oh man I can't believe you ride with the strap, at the strip with my gixxer, it was like having the worlds tightest steering damper on. Hated it, always released it before I went home. You are way better off with the triple tree, that way it's low without restricitng the movement of the forks.
haven't had to strap the bus' yet, but i will at the track if need be. I have internally lowered forks with heavy duty springs, and I haven't got her out to the track yet. Put the long arm on yesterday, I'll post pics next week.