Just wondering if anyone can give me advice on moving my bike in a van. I've never done it before but I have read that you should cable tie the the front brake and strap it down from two points at the front and two points on the rear. Any help is appreciated
I'm guessing you won't have a wheel lock? In which case put it in until front wheel is up against back wall. Put bike on side stand Put a ratchet over tank from front left to front right (this will hold bike in and forward (don't cable tie brake) And then put a ratchet on left middle And one on right middle. Both from footrest is a good idea. It's best with wheel lock as bike is upright and no weight being forced on stand but this is next best thing.
Thanks The dealer quoted £75 for delivery so thought I might attempt to move it myself, but now thinking about it £75 doesn't seem bad if it arrives undamaged. I could ride it but I don't want to lose 20 days sort of tax, scrooge I know
i moved my bike by van, no problems, the lad at the dealers where i got the bike has put hundreds of bikes into vans over the years, his method, which i thought was quite good, was to put the bike in with front wheel against back wall of van and the bike against the side wall behind the driver side and ratchet up against the wal, also had the stand out but obviously not on the floor as it is standing up. His theory, if it is against the wall worst case it can only fall one way!!
If your buying the bike at this time of the year. Tell the dealer the deals off unless he delivers it, I think you may find he can manage the delivery. If you do use a van get someone that knows what they are doing, and has the correct lash down straps. Or £75.00p delivery fee may turn out the cheap option. Sharp braking or a swerve can get expensive quickly. Good Luck, Mike.
Hi Gary I agree with Mike £75 may be money well spent if you haven't got the right gear, ramps, wheel chock straps etc. I do loads of trackdays and have the van setup which is a dodldle but struggled at first till I got all the gear and always worried each corner. Not worth it if it falls over or you catch the belly pan as ramps are usually curved to prevent bottoming out? Take care
If you really are watching pennies paying the tax and losing the 20 days is the cheapest option next would be just pay the one off £75 quid charge, unless you intend on moving the bike a few times in a van down the line. Remember you also need to consider the fuel to get the van to dealer and back, and costs gets worse if you need to hire a van as well. If you add up the needed bits to humph a bike in a van safely and securely :- Ramp - £40 (wooden plank can be used but more awkward and slippery in wet conditions.) Handle bar tie down set - £25 as per link above. (Basic ratchet straps onto rear pillion pegs is an option.) Front Wheel chock - £40 (easily balances the bike upright for one person strap down.)
Lol...I paid £100... But it came from up north.. In the scheme of things after all you have spent...spending few £'s on tax should not be the issue... ;-) Enjoy....
Forgot to mention, money cannot buy the smile you'll have on your face when you ride your first blade home
This MCN video on YouTube shows you how to secure a motorcycle in the back of a van using just two ratchet straps and a pillow. Simple method that works.
20 days? That's about £7.50... Actually less... that's 3 cups of coffee... You're going to pay £75 (Or lose a whole day to get it yourself) to save £7.50... I don't know about you but my time is worth more than that... Even to arrange the delivery... H
Picked mine up in my van , i put a bag over the grip n brake then duck tapped the brake on , bike was on side stand then just used 4 ratchet straps into each corner
The thing I don't like is that I have paid for those 20 days, saving the pennies isn't a worry to me, it's doing the most cost effective things. I'm insuring and taxing it tomorrow then getting a lift to pick kt up, I can not wait even if the weather is pants!