Bikes should never be tied down on EITHER the main or side stands! Many stands like the one on my R80G/S are narrow and not all that strong, and very unstable. The side stand will hold the bike up, but don't sit on it, it will bend.

Strapping it down as in the photos is the easy way for the shippers. Hopefully it's well tied down on the right, in which case the load on the sidestand isn't a huge problem. And it's a Japanese bike, they generally have sturdy well designed stands unlike some European manufacturers who shall remain nameless. And it's not just BMW.

Ideally, bikes are vertical on the wheels, (reducing stresses on straps and the bike) and tied down at the 4 corners and one pair in the centre for safety.

The straps on the front from the handlebars is ideal, top of crash bars will do, and strapped forward.

On the rear, back of the frame is ideal or as close as you can get, sometimes a passenger grab handle, at worst passenger peg mounts, and strapped towards the back, so the bike is in tension between the strap pairs.

I like to add a pair of straps in the centre if possible, perhaps to footpegs and straight sideways and to the outside of the crate/pallet. Over the top of the seat, with a generous pad to protect it, also works well, in fact that's what ferry companies often do on rough passages.

It should be pulled well down on the suspension but not crazy tight. And no it won't hurt the springs or blow the seals!
You CAN also tie the wheels down as they did on this one, not a bad thing to do. Six straps is plenty, but two more for the wheels won't hurt.

FWIW - a friend rolled his van several times, with the bike loaded with 4 straps as above - the van came to rest upside down, and the bike was still securely strapped in place - now upside down. And yes he was okay but well beaten up.

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Grant Johnson
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
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