bike is on an open trailer you don't want it flying off and causing injury to other motorists. Deciding on a style of tie downs is a crucial step in hauling your bike from place to place.
Most motorcycle tie downs come in either ratchet or cam buckle-down varieties. Cam buckle-downs use friction created by the cam-shaped buckle to hold the bike in place. Ratchets are similar, but use a ratchet system to tighten the grip. Both types of motorcycle tie downs help with shock loading.
When the vehicle doing the towing hits bumps, the motorcycle's suspension compresses. When this happens, the straps loosen, and then snap back. The more you load suspension when tying down your bike, the less compression will occur as you tow. This can also cause motorcycle tie downs to wear out and eventually break, so constant inspection of the equipment is essential.
How you tie down your motorcycle depends upon the type of bike you own, of course. Two motorcycle tie downs on the front and two tie-downs on the side are sufficient for most bikes, but many riders prefer to use six tie downs for safety's sake.
Talking to motorcycle dealers and bike owners who have the same motorcycle you do can help you choose what kind of motorcycle tie downs to purchase, though some personal preference is involved.
Dealerships can give you the manufacturer recommendations but bike owners can give you tips on how the different styles actually work.
Many bikers are partial to the ratchet style, while others swear by the cam buckle downs. Your personal comfort level is what is most important when choosing a method of tying down your bike – so its easy to see why motorcycle tie downs are key.
