ymca10
Greenfield, Indiana, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/11/2004
View Profile
|
How is the best way to tow a motorcycle behind a motorhome? I haven't purchased it yet, but am looking at a Honda 750 Shadow. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking I would tow the motorcycle instead of the car we currently take with us on trips.
|
The_Vintagers
Georgia USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
an 8 foot long utility trailer.
strap it down at four points and it will be there when you arrive too.
|
Roadpilot
Lakes Region of New Hampshire
Senior Member
Joined: 09/16/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
An alternative to a utility trailer is:
Kendon trailer
It folds up and stores vertically once you get to your destination.
2007 Newmar Essex 45'
2006 Honda CR-V and 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500
2004 HD Electra Glide Ultra Classic
2006 HD Heritage Softail Classic
Overbilt Lift
|
Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/10/2005
View Profile
 Online
|
Tied down on a trailer. Do not use the front wheel on a rack type as this will cause undue stress/strain on the head post bearings and can possible bend it. JMHO. Been riding for 55 years and hauled many, many.
charles weidman
|
Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/10/2005
View Profile
Online
|
Forgot to add that you don't want to pull your front end down all the way as this will stress the fork seals also. Better to use a front wheel clamp and stabilize the bike from side to side. Once again JMHO
|
|
|
dalej
texas
Full Member
Joined: 03/19/2006
View Profile
|
Its not a towing solution for motorcycles, but the coolest solution I have ever seen for carrying a motorcycle on a motorhome is the hydralift. Dale
2005 Chevy HD2500, ext cab, 4x4, 8.1, allison,lb,srw, 265 75 16's, timbrens
2005 Snowriver 8-10 truck camper
|
The_Vintagers
Georgia USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Hydralift's Website
was VERY cool way to haul, BUT, wait, weight, weight.
Yes, every pound you have to haul UPHILL is a pound you have to HAUL uphill.
|
samsontdog
Sac. Ca summer, Yuma Az winter
Senior Member
Joined: 08/06/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
I used to haul my MC on a flat bed trailer but it would get dirty and rained on so I bought a enclosed Hallmark Trailer with the drop down door. Went with the raised roof so I can ride the bike inside. Tie it down and its good to go plus its stays clean.
samsontdog 
|
retraite
Riderwood, MD, USA
New Member
Joined: 04/08/2005
View Profile
|
My solution is an enclosed trailer. Others said they "raised" the roof so they could ride in. I did the same. VERY handy.
I have several motorcycles - small to large - largest is a Goldwing. They each stay safe, untouched, and CLEAN inside the trailer, though I only take one at a time. (The others stay home wishing I'd chosen to take them.) Just in case, I'm putting a solar/battery powered alarm (with brake lock) on the trailer. Wouldn't want to lose my wing, or any of 'em.
I also agree with others about "pulling down" the front forks to much. I use a Condor wheel chock. Ride into it, shut the bike off, get off, tie it down (4 ties for most, 6 for the wing), close the door and I'm ready to go.
And, the enclosed trailer offers a bit of room as a "closet" for other "stuff".
Cheers.
|
Gene in NE
Omaha, NE
Senior Member
Joined: 09/15/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
ymca10 wrote:How is the best way to tow a motorcycle behind a motorhome? I haven't purchased it yet, but am looking at a Honda 750 Shadow. Any thoughts?
I'm thinking I would tow the motorcycle instead of the car we currently take with us on trips. Since you posted this in the Class B forum, I presume you have a smaller motorhome and have concerns about will you be able to pull it or haul it? You could do either, but you would be over the rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR) with a Honda 750. You might get by with a 200 or 250cc. I found that towing works much better and have also migrated to an enclosed trailer, for the same reasons as others have stated. The manufacturer, of mine, is Excalibur , but I believe they are "out of business". There are a few used ones around and there are a couple "copy cats". I've got close to 150,000 miles on motorcycles or scooters over the last 51 years. Put the front wheel in a chock and use 4 ratchet straps all pulling the motorcycle slightly forward into the chock. As was said, do not over compress the shocks - only about the same as when you sit on the bike.
The big class A motorhomes with large rear GAWR can haul a Honda 750 or larger using this Overbilt Lifts .
2002 Trail-Lite B Plus 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
|
|
|
