Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: nicr1 on February 25, 2005, 15:31:30

Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: nicr1 on February 25, 2005, 15:31:30: can anyone tell me if it's safe to use a "towbar attached motorcylcle carrier". this is an alternative to towing a trailer. they look a bit flimsy to me, my bike is approx 120kg's(250lbs). has anyone used one for any length of time? any help much appreciated. thx
Title: 2 pence worth
Post by: nicr1 on February 25, 2005, 17:49:17: could somebody give their 2 pence worth, even if they've never used the carrier..the more opinions i hear the better..my own view is that it looks like too much to hang off the back, but i would be happy is somebody could tell me otherwise...then i won't have to tow the m.bike on a trailer.
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: chuggaman on February 25, 2005, 19:23:29: i wouldnt........and i dont thing your insurance would cover you [-X
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: nicr1 on February 25, 2005, 19:27:07: fair comment..although, i was'nt actually thinking think of telling them. thinking about it now though, that sounds like something they might want to know about, especially as it will able them to charge me even more.. :(
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: hobbit on February 25, 2005, 23:42:41: The obvious route would be a small trailer, although it would limit your speed, may be less hassle in the long run, I take it you couldn't fit it into the back of the motor with the seat folded?
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: muddyweb on February 26, 2005, 09:10:26: I don't think there would be too many problems with the towbar attachment, these ought to be substantial enough for 100Kg of weight.

Your rear springs may be an issue... that much weight on the towbar is likely to put the vehicle quite close to the rear bumpstops, which will make steering a whole new experience if nothing else.

As mentioned, the insurance might be an issue, but then again.. most people don't mention a normal bike carrier on the back.

I've seen a 90 with a motorbike on the back.. and I wouldn't have wanted to drive it, mostly because of the fact it was sitting way down at the back... with some helper springs or air-bags, it might have been a bit better.
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: kev be on February 26, 2005, 13:24:35: I put my Honda CRF450 on a carrier that i've made on the back of my disco.
I find it so much easier than towing, you can keep speed up on motorway etc.

You have to be carfull about maximum nose weight on the tow bar, but mine comes well within the LR Limits.

I know alot of MX's and enduro riders who do this with no probs, I'd never do it with a sportsbike tho. Far to heavy.

KEV.
Title: m.bike carrier
Post by: nicr1 on February 26, 2005, 18:19:53: i think a crf450 is about the same weight as mine, so might try it. 3 point turns are a lot easier aswell :D
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: Range Rover Blues on February 27, 2005, 17:38:44: I think Kev Be is right, if the weight of the bike and carrier exceed the LR stated weight for the tow-bar then it's a no-go.
Title: get the manual out
Post by: nicr1 on February 28, 2005, 07:55:48: i need to check the manual..
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: nicr1 on March 01, 2005, 19:15:28: in theory it might be possible (without passengers in the rear) according to the manual axle weights...still not convinced though.
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: lee celtic on March 02, 2005, 12:47:32: Sammy Miller the world famous trials God [-o< . Has a shop on the south coast and he sells these bike carriers that drop on to the tow ball I think they are on his web site . If you do a search for sammy miller or bultaco or sherco you should be able to find him :D .or at least see the design :wink:
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: nicr1 on March 02, 2005, 14:26:49: thx lee..only trouble is, a trials bike weighs in at about 75kgs or less.

they are so light that it would'nt be a problem..i'll check the website anyway just in case.
Title: Towbar Mounted Motorbike Carrier.
Post by: Range Rover Blues on March 02, 2005, 19:31:50: Quote from: "nicr1"
in theory it might be possible (without passengers in the rear) according to the manual axle weights...still not convinced though.

Your passengers are that heavy :shock: