23 replies to this topic

[hoyden]

After taking some vintage chairs to a friend in Springfield, IL and having a visit, then spending July 4 and the weekend annual party with friends in southern Illinois, I'm back in Columbia to do some last minute stuff (take Sully to vet for his allergy shot, get truck oil change, etc), I'm aiming to be on the road on Thursday. Or Friday. 

 

Right now, I'm trying to decide if I want to get a trailer to bring my dual-sport motorcycle with or not. It'd be great to have my bike with me, but I don't know about having a trailer while exploring mountainy northern New Mexico and up norther. 

 

What say you fellow adventurers? 

 

 

 

[craig333]

The only thing stopping me from getting a dual sport is the dog. At least with the Jeep he can come along. 

[CougarCouple]

Hi
Trailers can be a bummer after a while. How often would you use the bike. Does it fit well into the total trip picture.

Hard one fore sure.

Russ

[Machinebuilder]

Nice bike, I have a Clark tank in mine

I’ve hauled a trailer many miles on dirt roads and was not thrilled with it

My suggestion, if you have the hitch and payload capacity is the ultimate hitch hauler ramp model. It drops to the ground to roll the bike on and start strapping it and the jacks up to bumper height

Edited by Machinebuilder, 10 July 2018 - 01:04 PM.

[hoyden]

Hey, Machinebuilder - my old DR had the bigger tank - that's on the list to get for this one! I also have hand guards for it, but there's something blocking in the end of one side of the handlebar, so I need to try drilling that out, or replace the bar before I can install them. 

 

The Ultimate hitch hauler ramp model looks good! I really like the hydraulic of the MX hauler I have, just can't load it! 

 

Now I'm thinking might not be worth bringing the DR along at all. I don't like leaving the dogs in the camper alone for any length of time, and realistically dunno how comfortable I'd be riding on totally unknown roads, alone, far from people.... :-( 

[hoyden]

That's a good question, Russ. Since I don't know what it's like where I'm planning to travel, might be good to not have a trailer.

[hoyden]

Craig333 - yeah, having the doggies does change the dynamics a lot. 

[DavidGraves]

Hi

 

We have trailered and not trailered and ...it all depends.

 

One option I think you would have for this trip is to drag your trailer and bike....and then leave it for a few weeks here or there with all your great WTW friends.

 

This would give you the bike and added haulage when you need or want it and then park the damn thing for a few weeks when you and the pups want to go over yonder.

 

David Graves

 

PS Can you trailer my camp chairs out here from Michigan ?

[Machinebuilder]

Hey, Machinebuilder - my old DR had the bigger tank - that's on the list to get for this one! I also have hand guards for it, but there's something blocking in the end of one side of the handlebar, so I need to try drilling that out, or replace the bar before I can install them. 

 

The Ultimate hitch hauler ramp model looks good! I really like the hydraulic of the MX hauler I have, just can't load it! 

 

Now I'm thinking might not be worth bringing the DR along at all. I don't like leaving the dogs in the camper alone for any length of time, and realistically dunno how comfortable I'd be riding on totally unknown roads, alone, far from people.... :-

 

I wasn't sure about getting a DR on the MXhauler, and mines not lowered. you might talk to them see if the MX can be converted to the ramp model. when I talked to him he was really helpful.

 

On my DR I've got Cycra hand guards, but I swapped the bar to an aluminum fat bar,

 

I also have a BMW F800GS.............But I'm not sure about putting it on the hauler, the hauler would be fine, I'm not sure about the truck hitch.

[hoyden]

I just sold my MX hauler to a friend :-) 

I'm still deciding on if it makes sense to bring the DR along at all. I can still order the MX ramp one like you have and it'd get here Friday, but would it just be something I have to deal with, instead of something I really use? 

 

I think I'm also tired and just want to get on the road. Still wrapping things up here (like truck oil change, and dog to vet)