How do you tie down your st1100 for towing???

[fxrshog]

Hate to, but I need to transport my ST1100 a few miles. I was wondering if anyone had used the handle bars ties downs know as Canyon Dancer??? http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=1406

Other thoughts/ideas would be great. I will be hauling it in a pickup truck, not on a utility trailer.
Thanks

 

[George]

I have used Canyon Dancers. Also, second pair of straps to the uncovered tip over bars, and a third pair at the rear. Make sure yur handle bar clamps are tight or the bars can rotate, loosening the straps. Chock at the front is best, I just got one but haven't used it yet.

 

[fxrshog]

Thanks, very good points!!

 

[Geoff]

I have been advised not to use a canyon dancer on the 1300 because the handle bars are aluminum not steel and have very little flex in them. I'm not sure of the 1100 but on the 1300 i take off the plastic covers from the front tipover bars and use those for hold down points. I use the rear tip over bars for rear tie down points although the grab rails for the passenger seat will work also. Take off the saddle bags. When you ratchet it down try and put a little pressure on the suspension system to keep it from bouncing over every bump. I'm not an expert on this but I have trailered my bike almost 6000 miles in the last two years on a 5X8 utility trailer and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. LOL

 

[Geoff]

LOL Geoff!

I think that's how I strapped my ST11 down the first time. tip over bars and rear grab handles. Fell over even though everything was tight cause I couldn't get the front end compressed.

Well I am assuming that you have a front wheel chock. I use the Harbor Freight flip up chock and the bike will stand up in it by itself.
http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-96349.html

My bike has never moved an inch in all its trailer travels.

 

[George]

Good point on the 1300 aluminum bars. The 1100 bars are steel.

 

[shands]

Well, here's a shot of my ST1100 when dragging it back from the dealer (incidentally, they specialise in ST11/1300's and have seen a fair few varieties of trailers over the years)

Anyway, whilst the trailer had 'chocks' I seem to recall that they didn't tighten up and so weren't much use. The dealer explained that the best way was to simply remove the seat and throw over ratchet straps to tension up the rear suspension (stops any lateral movement). Then another pair to tighten the front end down (through each yoke and down to the trailer) and a final round the wheel to be safe.

Steady as a rock!

 

[Geoff]

In the above photo I would have put some protection between the plastic and the straps to prevenct chafing. If that was going to be a long distance haul, after a little while, the straps will stretch just enough to start fluttering in the wind and hit the sides of the bike. I also would remove the saddle bags to prevent stone chips from hitting them from the towing vehicle.

 

[Gilly57]

Just did it Tues and worked like a charm....190 miles on interstate ! Trick is to remove the front tip over pads (5mm allen wrench). Tie down from there...NOT handlebars...strap would rub fairing). Rear was done by tieing off to saddlebag tip over bars. Save your $19.99-$29.99 on those canyon Dancers straps (you have to have your own tie downs too!).

 

[ST090]

I strongly urge not to use the canyon dancers on the ST1300 as the primary frontal support. You can bend the bars if too much pressure is applied. If I use the canyon dancers, it is only as check straps in the event the other straps fail. As others have said, a front wheel chock that will support the weight on the ST is essential, in my opinion, if trailering any distance. Ratchet type straps are also a strong preference. Other, non ratchet straps tend to stretch and give after several miles. You will look back in the mirror and see your bike tilting to one side. Also, remove anything that might fly off like a plastic headlight protector. At highway sppeds, there is mant different wind currents hitting the bike defending on the size of the vehicke pulling the trailer.