Just bought a new motorbike towing gadget thingy

[Richie B]

By the way, this is the website: http://motorcyclecarrier.webs.com/

.....and this is a worrying extract:

 

[East Coast]

The only worrying thing I can see in that picture is the shite cheapo Chinese ratchet straps the goldwing has been tied down with (the orange 99p ones that I've seen break just when doing up!)

 

[outrunner]

I think the fact that it is shaft drive would worry me more.



Andy.

 

[Chewbadger]

Just one question, how the hell do you lift the bike into it? Especially a Goldwing?

 

[East Coast]

Just one question, how the hell do you lift the bike into it? Especially a Goldwing?

Ahha, that's what I thought was the clever bit...defo worth checking out the YouTube video ...essentially the bracket starts on the floor, you push the bike onto it and as you tighten the straps the front wheel raises up

 

[hotbulb]

Who's sitting on the Picasso's bonnet holding it down? I imagine the 'Wing weighs more than the Citroen [WINKING FACE]

 

[Rubberchicken]

It's an OldWing, 1200 by the looks of it. I wouldn't be so comfortable trying it with an 1800 indeed, even if most of the weight will be on the back wheel instead of on the car.

 

[Traveller]

By the way, this is the website: http://motorcyclecarrier.webs.com/

.....and this is a worrying extract:

Just looked up the noseweight for a Picasso. Its variously quoted at 50 or 80 kg. that goldwing weighs about 340kg. At a guess there must be 140kg on the towbar. The towbar is made of thick chunks of steel, but the bodywork is nothing like as thick. I would be on tenterhooks driving with that load!

 

[Paul-S]

More info on this on ABR and some bad outcomes

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... ilers.html

 

[fraserdog]

I managed to get a used one of these http://www.phoenixtrailer.co.uk/foldingbike.php, it's built like a brick outhouse and can take a fair bit of weight and with 12" wheels it rides out the bumps quite well.My car also has a detachable swan neck towbar so I couldn't use one of those dollies.

 

[Richie B]

I managed to get a used one of these http://www.phoenixtrailer.co.uk/foldingbike.php, it's built like a brick outhouse and can take a fair bit of weight and with 12" wheels it rides out the bumps quite well.My car also has a detachable swan neck towbar so I couldn't use one of those dollies.

Looks useful, solid and compact. How much did it cost? The website doesn't say. Plus they appear to be out of stock.

 

[fraserdog]

I was lucky to find a used one local to me via ebay for £225,it's well over engineered,when it's folded it's stands on it's mudguards they are that strong.

 

[Rubberchicken]

The harley story on abr has a good point: The way the headstock is on bikes makes them tilt outward in corners. Now you're not in any risk of dragging a muffler on a GS but there's another gotcha. Your turning circle is limited by how far the bars can turn. Turning too tight could do a lot of damage very quickly and unnoticed from behind the wheel. Should be fun towing a Ducati like this.

 

[Richie B]

OK, used this for the first time today on my lad's new 125cc. I must confess it towed surprisingly well. It was only a short trip of 20 miles or so but, nevertheless, seemed OK.

Probably wouldn't use it on my GS though

 

[Whealie]

OK, used this for the first time today on my lad's new 125cc. I must confess it towed surprisingly well. It was only a short trip of 20 miles or so but, nevertheless, seemed OK.

Probably wouldn't use it on my GS though

Was he chuffed?

How did the bike perform? Did you have a little test ride (just t make sure it was OK, obviously?)

 

[Richie B]

Was he chuffed?

How did the bike perform? Did you have a little test ride (just t make sure it was OK, obviously?)

He was very chuffed indeed mate. I did, however, cack myself when he got on it and drove off down the road wobbling all over the place.....

...oh, of course I had to 'test' it first. A few doughnuts in the car park, wheelies and endos, etc...

 

[Paul_XRV750]

OK, used this for the first time today on my lad's new 125cc. I must confess it towed surprisingly well. It was only a short trip of 20 miles or so but, nevertheless, seemed OK.

Probably wouldn't use it on my GS though

I gave up on mine, it leaned so badly when I turned out of the driveway that the bike crashed onto the road. I was told
that instead of attaching the rachet straps as you have in your pic, they should be attached to the ends of the handlebars.
Didn't fancy trying it a second time though

 

[MIKETHEBIKE]

I dont want to be a party pooper or anything but I designed something like this for my engineering HNC ten years ago. The Police said if a trailer has brakes, lights indicators fitted then they have to work. I also asked Eddie Crooks son At Crooks Suzuki in Barrow. He liked the idea but said if the bike has a dry sump this could damage the engine also on long distances it will put a flat on the tyre. I had to do a market research (there are a few types in America) and a survey which most people thought a great idea. After these comments I decided not to make a prototype. I guess it would be OK for short distances.

 

[Richie B]

I know this thread is old but I was forced to use this again today - second time ever, this time with a heavier bike.

I doubled up on the ratchet straps in the end just to be sure (only one shown in photo) and I must confess it performed really well. 50 miles of mainly country roads.