

Darryl
Good question - I would use straps (very strong ones) and I would strap them securely to the FRAME of the bike, in such a way that they won't slip and move along the frame. At least three points (two in front, one in rear), and four would be better. I wouldn't attempt to lift it by any other part of the bike than the frame.OldGuyOnABike wrote:Read the article on how to tie down a Wing for transport. Which was excellent by the way. I thought the crash bars were strong enough of tie downs--guess not. Any how have to lift the bike up on to the back of my truck for transport (40 miles ..then trailer to Phoenix).. All ready have the side panels off for tie downs, where do you put the straps for the front end ? Or is this a dumb thing to do and you ramp them up. Installed a hoist in my new garage for just that purpose. Maybe I'll just use it for my snow blowerAny help would be great.......
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Darryl
You should never use the handlebars as a tie-down point. See: How to tie down Goldwings for transportwing rider 2012 wrote:If and when I trailer my Gold Wing, for the front I use the handlebar ties down straps. They are designed to slide over the grips and then pull tight, makes it real easy to secure the front of the bike without any damage to the plastic.
I would go with the soup and snow shovels. That way you will still be clear headed in the morning.... Your excellent adventure is shaping up like my attempt this spring, when the weather would not cooperate to let me get to San Antonio Texas to visit with the Beav. Never did get out of Canada this year. Hope your mileage is better.OldGuyOnABike wrote:Loading dock is a good idea but with all the snow we have here that is quite impossible. As I write this it is snowing and there is a snowfall warning from Environment Canada that another 15 to 25 cm is on the way. I don't know weather to load up on soup and snow shovels or beer....
Or a dual rail for both yours and your friends bikes. Trailers are not that expensive if you shop around. I got an 18 foot enclosed trailer a few years back for just such excursions, and also to give the bikes I am riding right now a home of their own. I only paid $4000 and the tires were good for a few years. It is one of the best investments I feel I have ever made. It looks like this...PastoT wrote:I think for all the hassle palletizing, then loading and unloading from a truck would be enough for me to say screw it and get a single rail motorcycle trailer. .
Never, ever EVER tow a Goldwing with the rear wheel on the ground!Red Ron wrote:As far as the front of the bike; I route a ratchet strap up over the top of the forks on each side. Make sure you route them under the brake lines. I tie to the frame on the sides as shown above and toward the back on each side under the bags, six in all. I make sure my bike is in neutral when towing to take any stress off the tranny. I also do something most don't. I have a 4X4 block that is heavily padded with carpet that I put under the engine block before I ratchet the bike down tight. This takes stress off the front shocks in case you hit a large bump or pothole while towing.
WingAdmin wrote:Never, ever EVER tow a Goldwing with the rear wheel on the ground!Red Ron wrote:As far as the front of the bike; I route a ratchet strap up over the top of the forks on each side. Make sure you route them under the brake lines. I tie to the frame on the sides as shown above and toward the back on each side under the bags, six in all. I make sure my bike is in neutral when towing to take any stress off the tranny. I also do something most don't. I have a 4X4 block that is heavily padded with carpet that I put under the engine block before I ratchet the bike down tight. This takes stress off the front shocks in case you hit a large bump or pothole while towing.
When the rear wheel turns while being towed, it turns the output portion of the transmission, even when it is in neutral. This has gears, and more importantly, bearings that are dependent on pressurized oil for lubrication. If you tow the bike, there is no circulating oil to lubricate these parts, and they will experience extreme wear.
Ah, ok, that makes sense. Yes, good idea. I thought you were talking about towing it in neutral with only the rear wheel on the road - which people have asked about a few times before. There's apparently a motorcycle trailer you can buy that does this, which is an exceptionally bad idea. OK for a Harley which has a separate transmission with separate lubrication, but deadly for a Goldwing.Red Ron wrote:I believe you may be misunderstanding me. I am not suggesting that and hope I didn't confuse anyone. If you read through my post I indicate a total of 6 straps with 2 attached to the frame toward the rear of the bike. How could the rear wheel be on the ground in this siniero? I am suggesting that I keep my bike in nuteral when I am pulling it while it is on/in a trailer.