Total Motorcycle Community Forums

ofblong wrote:

erbgottie wrote:why would you compress them half way??? how is it going to damage your bike by compressing it down further than 1/2 way???

because then your bike has no play which can cause damage of "overtravel" not sure of the right word to use in the situation. If you leave no room for "bounce" you risk breaking all the compenents that make up the "forks".

Are you serious, you have a chance of breaking all the components of the fork?? Wow, learn something new everyday

The way I understand, it puts lots of stress on the fork seals to have the suspension compressed all the way while transporting.

ofblong wrote:

erbgottie wrote:why would you compress them half way??? how is it going to damage your bike by compressing it down further than 1/2 way???

because then your bike has no play which can cause damage of "overtravel" not sure of the right word to use in the situation. If you leave no room for "bounce" you risk breaking all the compenents that make up the "forks".

I call BS. Unless the forks on most bikes are constructed radically different from the forks on my Virago, there's nothing wrong with compressing it down all the way.

I personally will follow the advice of a professional who has a very good reputation around here. He, and the shop he works for, don't want to pay for damages by transporting a bike incorrectly.

But, by all means, transport your bike as you see fit. Perhaps we are being overly cautious, but I would rather be safe then sorry.

Just a random site with instructions on transporting your motorcycle http://www.whybike.com/motorcycle6.htm

jonnythan wrote:

ofblong wrote:

erbgottie wrote:why would you compress them half way??? how is it going to damage your bike by compressing it down further than 1/2 way???

because then your bike has no play which can cause damage of "overtravel" not sure of the right word to use in the situation. If you leave no room for "bounce" you risk breaking all the compenents that make up the "forks".

I call BS. Unless the forks on most bikes are constructed radically different from the forks on my Virago, there's nothing wrong with compressing it down all the way.

depends on if your forks are upside down or not. there are different variations of fork designs. Besides the fact you seem to be wrong on alot of things Ill take the advice from professionals that take their bikes back and forth to the dunes every weekend they possibly can (one of them being my brother).

You say you have a ramp coming, do your self favor and get 2 2x6 boards to put on both sides so you can walk it up, you won't always have somebody to help you and using a ramp by your self,,,,well,,, go to U tube, there's videos of people that tried it, once you get the weight past your waist it gets really dangerous for a tip over, what usually happens it that when the bike reaches it lowest point going into the bed of the truck it hangs up and there goes the balance, get the boards

SHADOW1100T wrote:You say you have a ramp coming, do your self favor and get 2 2x6 boards to put on both sides so you can walk it up, you won't always have somebody to help you and using a ramp by your self,,,,well,,, go to U tube, there's videos of people that tried it, once you get the weight past your waist it gets really dangerous for a tip over, what usually happens it that when the bike reaches it lowest point going into the bed of the truck it hangs up and there goes the balance, get the boards

Also back it into the truck....much easier to get off the truck then...but i dont trailer often enough to be a professional....so check with them.

I haul bikes around constantly (several times per week most weeks).

Get one of the ramps that unfold to the width of your tail gate. Worth their weight in gold. Just don't stick your foot in between the rungs, you can eat it hard. Make sure you're not gonna bottom out due to the angle of the ramp. You may need to back up to a hill or whatever. Don't "fudge" around just ride the bike up the ramp. You're 100X more likely to drop it trying to do some stupid extra careful bullshit then you are just riding it up. (That may not be true if you are not competent, so disclaimer here) One strap on either side of the handle bars, compress the suspension enough to take the bounce out. Can't say how far, varies by bike. It's sort of a feel thing I guess, but you don't have to crank it all the way down. I don't bother strapping the rear 99% of the time. If you are worried about scratching up the bars, they sell those loops that you attach to the hook on the strap to keep the metal hook off the bars.

Thank you guys, your inputs are really helpful. I let you know when I get my ramp and get the bike on the truck.

The Doctor wrote:Thank you guys, your inputs are really helpful. I let you know when I get my ramp and get the bike on the truck.

I still want to see video!

I promise I won't laugh at you just with you