I went on the ferry a few years ago. Got talking to some other guys on bikes while waiting when I was coming back. They said to make sure to bring some padding (rags or something like that) to stop the ship's tie-downs buffing or doing damage.

I think they had bits of sheepskin for it.

Yep did it last year with my 1600 vulcan which is a bloody heavy bike and it was with thousands of other bikes, smooth trip but no one had any problems execpt it can get a bit slippery getting on or off if its wet and take a bit of rag or something to lay under the strap which does go over the seat.

Been across a few times.  Last two times my Softail Standard was tied from the forks to the tiedown points on the floor. A rubber band is placed on the front brake lever, no chocks needed. My Heritage was tied down from the handle bars once and over the seat a couple previous times on the old ferry. I didn't worry about a cover on the seat - no damage. On all the crossings there has never been a incident although a work mate of mine had his bike fall over on a rough trip (a japper).

We are booked to go across to Melbourne on the 1st Nov again.

here you go roadtrain, just got off the boat and took some pics of the tie downs, no problems at all.

 

 

meant to add rt that you get around a bit, I've seen your pics on the other forum.

Hi all,

Sorry drag up an old topic, but Im wanting to take my fatboy on the boat to Tas in Feb this year..

To the guys who did it, would you reccomend thaking your own tie downs or just leave it to the experts?

I dont want any permanent marks left on my bike after the trip :-|

Cheers in advance
Phil

Done it in 1987, You tie your Own bikes, Coming home the Captain said was roughest in 25 years, Bikes never moved at all, and no damage.

they only will use there tie downs .l had my own and thy told me they have to tie it down and they only use there straps

Ive done a few trips over on the spirit. The food & drink prices are too dear. My mrs packs a meal usually a platter of cold meats & salad that we eat on the top deck for dinner. No hot breakfast served either. Take a precooked bacon & egg sanger the crew will nuke it for you in the morning.When you go to your bike in morning you can smell the camper vans doing bacon & eggs while they are waiting to get off & its painfull on an empty stomach All the meals served on board are pre cooked by spotless cattering on shore. One tip is write down your deck where you parked your vechile.

just returned Friday morning after 7 nights in Tas with the bike. They tie it down and if you have a newer bike with a fob they will ask you to attach the fob to the bike so the alarm doesn't go off. I had mine in transport mode but they still wanted the fob on the bike.

The Tassie ferry ships use the handle bar/fork tie downs as shown in the photos, they used to use an earlier system which was to tie a single strap over your seat (as mentioned earlier in the thread).

I keep hearing people complaining about the food prices on the ship but the buffet is only $23 for a main and $2-50 for a drink ($9-50 for an entree if you want one), I paid more than that at our local pub last friday.

I'm going across again at the end of march (looking forward to it), this will be my 6th tassie motorbike holiday (I'd love to retire there!).