I've looked around for some information, but couldn't find any resources.  I know it's probably a controversial topic, but what is the "correct" way to mount a non-running or track-prepped (non-street-legal) motorcycle on a pickup truck?

By throwing your right leg over the bike and sitting down?  :dunno:

With tie-down straps.  :mrgreen:

I prefer to attach them to the one of the triple clamps (which one depends on the bike) and to the subframe. Also, soft straps help with keeping the metal hook off of the bike. Just remember to take them off, tech inspectors do not care for them too much.

I stay away from using the handlebars/clip-ons as some do when using canyon dancers.

i've actually helped a friend do this once. I don't know if we did it the 'proper' way, but his bike stayed put pretty good.   It depends on how many tie-downs (the more, the merrier) you have and weither you have a way to secure the tires from lateral movement (like a 2x4 to prevent them from sliding from side to side).  Obviously, don't secure anything to the fairing.

Assuming you can keep the tires from moving anywhere (including the front wheel from turning easily), you can concentrate on securing the upper portion of the bike and you should be ok I would suggest looping the front ties downs around the FAR side of the fork to the front corner of the pick-up truck bed, and use the opposite-side rear-passenger peg brackets (mine look like little triangles) to do soemthing  similar.

If you can't secure the tires or front wheel, then it gets tricky. I've never done this but I would probably:
-Loop the front tie-down from the front corner through the wheel to the far side (opposite) of the fork with one criss-cross between the fork and one of the mags of the front wheel.  Repeat this for the other side.  This should also  keep the front wheel from rolling easily
-You might want to use 2 more tie downs on the front edge of the wheel/tire itself to the front corners of the truck bed.
-Handlebars.  Secure them straight.  I imagine that the easiest way to do this depends on the size, angle, and type of bars you got.  I *think* we looped around the handgrips once or twice on each side and looped to the front corners... my friend did this part, so i dont' remember
-Rear Wheel.  Put it in gear and loop 2 tie downs on the back edge of the wheel/tire to prevent it from sliding around
-Use the passenger peg support or rear frame to loop the tie downs to the back corners of the truck cab..  You can also use the passenger "spoiler"/hand-hold to help with leverage against tipping, but don't expect a small piece of plastic like that to bear the entire load of the bike.

Let me put a disclaimer in... i've only done this once, and seen it done twice!

Quote from: dgyverI prefer to attach them to the one of the triple clamps (which one depends on the bike) and to the subframe. Also, soft straps help with keeping the metal hook off of the bike. Just remember to take them off, tech inspectors do not care for them too much.

And one trick I've found works well is to have a hefty friend sit on the bike while you tie it down, so that the suspension loads the straps once he (usually) gets off.

here's a good visual example:

If it works use it

Thanks.  Yeah, I can probably two-by-four a rig to hold the wheels in place that's anchored by the wheel wells.  My sister did something like that to hold cinder blocks and sand bags over the axle in the winter.  It was a good setup.  Stays put, but lifts right out when you don't need it.

Good idea about pre-loading the suspension a little bit.  That sounds a lot easier than tring to ratchet it down the right amount.

Thanks all!

Yeah, I second what RG said about compressing the suspension.  If you don't have the man power to have a fat guy sit on the bike, just use the tie-downs, and rachet it down and compress the suspension as much as you can.

When I've trasported a bike I've always just used 4 tie-downs.  2 up front and 2 out back.  I put the bike on the sidestand and snugged the left side tie-downs, then snugged the right side, so the bike was more or less vertical.  Then if possible racheted down the tie-downs until the sidestand was back on the floor, and the suspension was fully compressed.  


Most IMPORTANT, attach tie-downs to sturdy bits, like the frame.

Do not compress the suspension too much or you may blow a seal when you go over a big bump.

-ash

My gut tells me that ratcheting the suspension down *as much as I can* is a bad idea.  I mean, with ratchets, you could totally bottom it out.  That can't be good for the bike's suspension, can it?

look AT the above post up up up.

-ash

Moderation in all things, unless you like wrenching a LOT more than riding. Blown fork seals are annoying at best, and if you ruin one on the way to the track, you won't get the motorcycle past tech.

also when you use the woven tie downs, put a few twists in them so they dont get caught by the wind.  This will keep them from stretching.

http://motorcyclistonline.com/howto/hauling/

Quote from: ashmanlook AT the above post up up up.

-ash

Yup, we posted at the same time, there.  Calm down.

Quote from: pantablohttp://motorcyclistonline.com/howto/hauling/

That's the ticket.

The truck has suspension, and by compressing the bikes suspension it makes the bike act like a part of the truck.  I haven't checked out the link, but this explains my position a little.