I usually just use the two ties on the handlebars with the forks being compressed and don't worry about it. With my brand new Suzi, I just kept rolling on and on with those darn straps. I felt like covering the whole thing in duct tape! But got her home no worries. (Then I scratched her up later).
Yeah, the salesman said I could have any colour I wanted, as long as it was black or red. So I didn't sleep for two days trying to decide and then finally chose black. I called him up and he said they had only ever had ONE black and it was just sold!! There were 52 red ones in their garage so I decided on red.
Happy as a pig in Brooks, AB (not) with the bike and love the colour.
Funny thing about the speed, I ride way faster on the bike than in my Ford pickup, but the coppers never give me a second look. So far, the Suzuki gods have been on my side.