Interstate Bike Transport
Hauling Bike On A Truck
If your motorbike gets damaged, you may need to transport it to a bike or repair shop. However, there are chances that you might be damaging it more since you will be transporting it on a truck you own or rented from an interstate bike transport company. In order to keep the bike from moving and sustaining more damages, you have to know how to strap it down properly. Ratchet straps are important for doing this. They provide enough strength and mechanical prowess needed to secure the motorcycle. Trucks need to have cargo hooks installed either at the top of each corner of the bed, or mounted through the bottom of the bed as close to the corners as possible.
Load the bike into the truck bed. Have someone to assist you on straddling and controlling the motorcycle, while holding it in an upright position. Wrap the fork sections between the clamps with a clean rag to protect the forks from getting stained by the ratchet straps.
Wind a hook end of the strap around the fork and the rag on each side. Attach the hook onto its own strap after winding it. Fasten the other hook end on the cargo hook of the truck.
Then, roll the motorcycle forward until the front tire touches the front side of the bed. Make sure that the tire is properly centered in the bed, not on a rib but in the sunken part of the bed floor. Operate the ratchet straps evenly and compress the front forks some few inches. Do not slide the front forks below the straps as it will damage the bike further.
Pad the spots where the straps are to be wrapped at the rear of the motorcycle. Remove the seat and fasten the frame on the top of the bike. Strap both sides of the bike and lead the straps to the cargo hooks in the corners. Tighten them to slightly compress the rear shock absorbers.
Tie a safety not on each ratchet strap. Place the ratchet handles in the collapsed position. Wind the loose end coming out of the ratchet around the handle for a few turns and push the tail under the last turn in order to make sure that the ratchet is intact. If you are having a hard time on strapping your motorcycle, try to contact an interstate bike transport company for assistance.
