How To Tie-down Your C650GT In A Pickup Truck Bed

[ItsPhilD]

Shortly after purchasing my C650GT from Mathias BMW in New Philadelphia, OH I moved to Phoenix, AZ. The only suggestion in the Owner's Manual is to run your straps up to the triple tree and pull down to the surface of whatever the bike will be riding on.

Because of the extensive amount of body work covering the bike that would mean I would have to install into the bed of my truck some sort of tie-down hook @ 6" to 12" forward of and to the side of a direct line of the shock tube. I didn't think this was such a good idea nor did I want to drill into the floor bed of my Tundra. So I had to come up with another solution.

I went to Doug at MPH Ohio, a customizing tuner shop for motorcycles and also a racer. He suggested the setup which I have used twice now and getting ready for a trip today from Phoenix, AZ to Hollister, CA.

As always test before getting out on the road. I assume no liability for this suggestion. Here are some photos of how I tie mine down:

 

[Dan_Lockwood]

I know this is an old thread without any reply, but after purchasing my new to me 2020 BMW C650 GT and not really seeing anything great to tie down to, the dealership showed me this. It's a handlebar tiedown system with plastic handlebar caps and two straps that crisscross from side to side giving a true anti-tip tie down. AND it's at a higher point on the scooter for better riding around corners without tipping as much, if any.

They're available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handlebars-Compatible-Bar-Harness-Adjustable-Transportation/dp/B0CLLDK9TW/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3C3G4BV7ED9DJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6jABXWjeLRs-SyE_H8yggN2CdVqwUaUTe_OKzjclpJTWmTBK990JIe8DCvewelDwsY7dYYLSOKC85OJRyaqYgm3phSSgdcF6-dmbo66pwp5-4Ja5S6lwPisYmqSAqMyPesHnscwfdtAsC7aiAbv8tWY720kP4OdvKi0PG-wRBx2CrX0jRbfDhBxX1AeOe8buLygZQt3i0CxkRvQWeYQ1r7VRRwVCqg-sl2H8xRTyDqZbEjqDFLNnmOVJbpHFddLnzkKbqpIdz4Fa3HrZ3kPK94aI4lP8NqWwruvrtp51QfQ.CAWkpPbZFD5GPdUhv4BypEsSv5d3oEBz0KBLjhv2lcw&dib_tag=se&keywords=motor+scooter+handlebar+tie+downs&qid=1744496404&sprefix=motorscooter+handlebar+tiedowns,aps,117&sr=8-4&th=1

The way that the manual suggests is very low on the front lower triple-tree and the big can still be top heavy going around corners in the pickup box or a trailer. I still do a one wrap around on the rear tire like shown above, just to keep the bike from bumping side to side. Be sure to put a soft rag around the rim so the tie down strap does not mark up the wheel...

Hope this helps someone out.

Dan

 

[Delray]

I ride a Burgman 650 at the moment (I've owned six BMW C 650 GT's).

I realize the Burgman is not the GT, but I can say from painful experience that the big Burgman does NOT like being tied down by the handlebars.

Several years ago I left a nice Thanksgiving Day dinner at my in-laws to find a flat rear tire. The tire had de-beaded so I couldn't just patch it, fill it and be on my merry way. I called a tow truck. This being Thanksgiving, I had to wait three hours. When I saw the tow truck guy start to wrap straps around the hand grips, I politely said, "I know from a lot of guys on a Burgman forum that this bike doesn't like being tied down by the handlebars. They say the triple tree is the way to go."

He was surly and for some reason took my suggestion as a personal insult. The conversation escalated until I found myself saying, "I called for a tow truck, I didn't ask for any attitude." He says defiantly, "If you don't like the way I strap it down, then call another truck." A quick calculation of waiting three more hours versus giving it a shot made me say, "Fine, do it your way. I'm going to take some "before" pictures just in case." He strapped the handlebars extra tight, possibly on purpose.

Sure enough, after the ten-mile ride home, the hand grips on the bike are pointing AT THE GROUND. I calmly snapped "after" pictures while asking what he intended to do about this. He called his boss and ended up ordering me new handlebars on the spot (on HIS dime, per his boss). They arrived at my front door ten days later and I put them on.

Point being, 10 times out of 10, I would strap a GT down by the triple tree and around the rear tire, as the manual says. I've seen threads on this forum where guys use the passanger grab rails. I'd be comfortable with that, as well.

 

[Dan_Lockwood]

Thanks Mike!

I bow to your vast experience and knowledge of the Maxi-Scooters. I bought mine 120 miles from my house and had it in the back of my F-350 tied down by the handlebar strap and a wrap around the rear wheel. I had no issues with it. My only concern with the very low point of the lower triple-tree and rear tires is that it's not far from the scooter's center of gravity and a HARD turn "could" cause some shifting in the scooter and tie downs.

I'll investigate the triple-tree closer if I need to haul it again.

Thanks, Dan

 

[Delray]

I've never had a bike on the bed of a pickup so that's all Greek to me. If what you did worked, that's great.

Here's what the manual shows for others who may be interested ....