Hello. I bought a new Kendon trailer and straps. I haven't tied down a bike since owning dirt bikes as a teenager.
I liked a strap kit that I found on "Stinger's" trailer website. I bought some front tie downs that attach to "soft straps" that wrap around the lower fork leg. The idea is to avoid compressing the forks and damaging the seals. The rear straps have a "rubber link" added that allows the strap to be tight but still give a little and they suggest compressing the rear suspension about 20%. The bike shown in their video is not a 14.
I have an '07 and I intended to attach the rear tie downs to a soft strap that's wrapped around the square tubing that's exposed below the seat. The front straps would attach to the lower fork legs as shown in the Stinger video. I think this set up would work fine even though my rear mounting points are a little lower than what's shown on the bike in the video, which has passenger grab bars along the seat.
Is the way I plan to tie it down OK? Suggestions?
Also, I just heard of a front tie down called "Canyon Dancer". It uses your bars as the attachment point. I like the idea of the higher mounting point because it has to be stronger, but, it means compressing the forks a certain amount.
Any experience/suggestions are appreciated.

Here's the Stinger video and the tie down method they suggest and the type of straps they use.
https://youtu.be/yfosvYzUxJ4

Sorry, just tested the video link and it doesn't work like I thought it would. Never tried providing a video link before. The link works but you have to left click, drag and highlight it first, then right click on it to select " Search Google for". As you can see I'm not good with computers.

* Last updated by: KAK on 3/28/2020 @ 12:46 PM *

I have a Canyon Dancer and like it. You don't have to crank the forks down to the point of seals blowing if you also have rear straps in place.

Mad

I've been using canyon dancers for yrs with success and absolute no problems. I rent a uhaul motorcycle trailer that has a notch in the front to slot the wheel into. Then apply canyon dancers and ratchet strap it down a bit then 2 more ratchet straps on the rear wheel to both corners. Has never moved at all

I appreciate the replies!
Mad, do you attach the rear straps to the square tubing under the seat or?

cruderudy, never thought to attach the rear straps to the wheel. What do you think about attaching to the square tubing under the seat or the passenger peg brackets?

I tried the rear seat tubing once and it left rub marks on the paint and I dont have rear foot rests but if u could access and tie it down clean I think that would work.

I either use Cycle Cynch (like Canyon Dancers just a little different)

or I actually prefer soft loops somewhere around clip ons and tie downs to soft loops.
You only need slight pressure pulling down front end as long as you use rubber keepers on the tie
down hooks so the tie downs don't come undone when hitting a bump.

Like Crude, I use a large ratchet strap through rear wheel, wrapped around
tire and hooked to corners. You can really crank it down. Ain't going anywhere.

If you want more, the soft loops are also good around the rear square tubing under
the seat.

The issue you can have with the Cycle Cynch/Canyon Dancers is they can mess
up your grips. Like pulling off or moving the grip into the throttle housing and
then throttle doesn't snap back. Happen to me several times which is why I prefer the
soft loops.

if you could throw in a "cheap" front wheel chock, that would be perfect.

* Last updated by: piken on 3/28/2020 @ 9:33 PM *

I use a Canyon Dancer II on the front of my bikes.

Canyoun Dancer II

This replaces the original Canyon Dancer that did indeed slide your grips up into your switchgear.

Just another option.

I attach the rear straps to the passenger peg mount bars. My bike isn't pristine so I'm not too worried about scratches. You could pad it with a rag.

Mad

I also attach some straps to the rear peg brackets as well.

Anchored down at all four corners.

Everyone, thanks for the replies. I appreciate it!
piken, BIGO70, thanks for letting me know the original Canyon Dancer can cause problems. I'll be buying the Canyon Dancer 2.
When using the Canyon Dancer 2, is "20%" the correct amount to compress the forks, or? Do you still need to use the rubber keepers/links if the forks are compressed about 20%? My Stinger rear straps have the rubber links, but my front straps don't. As shown in the Stinger Trailers video, the front straps are attached to soft loops that are wrapped around the lower fork legs and this does not compress the forks at all. Then the rear straps w/rubber links attach to soft loops wrapped around a higher attachment point such as the square tubing under the seat or the passenger peg mounts on a 14. Stinger recommends compressing the rear suspension 20%.
Now that I've heard about the Canyon Dancer 2, I like the idea of the higher attachment point for the front. So now I just need to know if the Canyon Dancer 2 works well with about 20% compression and do you also need to use rubber links?

that seems about right - i probably compress less

I started out with canyon dancers but have moved on to the cycle cynch product. The cycle cynch pull straight down on the hand grips unlike the canyon dancer. Good advice is not to compress the front forks to much. I use roll in front
wheel chocks in my trailer which helps a lot.

My personal solution.. Front wheel secured by cheap chock. Frame straps firmly secured with sequence Front left, rear left, rear right front right and tehn check all for tightness The bar straps are jut barely snug as precautionary but have never been put to teh test ..This particular weekend was about 200 miles each way on California Hwy 29, lots of elevation and turns.

I have soft velcro under hooks to prevent scratches .

* Last updated by: chrly on 10/15/2020 @ 10:16 AM *

I use a Pit Bull trailer restraint. I put Canyon Dancers on the handlebars and they strap almost horizontal to the side rails on the trailer. The forks hardly get compressed at all. No worries about the bike falling.

The pit but T Restraint is a nicely built unit..Like all Pit Bull stuff.