Ferry to France booked, suggestions?

thecivvie

rat_race wrote: »

Another topic change: security? We're gonna have a lot of gear. I have hard luggage, would take a saw to take them off the bike. But I was planning on bringing a very expensive backpack and a cheap tankbag too, and various other valuable stuff that just won't fit in them and aren't practical to carry around as normal.

Gonna be a bit of a nightmare to secure everything if we are camping and decide to "head out" for a few hours.

Am thinking bring my most valuables with me (passport, satnav, phone, wallet, keys, etc.) at all times...and lock various bags/helmets, etc, to the bike using a cable + padlock...sure, they could be cut off -- either by cutting the item (i.e., helmet strap, tankbag strap, etc), or cutting the cable lock itself -- but what other options does one have?

Best option is a pacsafe, a wire mesh exoskeleton that can you around a bag and be keep your gear in. I brought a Pacsafe 85l that I put around a roll bag with My motorbike gear and other valuables.

steveone

Keep a blanket handy to throw over the bike on the ferry they throw grimey freight straps across them on the ship, if you're precious about paintwork you might be annoyed

Wonda-Boy

I have heard most of the ferries now have the foam blocks for the motorbikes....but yeah, knowing my luck they be out when I am going. Can you imagine a strap "SAWING" away at paintwork for 2-4 hrs crossing the water. Some damage there at the end of it.....:mad:

rat_race

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

I have heard most of the ferries now have the foam blocks for the motorbikes....but yeah, knowing my luck they be out when I am going. Can you imagine a strap "SAWING" away at paintwork for 2-4 hrs crossing the water. Some damage there at the end of it.....:mad:

Yeah...will be keeping an eye on them, for sure!

thecivvie

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

I have heard most of the ferries now have the foam blocks for the motorbikes....but yeah, knowing my luck they be out when I am going. Can you imagine a strap "SAWING" away at paintwork for 2-4 hrs crossing the water. Some damage there at the end of it.....:mad:

Dunno about other ferries but Irish Ferriy's have big enough pieces of carpet that you put over the seat and helps prevent any damage. Well both times I travelled I had none

There was also rubber wheel stops as well on the French ferry. Gives additional staying power if your gearbox gives up

steveone

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

I have heard most of the ferries now have the foam blocks for the motorbikes....but yeah, knowing my luck they be out when I am going. Can you imagine a strap "SAWING" away at paintwork for 2-4 hrs crossing the water. Some damage there at the end of it.....:mad:

Best to cover the bike then let them strap it how they like. The lads on the oscar wilde are good enuf and bikes go under the stairways out of harms way

Notch000

throw you jacket or a jumper underthe strap and it'l be fine, i think people read too much into the strsapping of bikes, make sure there tight tho, its your own responsibility to check