Andy Strapz - The better way to secure your precious cargo!

[pyrate]

If you are in need of something to secure any load on your bike I would highly recommend Andy Strapz (http://www.andystrapz.com/).

I first saw them last year when I was in Australia and New Zealand and noticed no one there really used bungee cords or even mesh netting that I could see. Everything has it's purpose but I think we have all probably been the victim of a badly secured item w/ a bungee cord or even possibly injured by a bungee cord on a rampage.

After picking up my 2003 Dakar, I wanted something to secure things down with and ordered the Smart Strapz (http://www.andystrapz.com/productdet...pid=39&BACK=46) . I was a bit concerned with the recommended method of using them though as they are showing crossing over int he middle which to me just seemed like things would pivot at that point and work there way from one side to the other. I found out quite differently.

Here is my bike with the straps installed. I had a small duffle bag filled w/ 40 lbs of diving weights and then a couple sweatshirts to fill out the volume. I wanted to test the strapz out w/ some real weight but minimal risk at first.

The straps are wide which prevent them from twisting as well as distributing any "pressure" over a wider area thus protecting soft items you might have like a dry bag. If you check out the video on their website it will show actual installation videos. I just wrapped the nylon around the frame that mounts to the rear peg twice (to take up the slack) and it uses D rings for easy adjustment. If you are worried D rings won't be secure - think to yourself "what holds my helmet on my head? - D rings. You might think you don't like the look of it being wrapped or that once around the frame but I like that you can just wrap the excess around the attachment point on the bike a couple times because this prevents having to cut the strap and then not being able to use it for different sized loads. Note the nice padding beneath the D rings that helps keep from marring the contact point. FYI - the scratches you see to the left of that pad are from the previous owners riding, not the Andy Strapz. )


(and for the wise guys out there - before you give me a hard time about the brake fluid looking low - it is on the side stand )

The rear attachment worked out well with the rack I had after I determined what I was hauling and at what angle I wished to have it strapped.


And the great thing is - you don't have to undo the D rings to get to the items you are securing. The straps are actually Velcro and while I know what some naysayers might be thinking right now - it is rock solid. There is a little bit of stretch to the straps but it is nothing like other things I have used that after a few miles and some heat or rain and it is completely stretched out of shape. There are some small straps at the ends of the Velcro pieces to make it real easy to pull them to where you want, even with gloves on.

From Andy Strapz

I went out and did a test ride, not around the block but a little over 200 miles at freeway speeds and up the twisties of Palomar MTN. Nothing moved at all. I did stop once prior to this to check it - I always do because sometimes at no fault of the equipment there is some user error w/ forgetting to check everything over before taking off. But this is after almost 100 miles and at the top of Palomar MTN.



So if you are looking for something much better and at a very reasonable price give these a try. I have some other straps as well from Andy but haven't had a chance to use them quite yet. If you are wondering of they will work for off-road applications - many of the Oz ride reports show riders using these w/ great success.

I ordered mine directly from Andy Strapz site (see beginning of post) but I have noticed at least one place in the US that sells them on their website.

Check them out!

pyrate

[pyrate]

http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com/blog/blog.cfm Andy Strapz products