[Senior Dirt Dog]

Has anyone used the Ultimate MX Hauler for hauling motorcross and dirt bikes from Discount Ramps or one similar to it to haul their TW200? If so, do you need to modify or add anything to the bike to make it work?

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Dirt Dog,



I have used both the Moto-Jack Rack and the Ultimate MX Hauler for hauling dozens of different dirt bikes and dual sports. I prefer the Moto-Jack Rack because it is lighter, easier and faster to load and unload than the MX Hauler. Unfortunately, I don't think the Moto-Jack Rack is available anymore. They still come up on craigslist occasionally. These racks are great if you only need to carry one bike but they do have some downsides. It can be a lot of weight hanging off the rear of your vehicle and that tends lighten up the front end of your vehicle which can get kinda squirrelly at highway speeds. The bike can also block most of your rear lights and signals and also your license plate.



For carrying a TW with one of these racks you will need two mods. First you will need a real skid plate like the Ricochet model. Otherwise the entire weight of the bike will be resting on the engine cases. The other mod you will need will be larger footpegs so the tiedown clamps will fit through the pegs. Here are few pictures of my TW on an MX Hauler. These do not show the straps that I also use to secure the front and rear of the bike to prevent wobbling.



Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.



Brian

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Thanks for the reply. Any recommendations on the type of pegs and where to get them and the skid plate?





Hi Dirt Dog,



I have used both the Moto-Jack Rack and the Ultimate MX Hauler for hauling dozens of different dirt bikes and dual sports. I prefer the Moto-Jack Rack because it is lighter, easier and faster to load and unload than the MX Hauler. Unfortunately, I don't think the Moto-Jack Rack is available anymore. They still come up on craigslist occasionally. These racks are great if you only need to carry one bike but they do have some downsides. It can be a lot of weight hanging off the rear of your vehicle and that tends lighten up the front end of your vehicle which can get kinda squirrelly at highway speeds. The bike can also block most of your rear lights and signals and also your license plate.



For carrying a TW with one of these racks you will need two mods. First you will need a real skid plate like the Ricochet model. Otherwise the entire weight of the bike will be resting on the engine cases. The other mod you will need will be larger footpegs so the tiedown clamps will fit through the pegs. Here are few pictures of my TW on an MX Hauler. These do not show the straps that I also use to secure the front and rear of the bike to prevent wobbling.



Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.



Brian

[/quote]

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Thanks for the reply. Any recommendations on the type of pegs and where to get them and the skid plate?

 

[TW-Brian]

Thanks for the reply. Any recommendations on the type of pegs and where to get them and the skid plate?

Do searches on the Performance and Customization Forum for Ricochet, skidplate, large footpegs, larger footpegs, etc. You will find plenty of information and discussion on these common mods. I got my skidplate from Ricochet Off-Road. There used to be a promo code somewhere on this site for 10% off. I got my footpegs on Ebay. Again, check recent discussions. You want to be sure that the pegs are steel and not aluminum.

 

[DonBenito]

I have one of the generic hitch-mount carriers that are obviously designed for MX and dirt bikes with narrower tire profiles. It's one of those troughs you roll the bike up into and then strap it down with ratchets.



I'm sure that the added side-tread wear shortens the life of the rear tire, but the purchase price was so low that I couldn't resist.



I have a pretty new T-dub, so I don't have much use for the hitch mount anyway though.



I'd much rather ride to the trailhead than drive, park, unload, and then repeat the process in reverse after the ride.

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Do searches on the Performance and Customization Forum for Ricochet, skidplate, large footpegs, larger footpegs, etc. You will find plenty of information and discussion on these common mods. I got my skidplate from Ricochet Off-Road. There used to be a promo code somewhere on this site for 10% off. I got my footpegs on Ebay. Again, check recent discussions. You want to be sure that the pegs are steel and not aluminum.

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Would I be correct to assume the two clamp tie downs that come with the lift tie down on the foot pegs? What are the two tubes on your rack used for?

 

[TW-Brian]

Yes, the bike is secured by two 5/8" posts that go through the footpegs and are then tightened to secure the bike to the platform.



Those tubes are the Famous Storage Tubes that are detailed here:



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/241-the-famous-storage-tube/



I have used them to carry extra fuel, water, tools, etc.

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Do searches on the Performance and Customization Forum for Ricochet, skidplate, large footpegs, larger footpegs, etc. You will find plenty of information and discussion on these common mods. I got my skidplate from Ricochet Off-Road. There used to be a promo code somewhere on this site for 10% off. I got my footpegs on Ebay. Again, check recent discussions. You want to be sure that the pegs are steel and not aluminum.

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Is the stock bottom skid plate not strong enough to protect the motor?

 

[Roninboise]

Is the stock bottom skid plate not strong enough to protect the motor?

I ride mostly off/road trails. I found the stock skid plate to be a great cause of concern for me. It does not have the coverage on the bottom and sides of the engine that I anticipated I would need in some rocky trails. After examining it I concluded that the only way the protection could be lighter than the stock skid plate would be to to just spray paint the bottom of the case with alum. spray paint.



My friend Larry and I both ordered a beefier one from "Happy Trail". It is easy to install, has great coverage and is not a hindrance to changing the oil.



Some of the single track trails we have ridden have provided real tests for the idea of a more substantial skid plate. I have collided with hidden rocks in a stream and in tall grass/weeds that have stopped me dead in my tracks. Larry hit a rock that stopped his bike so suddenly that he launched out over his handlebars. I gave the flip and landing a 9 out of 10. Both he and his TW survived the incident with very few scratches and no lasting damage. The addition of a substantial skid plate has given me great peace of mind. I have seen other riders knock a hole in their case and lose all their oil in about 30 seconds.



It is to bad that a better skid plate could not be devised that could levitate me out of willow bushes when I fall off a creek crossing bridge.



Happy Trails All



Ron in Boise

 

[TW-Brian]

I think that the stock skidplate is made from old dog food cans.



Ron, I think you've got something there with your spray paint idea. I'll bet if you painted both side of the stock skidplate you would significantly increase its thickness.

 

[joedirt1970]

[quote name='TW-Brian' date='01 August 2012 - 07:42 AM' timestamp='1343832161' post='51744']

I think that the stock skidplate is made from old dog food cans.



Ron, I think you've got something there with your spray paint idea. I'll bet if you painted both side of the stock skidplate you would significantly increase its thickness.





Jimbo the man, the myth, the legend sprayed his skid plate with the Rhino lining. It toughened it up just a tad.

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Hi Dirt Dog,



I have used both the Moto-Jack Rack and the Ultimate MX Hauler for hauling dozens of different dirt bikes and dual sports. I prefer the Moto-Jack Rack because it is lighter, easier and faster to load and unload than the MX Hauler. Unfortunately, I don't think the Moto-Jack Rack is available anymore. They still come up on craigslist occasionally. These racks are great if you only need to carry one bike but they do have some downsides. It can be a lot of weight hanging off the rear of your vehicle and that tends lighten up the front end of your vehicle which can get kinda squirrelly at highway speeds. The bike can also block most of your rear lights and signals and also your license plate.



For carrying a TW with one of these racks you will need two mods. First you will need a real skid plate like the Ricochet model. Otherwise the entire weight of the bike will be resting on the engine cases. The other mod you will need will be larger footpegs so the tiedown clamps will fit through the pegs. Here are few pictures of my TW on an MX Hauler. These do not show the straps that I also use to secure the front and rear of the bike to prevent wobbling.



Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.



Brian

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Brian,



How do you get the bike over the lifting plate to jack the bike up off the ground?

 

[Senior Dirt Dog]

Brian,



How do you get the bike over the lifting plate to jack the bike up off the ground?

 

[TW-Brian]

Brian,



How do you get the bike over the lifting plate to jack the bike up off the ground?

In its lowered position, the lifting platform is very close to the ground, allowing you to roll the bike right into position over the platform.

You then raise the platform up to meet the bike and then secure the mounting posts through the footpegs.

Then raise the platform/bike to its full, upright and locked position, add a few tiedown straps to minimize wobbling and you are good to go.

 

[Retrofit]

TW-Brian, i had been looking at the Hauler as it looked like a easy one person load. BUT what is your hitch height? I was concerned that on my lifted 2500 I would have to first LIFT the bike onto the lowered plate by hand and that the rims were exposed to damage. Also I had been looking at the moto-tote in its current form as it looks like it would support the size of my NEW rear tire.

or the older one that is about the same made out of all metal.

thought here is to help protect the bike tire/rim when the truck w/ bike is off road. not allways, but sometimes bad things happen.

yep its a four can stuck.... and it took more than 4 cans to dig it out (shovel on roof)

why is it when things like this happen, its when I am solo?

CRAP.... STUCK AGAIN!

 

[TW-Brian]

TW-Brian, i had been looking at the Hauler as it looked like a easy one person load. BUT what is your hitch height?

The bottom of my receiver hitch is 11 1/2" from the ground.