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Anybody took a bike on a ferry? Going in the summer to France and wondering if I need to take anything.
Guess that must seem strange! I’ve been living and working in the UK for 6 years and bought my bike here (Suzuki GSXR600). Never took a bike on the ferry before and wondered what I can do to look after it. I was hearing a few stories about accidents on the ship and it put me off a bit. Have you used the ferry ?
Take a spare set of bulbs and don’t forget the GB sticker (or is it Belgian sticker in your case?)
Saying this cause I got pulled about 3 years ago by cops just outside calais and they fined me 50 quid on the spot and made me buy a sticker and bulbs. I’d only been off the ferry for 20 minutes. No problem with the bike on the ferry though it was well strapped down. I might do the tunnel this year.
Usual method on ferries is:
Bike on centre stand. Rope from boat joist to rider’s footrest, wrap it round and back to joist.
My advice is to take a towel or old rag with you and slip it over the seat and side panel before they strap your bike down. An oily rope which is anchored to your footrest does wonders to rub the paint off your side panel and dirty your seat. If you get chance, strap your bike down yourself and let them check it.
They do have wooden wedges which they put under the tyres on rough crossings. Find a few of these and put them under your tyres just in case. Even the calmest of crossings can get choppy in the middle of the channel.
@imperial data
The towel is a good idea. My bike has been damaged several times by ferry workers. They are only small marks but I was annoyed and had a big argument on the boat once.
French police are a lot worse than English for small offence like that. I am not suprised you had a fine.
Good idea the towel m8. I go to the Isle of man races where you would think the ferry companys would know how to strap a bike down. It just aint true. Lots of complaints and fights over that when I last went over. As I.D. says – do it yourself and let em check it.
Tosh
Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I’m not listening – Homer Simpson
Yes, I.D.’s right, always take a towel or a bit of cardboard and do the strapping up yourself. And a piece of wood for your sidestand if you go camping.
Bellyboy
Worth promoting this topic back to the top. Anybody off travelling in Europe this year?
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!
Fast boy we’ve been across on ferry several times,Dover- Calais. You do need to take towel or something to put in between side panel and straps. You also need to take all your driving documents, ie. license, log book etc. There is up to £500 fine if you dont have your driving documents. And GB sticker which you can obtain at ferry port.[:p]
I’m not riding fast, I’m just flying low. and please DONATE to this website
done south of france last year going again may this year.we had no probs with the ferry,they used flat straps with soft cushions to stop any marks.take spare key,alarmfob,small can chainwax,all bike docs,sparegloves,waterproofs,have small change ready ie:cents euros for the tolls.
Take it easy out there
I`m hoping to go over to Prague etc. later on in the year. so will take “on board” all the above tips!
Don`t ride faster than your guardian angel can fly!
get a rat then it dont matter how they strap it down, or if it falls over LOL
btw – when camping in a field, half a dozen old cd’s glued together stops your sidestand sinking in the mud…
I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.
Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947)Blackboard paint – Covers a multitude of sins!
or if you have a rat just dont bother about the cds glued together cos it dont matter if your side stand sinks in the mud and ratbike falls over……..
LOVE IS GIVING SOMEONE THE ABILITY TO DESTROY YOU, THEN TRUSTING THEM NOT TO.
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Vodka in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming…….WOO HOO, what a ride!
i dont, was just advice for all those plastic fantastic sportsbike riders out there…….
I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.
Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947)Blackboard paint – Covers a multitude of sins!
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