One of the most important jobs I do at Ultimate Motorcycling is transporting motorcycles. Sometimes I’m swapping tested motorcycles for bikes that need to be tested. Other times, I have dirt bikes in the back. Sometimes, the testing area is remote, so it makes more sense to truck the bikes there than ride them long distances. The Cycle Cynch II review unit is priced at $60 and simplifies securing motorcycles in the back of my Toyota Tundra 4×4.

The original Cycle Cynch was a great idea. It had two fabric sheaths that you put over the grips. You snug up the strap between them, grab a pair of tie-downs, and hook them through the metal D-ring sewn into each sheath.

Cycle Cynch II goes one step further. Instead of carrying two tie-downs along with the Cycle Cynch, you get 6-foot tie-downs integrated into it, earning it the II designation.

The installation process on the Cycle Cynch II is identical. Slip the sheaths over each grip and snug up the strap between them using the buckle. Then you attach the rubber-coated hook to the mounting spot on your truck or trailer.

Now, instead of pulling down on the tie-down, you pull up. That’s very convenient if you’re sitting on the motorcycle while you tie it down. The added advantage is that your weight is on the bike, making it easier to cinch the front end down. On the downside, it’s awkward when trying to tighten the tie-downs further from outside your truck bed.

There are a couple of caveats.

The Cycle Cynch II doesn’t work with handlebars that have more than bar-end weights attached. If your bike has bar-end mirrors or hand guards that mount to the end of the handlebar, you can’t get the sheath on the grips. The Texas-based company comes to the rescue, though, with the Cycle Cynch III, which works with closed bar ends by not sewing the material into a sheath. However, the III version does not have integrated tie-downs.

Next, if you’re used to tying down your bike with traditional tie-downs that you loop over the handlebar or the fork legs above the lower triple clamp, be careful not to overtighten the Cycle Cynch, whatever version. When the tie-downs pull at the end of the handlebar, you apply a lot of leverage. This is more of an issue with dirt bikes or other wide-barred motorcycles, and less with clip-ons and bikes with narrow bars.

Cycle Cynch doesn’t claim a maximum load rating, though it does say “strong, military-grade materials” are used. We have never seen one break, and Cycle Cynch is a small company run by the road racer who designed it, so he has a personal stake in what he’s selling.

The Cycle Cynch II is an excellent way to secure a motorcycle for transport without damaging the finish of any part of the bike. With this updated version, you can ditch the separate tie-downs, which is convenient, and we all like our lives to be easier.