I've never hauled my Harley, but for my dirt bikes, I have straps with a loop that hooks to to the top hook.

Either these seperate loops:


Or these built in work well:

 

That's how I tie down my bike too. If you look carefully at the pictures I posted, you can see the straps.

 

Sorry for the ignorance... but are there specific "motorcycle" trailers, or would it be possible to rent a small uhaul and secure the bike in a similar manner as described in this thread?

 

As far as I'm concerned, there are no stupid or ignorant questions around here, we're all learning new things....regardless of how long we've been riding.

As long as the U-Haul trailer has tie down locations you can absolutely use one.

 

Yes, U-Haul rents motorcycle specific trailers...but, it's an open one, not covered. Also, you can't rent it from one place and drop it off at another like with their other trailers...it has to go back to the original office.

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...ing-motorcycle

 

In a trailer, I strap the back down as well.

I also strap the wheel to the chock

Use small ratchet straps and pull the front forks close to all the way down. Wrap the rear one around the tire just to keep it from going side to side. "I have straps with a loop that hooks to to the top hook." An upholstery shop can modify them for you if they use NYLON THREAD. That's what they use in seat belts. I have done it many times.

 

Here are some pics showing how I strap down several item to my trailer during summer holidays to France.
Some tips:
1. be sure the angle of the straps is between 45 and 60 degrees
2. strap the rear wheel to the bottom of the trailer in order to be sure your bike cannot move sideways and/or up
3. use rags in order to prevent the straps being damaged by sharp edges and prevent scuff marks to your bike
4. check the tension of the straps every stop you make
5. always carry some spare straps with you
Kind regards from the Netherlands to all of you, René

 

Mudpuddle said it right. I tie my straps to the frame though and use duck tape around the hook where it connects to the tie down. When the bike bounces (which it should do) there are times when slack in the strap can allow it to come off the tie down ring.

 

Nice bike man!

 

what kind of boat is it?