RULES AND USEFUL TIPS TO PROTECT THE MOTORCYCLE FROM IMPACTS AND GET IT TO ITS DESTINATION SAFELY
We have already written an article on the tips on how to board one’s means of transportation aboard ferries:
Should you board your car on the ferry first or last?
. The time has come to cover the same topic, but talking about motorcycles, scooters and motorcycles.
How to board the motorcycle on the ferry?
More and more people are choosing the ferry as a means of transportation, precisely because of the possibility of taking the motorcycle on the road. Having your own preferred means of transportation at your disposal once you reach your destination will, in fact, be a great advantage that will provide you with greater freedom of movement. It will be necessary to take a look at the regulations and protect it so as not to damage it en route.
1) Check the traffic regulations of the place of destination and that your motorcycle is eligible to circulate
Many cities apply restrictions on the most polluting vehicles, traffic blocks, restricted traffic zones or time restrictions. Check the approval of your motorcycle and the regulations of the place you are going to visit to avoid surprises upon arrival.
For example, take a look at the
Formentera traffic regulations
.
2) Buy the ticket for the motorcycle as well
This is an automatic operation: when making reservation of one’s ticket will be sufficient to specify the type of transportation to be brought on board. There will, of course, be a surcharge to pay.
3) Show up at the port in advance
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding to board the motorcycle is to go to the port early. Generally, the shipping companies They board motorcycles before cars on ferries. So it will be necessary to get to port even earlier.
How far in advance of departure should one arrive? Normally you should arrive at the port two hours in advance. Timelines will be specified in the booking confirmation email you receive when you purchase your ticket.
On this topic we wrote this article:
Five recommendations to avoid surprises at boarding
Read it if you still have any doubts.
4) You will have to board, yourself, the bike aboard the ferry.
There are unlikely to be attendants boarding your bike on the ferry, so be prepared for some hard work. Also because this operation has to be done by pushing with the engine off. Prestate Watch out for steps, especially if your bike is a fairing road bike, Be careful not to dent it. Remember that there is slipping on the ferries, so bike prone and be very careful.
5) Bring from home YOUR ropes and microfiber cloths to protect it
Usually on ferries there are already ropes and strings to tie down motorcycles, scooters, etc., but they are often so dirty that they might stain the seat. Ropes should be tightened very tightly, insert some the microfiber cloths under the knots will help you protect the bodywork. The saddle should also be covered so that the ropes cannot damage it.
*Tip: Tie the bike well, prevent the attendant who comes by to check the knots from redoing them in his own way., especially when traveling abroad.
6) Watch out for the stand, gear engaged and steering lock
Insert the kickstand and, for safety, a
wheel locking wedge
. Engage the gear and do not forget the steering lock. Boarding the bike on the ferry also means taking on some responsibilities, so don’t underestimate the details.
7) Take the luggage that you will need
Once finished boarding of the motorcycle onto the ferry the garage will be closed. You will not be able to access it again until the end of the route. So if you have forgotten something in the glove box (or top box), you will not be able to go back and get it. When leaving the motorcycle in the garage it will be best to do a check of documents, phone, charger, medicines and useful items.
8) Prepare in advance for disembarkation operations.
Remember that you boarded the motorcycle on the ferry before the cars., so you risk going down last. Pay close attention to the instructions if you don’t want to get in the way of operations and waste a lot of time. Each Shipping Company has its own disembarkation procedures.
Have you figured out how to board the bike on the ferry? We hope that these eight tips may be useful to travelers who, for the first time, accomplish this task.
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