[TrueLife311]

Hey guys this kind of sounds like a dumb thing to ask, but I've never carried a sportbike in the back of a pick-up truck before so I need some suggestions. I bought some soft tie-downs so that's not the issue. I'm putting my new 04 into a GMC Sierra short-bed. Do you guys normally put it in straight and leave the tailgate down, or sideways with the tailgate up? I'm going all the way from San Diego to Las Vegas and I don't want my baby to get f'd up. It would make me :ugh to look in the back and see it laying over and all messed up. I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks guys...

 

[ducatiWV]

I ususally drop the tailgate and leave it straight...but that is just my preference....

 

[MACH1SMO]

I transported mine straight with the tailgate down. See pic in this thread:

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1024736#post1024736

Used a Canyon Dancer. Worked like a charm.

 

[cdubbs616]

use a canyon dancer, best $30 piece of mind of mind you will EVER get when transporting. As for the back, I am paranoid so I usually use two tie downs and wrap them around into a loop ans secure both sides. With these two things done, no R1 will go anywhere

 

[Alizè]

yup yup use a CANYON DANCER, they are the best. My uncle is the one who invented them. Its nice to hear people talk about them in good ways!

 

[balbino]

I would also use a ratchet tie down at the rear of the bike. Go from one anchor over the rear tire then loop it through the wheel then over to the oposite anchor. Then the ratchet will cause the loop to squeeze the tire and the rim and hold it secure. As a side note I used another tiedown to prop up the tailgate since it would not fully close. Also make sure the front wheel is in a chock so it doesnt tend to turn and loosen all your ties.

 

[number9]

I have been riding motorcycles for 26 years and would not use any other Tie-Down besides the Ancra Originals (cam-buckle-type). I have never had a bike come loose or a tie-down break/fail.

I have seen to many cheap Wal-Mart special tie-downs frey and tear apart from rubbing on something or even another tie-down and too many ratchet-type tie-downs come loose. A friend of mine who rides a 100th Aniv Harley asked me what tie-downs to get when he bought it. I told him Ancra and that is what he got. He was going to haul it to a bkie show one weekend and his neighbor talked him into using a set of ratchet tie-downs he had. About 2 hours into the trip one of the ratchet tie-downs came loose which slammed his bike on it's side, due to the other tie-down still having pressure on it, and it hit right on the railing of the open trailer denting the gas tank VERY bad. A new tank from HD with the 100th Aniv paint cost him his old tank and around $700 not to mention about a 5 week turn around.

He uses his Ancras now.

 

[bpa00]

I'm super paranoid... I use 2 tie downs on each side in front with a canyon dancer (2 ratchet and 2 ancra buckle)... I also tie the back down on each side using soft tie downs and ancra buckles....

- BA

 

[GXRKLR]

I've never seen a ratchet strap come loose that was properly used.

Always remember, you get what you pay for.

 

[Skeeter]

As everyone has said be sure to use a Canyon Dancer Bar
Harness. It will save your triple tree from damage. Then a good
set of tie downs to hook onto the Canyon Dancer. My '03 R1 will
fit into the back of my '97 Ford Flairside P/U with the tailgate
closed. It's a tight fit, but it does close. You can also let some air
out of the tire if needed.

 

[Skeeter]

Another pic.