Side stand or Centre stand on Ferry

[Mab1067]

Question for you seasoned travellers. So any time ive been on a Ferry i have only had a bike with a side stand so no issue and tied down as tight as i can to take play out of suspension. Usually ratchet across seat and some further security at front and rear wheels. Sometime ferry guys take over and leave it them.

My question now. 2020 S1000XR with centre stand and all the Electronics etc etc. What is best option and how do you tie down on Ferry with centre stand or do you still just use side stand. Apologise if this seems a totally stupid question. But never had the option and or Electronics to worry about??

[Mareng1]

Still - side stand.

Leave in 1st, steering lock on.

Put plenty padding on seat - and don't crank it down too hard with the ratchet strap.

If you have your own - with no grit in the strap material, then tie down each side from the frame to the rail/cleats

[Winger]

Yep def side stand, normally hang around till a crewman turns up to strap it down, put my gloves under the strap to save the seat.

[wessie]

Originally Posted by Winger

Yep def side stand, normally hang around till a crewman turns up to strap it down, put my gloves under the strap to save the seat.

"Hello sailor!"

[BobT]

Crossed the channel about 20 times in the last 3 years, always side stand, 3 solid points. If you use the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry, not only is it great value, but they have a row of chock stands for the front wheel and then tie the bike down.

[Mab1067]

Cheers everybody. Thought that would be the answers. Alway better to judge opinion though. Although rather conclusive 

[Winger]

Originally Posted by wessie

"Hello sailor!"

It’s hello sailer alright  when you come back too your bike and find that no one had tied your bike down during the trip and it’s upright by pure chance.

[wessie]

Originally Posted by Winger

It’s hello sailer alright  when you come back too your bike and find that no one had tied your bike down during the trip and it’s upright by pure chance.

Use a better quality ferry!

I only use Brittany Ferries and if going from Kent, use the tunnel. BF are very good at securing the bikes but then, they sail for longer including across the Bay of Biscay so need to make sure the bikes are properly lashed.

I did give P&O a try in 2018 but on the Calais run it takes too long and they expect you to secure your own bike. Bollocks to that.

[Mareng1]

Originally Posted by Winger

It’s hello sailer alright  when you come back too your bike and find that no one had tied your bike down during the trip and it’s upright by pure chance.

Yes, while it is their responsibility to secure your bike - it's of little solace when your holiday gets scrapped. 

[Winger]

Originally Posted by wessie

Use a better quality ferry!

I only use Brittany Ferries and if going from Kent, use the tunnel. BF are very good at securing the bikes but then, they sail for longer including across the Bay of Biscay so need to make sure the bikes are properly lashed.

I did give P&O a try in 2018 but on the Calais run it takes too long and they expect you to secure your own bike. Bollocks to that.

Blimey that made me smile...think we did at least 3 crossings Calais/Dover on the Hovercraft, it would take off from the concrete pad down the beach and there would be folks walking the dogs on the waters edge and the Hover would hang a left and you’d be thinking ‘How the ....’ are they letting the public on this thing but exciting...oh yes, as for trips out of England  took a 750 H2 Kawasaki to the SoF in 73 and average between bad years of 2 or 3 to the best of 6 Euro trips in a year and just like anything else there are things to learn, including when on the Magilligan point/Quigley Point ferry to stand by your bike and hang onto it.