Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[hard10]

I have a question for those of you that have one of these. Do you use it for parking in the garage on a daily basis? I just opened and set up mine today. I have the plate to mount to the trailer. I set it up in the garage to see how it would fit / work. I am a little worried about leaving the bike resting in the chock all the time. I'm worried about it falling over when no one is looking! I left the kick stand down and tilted a little to the left just in case.

Any opinions?


TIA, AJ 

[110tHunDer]

 
AJ, I've got the trailer only model, but I think this still applies to what you're asking about . . . . . . At night, I always used to just run the bike in and leave it standing in the Condor overnight.  Did it that way many, many times without incident.  But, last fall at MV I came out one morning to find the bike leaning over inside the trailer and resting on the right side edge of the batwing.  I have fairing mounted mirrors and either the weight of the bike or the impact with the trailer wall broke the right side mirror.

I attribute it to the fact that the front tire was only about 300 or 400 miles old at that point and probably still had some mold release chemical on the edge where the Condor was gripping, but the point is, it only takes one time to have an accident that results in damage to your bike.  No doubt the damage would have been worse had the trailer wall not been there to catch and support the bike, such as in your garage.

I now loosly tie down the bike overnight while it's in the trailer to preven anything like that from happening again.  I still think the Condor is an awesome product and makes tieing a bike down on or in a trailer child's play compared to a Pingel or other similarly styled chock, but I no longer think that it's design is fool-proof, like I once thought before that episode in MV happened.

[hard10]

B, That's kinda what I thought. Like I said, it is in the stand with most of the weight on the kick stand. It is close enough to the wall that if it does fall over the fairing will lean up against it for now. I guess for a daily basis there would be no need to leave it loaded in an upright position.

[Twolanerider]

B, That's kinda what I thought. Like I said, it is in the stand with most of the weight on the kick stand. It is close enough to the wall that if it does fall over the fairing will lean up against it for now. I guess for a daily basis there would be no need to leave it loaded in an upright position.

AJ, I've got a competitor's version of the same type of product installed on the lift in the garage and in the trailer.  Any bike I've ever pulled in the trailer has of course also always been tied down just as if it were in a regular chock.  It may be overkill but it feels better.  The chock is great for ease of loading though.  No squirrely part getting on or off when the chock is holding it but you've got no straps pulled yet.

In the garage I do just as you describe.  Put the kickstand down.  I've had the stand up for maintenance a couple of times and then realized a day or three later the bike had been standing there.  Like Brian said, never had any problem.  But why worry about that "one time" when it's so simple to avoid it...

[hard10]

Well I guess the real question is whether or not to use the stand at all while in the garage? And if so what would be the advantage?

[Twolanerider]

Well I guess the real question is whether or not to use the stand at all while in the garage? And if so what would be the advantage?

I most often don't.  Usually pull the bike in short of the lift unless it might be there awhile.  It's more out of the way up on the lift though.

[103_RK]

I have one and used it for a year or more daily in the garage.  The advantage was the bike stood straight up and did not lean towards the car so I had less chance of someone hitting the bike with the car door.  I only stopped using it because I now have a center stand installed on my bike and since I got rid of a vehicle, I have one whole side of the garage to park the bike in.  THis fall when I buy another vehicle, I will go back to using the Condor.  I also have the trailer bracket installed on my trailer and plan to use that as soon as I need it.  I love the Condor, it is well worth the money.  The bike stands straight and is very stable.

[electraglideclyde]

I have one and use it for daily parking. If I am going to leave it overnight or longer, I put the tie-down straps from the engine guards to the front of the stand. That way I know it will not fall or lean over under any conditions.   

[TimBone]

I use mine in the bed of my truck, on the trailer and doing the services on the bike.
Kickstand for daily ops for me and the condor sits in the corner of the garage
waiting to be used.
Great piece of gear to have.

[Boatman]

I've used my Condor for maintenance as much or more than my lift.  Comes in handy.   

[phattey]

I just got my pit stop and have a question...or two..

I have it on the option 2 setting...is that what most folks use..?? Plus, it's not easy to roll the bike onto it. Should I power it on to it or just push it harder..?

Since I've not done one of these yet..I'm nervous that the cradle will hit the fender or something...

Thanks

[Twolanerider]

I just got my pit stop and have a question...or two..

I have it on the option 2 setting...is that what most folks use..?? Plus, it's not easy to roll the bike onto it. Should I power it on to it or just push it harder..?

Since I've not done one of these yet..I'm nervous that the cradle will hit the fender or something...

Thanks

Mine is a competitor's version Ron.  But I've used what you've got a couple of times and my own of course brazillions of times.  I just drive it on.  Demonstrators at rally events do the same thing.  If I tried to push it on I'd sure as hell eventually drop the bike some time.

[phattey]

Thanks Don...I finally quit being a pu-- and rolled it up on it. Perfect...It works great..

just another garage toy..

[hd-dude]

I have the condor trailer model mounted to one of my shop lifts and also set up in my shop truck. The #2 hole (from the back) works best for the 16" wheels, no fender issues with stock fenders.

[amigo Jorge]

I have a question for those of you that have one of these. Do you use it for parking in the garage on a daily basis? I just opened and set up mine today. I have the plate to mount to the trailer. I set it up in the garage to see how it would fit / work. I am a little worried about leaving the bike resting in the chock all the time. I'm worried about it falling over when no one is looking! I left the kick stand down and tilted a little to the left just in case.

Any opinions?


TIA, AJ 

Mi amigo AJ...this is what I also do....don't trust unless the chock is fixed to the ground........

[FUNGOUL]

I let it sit in the stand all by itself no straps or kickstand it'll take alot to push it over

[FUNGOUL]

 

[FUNGOUL]

 

[tazmun]

I got mine 2 years ago, use it every day. I just drive on, turn off the bike, and go into the house.
A lot of people set it up per the instructions, and go. I did a little trial & error, found the best setting,
and have never touched it again. I never worry abiout it falling over, you can shake the dickens
out of it, and no problem.

[TimBone]

Also have had mine for a couple years and is great.
Works great in the back of my truck when hauling a scoot around.
Definately recommend!

TmBone

[Diesel Dragon]

Everyone can do what they want but I'll tell you my experience with my Condor.

I have it mounted to my MC lift, I used the product for about 6 months with out incident, just drive it in and get off the bike and into the house I go.

I have left the bike on the lift UP in the air 40" off the ground for a week at a time with no problem.

One day I'm cleaning the bike some with the lift at ground level, the lift table is still 6" off the floor even when it's down, I finish up and leave the lift down for the night, very unusual for me to leave it down but I did.

The next morning at about 6am the bike alarm starts going off in the garage, I go to check and the bike is laying on it's side 

I get my neighbor to come over and help me and we stand the bike back up.

The fall onto the concrete floor scarred up my mirror, clutch lever, left saddle bag, saddle bag latch, tour pack hinge, tour pack lid and tour pack side light. Luckily all the paint scars were minor and a little touch up paint covered them up nicely. The chrome is replaced.

I assembled the Condor according to the instructions and put the cradle pin in the 3rd hole, the instructions say not to let the cradle touch the ground when you put the front wheel in place, which it would slightly do if you use the 2nd hole.
The bike was straight up when I left it the night before, I am very conscious of the fact that the bike is heavy and a little lean could put extra pressure on the Condor holder.

The Pin that holds the cradle assembly into the aluminium brackets bent into a S shape slowly over night and let the bike lean over and eventually slip out of the cradle.

I called Condor and they said that I used the wrong pin hole, I told them that I followed the instructions and they said Ya but you should of used the 2nd one any way 
They ended up sending me a new Improved cradle, which is all one piece now instead of welded pieces and a new pin and a whole new Condor assembly to use with my 2nd bike for free.

I was upset by what happened but it could of been worse, the bike could of been 40" up in the air, my wife's SUV could of been in the garage next to the bike like usual and a floor jack that is near the lift could of been a couple of inches closer, any and all of these variables could of resulted in a nasty mess.

So for me since then I use the 2nd pin hole, and tie the bike down with ratchet straps the pull the bike slightly forward to make sure it never goes anywhere again, because you never know.

DD

.

[Twolanerider]

Just my own insecurities for sure.  But even though I've used the Bike Pro wheel chock products on the lift and in the trailer those brazillions of times I'd still never trust them exclusively.  Always pull a strap on each side.  Have a pair of ratcheting straps bolted to the lift.  One on each side.  So it's quick and easy to do.  But even if it were a five minute chore rather than a 45 second chore I'd still always cinch a strap on each side.  Just to make sure the bike never gets a chance to start leaning.

[LarryB]

if it falls over and no one is there, does it make a sound?

[MUFFMAN]

When you have $35,000.00 + invested in a bike it gets tied down no matter what. Condor also says with the chock you can get away with 2 tie down points for travel. I still use a minimum of 5 straps when transporting. Once the bike falls down once during transport (pre condor days) it tends to make you a little paranoid. THE MUFFMAN

[BLM777]

if it falls over and no one is there, does it make a sound?

No sound at all until you discover it laying there.......

[Twolanerider]

if it falls over and no one is there, does it make a sound?

Yes.  It will weep.  Plaintive cries for help whimpering sorrowfully calling your name as it wonders why you aren't there to help it.  If you're not there quickly the time will flow and the pain will turn to disdain; then anger.  The bike will come to spite you for leaving it down.  It knows this isn't right.  Isn't how it should be.  It will think you don't care.  Then, when you finally do come back, it will play along.  Act happy to see you.  All the while aching for that first ride and vengeance.





So it's best to pick it up quickly .

[LarryB]

I think there are laws about this. sounds like one of my dogs./b]

[skreminegul07]

I have a Condor and A 07 SERK.  Depending on which of the (I'm trying to word this correctly guys) holes you choose, makes a difference as to the difficulty getting the bike in and out.   I talked to the Condor guys at Laconia and they suggested a setting of 3 for the fat 18" radial.  Also as mentioned, the newer cradle is one piece of formed steel, cheaper to assemble tthan the multi piece welded.  They sent me the new piece for $25 total.  With the extra cradle, one could easily make a second dock. 
i would always out at least two cables on it, but it's nice not to have to worry while you are tying it down.
I have the quick attach brackets in the trailer, in two location for one or two bikes.  I have a 3 x4 piece of 3/4" plywood that I mount it to in the garage.  There are two eye bolts for the straps.  I use those threaded blind nuts that go in from the back and bite into the wood to attach the condor.

[MJZ]

I have a couple of Condor SC2000's in my trailer that I very rarely use, anyone know of a reason they should not be mounted on a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood and get some use out of them in the garage?
I was thinking of using a couple of pieces of 1/2" flat stock as backer plates maybe 2"x3'.

[SBB]

I have a couple of Condor SC2000's in my trailer that I very rarely use, anyone know of a reason they should not be mounted on a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood and get some use out of them in the garage?
I was thinking of using a couple of pieces of 1/2" flat stock as backer plates maybe 2"x3'.

Always use the straps!

 

[Twolanerider]

Always use the straps!

 

Definitely.  And if you put them on plywood make sure the board has a long enough leading edge that the tire rolls up on the board completely before it begins engaging the chock.  No chance of sliding it in front of you this way.

[LarryB]

Not sure why this is such a hot topic? I have a lift that doesn't need the aid of a wheel chock. I never, and I repeat, never trailer my bike anywhere. My wife's bike was on a trailer once after a mishap but it was for one hour. Do you guy's trailer your bike to events or rallies, or just ride around with them?
I could be missing something here. 

[MUFFMAN]

Trailer to some. Ride to others.  Being from Canada, some of these events are of considerable distance. A lot of the members  myself included due to work schedules etc can only take a week's holidays at one time. Some events are 4 to 5 days round trip by bike. Trailering can knock off at least one day. Others use the chocks in their garage to keep the bike upright, saving a little room.

[LarryB]

point taken, but does hauling in trailer save much time? I can ride just as far, or farther, in a day as a truck and trailer and usually faster. Unless there is a new rally called Trailer Week.

[MUFFMAN]

When we  trailer we have 2 drivers and drive at least 18 hours. If we go to Daytona its 20 hours straight. 20 hours straight with one driver is too much on a bike, IMO.I  don't like driving the bike too early in the morning or late in the evening when it is dark. Too risky to hit a deer. I've hit a few in the cage but never on a bike & I'd prefer to keep it that way. If I ride to the Dragon thats only 14 hours from my house & we do that in one day. THE MUFFMAN

[ccr]

We have two of the condor chocks.  Usually one is set up in the garage in case you want to drive a bike into it for working on the bike, one is folded up on the garage wall.  If we travel and need to haul a bike, the chock is easily moved to the desired hauling vehicle or trailer. 

The comments about whether one trailers or not, have nothing to do with the value of this accessory. 

I wish I had a trailer for hauling a bike or three everyone once in awhile.  Actually, the wish for one has come up at least once a year for the past three years when wanting to do and yet one more meeting with our CVO friends.  I am happy for those who have the health and constitution to be able to ride 20 hours a day, day after day on a cross country trip.  For my husband and I, we are very happy when we can roll 800 - 1000 miles a day, one after another.  We can travel much farther in a four wheel vehicle than two.  We tend to drive to our destinations as well, but that is mainly cause that is the only way we have.  When we both retire for good, a trailer is on our list of desired additions.  Just not sure if we want a trailer to haul the bikes or a trailer to haul behind them.

[WFP]

We have two of the condor chocks.  Usually one is set up in the garage in case you want to drive a bike into it for working on the bike, one is folded up on the garage wall.  If we travel and need to haul a bike, the chock is easily moved to the desired hauling vehicle or trailer. 

The comments about whether one trailers or not, have nothing to do with the value of this accessory. 

I wish I had a trailer for hauling a bike or three everyone once in awhile.  Actually, the wish for one has come up at least once a year for the past three years when wanting to do and yet one more meeting with our CVO friends.  I am happy for those who have the health and constitution to be able to ride 20 hours a day, day after day on a cross country trip.  For my husband and I, we are very happy when we can roll 800 - 1000 miles a day, one after another.  We can travel much farther in a four wheel vehicle than two.  We tend to drive to our destinations as well, but that is mainly cause that is the only way we have.  When we both retire for good, a trailer is on our list of desired additions.  Just not sure if we want a trailer to haul the bikes or a trailer to haul behind them.

Or Both!  Right now, my trailer is in my trailer for winter storage!

Since I won't be moving down that way anytime soon (rejected the offer), my trailer will still be pretty far away but you know it is always there if you need it for a three thousand mile trip...

[BLM777]

Always use the straps!

 

Man, ya'll starting to scare me.  I'm about 6 years into the Condor chocks (3 in trailer/2 on floor in shop/1 permanent mount on lift) and have never had a problem.  Only thing I tie is the a$$ end in the trailer to keep it from sliding around.  I can't shake one out of this chock.  Maybe some are not adjusting the settings for enough compression pinch on the tire?

[icybay]

if it falls over and no one is there, does it make a sound?

Yes I definitely heard a screaming when I opened the door!

And yes,  now I use the straps when its on the lift.

[MUFFMAN]

Yes I definitely heard a screaming when I opened the door!

And yes,  now I use the straps when its on the lift.

You're lucky it didn't fall on the old car. THE MUFFMAN

[Twolanerider]

Not sure why this is such a hot topic? I have a lift that doesn't need the aid of a wheel chock. I never, and I repeat, never trailer my bike anywhere. My wife's bike was on a trailer once after a mishap but it was for one hour. Do you guy's trailer your bike to events or rallies, or just ride around with them?
I could be missing something here. 

I pretty much always have my bike in the trailer behind me.  Keep it there just in case.

Never know when you might have a few minutes to stop and ride around for eight or ten miles before having to head on to the next thing to do. 

Can't ever ride very far at any one time though.  Was just explained somewhere here that with the Corbin seat I can't ride the bikes too far so that explains it all.

[Indenial]

In my garage, I have it bolted to the floor and have never had a problem with the bike tipping in 4 years. In the trailer, I always tie it down, except overnight if it's on a level surface. When moving on the road, be sure to tie the rear tire or it will shift when hitting the road bumps.

[Twolanerider]

In my garage, I have it bolted to the floor and have never had a problem with the bike tipping in 4 years. In the trailer, I always tie it down, except overnight if it's on a level surface. When moving on the road, be sure to tie the rear tire or it will shift when hitting the road bumps.

One year at Maggie Valley Brian was putting his bike in his trailer each night.  Parked.  Flat.  Level.  Came out one morning and it had leaned over.  Dinged up a mirror if I remember correctly.  Fortunately nothing else.  But even bolted to the lift in the garage I use a couple of straps.

[mr_magoo]

Always use strap with anybody's bike I put on the lift.

[SilverDawg]

I just use a kickstand in the garage....much less drama

Smartass Dawg....