BMW Motorcycle TTie-DDown

We would all prefer to ride our BMW's to our destination, butin some cases trailering is unavoidable. Your BMW motorcy-cle has been designed with the innovative Telelever FrontSuspension which makes the procedure for tying-down on atrailer a little different than for other motorcycles. The follow-ing procedure is designed to show you the proper way ofsecuring your Telelever BMW on a trailer.

Prior to loading your BMW Motorcycle onto a trailer please verify that the trailer you areusing is rated for the total load that you will be carrying and is in good operating condi-tion.

Loading a motorcycle on a trailer is a two person operation. DO NOT ATTEMPT TOLOAD A MOTORCYCLE BY YOURSELF. This procedure details the method of tyingdown a BMW Motorcycle once you have positioned the motorcycle on the trailer.Please refer to your specific trailer instructions for ramp usage, etc. When loadingmotorcycles onto the trailer, be sure to locate the motorcycle(s) to maintain sufficienttongue weight and to balance the side to side weight distribution.

The trailer that you use should be designed for motorcycle transport and must beequipped with a front wheel chock (not available from BMW). Several wheel chockoptions are available from trailer and motorcycle retailers. The most secure type ofchock is a U-shaped style that matches the contour of the tire and prevents side move-ment.

Use only straps designed for use with motorcycles. Many different straps are availablefrom your motorcycle retailer. Ask your retailer to recommend the best set for yourneeds.

NEVER USE STRAPS THAT TIE-DOWN FROM THE HANDLEBARS. THESE WILLDAMAGE THE HANDLEBARS OF YOUR BMW.

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1. Begin the process by running themotorcycle onto the trailer with the frontwheel firmly against the wheel chock.The suggested method of tying the motor-cycle down is to have one person sittingon the motorcycle with the other attachingand tightening the tie-down straps. Theperson sitting on the bike should remainseated until the front tie-downs are bothattached and fully tightened.

2. While one person remains on themotorcycle, attach straps around each ofthe front fork tubes just above the lowerfork brace (refer to photo, note the posi-tion of straps). Do not place the motorcy-cle on the center or side stands.

WARNING: Pay very careful attentionto avoid routing the straps over thebrake lines or wiring harness. Severedamage to the braking system and orelectrical wiring harness of the motor-cycle will occur if the straps are routedincorrectly.

Front TTie DDown PProcedure

3. Attach the straps to tie-down points onthe trailer a minimum of two feet on eitherside of the motorcycle as well as no fur-ther back than the front edge of the tire.With the person sitting on the motorcycleholding it upright (and both the side andcenter stands retracted) tighten both frontstraps evenly so that they are snug butnot tight. CAUTION: If the straps aretouching any painted panel, insert a softrag or towel between the strap and thebodywork to avoid chaffing the paintedsurface.

Make sure that the front tire is pointingstraight ahead and that it is firmly againstthe wheel chock.

2 ft 2 ft

4. To tighten the straps, the person sittingon the motorcycle pushes the bike to theright while the other person tightens theright strap. Then the person on themotorcycle pushes the bike to the leftwhile the other tightens the left strap.Repeat the procedure until the front sus-pension is compressed and the strapsremain tight even when the motorcycle ispushed firmly from side to side. Check, toensure that the motorcycle is vertical andthat the front tire is still pointing straightahead and that it is firmly against thewheel chock.

case the tension on the straps is releasetoo quickly.

3. While the person on the motorcyclepushes the motorcycle to the right, thesecond person removes some tension onthe right strap followed by the left strap.

5. The rear tie-downs are used to stop theback wheel of the motorcycle from movingsideways as the trailer goes over bumps.Therefore they do not need to be as tightas the front straps. Also, tie-down pointlocations in the trailer are more flexible. Ifyou are carrying several motorcycles, themotorcycles can be tied to each other withthe intent of stopping sideways move-ment.

6. For single motorcycle tie-down, wrapthe straps (one per side) around anaccessible portion of the rear tubular sub-frame being careful not to crimp any rub-ber tubes or wiring routed along the sub-frame. Avoid using a rear footpeg bracketas a strap attachment point. Thesebrackets are not designed to handle tie-down loads and may break. Tighten thestraps by sitting on the back seat of themotorcycle and removing the slack in thestraps.

DO NOT RELEASE THE STRAPS COM-PLETELY, THE MOTORCYCLE COULDFALL OVER CAUSING DAMAGE TOTHE MOTORCYCLE AND PERSONALINJURY. Repeat the above procedureuntil the straps are loose and can beremoved.

1. Remove the rear straps completely.

2. Have someone sit on the motorcycle,with feet parallel and planted firmly on theground. Lower the side stand if there isenough clearance to do so. The sidestand will help stabilize the motorcycle in

Untethering tthe MMotorcycle

Rear TTie DDown PProcedure