Transporting a Bike in a Van
I'm in the process of buying a VFR 750, but I can't ride it as I don't have my licence, yet. I've managed to acquire the use of a Transit van, but have seen conflicting advice on how to secure the bike.
Some forum post somewhere said to put the bike on its side stand, compress the suspension and tighten a tether over the seat.
MCN have a video saying to prop it up against the side of the van, throw a tether through the handlebars and another through the pillion footrest and be done with it.
I don't feel that trial and error is an option. Does anyone have any advice for me? The bike does have a centre stand.
Thanks in advance!
Posted Sep 17, 2014, 3:14 PM UTC
29
Don't tether over the seat, it's squishy plus the bike can still rotate underneath it!
Sidestand down, ratchet straps from the frame 45 degrees out sideways (but vertical fore-and-aft) to a tie-down on the floor, using points roughly mid-frame on both sides of the bike. Ratchet down tight, tape front brake lever to grip with many turns of electrical tape. Drive carefully.
Source: did this for many ferry journeys plus transporting friend's fazer in a transit.
Yup, personally I'd ratchet off the frame onto the floor, not over the seat. You should be able to ratchet it right down on the suspension with the straps. Then you'll know you have it secure. If in any doubt, add more straps!