I need to transport my bike in a Ford Ranger size pickup from IL to AZ. Whats the best way to secure the bike? I saw a few places have a strap that goes on both handle bars for a tie down, is this any good? Also are the rear cargo hooks strong enough to use for a secure point in the rear or am I looking for trouble? Thanks

The strap on the bars you are referring to is called "Canyon Dancer" and it is the best invention for transporting a bike. It costs about $25-30 at shops and should be available at some of the larger or better dealerships. I use my cargo hooks to secure the rear as well since you don't have to muscle down a bike to transport. Make sure you do not over tighten the front and possibly damage the fork seals. If you are like me and use 4 rachet tie downs you just have to snug the straps down, drive a few miles, then pull over and check for any extra slack that may have come into the straps. Also, if you use rachet style tie downs, I secure the rachet mechanism closed with a large zip-tie so it doesn't pop open (never had this happen but you never know). Hope this will help

the last time i had to transport a bike in a small truck i used a canyon dancer (the handle tie down) and used a regular motor cycle tie down across the rear tire since i had to leave the tail gate down, it stayed in place for the 500 mile trip i did, it wasn't very far, but just be sure to stop and check it once in a while and you should be good to go with this setup.

one quick addition tie the excess length of strap back to itself, if you dont you run the risk of beating the living fuck out of your stickers and paint. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Thanks. I'll order the handle bar strap and go from there. Also is it better to have the bike straight with the tailgate down or to angle the bike so you can put the tailgate up? I've seen people do both.

I use a piece of plywood that is cut to fit my truck bed that has two 2x4's that act as rails to keep the bikes tires from sliding or "kicking" out...kind of like rails on a dirt bike trailer. Can't say which is better, straight or angled, but I feel better with the bike straight and the front tire snug against the bed of the truck.

i've always kept bikes straight, i don't like the way it looks when its turned to close the tail gate it looks like it may fall and i like to avoid that. you could do like what was said above and use some type of rails to keep everything straight.