New 20 ounce tumblers available now! Forum donation credit with purchase. https://www.wildguzzi.com/Products/products.htm#Tumbler
Hey Matt,Ever have any problem (LEOs) with the car/SUV's license plates being blocked by the bike?Thanks,Nick
All,My brain is pondering the concept of buying a small SUV (like a Mazda CX-5, or similar), and trailering my bike to places like central NM, hometown of Durango, CO, and even far west TX, and then ride. My buddy Mitch has one, and he says it has a wheel chock, and he can load his bike by himself. I am sixty, not particularly tall or strong, and frankly the idea of trailering gives me pause. So, advice please?
I bought one of these a year or so ago, and can't believe how excellent it is:http://www.baxleycompanies.com/SBX09FoldUp.htmlThe loading area lowers essentially to the ground. You could push a light bike up on it by yourself (front wheel goes into an L.A. Chock, so there's an over-center front wheel grabber) or ride it on. If the bike happens to be disabled, there's a hand-crank winch that someone else could operate while you sit on the bike and guide it up (attach the winch strap to something on the handlebar). Once the front wheel is in the L.A. Chock, you can get off the bike, strap it down, crank the loading area back up to normal height, and go.I don't ordinarily trailer a bike anywhere, but needed to take my MG to a dealer for recall work (bike and trailer are still there, since October). This trailer is phenomenal, the best I've seen. Not cheap, but since it folds, it fits in a small area in my garage.
But $5k, you could buy another bike for that.Dean
This -- http://tinyurl.com/Cheap-M-C-Trailer -- is looking better and better.
No suspension. Fail.
Have another pair of hands with you the 1st few times you load the bike. It's not a big deal when you get used to it. DON'T use those damned ratchett type tiedown straps.
According to website, has "a rubber torsion axle for suspension." Still fail, Charlie?Bill
EXACTLY. :oThis -- http://tinyurl.com/Cheap-M-C-Trailer -- is looking better and better.The high-end ones are nice, but way beyond my needs and budget. Besides, with a cheap and open trailer, the transported Guzzi will get some road-cred bugs that will make me feel less guilty about trailering it. ;DBill
OK, I posted about the Baxley trailer I have ($$$) because I have no idea what anyone's financial situation is. I paid about $5000 for the trailer, even though it's a lot of money, because I think it is the finest open trailer money can buy. I've never seen another one, which supports some folks contention that it's too much money. Sometimes the most expensive option is the cheapest in the long run, in my experience. I worked all my life so I could have the best, with no compromise. When I put a Harley Ultra on this trailer, I have no concerns about stability or me having the bike falling on me while loading. I rarely trailer a bike (they were made to ride!), but when I do, I want something really good. Oh, it hauls my Moto Guzzi well, as well as my Ducati. :)I've had a cheap bike trailer. That's why I have a good one now.Best to buy whatever you like, within your tastes or budget.
Cookiemech,I'm with you on this. I have never regretted the money I spent on a quality product. I have often regretted going with the cheap option. If I'm lucky, inexpensive and cheap aren't always the same.
P.S. Might you be interested in renting that Baxley in early April; I'll need your tow vehicle, too. Thinking about hauling my Griso to Rose Farm Classics for Jim Barron to do his thing with it. ;D
Bill, you would absolutely be welcome to use my trailer (no renting; you'd be welcome to use it for free). I'd be a bit uncomfortable about lending my tow vehicle, only because of liability concerns . . .****I suspect you're kidding about borrowing the trailer, but if you wanted to drive all the way to southwestern PA (about 25 miles SE of Pittsburgh), let me know ;-T
Might check into just renting a U-Haul trailer if you only need it once a year.