It depends. With panniers and a top box full of kit and the rear ride height set up "sporty" the bike is very top heavy. Mine always looks, and more to the point,feels like it is about to topple over when its loaded as above. So much so that i flatly refused to leave the bike on the side stand while on the eurotunnel as per the train staffs instruction. This conversation got a little heated until i asked if eurotunnel would reimburse me should it actually topple over. For the same reason i always use the centre stand on ferries as well, it is not going anywhere while on the centre stand.
there was a fella on dun who's bike toppled on a ferry a while back, i think he successfully claimd for damage from the ferry company. cant remember which way it was tied down.
I suppose it depends alot on how they are anchoring it down. Only have side stand on 900ssie, been Isle of Man and they roped it down over the seat with no issues. Also went to Monza via the tunnel and never had a problem as the train ride is very smooth, just left it in gear and had a walk around. For peace of mind enquire how they secure the bike when you book
My worry is the side stand just feels flimsy tbh - wont have a top box but will have panniers on - will remove the rear bag as a carry-on I have read though that can topple on centre stand as suspension cant be compressed - v confusing!
Centre stand if you have one but i still strap mine down on the ferry even with my centre stand. In fact one of the ferry companies regards this as your responsibility and has straps lying around the car deck for you to use.
Ferry from and to where ? If its Folkestone to Calais use the Channel Tunnel, it's a damn sight quicker, a lot smoother and you sit with your bike. Andy
Some of the ferrys have the ride-in chock things now, the guys on the boats are quite approachable, do ask them if your not sure, the IOM boat straps your bike with a short bit of rope, doesn't look that safe bt they do thousands a year lol
theirs only two ferry's i'v been on where they don't tie them down for you. dunoon and corran. all the rest inner and outer hebradies, Orkney, Ireland all tied down.
It's an interesting one this - If you are happy with your own ability to secure things correctly, then it's probably a good idea to do it yourself. The problem comes if the bike does fall over - if the ferry staff didn't secure it then you will have a very difficult job getting any money from them as they will say "you secured it, your problem". I would say it's probably more stable secured down with it on the sidestand, but my worry would be that the sidetand mounting point is not that strong - it's designed to take the weight of the bike when parked, not all the extra load that a ship's movement can impart on it. I have never taken my ST on a ferry but If it was me I would leave it on the centre-stand and make sure it is well secured (after three decades working oin ships I have become quite good at "securing for sea"). If in doubt, ask the crew for advice...
Actually worked out to be quite easy; on the way over I was on the Condor express; used the centre stand and they then put a cushion over the seat and secured it that way; very secure indeed and the front wheel was against a bulkhead on the way back I came back on the more conventional ferry – the Clipper. This was even better because they had designated front wheel retainers; you literally rode onto that, it locked the front wheel in place and then they used handlebar straps Was a doddle tbh
