Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: katata1100 on March 12, 2013, 01:22:05 PM
-
I want to ride up to Victoria, B.C. The ferry website says that bikes are allowed to board first, get some wooden car blocks (???) for the bike, park on side stand and be sure to be with bike before docking to support it.
Any words of wisdom here?
-
I've taken mine on small jaunts and the one from NJ to Delaware without any extra equipment. Put it in first and on the side stand, I does.
-
I have taken my bike on a ferry across the Columbia a couple of times. I would sit on my bike when we left the dock and getting hooked up to the dock on the other side, but while we were going across I would walk around and take pictures. Bike sat there just fine without any blocks. I am not sure if this is comparable to a ferry to B.C. or not but I thought I would throw it out there.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/Rides/IMG_2744.jpg)
-
I take mine on the NC Ferry system quite frequently - never had a problem. The most hair raising time is undocking and docking in my opinion. I always stay with the bike during those times. The suggestion for blocks is not a bad idea.
-David
Athens, GA
-
I have been on the BC ferries a few times, but just the smaller lake crossings. I have the bike on the side stand in gear. I stand by it for docking and the rest of the time it seems OK. May be diferent if it is choppy weather.
-
Been on quite a few inland crossings. Smooth a silk. We just stayed with the bikes while getting underway and while docking. They quite often let the bikes off first so being geared up with the engine running could put you a couple of miles ahead of the cages.
Open water crossings may be different but the ferries are so big I can't see there being enough sudden movement to take it off the sidestand.
They may also want the car decks empty of humanoids before sailing.
-
I want to ride up to Victoria, B.C. The ferry website says that bikes are allowed to board first, get some wooden car blocks (???) for the bike, park on side stand and be sure to be with bike before docking to support it.
Any words of wisdom here?
Took my 14 on that ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria the other summer... Scary, but no issues (only about 1000 miles on the clock at that point). They have a bunch of rope tied to the sides that you can use to "tie" your bike to the wall. The boat was pretty rocky, but the bike stayed upright both ways. I have a pic of it tied to the wall... I'll try to find it so you can see what it looks like.
Side stand, in gear and forks locked, for what that's worth.
-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn143/kiruvetat/BCD47882-81B9-4F2A-A9AC-5F3258BFDFC8-7932-000001646F5EB5E1.jpg)
-
I have been on the VA ferry several times. You need to put the bike in gear, push it forward until it stops, then rest it on the side stand. This will prevent small/medium movements from pushing it off the stand. (This is what I was told, not sure it really matters all that much).
I always sit on the bike on launch and docking.
Never seen blocks used nor have they ever been offered nor suggested.
-
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn143/kiruvetat/BCD47882-81B9-4F2A-A9AC-5F3258BFDFC8-7932-000001646F5EB5E1.jpg)
Connie bondage... ;D
-
Been on a couple of ferry rides, the biggest across to Marthas Vineyard. They had blocks I recall, side stand. We hung by the bikes to keep and eye on them. Otherwise plain sailing.
-
... We hung by the bikes to keep and eye on them. ...
No passengers on the car deck on this particular run... so there's a little anxiety once you hit port and walk down the stairs (hope it's upright, hope it's upright).
-
Connie bondage... ;D
Moto-erotic asphyxiation
...and so I'm not getting off topic, I've had multiple bikes on the NC system, no issues. As others have said, stay with it during docking/undocking.
-
I took my C14 on the ferry across Mobile Bay. I just parked it on the sidestand since it was a calm day.
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-XH8tHZD/0/XL/IMG_0738-XL.jpg)
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-DGZJM53/0/XL/IMG_0749-XL.jpg)
-
I have been on the VA ferry several times. You need to put the bike in gear, push it forward until it stops, then rest it on the side stand. This will prevent small/medium movements from pushing it off the stand. (This is what I was told, not sure it really matters all that much).
I always sit on the bike on launch and docking.
Never seen blocks used nor have they ever been offered nor suggested.
It's common knowledge that retired Army mariners operate the Jamestown and other ferries here Max, hence the complete and total lack of anything other than smooth sailing and pier approaches... Waterborne.
-
What is the logic to using the sidestand , as opposed to the centrestand ?
-
What is the logic to using the sidestand , as opposed to the centrestand ?
Bigger triangle = more stable. :)
-
Every motorcycle should get to go on a boat ride! ;D
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn181/1wheelpeel/Arkansas%20Trip%202009/DSC04174.jpg)
-
I took my C14 on the ferry across Mobile Bay. I just parked it on the sidestand since it was a calm day.
One should always park the Concours on the side stand when not servicing the vehicle, because it is much more stable than the center stand (contrary to popular belief).
-
It's common knowledge that retired Army mariners operate the Jamestown and other ferries here Max, hence the complete and total lack of anything other than smooth sailing and pier approaches... Waterborne.
:)
I will admit that although I have been on the ferry several times with my previous bikes, I have never done so with the Concours... yet. Almost every trip has been very calm, but it is a river, afterall, and not across the bay or anything spectacular.
-
This was my previous bike, a ZRX-11, on the ferry (not sure why I stuck my glove on the mirror). Standing there is my best friend, and his bike is on the left, an RF-900. I think circa late 2000.
-
betcha zg has the first mod that makes a c14 go over water like a boat
-
I was on a ferry with a bunch of guys crossing Lake Champlain in N.Y. to Vermont in 1999 when a fierce 'gale' came up suddenly (that's what the crew called it). We were all ordered to get below deck and proceeded to see all our bikes sliding across the deck and into one big pile on the other side of the boat. Nothing could have saved them because the boat was lurching and waves were breaking on the bikes. The captain said that Lake Champlain has wicked storms and though unusual, has happened before. A brand new Gold Wing and 5 Harley's had major damage and my bike's cases and handlebars were never the same afterwards. The insurance companies had never heard of this happening and it took forever to get reimbursed for all the damage done to our bikes. I had no idea how much it cost to fix a Harley and Gold Wing until the guys got their estimates back. A major pisser on the first day of a trip into Canada..
-
I have been on the BC ferries several times. You go to the front of the line. No reservations necessary. Load first. Ride off first. It's great. The ferry is never full for a bike. There are blocks where you park. Sometimes not enough, but you can always ask for one. Put the bike on the side stand, in gear, and put a block on the other side, under the motor. You are parked across the beam, so side to side pitching is not a problem, again, as long as you are in gear and pushed to the stop.
-
betcha zg has the first mod that makes a c14 go over water like a boat
Yep, and it involves hot girls in bikini's Steve... ;D :chugbeer:
-
Yep, and it involves hot girls in bikini's Steve... ;D :chugbeer:
group buy?
-
Over the Cumberland River in TN. Prop a camera on the railing, set the timer, and jump behind the Connie! ;D
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss159/Motocopter/jokerandbike.jpg)
-
I have ridden the BC ferries many times and the first thing is that you don't automatically go to the front of the line. If they tell you to great, but don't make the assumption, because officially its not allowed.
After that park it in gear on the sidestand and as a precaution place one of the large wedge blocks under the opposite side of the bike. I always sit on or stand by the bike as we leave and arrive holding the front brake just in case of a bump.
-
... You are parked across the beam, so side to side pitching is not a problem, ...
The Port Angeles/Victoria ferry isn't like that. You're out at the hull, so you get ALL the motion. It's not on the BC system... it's Black Ball Ferries.
-
Over the Cumberland River in TN. Prop a camera on the railing, set the timer, and jump behind the Connie! ;D
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss159/Motocopter/jokerandbike.jpg)
Wow, how did you get Pokey to pose for that picture?
-
Over the Cumberland River in TN. Prop a camera on the railing, set the timer, and jump behind the Connie! ;D
(http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss159/Motocopter/jokerandbike.jpg)
Wow, how did you get Pokey to pose for that picture?
Pokey should really see a dermatologist about that skin problem. :o
-
I took my C14 on the ferry across Mobile Bay. I just parked it on the sidestand since it was a calm day.
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-XH8tHZD/0/XL/IMG_0738-XL.jpg)
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-DGZJM53/0/XL/IMG_0749-XL.jpg)
Hey, that looks familiar!
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/twowheeladdict/AVA%20See%20the%20USA%202011/023FortMorgantoDauphinIslandFerry.jpg)
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/twowheeladdict/AVA%20See%20the%20USA%202011/026FortMorgantoDauphinIslandFerry.jpg)
This is the route I took for that ride.
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/twowheeladdict/AVA%20See%20the%20USA%202011/ApproximateRidesinSeptember.jpg)
-
I have ridden the BC ferries many times and the first thing is that you don't automatically go to the front of the line. If they tell you to great, but don't make the assumption, because officially its not allowed.
After that park it in gear on the sidestand and as a precaution place one of the large wedge blocks under the opposite side of the bike. I always sit on or stand by the bike as we leave and arrive holding the front brake just in case of a bump.
I have always been told to go to the front row. Once the ferry was sold out and they put me on anyway. Told me no problem since I was on a bike.
-
I have always been told to go to the front row. Once the ferry was sold out and they put me on anyway. Told me no problem since I was on a bike.
It used to be that you would come up to a ferry line up and just drive yourself to the front. That got shot down and officially it is now first come first serve. However, we usually do get waved to the front by the staff, but that is at their discretion.
-
Leave it to management to spoil a good thing!
-
I have taken the Connie on the NC ferry system several times. First of all, don't bother calling them for any info, because they don't answer the phones, and if you ever do get someone on the phone, they don't know what to tell you. They provide no tie downs or anything else, bring it if you want. When you drive onto the ferry, the ferry people tell you, stay with your bike, we are not responsible for anything that happens to it. The ferry boats come in different sizes, and the procedure is different depending on which boat you get. Sometimes you get told to drive front tire first, up to the pipe that is a perimeter car tire stop around the entire deck. Several Harleys were trying to back them in, and they made them turn them around, that took a while. On other ferry trips, they just let us go right in with the cars. One time I was parked, when an old home brew Honda V bike worth at least $25 that was barely on it's homemade side-stand parked, leaning dangerously, parked right next to me. Sheer terror the whole ride! If the winds are up, you may get spray over the ferry's little side walls. One time the bikes were drenched with salt water over and over. Not good, as when you get to the outer banks, they treat water like gold and we couldn't wash the bikes until late at night when no one was watching. And we were supposed to 'stay with the bikes'? In a salty rain storm? Obviously the jerks that put us there knew that was the place where the spray would be likely.
-
I just use the side stand and put the bike in first gear.
-
Crossed Strait of Magellan to and from Tierra del Fuego/Isla Grande/Ushuaia, Argentina fin del mundo and southernmost city in the world. No problem with KLR650 on side stand in gear. Punky 'n' Lew 'n' Achi 2 stayed with bike.
-
A ferry somewhere in Louisiana in 2011. Not sure where. Apparently the vessel is called Acadia.
(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/2011-06-27_17-42-37_516.jpg)
(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/DSCN1441_zpsb0ff99ef.jpg)
-
Washington State ferries; first on first off!! Just be on the bike before they dock.
-
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn181/1wheelpeel/Arkansas%20Trip%202009/DSC04174.jpg)
That looks like the Bull Shoals Ferry in northern Arkansas.
Lousy pic of my C10 on the ferry from Seattle to the Olympic peninsula during a 6500 mile trip last year.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7553677656_05022603a9_b.jpg)
Bull Shoals with the boys on the FZ1 last year, the bike is on the top left.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7404854902_738e9daa55_b.jpg)
-
St. Johns River Ferry, N.E. Florida;
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/chamberlincalls/RIH2011033.jpg)
-
Jamestown Ferry from Surrey to Jamestown VA
[smg id=449]
That's Bob's FJR in the foreground....
As you can plainly see, I'm holding on for dear life... ::)
-
Arkansas into Missouri
-
B.C. Ferries - Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay
1st trip with my (then) 1 week old bike :)
(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx10/madmax1965/untitled.png)
-
I'll employ my Canyon Dancer if I ferry mine on my Alaska/North America ride ;D
-
I want to ride up to Victoria, B.C. The ferry website says that bikes are allowed to board first, get some wooden car blocks (???) for the bike, park on side stand and be sure to be with bike before docking to support it.
Any words of wisdom here?
WHICH ferry are you taking? The Blackball out of PortAngeles (private) or the WA State ferry system out of Anacortes? I have done both, prefer Anacortes. Takes a little longer (about 2.5 hr crossing instead of 1.5 hr), is cheaper ($24 vs. $32.50), is MUCH smoother as it is mostly through protected waters in the San Juan Islands instead of across the open straights (which also makes it much more scenic).
I have taken my bike numerous times on WA state ferries and never had a problem. No need to tie off like on the Blackball and you can go to the car deck any time during the crossing.
(http://waynes-world.net/mcrides/c14-ferry.jpg)
-
Took the ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth in Ontario on Lake Huron; about a 2 hour trip. The day we did it, the waters were VERY rough...waves breaking over the bow kind of rough. If I recall correctly, they didn't allow anyone to stay down with the vehicles when departing or docking. If you didn't have tie downs, they provided ropes you could use. We tied ours down with them on the side stands and even with the thrashing, the bikes made it just fine. I was sure we were going to go down and find them laying on their sides.
-
Who would have thought this thread would be so long and with so many pictures?!!
-
Who would have thought this thread would be so long and with so many pictures?!!
+1,
some great pics indeed, too
-
Who would have thought this thread would be so long and with so many pictures?!!
I like these threads like this or the non-chain restaurant thread. You see a lot of interesting pics. I think I'll start a mountain pass thread.
-
I've done the Cape May/Lewes ferry across the Delaware Bay a few times on the Connie. Never thought to take a picture!
Back in, in gear, side stand. Sometimes they run a thick rope in front of the tire as kind of a wheel chock. Never had any problems. First on/first off is nice!
-
WHICH ferry are you taking? The Blackball out of PortAngeles (private) or the WA State ferry system out of Anacortes? I have done both, prefer Anacortes. Takes a little longer (about 2.5 hr crossing instead of 1.5 hr), is cheaper ($24 vs. $32.50), is MUCH smoother as it is mostly through protected waters in the San Juan Islands instead of across the open straights (which also makes it much more scenic).
I have taken my bike numerous times on WA state ferries and never had a problem. No need to tie off like on the Blackball and you can go to the car deck any time during the crossing.
(http://waynes-world.net/mcrides/c14-ferry.jpg)
I was thinking of the Blackball out off Port Angeles. If i want to get to Victoria from Seattle, how exactly does the anacorte do it? Do I take another ferry from the san juan islands or are there bridges?
-
That looks like the Bull Shoals Ferry in northern Arkansas.
That it is. Ar on one side Mo on the other, love that area.
-
I have taken my bike on a ferry across the Columbia a couple of times. I would sit on my bike when we left the dock and getting hooked up to the dock on the other side, but while we were going across I would walk around and take pictures. Bike sat there just fine without any blocks. I am not sure if this is comparable to a ferry to B.C. or not but I thought I would throw it out there.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/Rides/IMG_2744.jpg)
Hey, that's me! First ferry ride for my C14 right there. Good picture Tom!
-
I was thinking of the Blackball out off Port Angeles. If i want to get to Victoria from Seattle, how exactly does the anacorte do it? Do I take another ferry from the san juan islands or are there bridges?
Drive to Anacortes from Seattle (about 90 minutes)
Get on the ferry in Anacortes
Get off ferry in Sidney on Vancouver Is.
Drive to Victoria (about 20 minutes)
Ferry from Anacortes crosses the border and docks on Vancouver Is
-
Well, I am back. I took the ferry from Anacortes, very smooth. Took the blackball ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. Tied up bike but was smooth. One rope was touching the shield so I put a t-shirt over the shield to protect it.
If I had to do it again, I would bring along a couple of those ratchet action "come alongs" that people use to latch down things on pick up trucks.
-
A picture of a bike on a BC ferry with a block.
-
OK, it has been several years since I have been on the ferry. I posted pics of my PREVIOUS bike, but now my Concours has been on the ferry, so I have something more relevant to post! I was even first in line, first on, first off.
-
I haven't taken my C14 on a ferry, but I did take my R1 on the Lake Express ferry across Lake Michigan a few years back. They provided plenty of straps and strap locations which was good because we left during a storm and the ferry is a high speed catamaran: http://www.lake-express.com/ (http://www.lake-express.com/) Lots of rolling and rocking but no bikes fell over. This is a popular ferry for those avoiding Chicago so they have lots of experience with bikes, although no preferential treatment.
-
The rules for a bike on a BC ferry.
-
I ride that ferry a couple of times a week on the C-14. No problems, park at a 45 degree angle, use chocks and leave it in gear. Usually a very simple operation and never had any problems.
-
Heading over to Whidbey Island.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/null-3.jpg) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/null-3.jpg.html)
-
Yes, a thread resurrection but why not? Took my bike on a loop from Corpus Christi TX to Mustang Island and across the Port Aranasas Ferry.
(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/1B1F8D69-705A-4B9D-A05F-2199D8C50868_zpsa27xiemu.jpg)
(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/B0199AE5-A302-4A25-8498-400AA4A91FE2_zpslxzt4u0n.jpg)
-
:D
-
On 3 separate trips this summer.
-
Kawi Ken....I see the Ma state trooper vehicle were you on your way over to the vineyard? are you from new England?
-
After more than a year this thread is officially resurrected. That deserves a :banana
-
Yes & Yes ! ;D
I went over a couple wk ends ago and had a great day. The Bike has seen a lot of ferries this yr.
PEI to Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia to Portland Maine.
New London CT to Long Island N.Y. and RT 114 with the Island Ferries.
Falmouth to Vineyard.
I hail outta Bridgewater !
Don't wanna to hijack thread, but here's some pics from the vineyard.
Kawi Ken....I see the Ma state trooper vehicle were you on your way over to the vineyard? are you from new England?
-
I took my C14 on the ferry across Mobile Bay. I just parked it on the sidestand since it was a calm day.
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-XH8tHZD/0/XL/IMG_0738-XL.jpg)
(http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/moto/i-DGZJM53/0/XL/IMG_0749-XL.jpg)
Mobile bay ferry in the rain, Bike on side stand.
-
I recently took the Blackball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria and back last month, and the return trip the ferry was reallly rocking and rolling. It was bad enough that I was very concerned about my bike, since I hadn't used the blocks on this trip. The cheesy little rope that you use to tie the bike with really wouldn't keep the bike from going over once it started.
While moving, all passengers have to be off the car deck, so I couldn't check the bike until we arrived in Port Angeles.
Once I was able to get on the car deck, I was relieved to see that everything was fine. I'm now convinced that it would take some extreme rolling of the boat before the bike would keel (ha ha!) over.
-
Dona didn't like the Jamestown ferry...all
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2481189150015463693XplIim_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2481189150015463693XplIim_ph.jpg.html)
Whites ferry on the Poto was cool...
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2927958240015463693HTqULi_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2927958240015463693HTqULi_ph.jpg.html)
Left the engraved ADV nut there..
Tag on(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2964533170015463693BNYPLq_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2964533170015463693BNYPLq_ph.jpg.html)
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2471996310015463693ixmPBF_fs.jpg)[/URL[URL=http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2356057910015463693uoSWqI_ph.jpg.html](http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2356057910015463693uoSWqI_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2471996310015463693ixmPBF_fs.jpg.html)(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2070585260015463693JmJfMK_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2070585260015463693JmJfMK_ph.jpg.html)
-
Who would have thought this thread would be so long and with so many pictures?!!
No kidding. I guess I'll add mine: No never have been on a ferry with my C14. ;)
-
Dona didn't like the Jamestown ferry...all
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u672/MAN_OF_BLUES/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2481189150015463693XplIim_ph.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/MAN_OF_BLUES/media/old%201/ADV%20TAGS/2481189150015463693XplIim_ph.jpg.html)
I can see why, if the boat's going down and she needs a life jacket, it doesn't look like she could reach the release. ;D
-
They collected a fee from the cars on the Mobile Bay ferry but left me alone. Don't know if it was an oversight or they let bikes ride for free. I have also done the Peel ferry several times. That's the one across Bull Shoals Lake between AR and MO that others have posted.