How not to get towed.

Long story short: A tow truck driver dropped my bike after I had it towed because my throttle cable broke on a Saturday after all the garages had closed (and they stay that way until Tuesday in the States, joy!).

Here's what I learned from this so that perhaps it doesn't happen to any of you.

- Tell the guy not to release the straps until you're sitting on the bike (that's how my bike fell...)

- Make sure the straps are pulling the bike DOWN, no forward, not backwards, DOWN. This is really important because one strap is usually enough to keep is in place if it's pulling it straight down, whereas otherwise it'll just send it flying.

- If anything, use the side stand, not the center stand, that way if for some reason the stand is pushed back, the straps will have a chance to keep the bike in place (whereas my bike literally got sling shotted forward when he released the rear strap)

- Tell the guy not to release the straps until you're sitting on the bike (again, just to make sure)


Or better yet, check everything on your bike and make sure you won't get towed... (Or do this: http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=43535.html)

 

I had a throttle cable break years ago. Turned the idle speed up to a few thousand rpm and rode home. I did not go fast but I did get home. Checking cables on a regular basis will prevent that happening again.

 

when strapping a bike down ALWAYS use two straps from either handle bars, tripple tree, or frame just below the neck. pulling Down AND forward in opposite directions compressing the front forks a minimum of 1.5-2 inches holding the bike completely vertical on the wheels.

Never tow on center or side stand unless the circumstances will not alloy you to strap the bike as I had described.

strapping the bike down using sidestand can and will cause damage to your bike and/or the trailer or vehicle that you are using to tow it.

case and point - plywood trailer deck plus side stand holding bike up while strapped down tight against the stand, the guy punched a hole through the trailer, smashed the side of the bike up, and ground the end of the side stand OFF on the road. Some people need to learn the hard way.

 

The problem in that specific case wasn't using the side stand...it was having a plywood deck. I'm guessing that it was a light-duty utility trailer.

 

what can I say Im used to moving motocross bikes, No side stand so I didn't develop the bad habit.

k-moe you are right the plywood is to blame, but the side stand was never designed to be used when strapping down a bike and should be the last resort if there is no other way to do it.

 

How about swapping the choke cable for the throttle??

Might be a bit hard to learn - but we're good like that.

 

Omg, why didn't I think of that Take my large screwdriver out and adjust the speed with it lol.