Bike Hauler
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You run the risk of the bike getting bumped into gear at which point you might start dragging the tire down the road in a skid. I have a 1 1/4" hitch on my Subaru and I'm really trying to think of a convenient option to tow the TW. I own a trailer, but it's a pain to deal with to just haul a bike. I'd remove the chain while using a hauler of this style just to avoid the transmission issue. On a bike like this it's safe to run a clip-on master link which makes chain removal pretty quick.
I've used Versa haulers like so to carry Vespas on my Jeep hitch.
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It worked fine, but I didn't trust it to not let the bike shatter my back window in a panic stop situation.
They sell cheaper versions of what you're looking at, made from steel (about half the price.) I think the important part is having that bar with your strap attachment points be strong enough to not bend or flex.
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Personally, I have never seen anyone using one, but I'm also intrigued to hear from other members. The TW doesn't weigh too much, so I can't see why it'd be bad to use one of these.
I've used Versa haulers like so to carry Vespas on my Jeep hitch.
It worked fine, but I didn't trust it to not let the bike shatter my back window in a panic stop situation.
They sell cheaper versions of what you're looking at, made from steel (about half the price.) I think the important part is having that bar with your strap attachment points be strong enough to not bend or flex.
Personally, I have never seen anyone using one, but I'm also intrigued to hear from other members. The TW doesn't weigh too much, so I can't see why it'd be bad to use one of these.
That is what I am thinking. I have a Ram 2500 Power Wagon that will pull anything but it gets 12 mpg. I also have a TDI VW Jetta that gets 40 mpg. I figure if I want to ride a couple of hours from my place I could drive the Jetta towing the bike rather than riding it all the way (my back will only handle about 3 hours riding at a time). I already have a nice trailer for my wife's V-Star and my Harley but it is a pain to load alone. I'll have to talk to the wife and see if I can pick one up.
I have had the earlier, non-swiveling version of this carrier for about 10 years.
http://www.oldinc.com/rhmcbscan.htm
I now have a trailer and several other types of carriers and haven't used this one for a number of years. These carriers work well for occasional use, especially if you don't have the space for a trailer. The down side is you can't back up the vehicle with a bike loaded up (at least I couldn't!), and I needed to add straps to secure the bike's handlebars to the corners of the tow vehicle to prevent excessive lean while turning.
I only used mine for relatively short hauls, i.e., less than 75 miles or so. It worked well for this type of use. I always zip-tied the clutch lever to the handgrip just in case the bike popped out of neutral and into gear. For longer distances, I'd recommend removing the chain. I have never towed my TW with this carrier, but as long as the front wheel fits into the cradle, it should work fine.
Brian
http://www.oldinc.com/rhmcbscan.htm
I now have a trailer and several other types of carriers and haven't used this one for a number of years. These carriers work well for occasional use, especially if you don't have the space for a trailer. The down side is you can't back up the vehicle with a bike loaded up (at least I couldn't!), and I needed to add straps to secure the bike's handlebars to the corners of the tow vehicle to prevent excessive lean while turning.
I only used mine for relatively short hauls, i.e., less than 75 miles or so. It worked well for this type of use. I always zip-tied the clutch lever to the handgrip just in case the bike popped out of neutral and into gear. For longer distances, I'd recommend removing the chain. I have never towed my TW with this carrier, but as long as the front wheel fits into the cradle, it should work fine.
Brian
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310 Posts
Medsker, if you find one that works with a 1 1/4" drawbar, let me know. I've only ever seen 2" versions. I'm in the same boat.. Don't want to have to buy another truck just for my motorcycle hobby. They don't make 2" (class III) draw bars for most passenger cars that were never meant to pull things.
If I have to go more than 50 miles I would probably just trailer it. I like the idea of zip-tying the clutch lever down. Could definitely save some headaches.
I haven't seen any 1 1/4" drawbars either. If I have to get a 2" I would probably either make a very short adapter or just cut off the 2" and replace it with a 1 1/4". I haven't seen one up close but it is metal and anything can be done metal
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I haven't seen any 1 1/4" drawbars either. If I have to get a 2" I would probably either make a very short adapter or just cut off the 2" and replace it with a 1 1/4". I haven't seen one up close but it is metal and anything can be done metal
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310 Posts
Reese sells a 1 1/4 to 2" adapter, but my bumper on the Subaru is so close to the draw bar that it wouldn't fit. I'll keep an eye out and post here if I turn anything up. I doubt anyone makes a Versa type hauler for 1.25" because it's a lot of twist force in either direction and having the bigger 2" receiver probably withstands quite a bit more of that.
That is an excellent point. It also made me think if I were to get a flat while towing it. I think it would be difficult to even tell it was flat. I'll keep thinking about it.
Maybe it is time to design a small one bike trailer that is custom fit for the TW.
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I don't know if this is a real or perpetual sale, but the price is lower than anything I've seen elsewhere.
http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html
but again they require a 2" hitch receiver and due to the device that 'secures' it to the hitch, if you were using one of those 1.25-2" adapters, it wouldn't work safely since there is no way to secure the 1.25" connection.
http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html
but again they require a 2" hitch receiver and due to the device that 'secures' it to the hitch, if you were using one of those 1.25-2" adapters, it wouldn't work safely since there is no way to secure the 1.25" connection.
I've seen that before but have never seen one personally. I think you could just unhook the aluminum parts and bolt them to a 1.25 receiver size square tubing. You'd have to make sure that when you bolted it on that you center the weight of the bike rather than the aluminum. It does look like a pain to hook the straps on it without someones help but I guess you could figure out how to do it. At that price it is definitely something to consider.
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310 Posts
They come with a collar that has thick bolts which clamps down hard on the 2" hitch receiver to keep it taut. I am not sure I'd trust a 1.25" version ;-) Maybe with a TW200, but certainly not a bike weighing more.
My Subaru and DrawTite Class II hitch only have a tongue weight rating of 300 pounds. The TW + bike rack would get me right up there.
My Subaru and DrawTite Class II hitch only have a tongue weight rating of 300 pounds. The TW + bike rack would get me right up there.
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310 Posts
They're about 300 pounds full of gas I imagine. 278# is what Yamaha says on their site.
As much as some people are overly paranoid about their safety when riding, I'm overly paranoid about 'hauling' and 'towing' because 1) I don't want my stuff falling off and 2) I don't want to kill anyone if it does.
Unfortunately I've seen number 1 happen several times to my friends' bikes and have heard of a story about number 2 happening to a couple of college kids here who lost a 4 wheeler on the highway and killed the person behind them.
The solution obviously is for all of us to own a diesel pickup truck to have on retainer for our hauling needs
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As much as some people are overly paranoid about their safety when riding, I'm overly paranoid about 'hauling' and 'towing' because 1) I don't want my stuff falling off and 2) I don't want to kill anyone if it does.
Unfortunately I've seen number 1 happen several times to my friends' bikes and have heard of a story about number 2 happening to a couple of college kids here who lost a 4 wheeler on the highway and killed the person behind them.
The solution obviously is for all of us to own a diesel pickup truck to have on retainer for our hauling needs
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1,483 Posts
I for one would not use that setup. Doesn't look real safe. potholes, debris on road. You would need to take chain off. flat tire possible. I got one of those hitch haulers and hated that! I put mine in the back of my pick up, 6 tie downs, long aluminum ramp and all secured with thick locking cables. Nice to be able to park it anywhere and not have to go 55 mph (trailering in Ca is 55mph). Small trailer if you don't have a pickup is next best thing. I am pondering on very light trailer setup to tow behind old prius....
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I have a hitch carrier too.
For one bike it is easier than the little 4'x 8' trailer.
I have a Subaru Outback with the 1.25" hitch so I bought an adapter (Sportsman Warehouse) that accepts 2" hitch inserts.
The adapter is rated at 300 lbs and the carrier I have (Cycle Gear) is rated at 500 lbs.
I won't load my DR650 on it but the TW and other light bikes are OK.
I run straps from the back corners of the roof rack down to the carrier for added support and safety.
One thing to consider about towing would be to make up a towing "Dolly" like some tow trucks use.
4 small trailer tires, a bit of steel or aluminum angle and maybe a tongue that runs to the front wheel mount?
Need to strap the wheel to the dolly and make sure the bike wheel can't rotate... hmmm
How about single wheel trailer like those towed behind bikes, only with a hitch adapter with universal joint to allow up and down movement as well as corner tracking. Actually, a trailer you can haul your bike on that becomes a trailer to haul behind your bike would be really neat!
For one bike it is easier than the little 4'x 8' trailer.
I have a Subaru Outback with the 1.25" hitch so I bought an adapter (Sportsman Warehouse) that accepts 2" hitch inserts.
The adapter is rated at 300 lbs and the carrier I have (Cycle Gear) is rated at 500 lbs.
I won't load my DR650 on it but the TW and other light bikes are OK.
I run straps from the back corners of the roof rack down to the carrier for added support and safety.
One thing to consider about towing would be to make up a towing "Dolly" like some tow trucks use.
4 small trailer tires, a bit of steel or aluminum angle and maybe a tongue that runs to the front wheel mount?
Need to strap the wheel to the dolly and make sure the bike wheel can't rotate... hmmm
How about single wheel trailer like those towed behind bikes, only with a hitch adapter with universal joint to allow up and down movement as well as corner tracking. Actually, a trailer you can haul your bike on that becomes a trailer to haul behind your bike would be really neat!
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It is one thing to have the 300lb force right at the bumper for a ball than the force of a bike center of gravity a foot or more farther back than where the ball would be for a trailer. I would make sure that with a 1.25 tube it would be extra thick.
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I always wondered about the counter shaft being oiled as it turns without the motor pumping oil...........Or is the shaft just bathed in oil?? OMM.
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