Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm going to pick up my gorgeous '05 Rebel this weekend. It's a 6 hr drive but I feel lucky to have found one this nice for this price! My question is the best way to protect it driving down the interstate using a utility trailer to haul it. A tarp or similar will likely just blow off. Suggestions? Or should I even be concerned? I'm fearful of road debris, rocks etc since we're in Montana and it's still basically winter.

Thanks!

Not much you can do to protect it from the elements other than hauling it in an enclosed trailer. Just give it a good wash & wax when you get it home to clean off any dust and road salt residue and it will be fine.

Thanks Mike. I just learned I can rent a small U-Haul for about $20. I've decided my peace of mind is worth that! Since I'll be on the interstate for over 5 hrs I might as well bring home a nice bike without rock dings!

Can hardly wait!!!

yes, it's much better if the dings are put on while riding, rather than trailering. They may look the same, but the feel different.

Congrats on a new bike!

I don't know if you've hauled bikes before. The usual method is to place the front wheel up against something solid, and then place ratchet straps from the handlebar/triple tee in such a manner that they point down, forward and out. Then use a fair bit of ratcheting to compress the front forks. A bike strapped down this way will be good to go (except for a little tie down on the rear end to keep the "O Ring" end from hopping side to side over bumps.

This is easy to accomplish on most any utility trailer. There is usually a front rail you can butt the front tire against, and usually a multitude of points you can hook the straps on to. You really want to be able to compress that suspension, otherwise the bike will crawl around inside that trailer and it will look worse than a few gravel chips would have!

Before you pick up the uhaul and drive 5 hours, check to see if it has some sort of tie down points inside. I've seen many without really suitable tie points. Getting to the bike, loading it up and realizing there is no tie down points would be very frustrating....

dont compress the front suspenion all the way, half way is fine

Thanks for all the great tips! I'll get all the info and be ready! I'll call the U-Haul place and double check the tie down situation.

Can't wait to ride!!!