K1200LT Tie-Down Instructions

[K-daug]

I found this info on the BMW of Santa Cruz County website, does this look right to you? I've never had to do this.



Tie-down positions specifically for the K 1200 LT

Front Tie-Down Points: Attach straps to front fork above lower fork brace (refer to photo, note position of straps). WARNING: Be sure that straps do not crimp or bend the brake lines or press down on the front fender. CAUTION: Protect the painted panels with soft rags or towels to avoid chaffing the paint.

Rear Tie-Down Points: Loop the tie-down straps around the rear tubular subframe beneath the saddle bags. WARNING: Muffler will be hot and may cause severe burns if touched.

http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT1.gif http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT2.gif http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT3.gif

[sheldan2]

thats is how I have tied mine down, never had a problem

[Dick]

Thats the procedure I use, butt I add two more straps. One across the rider's seat, over a towel or padding. The second around the front wheel rim to keep the bike snug up against the front bulwark of the trailer, or in a chock. I also make sure the centerstand is up, as well as the sidestand is up - let the tires absorb any bounce.


I found this info on the BMW of Santa Cruz County website, does this look right to you? I've never had to do this.



Tie-down positions specifically for the K 1200 LT

Front Tie-Down Points: Attach straps to front fork above lower fork brace (refer to photo, note position of straps). WARNING: Be sure that straps do not crimp or bend the brake lines or press down on the front fender. CAUTION: Protect the painted panels with soft rags or towels to avoid chaffing the paint.

Rear Tie-Down Points: Loop the tie-down straps around the rear tubular subframe beneath the saddle bags. WARNING: Muffler will be hot and may cause severe burns if touched.

http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT1.gif http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT2.gif http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/service/img/TiedownLT3.gif

[Diehly]

I ordered a Nick's Strongback. It is specifically machined to fit under the seat of the LT into the frame. I use 3 inch rachet straps on either side of the bike that pull it forward into my trailer stop. If you do much trailering which I do, it is well worth the investment and piece of mind. Go to the Nick's BMW site. If you can't find it send them an email and you will get pictures back within 24 hours.

[Wolfgang]

Is anyone here using the Baxley trailer choke? And if you do, what do you do in the rear? I have a hard time seeing that just using the rear factory recommodation would be enough. Baxley says there is no need for a front tie down when using their choke.

I like to keep it as simple as possible, quick one person on-off. The Strongback looks like it would not work with my Illium floorboards.

[jzeiler]

I use a Baxley Chock and I still use the four point tie down described above. Many miles and no damage.

[living_free]

I used the four point method above to tie mine down when I brought it home. About a forty mile drive, didn't budge. I live a mile down a real bad road.

tony

[EncoreJoe]

I used a 3/8" x 3" x 36" piece of steel bar lying on the frame under the rear seat bolt down area with two holes drilled to allow 5/8" bolts to passing through the frame tabs in that area. These keep the bar from shifting side to side or front to back.

This just fits inside the the cut out for the plastic rear left side panel.

I have two more holes drilled in the ends and put the tied down strap hooks through them.

With this, the rear end is held down to the trailer and stabilized. I don't trust the rear subframe to hold things and it's hard to get to also. I use a master lock cable wrapped around my rear wheel and the trailer channel to hold the rear wheel in place also.

The front end is in a condor chock and also strapped.

I am using the "Trailer in a bag" that is rated for 1200 pounds. It's a light trailer that I can tow behind my VW Passat.

I'd rather not tow, but when I have to this does the trick. I wouldn't use it without that rear bar on the back end to stabilize it there.

Joe

[hifiman]

I am getting ready to trailer my LT 600 miles home tomorrow. I am using the 4 point tie down as described. My tie downs are rated at 500lb each and am using 2 at each point for just in case reasons. My only worry is the front fork where the brake line is bolted to the fork. Seems the tie soft tie is resting on the bolted area.
I am using a double axle 7 x 14 enclosed. Should I have any concerns?
Thanks

[jzeiler]

As long as the soft tie is between the flex line and the fork you will be fine. It is always best to "chock" the front wheel. Even a couple of two by fours nailed to the front wall of the trailer will help. Just snug up the ties in front to hold the front tire in the "chock" and mildly compress the rear suspention with the rear ties. Check everything after driving a few miles for any settling and you will be fine. You can use two ties at each point if you want but that is overkill. I use one each heavy duty on the front and one each light on the rear and have several hundred trouble free trailer miles over the last three years.

[wilbar00c]

My only worry is the front fork where the brake line is bolted to the fork. Seems the tie soft tie is resting on the bolted area.

The soft tie will rest on the strut cross brace, when it is between the brake line bracket and the strut. You will be oK. I have used two soft ties on some 2000 mile trips. Room for both on the strut area as shown in your picture. If your soft ties are too long your can double wrap them around the strut if you need to when you match them up with your tie down straps.

Keep the windscreen full down when loading the bike.

Let the fun and smiles begin!!!

[wjhanna]

I was forced to trailer my '05 LT for the first time. . . ever! It was an anxious situation for us both! And as I was towing my LT down the highway, peering anxiously at the rear view mirror to make sure it was still there, it was almost as if it was saying,"now I know how a Harley feels!"

Anyway, I followed the instructions here, to the letter, and I was greatly relieved on my arrival at the dealers, to find all was safe and sound with my baby! Thanks to all of you who posted this valuable info!

Normally, I'd have ridden, but at 14K, I sheared a pin in the shift linkage. Anyone else experienced this?

[WildBil]

This is thread, as you probably know, is not only full of great information. Its also getting to be well known. Not only BMWMOA and google, but most other web spiders point to this thread.

I just wanted to add a video link that, while its not LT specific, you can easily visualize the changes needed for LT from the posts in this thread. So for all who learn better from video, here you are:

http://crackle.com/c/How_To/Transporting_Your_BMW_Bike_Safely/1876059

And for those who want to see the original BMW PDF, here you go:
Extension procedure for the LT with larger images:

http://cdn-0.psndealer.com/e2/dealersite/images/cliffscyclerevolution/TiedownLTSupp.pdf

Lastly, here is a PDF for the basic BMW tie-down Procedure:

http://www.ascycles.com/pdf/Tiedown2.pdf

:bmw: - Bill

[javandyke]

I have towed my LT many thousands of miles using the BMW recommended method and it works well. I've attached a couple of pictures to show my rig. Unfortunately, the picture of the front does not show the tie downs, but you can see where they go. I use a Condor wheel chock and it works great. It provides adjustment so it can be fitted to the front wheel. I also use a strap to secure the wheel in the chock as was mentioned by a previous poster. The chock allows me to pull into the trailer and dismount. The chock holds the bike securely while I install the tie downs.

I do not use soft ties. Instead I form a loop in a length of strap and double it in the ratchet. Saves one more thing to keep track of and I found that, with the soft tie, the strap was too long to fit into the ratchet properly. The picture of the rear ties shows that no soft ties are required with this method.

[StLHeadake]

Question, I joined the 4percent club for the SECOND time a couple of weeks ago. I had to have my LT towed approximately 20 miles. The flatbed truck driver had some experience tying bikes down, but not the LT specifically. I showed him how to tie the front down safely. He insisted that the bike stay on its side stand.

He didn't have any more soft ties, so we couldn't tie to the sub frame in the rear. However I suggested that we take a tie down and wrap around the rear wheel and cinch it down to keep the rear from slipping either way.

Is there something wrong with just cinching the rear wheel and NOT the sub frame? I know that BMW recommends tying to the subframe, but that wasn't an option at the time. What's wrong with tying the rear wheel?

[Dick]

Question, I joined the 4percent club for the SECOND time a couple of weeks ago. I had to have my LT towed approximately 20 miles. The flatbed truck driver had some experience tying bikes down, but not the LT specifically. I showed him how to tie the front down safely. He insisted that the bike stay on its side stand.

He didn't have any more soft ties, so we couldn't tie to the sub frame in the rear. However I suggested that we take a tie down and wrap around the rear wheel and cinch it down to keep the rear from slipping either way.

Is there something wrong with just cinching the rear wheel and NOT the sub frame? I know that BMW recommends tying to the subframe, but that wasn't an option at the time. What's wrong with tying the rear wheel?
Hi, Scott - a suggestion.

I recently used the passenger pegs to wrap a tie-down (ratchet type) and linked each one back to a trailer D-ring. I've used soft ties to do the same thang before, and placed the ratchet hook thru the soft tie. You mainly wanna make sure the rear doesn't go airborne following a lofty bump, nor allow it to sidestep. Another thang I've done is to pull a tie down over a padded rider's seat - keeps the bike's wheels firmly on the bed. You don't have to tighten it so much that it creases the seat - just to limit upward movement.

Another thang that I DON'T do is tow with the sidestand down. And NEVER with the centerstand down. The centerstand is bolted to the gearbox case and you don't want to put any flex strain on that thang. HTH.

P.S. I think in a situation like you were in (with the exception of the sidestand), you prolly got the job done without incident. It's just prudent to be on the safe side when tying down the LT to limit any movement that might create unwanted slack elsewhere in the 'project'.

[StLHeadake]

Dick, thanks the driver was very insistent on having that side stand down. He was afraid the bars would twist and the bike go over. I explained that the bars lock, and he didn't care.

I bought soft ties TODAY for front and rear subframe. I am morally opposed to trailering the LT, BUT I have a Toy Hauler camper (garage in the rear of the RV) that we bought specifically to haul bikes. We are going camping for two weeks and I can't BEAR to be without the bike. I'm hauling both mine and my father's!

This is our first time trailering either bike (except for my final drive failure!) and I don't want any surprises!

[JimMac]

I tie mine down as you describe and never had a problem. This includes ocean travel to get to Newfoundland last July.

Cheers

Jimmy Mac

[wjhanna]

Like you, I had no experience trailering so, I was determined to err on the side of prudence/caution. I tied the rear subframe under the saddlebags as described in the HOW, but because I wasn't able to put it in gear, I tied a strap to the rear wheel and cinched it tight to keep the bike from moving front/rear. I also went with the side stand down and am glad I saw Dick's post about that so, in the unlikely event that I ever trailer her again, I won't travel with the side stand down. The worst part of my whole ordeal was putting her on the trailer by myself. Definitely had the pucker factor increased by ten or twenty fold. Had a double of Makers Mark when I got home. Wasn't sure if it was a celebratory drink or to settle my nerves!

[Colyn]

Here is a thread on this site that I did on the LT on a trailer.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37368

[EzyMount]

I have always used the Baxley Chock, on my Baxley Trailer. Roll bike into chock, that is properly adjusted for your front tire size, leave bike in 1st. my tiedowns consist of hooks over inner frame rail, under front seat, exiting downwards towards front and secured to trailer. No other straps have ever been used. Never had any problems.. On long trips i usually loop a cable lock system thru front tire into front wall of trailer for extra security.

[Steve_R]

The tie down procedure works very well, even on a tow truck. :eek2:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/8/9/3/IMG_3879s.JPG

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/8/9/3/IMG_3877s.JPG