BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

stayingupright wrote: I'm guessing that they supply the chair ... Or do you have to take your own to tie to? ;-)

Can't beat a bit of humour on a Friday morning can you, it was either the chair or concrete a steel ring into the garage floor !!.

Re: Ferry crossing Re: Ferry crossing
This pic shows the loops as ready for the "strops" to be attached. I leave them as in the pic for the duration of my trip then stow then inside near the battery when not required.

Mike, are the red nylon loops made from a similar material to that of the ratchet tie-downs & secured using repair washers with nuts & bolts.

DaygloDavid wrote: Mike, are the red nylon loops made from a similar material to that of the ratchet tie-downs & secured using repair washers with nuts & bolts.

Hi David,
The loops are made up from 1" nylon strapping and are the same or very similar to that used to secure new bikes in delivery crates. I joined the two ends (after heat sealing to stop fraying) with repair washes as you noticed but riveted together.
If you would like a closer look I will be around after 1.30 this afternoon.

Nice engineered solution & an alternative to putting a ratchet tie-down across the (heated)seat, causing potential damage/deformation.

Our Gee wrote:If you would like a closer look I will be around after 1.30 this afternoon.

Thanks for the offer, see you soon.

stayingupright wrote: I'm guessing that they supply the chair ... Or do you have to take your own to tie to? ;-)

8)

stayingupright wrote: I'm guessing that they supply the chair ... Or do you have to take your own to tie to? ;-)

I guess the degree of stability is also highly dependent on which of us is sitting on the chair!

Our Gee wrote: Re: Ferry crossing
This pic shows the loops as ready for the "stops" to be attached. I leave them as in the pic for the duration of my trip then stow then inside near the battery when not required.

I've always used the strap across the seat method and never had any issues with permanent deformation of the seat or damage to the heating element. :be happy:
I do like the look of the pre-formed loops though, so that's a project added to the list for this winter. With one each side, I would pull down on the right until the side stand began to clear the deck then pull down on the left to put weight back on the side stand. One more iteration ought to be enough to have the suspension sufficiently compressed to secure the bike against all eventualities. (In first gear, pushed forward to remove transmission slack, steering lock on, front brake lever tied back to the throttle). :clap:

DaygloDavid wrote: Nice engineered solution & an alternative to putting a ratchet tie-down across the (heated)seat, causing potential damage/deformation.

Ok, two comments, if your worried about the seat, why not just unlock it and stick the straps across the frame. Second comment if you use your own straps and the bike falls or something happens, then the Ferry company will not be liable.

Casbar wrote:If your worried about the seat, why not just unlock it and stick the straps across the frame.

The main side panels are above the height of the frame.

Casbar wrote:If you use your own straps and the bike falls or something happens, then the Ferry company will not be liable.

The straps on the ferry can be used, do they insist that their strap should go over the seat or can other tie-down points be used.

So much easier to ride onto Le Shuttle, hang around for half an hour and ride off.

daverj wrote:Folkestone is nearly 300 miles and Hull around 120 so thought would give it a try.

Likewise, Folkestone is over 300 miles, whilst Hull is around 100 miles, let the ferry take the strain.

100 mile to Hull and 180 to the tunnel for me.  On a good day the train can be as little as £50 return so I often go down the night before as it's still a lot less expensive . But at 300 miles I would probably reconsider.

I wish there was a scenic route from NE England to Dover / Folkstone. Still that's the price us folk oop north have to for living in God's Country !!.