"Is that small bike stable on the interstate?

[Guzzistajohn]

Anybody have any 'sperience with the bumper hitch carrier? Riding my ass off and wearing out MC tires just to get to a destination to ride becomes less fun all the time. The F-150 cab seems more comfy.

[Moparnut72]

I got the one from  Harbor Freight to carry an old Yamaha 125 on the back of the 5th wheel. It carried the bike just fine but on back of the trailer it was pretty high which made loading and uploading pretty tough requiring some manhandling. I don't have the Yamaha anymore but want to carry the V7 on it. Not being heavy duty enough for that bike I beefed it up and in the process lowered it a bit. I have yet to use it with the V7. I am nervous about something going wrong, the V7lll is a lot more bike than the old beat up Yamaha.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

No need even replying. He's spoiling for an internet fight that he's not going to get. Just like the song "The Winner" I quit he's the winner.

[Kev m]

Anybody have any 'sperience with the bumper hitch carrier? Riding my ass off and wearing out MC tires just to get to a destination to ride becomes less fun all the time. The F-150 cab seems more comfy.

Can't say yet, but about to try on our Defender with the Ducati.

NJ Nick carries his Aprilia on one and seems happy with it.

So fingers crossed.

[AH Fan]

I would have told him its as stable as a Harley on a trailer on the way to Daytona.

And ya that's a real thing with that crowd...........   

[moto-uno]

  You guy's gotta be American  . Towing motorcycles to riding destinations , good heavens that's almost pathetic .    Peter

[bacongrease]

    My riding partners are old , 70 +, with bad backs and other health issues. Trailering to the Black Hills ( eg.) allowes them to actually ride there instead laying in bed crying all day from long days in the saddle.    one  guy has to sleep on he floor his back is so bad. 

[bacongrease]

I would have told him its as stable as a Harley on a trailer on the way to Daytona.

 It is a legitimate question from someone who is curious.
It doesn't deserve a wise ass answer.   

[dirtiegirtie]

Ride for fun. Ride for transportation. Plan a vacation around riding and trailer your bike there. Plan a vacation where it's just you and your bike camping road side.
Be respectful of your surroundings.
Be respectful of other riders.
And enjoy the ride.

[centauro]

Germany has a well known system of high speed highways, known as autobahns.
From what I remember from the 11 years driving there, is that any motor vehicle only requires a minimum speed of 60 KPH (41 mph) to drive on them. Even a Vespa PX 80 (80cc) is legal there, and mine is 150CC.

This tale of having only big bikes on the Interstates is just that, old tales. I have never felt unsafe on any of my bikes, even in 30 mph crosswinds or headwinds, either here or abroad. Yes, it gets exciting in those conditions, of course, and it all boils down to whether or not you know what you are capable of dealing with, regardless of the size or weight of bike or car.

[twowheeladdict]

Anybody have any 'sperience with the bumper hitch carrier? Riding my ass off and wearing out MC tires just to get to a destination to ride becomes less fun all the time. The F-150 cab seems more comfy.

This is exactly what I will be doing in August.  Also why I bought the KLX300SM (besides being a cool bike).  Going to New England to spend time with my parents while I still can.  The only bike I could ride there would be the Harley and I don't fancy riding through the northeast when I am used to riding on deserted roads here. 

There are many receiver hitch carriers out there from the $100 HF one I have to $800 jobs designed to carry heavier bikes behind motorhomes. 

If it was something I was going to do full time I would mount additional receivers along the frame rails of the truck to create 3 points of contact with the rail for added stability and more tie down points.

Here it is with my Van Van loaded.  I added the extra LED trailer lights to it after this test fit.





There is no way I am riding the Van Van to the places I want to camp.

[twowheeladdict]

Germany has a well known system of high speed highways, known as autobahns.
From what I remember from the 11 years driving there, is that any motor vehicle only requires a minimum speed of 60 KPH (41 mph) to drive on them. Even a Vespa PX 80 (80cc) is legal there, and mine is 150CC.

This tale of having only big bikes on the Interstates is just that, old tales. I have never felt unsafe on any of my bikes, even in 30 mph crosswinds or headwinds, either here or abroad. Yes, it gets exciting in those conditions, of course, and it all boils down to whether or not you know what you are capable of dealing with, regardless of the size or weight of bike or car.

I'm more nervous riding around Fort Walton Beach than I ever would be on the highway.  LOL!  I have found most routes through neighborhoods to avoid the "tourist" roads, but they can't be avoided if you want to go out onto Okaloosa Island or Navarre Beach. 

[Kev m]

I know one doesn't NEED a huge bike for the interstate, but it sure does change the experience.

And a Vespa might be fine on the autobahn, but I hear people actually obey the rules of the road on those. Here in the US it's often the wild wild west on the highway and survival of the fittest. Though I CAN ride my own speed in the slow lane more often than not it does expose me to more dangers at times.

As for this thread, jeez guys it's more judgy than high school.

[elrealistico]

Prolly just making conversation. I did a charity poker run with the HD crowd locally, it left from a local HD dealer. I took my T140V, the run was abut 165 mi with 3 stops in between. A guy at the HD dealer wondered aloud to me how I could take such a small bike on such a long ride    No problem at all of course, especially with the top speed never going above 65mph with that bunch.
I got a busted flush and didn't win anything

[travelingbyguzzi]

There is no shame in trailering your bike to Daytona. Ya gotta consider that these guys (and gals) are coming from Ohio and Pennsylvania in late winter where there is quite likely still snow on the ground.
Regarding trailering your bike to The Black Hills or Zion, how is that worse than flying and renting a bike?
It’s all good.
I have never trailered a bike in half a million miles of riding, but I get it.
It keeps the wife happy. It keeps your back happy.
You have 6000 miles of tire, but it is a 6500 mile trip.
Nobody likes crossing the prairie or desert in August.
It’s all good.
As my dad used to tell me, “Son, make yourself happy”.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^ Words of wisdom right there. 

[Rough Edge racing]

 I never pay any attention to bikes on trailers that might be hauled to a bike meet..Why would anyone care?
  On the scale both my 79 Triumph 750 and 96 900 Monster are slightly less than 400 pounds..The carefully  tuned Triumph contrary to popular belief can run at 80 mph , 5200 rpm, and not blow up. But the bike is not happy, stable but sensitive to winds...The Ducati is  more comfortable and steady, but windy, I dislike riding the Interstate.

[centauro]

I'm more nervous riding around Fort Walton Beach than I ever would be on the highway.  LOL!  I have found most routes through neighborhoods to avoid the "tourist" roads, but they can't be avoided if you want to go out onto Okaloosa Island or Navarre Beach.

Been living, riding this area for over 21 years, now, and, except for an old Guzzi Robin  49cc moped, (that I would like to have) any other Guzzi is more than adequate to deal with the local traffic, here. Lots of idiot cagers and clueless tourists, especially this time of the year, but really nothing than can't be dealt with. I have had a couple of close sphincter- tightening calls, of course, like most of us here have had.
But riding around Naples, Italy takes the cake.

[kballowe]

Hey Kev, do you get any trailer buffeting that way??

We'll have to test that theory.   Maybe I can get on the bike (on the trailer), and have the Missus drive me around.  In the meantime, we can start a betting pool on the odds of getting pulled over - and a second pool on (if) we get ticketed.

 

[s1120]

This tale of having only big bikes on the Interstates is just that, old tales. I have never felt unsafe on any of my bikes, even in 30 mph crosswinds or headwinds, either here or abroad. Yes, it gets exciting in those conditions, of course, and it all boils down to whether or not you know what you are capable of dealing with, regardless of the size or weight of bike or car.

Ya, I have never felt a ton of difference myself. Heck ive gotten blown around in small, and big cars, and trucks big and small also..  Frankly the wind doest care if its a 400lb bike or a 800 lb bike in my experience.

Knowing the local HD riders to me I think its a valid question though, and not a slam. My experience is they WANT to dislike the MG's because its not HD...  but are too intrigued..

[JJ]

There is no shame in trailering your bike to Daytona. Ya gotta consider that these guys (and gals) are coming from Ohio and Pennsylvania in late winter where there is quite likely still snow on the ground.
Regarding trailering your bike to The Black Hills or Zion, how is that worse than flying and renting a bike?
It’s all good.
I have never trailered a bike in half a million miles of riding, but I get it.
It keeps the wife happy. It keeps your back happy.
You have 6000 miles of tire, but it is a 6500 mile trip.
Nobody likes crossing the prairie or desert in August.
It’s all good.
As my dad used to tell me, “Son, make yourself happy”.

Agreed 100% ..."There is no shame in trailering" - - if the situation / conditions calls for it.   Certainly beats sitting at home on the couch with the remote...

[ampm7]

No matter how you do it, it is all about having fun!

[xackley]

My 1958 R69 still cruises at 70 all day long. Nothing ever done except points plugs tires and valve adjustment.Don

[twowheeladdict]

Being brutality honest here.  It isn't a matter of can a smaller, lighter, less powerful bike ride on the interstate, it is whether it ca do it among the big rigs, trucks, SUVs, etc. without being beat up by the turbulent wind created by all these vehicles.

If we are being honest, no bike is fun riding in this type of fast moving traffic, but smaller, lighter bikes are less fun to a point of downright scary.

Unless you have ridden a late model Road Glide, Goldwing, Voyager, or one of the other frame mounted fairing touring / sport touring bikes on the interstate you don't really know what a difference they can make.

If you haven't tried one and think your bike does fine, just imagine how much better those bikes designed for interstate travel would be.

[Chuck in Indiana]

When it comes to interstate travel with gusty crosswinds, semis, etc. I'll take a Centauro, Sport, or the Mighty Scura every time. They don't seem to get blown around like the touring barges to me. Admittedly, my experience of tourers are Harley and my old R100RT, though. <shrug>

[JJ]

When it comes to interstate travel with gusty crosswinds, semis, etc. I'll take a Centauro, Sport, or the Mighty Scura every time. They don't seem to get blown around like the touring barges to me. Admittedly, my experience of tourers are Harley and my old R100RT, though. <shrug>

* Chuck is right, the Centauro GT is pretty good on the interstate and in light crosswinds...





* At 871 pounds, with a long wheelbase and 25" seat height), "The White Whale", (Victory Vision), does not move an inch...





* The WORST bike I ever owned for strong crosswinds was my Triumph Sprint GT.  It must have been the fairing design or something, because it sometimes felt downright dangerous...and scared me more than a few times!!

[Gliderjohn]

The Norge doesn't like strong crosswinds or semis. My T-3 is much better in those conditions.
GliderJohn

[JJ]

The Norge doesn't like strong crosswinds or semis. My T-3 is much better in those conditions.
GliderJohn

The T-3 has a low center of gravity...I believe this helps A LOT!

[Kev m]

When it comes to interstate travel with gusty crosswinds, semis, etc. I'll take a Centauro, Sport, or the Mighty Scura every time. They don't seem to get blown around like the touring barges to me. Admittedly, my experience of tourers are Harley and my old R100RT, though. <shrug>

More than a decade ago IIRC Jenn and I headed out to a bike gathering in mid-Ohio only to start by riding straight into a tropical storm.

That same storm was followed by (or caused) a wind storm that wound up knocking out power from mid-Ohio to Pittsburgh.

We rode in both storm and my Breva 1100 was getting blown around the road ridiculously (and the B11 is normally a pretty solid mount in a lot of crosswinds). There were points in the wind storm where I was blown clear across the lane from one side to the other, almost into the next lane. Jenn was relatively unscathed on the lower profile and slightly heavier 1200 Sportster.

Back a decade before that I had three bikes in the garage - a Luftmeister fairing R80/7, an R1100RSa, and an EVO RK.

Two had to go and I decided to keep ONE, the  R1100RSa because:

* It had the lowest miles (by 10's of thousands)
* It had ABS

But I failed to consider WHY it had the lowest miles. Despite lower weight and having ABS it had a taller center of gravity and was much less confidence inspiring in foul weather from rain to anything with wind. Though a good highway bike, it was crap compared to the King in crosswinds.

There are a lot of components to making a good highway bike, and weight is not the only one, but center of gravity, profile, bodywork, even I think suspension plays a part.

It's not surprising that a lot of people don't realize there are multiple factors, or concentrate too much on one.

But my jumbo-sized RK is definitely A MUCH MUCH better bike for highway comfort (including crosswinds and buffeting) than my smallblocks.

[Guzzistajohn]

Can't say yet, but about to try on our Defender with the Ducati.

NJ Nick carries his Aprilia on one and seems happy with it.

So fingers crossed.

I'm about to order myself one. I sure I can get the little T7 loaded pretty easy.