My brother is about to trailer his bike to Florida, in conjunction with a work trip. Question is, what/where is the best places to position the straps? He has a RK. I have never attempted to strap a bike down so I have no clue.

I am also interested if it is possible to have a thread about trailering without condescending remarks about trailering vs riding.

 

Best place up front is right where the crash bars cross the frame.

 

Do not agree. Hooking to the handle bars allow more direct pressure down onto the front shocks. The bike should be ratcheted down tight enough to firmly lock the front wheel against the forward wall of the trailer, yet leave enough play in the shock to take up any road bumps etc. that might be encountered enroute.

 

Some may agree, and some won't but I'll quote an older post I made on this subject.

 

That worked for me along with some on the rear.

The pics above looks good too.

 

I wrap the ratchet straps around the bars just outboard of where they run into the fairing. Put tension on the front shocks and a ratchet strap crossways near the rear axle in case the rear end wants to flop about a bit.

 

Make sure no straps touch or can touch any painted surface. I did handle bars in front and crash bars in back last time I towed a bike but I can't see why just crash bars all around wouldn't work especially if you have a chock for the front wheel.

 

Handlebars can come loose, be careful.

 

Google MOKI tie down system. It's expensive, but you can get all the parts at the tractor supply company and craigs list for about 125.00. With the MOKI system, you're NOT compressing the front shocks at all, not a bit. I made my own copy cat system and it is nothing shy of phenomenal. I actually stumbled across it because I had "invented" the system in my head, knew what I wanted, and google searched to get ideas if anything like what I planned was already made.
If you're not motivated enough to copy cat it, buy it, it's only about $350.00, and think of all the wear and tear you'll be saving your front shocks from being compressed for a long haul !!! Shoot, you could easily put out $100.00 just on straps and soft ties.

 

Base of the handle bars close to center ran slightly forward of the bike to keep the wheel in the chock. I would also double the straps in case one fails. This provides much better leverage to partially compress the forks and better angles to prevent top sway. Back straps from around the wheel to the sides to keep from sliding back and forth.