I would like to know how others are transporting their 500 HO when trailered.  My owner's manual on page 114 under "Transporting the ATV" states the following:

2. Place the gear into any position except Park position, block front and rear wheels to prevent ATV movement.
3. Never transport ATV with selector in Park position, this could cause engine damage.

Is it safe to do this and tie it down??  Will it really damage the engine??

I put all my vehicles in park and I don't crank down on my straps.  Not so much that they drag locked wheels across the deck of my trailer.  I use common sense.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Although I do use park when transporting, I also lock the hand brake and lock the vehicle with so many HD straps it can't move in any direction even if I roll the truck. With that said, the reason they don't want you to use park is that the "parking paw" and slot are not designed to take jolts back and forth..like dropping it in park while moving.. and can bend the arm or break the paw. If no force is or can be applied to it through the transmission from any kind of movement, then it's OK. But if there is any chance that by driving rough roads or hitting the brakes hard you would put extra load on it, leave it in neutral cause ...it will break it...and has several times to others. In fact...the more I think about it..I now will stop using park during transporting just to be 100% safe.

I started putting my stuff in N and locking the parking break. I use 4 straps on them too, so not going anywhere. I think you could bust some items inside your ride if in park. Just not willing to find out for sure.

How do you lock the hand brake?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

How do you lock the hand brake?

Just set it pretty hard....hard enough that it can't slip.

I always put mine in neutral when on the trailer. I use four straps to tie it down. No movement.

Thank you all for your input.  I am leaving it in Neutral and using 4 straps to secure the ATV.

I use steel Carabiners on the end of my straps. I put d rings on the side of the trailer and hook right to something on the machine or use soft straps (webbing loops) and attach on to that. If the ratchets get loose somehow, I will never loose the straps or the machine.

No park brake on 2016. Having said that, I've read in some of my other toy manuals that park brake should not be used for extended period as it will stretch components over time.