How should I tie down my bike now that it has clip-ons?

[dax]

I went with apex no rise clip-ons on my monster and love em.  I'm working on gettin the bikes to the mountains this weekend and realize that I dont really have any room on the bars to hook on for the tie-downs.  I've seen the straps that go across each side of the bars and you can loop on to those but last time i used one it really messed up my grips.  Any advice?  I don't really have time to order anything online before our trip.  I thoguht about looping around the lower triple and ratcheting down on that, anyone have any experience with that?

[victor441]

use soft hooks around the fork tubes above the lower triple clamp, they work great...and can be used w/ regular hook type tie downs ...should be easy to find at a local MC shop

[Turf]

yea, what he said ^

It's the proper cheap way to do it. Used to strap nearly all of them down in the trailor this way when I worked at a shop. It'll keep a Triumph Rocket III in place, it'll keep you bike down.

[Spidey]

Why should clip-ons make a difference??  Anyway, just ties the bike down at the triples.  It'll be fine.  And let's be clear so that you do it right.  Don't attach the hooks to the lower triple.  Loop the tie downs around the fork legs between the triples and then tie 'em down.  The soft hooks shown above will help as well, but they're not necessary.   

I think the device you're talking about is a Canyon Dancer.  If you make sure that it's set so that it doesn't twist your throttle, a Canyon Dancer is fine.  I routinely use 'em for tie-downs.  That said, the triples work fine as well.

[Speeddog]

Same here, I always strap bikes down that way unless there's no option due to bodywork or whatever.

For that, I use a Cycle Cynch II.
http://www.cyclecynch.com/CCpages/CCproduct4.html
Works fine, just have to be careful to not ding the bodywork with the attached tie-downs.
Also have to restrain all three strap ends so they don't tattoo the paint.

[Turf]

Make sure to use ratchet straps to connect to the soft ties as the pull tab straps have a tendency to loosen up over long trips. (solid but don't force it)

[dax]

thanks guys, i'll check the local motorcycle dealer today for the straps since i prob won't be able to get em in time from online retailers.

[Slide Panda]

here's a good and detailed write up

http://www.mad-ducati.com/ShowPage2.php?PageName=tiedown/TieDown.html

[mitt]

not a close up, but this is how I pass straps through the triple / forks:

[Grampa]

^ going to Sturgis?

[mitt]

^ going to Sturgis?

Not that trip.  When I have gone to Sturgis (1992, 2005, 2006) I ride.

[The Bacon Junkie]

The tie-downs I use have a sewn (bar-tacked?) loop right at the cambuckle. 

I loop the hook through the frame and then the hook attaches to the little loop.  Only the strap touches the frame.  The front wheel is wedged against the front wall of the bed of the truck and the suspension is partially compressed.  Same thing to tie down the rear, only straps go through the opposite grab handles to avoid the exhaust cans. 

Good Luck

[fastwin]

All good advice here. I do like to anchor the bike at all four "corners" similar to mitt's picture. With four properly placed straps you could flip my trailer and the bike would still stay in place! Good luck with the trip, sounds like fun! [moto]

[duccarlos]

I think BP can get you some Canyon Dancers.

[dax]

Got some soft-tie straps from a local motorcycle shop.  They are only 1 inch but hopefully thats enough.  I plan on doubling up ratchet style tie downs at each end (I have a few extra), just in case.  The trailer I'm using is a 5x8 and we're moving two monsters so I'm a bit weary of something coming loose going down the highway.  I've normally taken a larger trailer but this was all that we could come up with this trip. 

Not to change tread topics, but anyone gonna be in the Boone, NC area or Shady Valley this weekend?