Just bought a new motorbike towing gadget thingy

[Richie B]

Was reluctant to get a new trailer after my last one was nicked so have compromised by getting a towing dolly. Benefits being it can be dismantled and packed in the boot when not needed, plus takes no room on the drive or in the garage. No need for 2-up long boring motorway trips in the driving rain now carrying minimal luggage. Simply tow the bike to the touring location, unhitch and get riding. I never claimed to be hard core

Will let you know how I get on. If anyone local needs a loan of it...

This is a video from the supplier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmmr8MGVrdM

 

[Chewbadger]

I looked at these a couple of years ago. Let me know how you get on with it Richie.

 

[outrunner]

Perhaps a silly thought, but is there any risk of damaging the gearbox when the engine is not running?


Andy.

 

[Richie B]

Perhaps a silly thought, but is there any risk of damaging the gearbox when the engine is not running?


Andy.

That did cross my mind but I would like to think the risk would have been mentioned in the correspondence. I did fairly extensive research on the feedback from people who had bought it and used it.

I was wondering whether the rear wheel would be better off sitting on a wheeled tray of some kind so that the bike wheel didn't need to turn.

Any experts out there wish to comment further?

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

Perhaps a silly thought, but is there any risk of damaging the gearbox when the engine is not running?


Andy.

It crossed my mind too.
I guess the first check would be to see if the gearbox of the bike to be towed had forced lubrication.

 

[Stuart D]

Nice job, how about this beauty. no bike lean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iMrF1b ... detailpage

 

[Rubberchicken]

Taking the chain off the rear sprocket would take care of that...

(Would also take care of that brain itch that goes "what if it bumps into gear?" )

I am wondering about all kinds of bike moving parts that are stressed in ways they weren't designed for. Especially heavy tall bikes like big trailies. Stuff like swingarm bearings, that are usually only loaded along the axis of the bike instead of sideways. Wouldn't be a problem for short moving around town distances I guess, but I'm not sure I'd want to go to the south of France with this rig, or do a long sweeping bend at 50 mph.

 

[Richie B]

Perhaps I ought to disconnect the drive shaft on the GS then too!

 

[Traveller]

What are the speeds limits when using this? Towing laws seem quite complicated now. I have a similar dilema. I would like to transport a bike behind my camper van. On a rack its the camper van limits tha count, but does this count as a trailer?

 

[Lowflyer]

Richie,

You've been done


There's no wheels

 

[Richie B]

Richie,

You've been done


There's no wheels

Bugger

Just been doing a bit more research and it seems everyone has a different opinion about these. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained....

As for the regulations I would assume that the same restrictions apply as when towing a trailer.

Perhaps I should have just opted for this solution instead?

 

[Rubberchicken]

GL 1800, no wonder. The torque on those bastards makes your average GS look like a mid seventies Honda 500 four.

 

[East Coast]

Impressive that towing thing, and now I've got my head round how it works from an engineering perspective, it's bloody clever too!

I'm still toying with the idea of attempting to carry one of my smaller bikes on the roof of my volvo estate, I can't see any obvious obstacles with this at the moment other than getting it up there!

I've always been very pleased with my Erde bike trailer though it would be nice to take bike as well as towing caravan. Sadly my V70 hasn't got a flange towbar else I'd use my Dave Cooper or Auto Bars bracket that carries the bike across the rear bumper. Other optiosns I've considered is a bracket across the front bumper or seeing if it'll fit in the load space with the wheels removed and the seats down. The bike I have in mind is my small but fun KE100 (not to dissimilar from a GS! )

Looking forward to hearing how you get on using the bracket on your first holiday with it

 

[Richie B]

Just had a response to my concerns from the manufacturer. He points out that in 25 years of using towing dollys in this configuration neither he or his customers have never had a problem. His feedback is good but you always wonder whether people leave feedback before they've actually thoroughly tested the kit. I'm certainly guilty of that.

I will check the forecast for the Wales weekend and, if it's not looking good (i.e. There's no way Nicole is going pillion) i will bring the car and tow the bike. See how it goes. If, on arrival, the engine has seized or the pistons have shot through the cylinders, then we'll know it's not a good means of getting a bike about

 

[Chewbadger]

Its more the stability I'm interested in. I can remove the chain to stop the gearbox drive.

I almost bought one, but my V40 has a detachable towbar so it wouldn't fit. As I'm in the market for another car, I can look at this again.
Does cure the problem of where to put a trailer doesn't it, and I don't fancy a van on the drive.

 

[-XP-]

Looks a good bit on engineering, but like others have said, the main concern is the wheel turning without the engine running etc...

Also, by the time you get the thing on and strapped up etc... you could have been half way to where you were fekkin going!

 

[Mark]

When its in neutral does all the gears still turn then? Could always tie the clutch lever back, or connect rods to the bikes controls and get it to push the car!

 

[Paul-S]

Perhaps a silly thought, but is there any risk of damaging the gearbox when the engine is not running?


Andy.

That did cross my mind but I would like to think the risk would have been mentioned in the correspondence. I did fairly extensive research on the feedback from people who had bought it and used it.

I was wondering whether the rear wheel would be better off sitting on a wheeled tray of some kind so that the bike wheel didn't need to turn.

Any experts out there wish to comment further?

I wondered the same

Like an axle stand with wheels on it

 

[Paul-S]

If you think about it the bike is only carrying a percentage of it's weight on the back wheel, no powered drive and no rider / luggage so I would feel there is less load that riding the same distance

The chain /shaft, wheel bearings and the tyre are the items that will wear but at a lesser rate and perhaps lateral load on the swingarm bearing. If you can remove the chain or tie it up off the sprocket happy days

I looked at this too

 

[East Coast]

Its more the stability I'm interested in. I can remove the chain to stop the gearbox drive.

I almost bought one, but my V40 has a detachable towbar so it wouldn't fit. As I'm in the market for another car, I can look at this again.
Does cure the problem of where to put a trailer doesn't it, and I don't fancy a van on the drive.

Lots of these on the market though you'd need to check which one if any are suitable for towing as I think some are light weight and intended for cycle carriers only. Ball to flange adaptor..