Author Topic: Tie down straps - bad idea? (Read 1552 times)

eigenvector · « **on:** July 06, 2018, 09:35:07 PM »

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_mtf_automotive_sr_pg1_2?ie=UTF8&adId=A08716801OYWM1QUQNT4D&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTank-Straps-Motorcycle-Tie-down%2Fdp%2FB0798SSQJD%2Fref%3Dsr_1_14_sspa%3Fs%3Dautomotive%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1530937834%26sr%3D1-14-spons%26keywords%3Dtank%2Bbag%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1530937834&id=3851665725223387&widgetName=sp_mtf

Looking around Amazon and noticed these.

The idea of using the fork tubes as tie down points just doesn't sit right with me. Something about bending or shearing the tubes.

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2018, 10:35:08 PM »

Your last sentence confuses me.. just what do you think they are made of ?

Not a useable spot to tie down in the pic btw.

74cb750 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2018, 01:51:41 AM »

also looks like the tie-down goes Over the fender. Gee, wonder if it will bend the fender.

dave500 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2018, 02:23:36 AM »

look like much of a muchness to me?so hooks are the weakest link,#$%* ive never had any strap or hook fail/bend/break or loose its colour?

spotty · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2018, 02:59:46 AM »

Just make sure there's someone holding on to the bike when you undo the first one at the other end of the trip.....

eigenvector · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2018, 09:16:22 AM »

You guys seem to be okay with the idea - fine I won't argue it.

Personally I wouldn't attach anything to the fork tubes. Besides, having the strap that low on the bike doesn't gain you much anyway in the way of leverage, which I think you noted Frank.

cb650 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2018, 09:34:14 AM »

I usually go to the lower triple tree.

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2018, 03:40:08 PM »

Quote from: eigenvector on July 07, 2018, 09:16:22 AM

You guys seem to be okay with the idea - fine I won't argue it.

Personally I wouldn't attach anything to the fork tubes. Besides, having the strap that low on the bike doesn't gain you much anyway in the way of leverage, which I think you noted Frank.

How in the hell do you tie a bike down then? Thousands of miles with straps at the lower triple on the forks with no issue.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2018, 06:43:40 PM »

Never put a bike on its center stand when trailering either.

eigenvector · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2018, 04:20:31 PM »

Part of this for me is forgetting that not everyone has the same trailer layout.

It really didn't occur to me until I thought about the responses some more.

All my D-rings are at the far corners. Putting straps on the forks would just simply not work - and again I personally think it would too much stress on the fork tubes (that's just the engineer in me). The straps on the fork tubes would be too low to provide much leverage, which is why I use the bars. If the D-rings were close in, of course putting the straps on the forks would be a better solution.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2018, 04:43:43 PM »

Again what part of the forks are you talking about, we have no clue.
Disregard the photo at the beginning, not a recommended spot to tie down.

eigenvector · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2018, 04:57:07 PM »

That's exactly what I'm talking about. I've seen more than one picture with that very spot used. I'm guessing because people use the wheel chock tie down spots and short straps made specifically for that.

But any location on the actual fork doesn't make sense to me. Use the fork brace if it has one - sure, nice rugged structure, use the triple clamp if you can get to it.

spotty · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2018, 05:18:45 PM »

i don't use the handlebars, tried this once and as i ratcheted the straps down i watched the handlebars bend in response ( and no i didn't attach the straps to the grip area, they were attached either side of the bar clamp area, still bent them though) , used the lower triple clamp and no problems, same when i tie down the bike on the bike lift, clamp the front wheel and then tie down from the lower triples

754 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2018, 05:37:34 PM »

As I said picture was a joke.
By tying down off forks, to most people that means lower triple tree, or higher.

Medyo Bastos · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2018, 07:57:41 PM »

Damn, I always though trailers were for boats.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don R · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2018, 10:24:03 PM »

I bought 6 750's and a gl1000 none of which ran. Hard to get home with no trailer. I use ancra brand straps and soft ties. My choice of tie down points depends on the bike and situation. I had a nice looking heavy size farm store strap snap once and I almost lost a cb900c over the side of a trailer.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2018, 11:41:28 PM »

Quote from: eigenvector on July 07, 2018, 09:16:22 AM

You guys seem to be okay with the idea - fine I won't argue it.

Personally I wouldn't attach anything to the fork tubes. Besides, having the strap that low on the bike doesn't gain you much anyway in the way of leverage, which I think you noted Frank.

I think you mean fork leg, the part that holds the wheel, and rides up and down the Fork Tubes.

eigenvector · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2018, 07:37:26 PM »

Yeah, you got it.

Suppose it makes a difference if we're all speaking the same language.

eigenvector · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2018, 07:40:52 PM »

Quote from: Don R on July 10, 2018, 10:24:03 PM

I bought 6 750's and a gl1000 none of which ran. Hard to get home with no trailer. I use ancra brand straps and soft ties. My choice of tie down points depends on the bike and situation. I had a nice looking heavy size farm store strap snap once and I almost lost a cb900c over the side of a trailer.

Yeah I know the feeling. My buddy had the lift off the truck bed on his F-100 - used harbor freight straps (Doh!) to keep it airborne until he could get blocks under it.

<RIP!!!> ( as in rip/tear - not rest in peace

) while it was swinging. I never buy anything related to safety from a discount store.

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Author Topic: Tie down straps - bad idea? (Read 1552 times)