Install a couple of tie down brackets and dont have to mess with engine guards and handlebars.

 

Kojaks post above is a nice set up!

I too like the idea to avoid strapping to the bars
in an effort to avoid any wiring or wear marks.

 

I try not to trailer mine, but if I need to trailer/rescue a bike, I'll use any number of straps. Ancra works for me.

 

Unless a biker bar is used. Then you use very little compression on the suspension. Your approach is fine and used by many more than the biker bar, but anyone interested in towing a bike should be aware of this option.


https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/biker-bar

 

I always put a block of wood under the frame. You can cinch down the front end without putting undo stress on the front suspension. I takes out any bounce while traveling. Same principle as the biker bar. For my springers, I slam the shotgun shocks onto a 4x6 block. For bikes without shotgun shocks, I do exactly what 2Goldens described in post #37 … build up a block to fit. Using wood blocks makes cheap wheel chocks okay … I use Tow Rexx from etrailer.com. Two straps up front and two in the back to keep it from dancing side to side. Kickstand always up. I do not ever strap to handlebars. For bikes with an alarm system, don't forget to put it in trailer mode. Don't ask me how I know. Carry a battery charger incase you forget.

 

I pretty much did it this way with the exception of how you do it for the front wheel..... And I had to learn it the hard way. What happened is my front fork seals got damaged due to when I ratcheted down on the handlebars. Unlike you (who did it correctly), this allowed bumps in the road to cause the shocks to bottom out due to the front pull down at the handle bars. I learned that by placing the straps at a point LOWER than what would pull on the shock tubes would remove the risk of ever damaging the fork seals. `Just thought I`d add to that thought so others won`t have to go through a somewhat expensive repair.

`Wish I knew about that a long time ago when I ruined my fork seals from improper strap applications.

Straps around the handlebars also ruin front fork seals. Don`t ask me how I know.

, And with no engine guard either.....

Strapping to the handlebars will blow the fork seals..... Don`t ask me how I know. Strap the front wheel down at a point just above the fender with a pad of some sort so you don`t rub the paint on the fender.

Excellent video! You can`t show it any better than that.

I could watch her all day too, but that`s a little bike. A big one wouldn`t even fit in the back of that pickup.