There had been some discussion on hauling track bikes and expensive hauling apparatus.  I am hauling the SV to its winter storage space today so I snapped a few pics.  I've been hauling bikes with 3 straps and a pick up for many years with no mishaps.  I've hauled motocross bikes down some rough trails this way with no problems.  For longer trips I add a 4th strap across the seat to the bed rails.  Not saying it's the best method but it has worked well for me.  

-Jessie

SV loaded up



I run a heavy duty cam buckle  strap from the bed hook to each side of the handle bar near the triple clamp.  Be careful not to snag any wires



Then I run a lighter duty ratchet strap through the rear foot peg mounts and across the rear tire to keep the bike from jumping over bumps



On bikes with clip ons I wrap these tie down loops around the top triple clamp and attach the cam buckle strap to them

We have this show down here called "The New Inventors". Each week three inventions from Aust come before a panel of 3 judges who decide which is the winner. If you invent something from recycled material which will bio degrade, costs pennies and will give clean water to the 3rd world while saving the whales and dolphins and polar bears at the same time, you'll win. Even if no-one would buy the thing.

ANywho. These guys came on with a motorcycle tie down system. Here's the bit on the show about it http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2557435.htm

Strangely, they won. Competed against a Horse Blanket and a thing to help parents remember what to put in kids school bags (People Choice winner - must be all the grannies who watch the show who voted for it. After all, they once voted for a quilt fabric cutter as their choice... like WHO makes quilts?)

Well, they sell it from their website http://www.kyaracing.com.au and through all bike mags in the country.

Quite ingenious really... and available to those in the USA as well.


Michael

that would be a nice way to be able to tie down the motorcycle but it looks like it will only work for trailers and not just in the bed of a pickup truck based on how far apart the 2 tie down points are supposed to be apart.

Baltimore, I don't know if I would tie down your SV like that. I certainly wouldn't do it to my SV650. The reason I say that is that I tied my GS down with just two straps- one across the top triple and one over the seat... even though they were tied down extremely tight, the rear tire slid out in the truck and the back end ended up on the side of my truck bed. Several scratches on a new paint job later I always tie down with four straps. (One for each side of the top triple and one for each passenger peg.)

Just my $0.02.

Mister- Cool device   

mullethunter-  Like I said, this is probably not the best way but it has worked well for me over many years, many miles and many bikes.  My set up is a bit different than yours though.  I run the strap in the back over the tire, not the seat.  That way you don't have to worry about the suspension compressing and the rear getting loose.  And it probably doesn't make a huge difference but i use 2 separate straps on the front that pull outward against each other.  It's also a good idea in a pickup to make sure the tires are centered in a bed groove.  How do you haul your bikes now?

I did forget one thing in the original post: loading and unloading.  I use a ramp and a step to get the bike in and out.  I used to use a wooden ramp with a metal lip but it is too long to fit in the short bed on this truck.  I now have a foldable metal ramp that works great.  The downside is I have to worry about this ramp getting stolen.  I have short legs so I need a step to get in the bed.  I used to use a plastic milk crate until one broke on me.  Now I have an old metal milk crate that works great.  I let the bike get in the truck under it's own power.  I walk next to it on the left side and feather the clutch.  You have to be careful not to give it too much power or it will kick the ramp out.  And be really careful if the tires or ramp are wet.  Coming out, I leave it in gear with the engine off and use the clutch and brake levers to control the speed.

-Jessie

Coming out...



These foldable ramps are great for short truck beds

I always strap to the lower triple if it's accessible (two straps). No bars to bend (Some are not so strong..)/ cables to pinch/bugger- stronger place to hook to-too.

I never use a rear strap. I put the bike in on the side stand and in gear. Hook the low side ( side stand side) first and put a few clicks on it. Set the other side- cinch it down to load the forks  then crank it down. Grab the bar and shake the bike...the whole truck will rock and the bike stays in place like its bolted down.

If you are going on rough roads/off road you might tie down the back end (and even use a rail)

I've lost count on how many times I've hauled a motorcycle and  I haven't lost one yet.

I do like that Aussie thing for holding it down by the tires....if I had a trailer/rail set up I might use something like that.

I've hauled bikes in trailers a lot, the OP's method is good, but you need to make sure the tyres can't move sideways as well. I've had bikes fall when the tyres slide. In a pick-up bed you can use a couple of rectangular frames made of scrap timber to space the wheels from the sides.
I would NEVER use a single strap across the triple clamps, too much chance of it slipping. You need one each side to keep it stable and let you adjust the lean of the bike as you tighten them.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 08, 2009, 03:43:12 PM
It's also a good idea in a pickup to make sure the tires are centered in a bed groove.  How do you haul your bikes now?

I actually have a 2000 Dodge Dakota with a full size bed. My GS fell over in a 1999 F150, my dad's truck. Anyway, I just feel more comfortable with two on the front because if the bike pulls one way to the side, I can rely on the other strap to pick up the side load, not just friction. (Becoming an engineer has ruined my perspective on things...)

Quote from: mullethunter3 on December 08, 2009, 04:11:10 PM

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 08, 2009, 03:43:12 PM
It's also a good idea in a pickup to make sure the tires are centered in a bed groove.  How do you haul your bikes now?

I actually have a 2000 Dodge Dakota with a full size bed. My GS fell over in a 1999 F150, my dad's truck. Anyway, I just feel more comfortable with two on the front because if the bike pulls one way to the side, I can rely on the other strap to pick up the side load, not just friction. (Becoming an engineer has ruined my perspective on things...)

Sorry if I wasn't clear, there are 2 straps on the front and one on the rear in those photos.  3 straps total 

-Jessie

I've only ever used 2 straps, one on each side of the top triple, and never had a problem. I just pull the front wheel up against the bed and tighten them down enough to compress the suspension a bit.

Your a brave man putting your bikes in storage. The only thing that gets me through winters of not riding is being able to check out my bike every time I have to go down to the basement/garage.

Quote from: tt_four on December 08, 2009, 09:06:34 PM
I've only ever used 2 straps, one on each side of the top triple, and never had a problem. I just pull the front wheel up against the bed and tighten them down enough to compress the suspension a bit.

Your a brave man putting your bikes in storage. The only thing that gets me through winters of not riding is being able to check out my bike every time I have to go down to the basement/garage.

Actually I'm an insane man, I have more bikes than any reasonable person should     There's still a few in various stages of assembly kicking around my dad's garage (much to his dismay...).  And I always keep my old reliable Nighthawk 250 ready to ride.  **Tentative ride being planned for the weekend after Christmas, check with porkchop for details** 

2 straps will get by in most situations but I learned from hauling the dirtbikes on rough trails that the back ends can really jump around.  I'd be worried about the back end moving over a pothole or more likely when some dumb driver makes you slam on your brakes.

-Jessie

Quote from: mullethunter3 on December 08, 2009, 02:36:11 PM
I always tie down with four straps. (One for each side of the top triple and one for each passenger peg.)

Just my $0.02.

I agree, only way I've ever done mine, never had a problem, including my 800+ mile trip to roebling road in savannah georgia

Quote from: jeremy_nash on December 08, 2009, 09:38:56 PM

Quote from: mullethunter3 on December 08, 2009, 02:36:11 PM
I always tie down with four straps. (One for each side of the top triple and one for each passenger peg.)

Just my $0.02.

I agree, only way I've ever done mine, never had a problem, including my 800+ mile trip to roebling road in savannah georgia

The problem I see with that is the rear suspension can compress over a bump and the strap come loose on the peg so I prefer strapping down over the rear tire.  And once again, I don't claim my way is the correct or best way but it has worked for me.

-Jessie

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 08, 2009, 09:22:42 PM
Actually I'm an insane man

I agree completely. 

What's the bike count up to like 38 1/3 or so?

Well the good news is the Katana is 2/5ths sold...

Still have the SV now residing at my brother's house for winter, the Nighthawk on the road, 2 GS's and a Shadow 500 at my house in Bedford, and Kay's GS and a GS parts bike in my father's garage....  And the insane part is I'm trying to lowball a guy with another Shadow 500.  Somebody help me!!!

-Jessie

Just some info on the Aussie wheel tie down.
Great design and i ordered one some time back now. Unfortunately they wont work on the gs without some modding. The ratchets foul on the exhaust so its unable to be tightened. They recomend the anchor points be around 250 - 300mm from the tyre. The only option is the lenghten the arm the ratchet fixing point so it clears the exhaust. This shortens the amount of strap that can then be tightened. I did come up with a solution for a trailer with fixed mounting points. If i can find a pic i will post it up.

I like to put two tie down straps on the front end but right above the fender pulling in both directions so I don't compress my suspension and one strap over the rear tire again so I don't compress my suspension.  For me it's the same logic as tying down a Jeep by the axels so when you hit a bump at highway speeds the suspension doesn't compress and loosen your tie downs at all.  It's kind of strange looking out the back window seeing the bike moving up and down but at the same time that's all it's doing.

I would be afraid of that screwing up the fender or the fork seals, depending on where you have it.

I saw something new on craigslist last night but was too lazy to copy and past the link. It's a gsxr600 on Pittsburgh's craigslist if you want to find it. He used two straps, one on each side of the bike. He went from the hook at the front corner of the bed, up around the top triple, down along the tank/frame line, around the passenger peg, and onto the hook on the back corner of the truck. Technically he got all 4 points with 2 straps and you don't have to worry about the bike falling side to side. There's a chance the bike could shift forward and back, but it the front tire is wedged against the front of the bed it might stay.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 08, 2009, 10:11:19 PM
Well the good news is the Katana is 2/5ths sold...

Still have the SV now residing at my brother's house for winter, the Nighthawk on the road, 2 GS's and a Shadow 500 at my house in Bedford, and Kay's GS and a GS parts bike in my father's garage....  And the insane part is I'm trying to lowball a guy with another Shadow 500.  Somebody help me!!!

-Jessie

Amateur.......  I've got 5 bikes in one bay of my garage....7 total here at the house...3 in my "other" storage.... ohh and an FA50 in my garage too.....hehehe



Ohh and here's how I haul my bikes :
   

The excess of the straps usually gets tied to the pegs of the bike if the straps are really long...

That was a nice looking gs...sold long ago.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 08, 2009, 09:52:49 PM

Quote from: jeremy_nash on December 08, 2009, 09:38:56 PM

Quote from: mullethunter3 on December 08, 2009, 02:36:11 PM
I always tie down with four straps. (One for each side of the top triple and one for each passenger peg.)

Just my $0.02.

I agree, only way I've ever done mine, never had a problem, including my 800+ mile trip to roebling road in savannah georgia

The problem I see with that is the rear suspension can compress over a bump and the strap come loose on the peg so I prefer strapping down over the rear tire.  And once again, I don't claim my way is the correct or best way but it has worked for me.

-Jessie

when I do this, I compress the rear suspension about half way