Motorcycle carrier

[Efordman]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/112242664716


So I found this on eBay and thought about sleeving it down to fit the 1 and a quarter inch hitch on our kia soul for hauling my gs750 back and forth when visiting family and for a trip to the beach this summer. The beach trip is abo5 hours away and family is around 2 hours away. Would traveling that far damage the transmission any in neutral with the chain on???

 

[Steve]

To answer your question directly, no, it won't damage the transmission.

However, the REST of the stuff that is in jeopardy would really appreciate it if you would simply get rid of that idea. :-k

First of all, your choice of a 1 1/4" receiver really limits your towing capacity. Yes, the bike is only about 500 pounds or so. Maybe about 225 of that is on the front wheel, and that hitch is rated for about that much weight, but it's rated to carry that weight about 1 foot from the end of the receiver tube. At best, your bike will be about TWO feet from the tube, meaning over 400 pounds of force. To make it worse, it's not just dead weight, it is TORQUE, trying to twist the hitch off the back of the car.

Next, let's look at the bike. The rear tire will be on the ground, wearing away. The chain will be spinning. You going to remember to lube the chain when you are not on the bike? The tire will flat-spot severely with all that straight-up towing. Then there are other factors. The front wheel will be elevated and clamped into place. When you turn, the rest of the bike leans the other way. It looks really strange, almost frightening, when sharp corners are done at low speeds (think 'parking lot manuvers'). And don't even think of backing up. I don't care how good you think you are at backing up a trailer, the ratio of your 'trailer' wheelbase to your tow vehicle wheelbase makes it impossible.

Guess how I know this. Yes, I did it (once), will never do it again, will always advise against it. You will be far better off with a trailer for the bike. There is even a model that collapses so it doesn't take much room, but it will be MUCH better for towing your bike.

.

 

[Guest]

A member here portdave has a friend that was selling his portable bike trailer. I'm not sure if he still has it, but it may be worth consideration. I could ask if you're interested. Send a PM or Dave may see this thread and chime up.

 

[dorkburger]

If I recal, GSXR7ED towed his 750 cross country and back with a harbor freight fold up trailer without issue.

 

[portdave]

It was a nice trailer that he had and it did fold up but he already sold it.

 

[gordinho80]

I agree with all above. You're better off with a cheap HF trailer. The folding trailer is $300, but you'll be much more secure.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lb-Capacity-48-in-x-96-in-Heavy-Duty-Folding-Trailer-62648.html

 

[Steve]

This is not the collapsible model I was thinking of earlier, but it's a better option than the hitch hauler:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ontent=14717&gclid=CM-b8KHmlNICFQKNaQodB7kOLQ

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[Efordman]

I understand the points of the hitch... I have thought that through... The hitch comes set up for a 2 inch hitch... I was going to shorten it as much as possible and sleeve it down to fit the car... I have a trailer that I can pull but when we make the beach trip I won't have a secure area to store the trailer at the hotel if we are in the car... The hitch can be stored in the room or back of the car.

 

[TxGSrider]

I kinda like the idea.... and it would probably be a good idea to remove the chain. Or, if you've got some good help, maybe just load it with he rear tire on the hitch and let the front tire ride on the ground?

 

[Guest]

Renting a small uHaul motorcycle trailer might make sense depending on how long you are staying at your destination.


You might be able to secure the trailer to a lampost at the hotel. Might be worth a phone call to the hotel to explore this.

 

[76_Mike_82]

They make a fold up bike trailer called trailer in a bag. They do cost more but you can collapse it down into a bag and store the bag in the room. Just a thought.

 

[Efordman]

With the front wheel on the ground it would wobble and destroy the bike

 

[TxGSrider]

With the front wheel on the ground it would wobble and destroy the bike

Yah, I was wondering if the wheel would follow or wobble... and it might be allot of weight bouncing on the forks too. It was just a thought. I was trying to come up with a way of avoiding removing your chain, as taking the chain off would be a real pain, especially of you have a masterlink-less chain.

 

[Efordman]

I have a 5*8 trailer that I can use to haul it but then I risk it getting stolen.. money is tight that's why I was looking at the hitch carrier... It lifts the bike up and everything so no ramps to go up and risk it falling over

 

[cowboyup3371]

Although it sounds like your mind was made up before you asked our opinion but I'll throw another vote to use an actual trailer instead

 

[Steve]

I have a 5*8 trailer that I can use to haul it but then I risk it getting stolen.. money is tight that's why I was looking at the hitch carrier... It lifts the bike up and everything so no ramps to go up and risk it falling over

I doubt that the trailer is at any greater risk of being stolen than your bike. :-k

As Cowboyup says, it appears that your mind was made up before you posted your question.

All I ask is that you please get a good video of the bike when it breaks off the back of your car while going down the road.
You will be using a light-duty hitch and subjecting it to a heavy load, not to mention the unnecessary wear you will be causing to the bike.

Good luck, but I will be watching for the video. :-\\\

.

 

[Efordman]

My mind is not made up yet... I have my concerns and value all opinions that have been posted... I have not bought anything yet... My concerns are for the bike and car... I will not risk either if it doesn't feel safe enough or if there is a risk to transmission or hitch damage... I'm open to other ideas on the subject also... A trailer is what im trying to avoid on the trips

 

[Guest]

I would like to see that video as well!

 

[cowboyup3371]

My mind is not made up yet... I have my concerns and value all opinions that have been posted... I have not bought anything yet... My concerns are for the bike and car... I will not risk either if it doesn't feel safe enough or if there is a risk to transmission or hitch damage... I'm open to other ideas on the subject also... A trailer is what im trying to avoid on the trips

The only other best option I can see is also the most fun one - RIDE IT out. That bike will make those trips and much longer ones too. Go have fun exploring the back roads while you go with the family

 

[gordinho80]

A trailer is your best option. You can get something small enough that it wouldn't be difficult to move around by hand once you arrive at your destinations. The hitch mounted carrier is just scary. Plus the amount of work involved disconnecting the chain, etc, you'd have much less time invested per trip just loading and unloading the bike onto a trailer. A length of chain and a lock will deter theft of the trailer, even a hitch lock. If you want to be extra sure trailer won't be stolen, take the wheels off.