Cargo Nightmare

[Az-ZX-14]

I want to share a not so good situation I experienced while taking a ride to one of our local lakes last weekend. I'm not writing this to gain any sympathy, I just want to share my experience and try to help prevent this from happening to someone else.

While preparing to depart, I attached a 12”x 8”x 6” cordura case to my back seat. I wasn’t carrying much just a few steaks, tooth brush/ paste, comb etc. I secured this case to the stock rear fender brackets and proceeded to run the tie down around the case.
After placing three knots and tugging on the load I was very confident the load was not going anywhere.

I took off and was heading for the freeway, which was only 1.5 miles away. Just prior to getting on the freeway, I double-checked my bag and was satisfied that it was still secure. I entered the freeway and casually merged into the traffic. Our posted speeds are 65 mph but I typically do 10 or more over. At this point you can guess what happened.
The @#(*&# %!* tie down came loose, got caught in my chain/ sprocket and rear brake.
I’ve never in my life ever seen a tire wear a flat spot so bad. The rubber that came off actually fused to other areas of the tire.

Let me tell you, going from 75+ to zero without any rear wheel spin is really messed up. I almost went high side a few times and to this moment don’t know how I stayed on other than not wanting to let go of my baby.

Any way the point I would like to get across is that using tie downs can be very dangerous, even when you’re being careful. I’m going to invest in a good tank bag and avoid using anything that can cause this to happen again.

If this post helps save one life or bike, I’m a happy man.

Ride safe my friends.

[mes_kc]

Dude, I'm not sure I understand how you got into this mess. Was the case a cortech type case? Were you using bungies, a cargo net, or did the case have straps? How many hooks? You were using the bracket under the rear of the seat just in front of the tail light? Were you using the muffler brackets too? I'm assuming the rear seat cowling was off. I really want to know because I expect to do alot of touring on mine and as yet haven't attempted to secure anything.

[Az-ZX-14]

The case was made of cordura material which is similar to back pack material. It had reinforced sides so it will maintain its shape. The case was secured to the rear seat (less cowling) using a lightweight-ratcheting tie down. The tie down was connected to the stock rear fender brackets, which are located by the side reflectors.

No Bungies/cargo net were used. This is probably where I went wrong.

If you must secure anything to the rear of the bike, I would recommend using a cargo net. Definitely don’t use a tie down that’s five feet long.

My post is to remind people of the dangers that can exist when securing their loads. When this is not done properly it can turn into a real bad situation. Visualize having your rear wheel lock up on the freeway. If you’re good enough to keep it upright, are you lucky enough to stop in the safety lane? Remember your rear tire is locked so pushing the bike to safety is not an option. The cars were not slowing down. In my case I was lucky. The last 20 feet of my skid I was able to make my way to the safety lane. By the time I got off my bike, found my knife and freed the tie down, my case was about a mile up the road.

I have over 20 years of road experience. It just takes on mistake to wipe out a good record.

[gumbybob]

I had a strap let go on a tail pack on a Blackbird I had last year. By the time I stopped, it had wound around the back sprocket. The chain was so tight I could barely rotate the rear tire to unwind it. Lucky it didn't snap the chain or lock up the tire.
Be VERY careful securing luggage.
Something so simple could change the rest of your life.

[mes_kc]

Very informative. It's been a long time since I've had a bike with chain and sprocket. Thanks. Glad you're all right.