The essentials
- Front wheel in a chock. It holds the bike upright and stops it shifting forward.
- Soft loops first. Fabric loops go around the lower yokes or the handlebars near the clamps, and the ratchet hooks clip to the loops. That way no metal hooks touch paint, levers or cables.
- Pull down and forward, at about 45°, one strap each side. Compress the forks about a third of their travel. Firm, not bottomed out.
- Secure the rear with a strap each side from the subframe or passenger peg hangers, stopping the back end from moving sideways.
- Check after a few miles. Straps settle, so re-tension them.
Mistakes to avoid
- Straps over the seat or tank: they crush foam and dent tanks.
- Hooks on bar ends, mirrors, levers or fairing brackets: they bend and snap.
- Leaving the bike on its side stand: the stand can fold under braking.
- Bottoming out the forks: over a long run it can damage the seals.