strapping a bandit to a trailer ?

[jchan412]

Anyone have advise for strapping a 1250 bandit to a trailer?  I am a new Bandit owner, and I have to pull my Bandit 500 miles to the starting point of a summer tour. 

My old Bike (GS-1000) had plenty of places to hook  the tie downs when I trailered it.  The Bandit does not seem to have  many places to hook the tie downs, especially up front.  It seems like the radiator and fairing are in the way of any good hard points to hook onto.  The rear peg mounts look like good locations, but they seem to be cast aluminum, and may not be as strong as they look; so I am cautious about that as well.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I know I know...you are probably asking why trailer a bike 500 miles when I'm about to ride it for 2000 miles anyway.  Well, it's a traffic nightmare between Connecticut and Virginia, and If I'm moving at 20 MPH for most of the drive, Id rather be sitting in my van, than on a bike!

[billincentraljersey]

Sorry, not trying to be funny, I don't have anything to offer in regard to your question.  I am curious ... CT to VA is not that bad of a drive.  20mph?  Huh?  I-95 all (most of) the way?

[pmackie]

I always use the handlebars up front, and the passenger peg brackets on the rear. The B6 has WELDED steel passenger peg brackets, but I don't think they are any stronger than the aluminium ones on the B12.

My tiedowns have built in loops to allow them to go around the bars without any scuffing, but you can also buy loops to use. Pulling against the front fork springs keeps the bike pretty stable, IMHO.

[97af]

I always secure the bottom triple clamp with twin soft ties connecting the tie down with a shackle.I use a shackle on the bottom to conect it to the trucks ring. NEVER EVER use the hooks. If your suspension compresses enough going over a severe enough jar to release a hook either at the top or bottom,the bike is going over.I also run a ratchet strap from left to right through the rear wheel for extra insurance. Just took and brought back my 919 1200 miles round trip in the back of my truck without a hint of trouble.Since using a shackle to connect the tie downs to the truck,they dont come up missing at the track anymore.....Imagine that!

[B6mick]

The best tie downs around are the units that tie the front and the rear wheels down, leaving the rest of the bike to float on its own suspension. Absolute gold.

[LowRyter]

Canyon Dancers for the bars with two ratchet tie down straps.    

http://www.canyondancer.com/Products.aspx

Two more straps on the rear peg holders or one wrapped around the rear tire.  

also might consider a chock, like this one form Harbor Freight.   You'll have to secure it with more straps or by bolting it in the trailer.  

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96349

[dhcolesj]

+1 on the CanyonDancer Straps.  I have the early version.  works well.

[LowRyter]

+1 on the CanyonDancer Straps.  I have the early version.  works well.

I have both. The newer one protects your grips.