"Is that small bike stable on the interstate?

[Guzzistajohn]

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.





That's what I'm talkin' about!

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

[twowheeladdict]

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>

Just saying Harley is like saying Honda. If you haven’t tried a Rushmore Road Glide you haven’t experienced a solid frame mounted fairing Harley.  All other Harleys pale in comparison.

[Gliderjohn]

From JJ:

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

It also has much less covered areas that I would guess reduce kiting.
GliderJohn

[Moparnut72]

I had one of these on my R75/5. This is not my bike,  mine was silver, so everything matched. Rode in still air, in fact slight pressure on my back. Very stable, compared to the handle bar mounted Wixom on my R50/2. That is a bad comparison due to different front end designs. I tried every windshield and fang combination on my Harley Slim that I could think of and was never able to get rid of the buffeting. Even the naked bike caused it to some degree, probably all the tin on the upper forks. Another reason I got rid of it.
kk

[rocker59]

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.

John,

I've had a Versa-Haul hitch carrier since 2003.  I've hauled all over the country with it.

Largest bike I've hauled was the Nero Corsa from NWA to DC.

Contact me offline if you want more info on using them.

[rocker59]

It happened.......... 

Was getting fuel, and a conversation began.     ( Started by a rider of that Big American Twin )

What is it? , Is that small bike stable on the Interstate?     

I was riding my V11 Coppa.

Just moto-ignorance at work.  It's been that way for decades.

One of the most stable bikes I've owned was my V11 LeMans Nero Corsa.  Comfortable thousand mile days on all kinds of roads.

[Kane]

I have come to appreciate the foamy center tank pad strip on my ‘01 V11 Sport for tucking in behind the flyscreen for my one-hour-each-way commute on the Southern California freeways. It actually has a function!
Staying ahead of the charging lemmings and riding in the open spaces between traffic clusters necessitates cruising around 90mph. Tucking in helps with the buffeting, and is not uncomfortable for me. I think cruise control would be a nice thing to have to be able to shake out my right hand, but I do not have that. What I find a little odd is there is a stretch of highway (the 605 S between the 210 and the 60) where the buffeting increases dramatically, yet the trees look still so it’s not caused by the wind. I tuck in for pretty much that whole stretch and it helps stabilize the bike, which is already pretty stable. Because of that road I have also begun to wear earplugs!
I would not hesitate to ride that bike on tours, though I wish I could get more distance between fill-ups. I would be concerned to be stranded on some of the 200+ distances between gas stations that exist in the west. That bike sucks up the gas pretty good.

[Guzzistajohn]

John,

I've had a Versa-Haul hitch carrier since 2003.  I've hauled all over the country with it.

Largest bike I've hauled was the Nero Corsa from NWA to DC.

Contact me offline if you want more info on using them.

Mike, I was actually hoping you'd see this and tell me yours is for sale 

[Guzzistajohn]

I have come to appreciate the foamy center tank pad strip on my ‘01 V11 Sport for tucking in behind the flyscreen for my one-hour-each-way commute on the Southern California freeways. It actually has a function!
Staying ahead of the charging lemmings and riding in the open spaces between traffic clusters necessitates cruising around 90mph. Tucking in helps with the buffeting, and is not uncomfortable for me. I think cruise control would be a nice thing to have to be able to shake out my right hand, but I do not have that. What I find a little odd is there is a stretch of highway (the 605 S between the 210 and the 60) where the buffeting increases dramatically, yet the trees look still so it’s not caused by the wind. I tuck in for pretty much that whole stretch and it helps stabilize the bike, which is already pretty stable. Because of that road I have also begun to wear earplugs!
I would not hesitate to ride that bike on tours, though I wish I could get more distance between fill-ups. I would be concerned to be stranded on some of the 200+ distances between gas stations that exist in the west. That bike sucks up the gas pretty good.

where do i find screen resolution on my computer


I've used these on all my bikes. Not really as a "cruise control" but you can give the right wrist a break 

[Kane]

Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated!

[rocker59]

Mike, I was actually hoping you'd see this and tell me yours is for sale 

not for sale, but could be bought.  We can talk.  I haven't used it in a few years, since the last V7 Classic sold.

[rocker59]

I would not hesitate to ride that bike on tours, though I wish I could get more distance between fill-ups. I would be concerned to be stranded on some of the 200+ distances between gas stations that exist in the west. That bike sucks up the gas pretty good.

I took to carrying a 1-gallon Rotopax fuel pack, but I never had to use it.

At elevations over 5,000 feet, the V11's fuel economy improves enough to run 200 miles between fill ups.

Normally, my bike would return 38-mpg regularly at lower elevations, 0-5,000 feet.  I would stop at 170-mile intervals, which gave me about 20-miles of padding. 

When I had the Nero Corsa in Colorado in 2009 for the Colorado Classic 1000 rally, it was returning nearly 50-mpg in the 7,000 to 12,000 feet elevations we were riding.

[Guzzistajohn]

not for sale, but could be bought.  We can talk.  I haven't used it in a few years, since the last V7 Classic sold.

I could save you from having to mow around it 

[Kane]

Thanks, rocker. I think 38 mpg is about right, even on the optimistic side, but that’s with battling and hammering through L.A. traffic. Cruising some alpine elevations would also take the strain off of me! A better mentality-per-gallon!

[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.

Finally tested the new hitch carrier with Jenn's Duc and the D110.

Just loaded it and took it around the block a couple of times. But cautiously optimistic this is going to work out for us.

We went with:

BlackWidow SMC-600r

https://www.blackwidowpro.com/motorc...rs/p/smc-600r/

I have to say the D110 didn't seem to know or care it was there. To use it properly I'm going to have to remove the right side rider's peg to keep it from contacting the spare and I'm going to triple-check the tie-downs, but otherwise it looks like we should be good to go.

Besides using it for this trip it will be nice to know it's available should any of our svelte Italian girls require a rescue (or the same for any of our friends).

[vintage53]

Hi Kev ,
What's  the limit on the Carrier,  I wonder if my V11 at 500Lbs + , ~ would work? 

I would put on a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[JJ]

I'll bet you could "WHEELIE" that SUV under the right circumstances!!   

[Kev m]

Hi Kev ,
What's  the limit on the Carrier,  I wonder if my V11 at 500Lbs + , ~ would work? 

I would put on a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

It's possible (assuming rear wheel isn't too wide) but I think you'd be really pushing it.

The carrier is supposedly good for up to 600#.

But it weighs about 100# and the load is definitely out farther than most trailer tongue loads. So that Grand Cherokee better have a hell of a tow/tongue weight rating.

Our old WK2 had the tow package with self-leveling rear shocks but only a tow rating of 5k or so, meaning tongue weight weight would probably be maxed at 500# total nevermind 600# held farther back

Our D110: replaced the GC and it's got both air shocks and ~7500 or ~7800# tow rating. I figure with a 400# bike and 100# rack we're still hundreds of pounds below the max tongue weight.

But I don't think I'd put anything bigger than our V7's on it.

[Kev m]

I'll bet you could "WHEELIE" that SUV under the right circumstances!!   

I hear they jumped a bunch of stock ones for the upcoming James Bond flick and they drove away

But as much tongue weight as that is, it's still a drop in the bucket compared to the weight of the Rover. And the Air suspension should keep it level.

[twowheeladdict]

Finally tested the new hitch carrier with Jenn's Duc and the D110.

Just loaded it and took it around the block a couple of times. But cautiously optimistic this is going to work out for us.

We went with:

BlackWidow SMC-600r

https://www.blackwidowpro.com/motorc...rs/p/smc-600r/

I have to say the D110 didn't seem to know or care it was there. To use it properly I'm going to have to remove the right side rider's peg to keep it from contacting the spare and I'm going to triple-check the tie-downs, but otherwise it looks like we should be good to go.

Besides using it for this trip it will be nice to know it's available should any of our svelte Italian girls require a rescue (or the same for any of our friends).

Get one of those roof rack baskets and put the spare tire up there.  It's not like you or the misses are going to change a tire yourselves on a range rover.   

The one thing I like about my rack is that you don't have to back the bike off.  load it under power and unload under power.  But, mine is only rated for 400 lbs which works well for my 300 lb bikes. 

[Kev m]

Get one of those roof rack baskets and put the spare tire up there.  It's not like you or the misses are going to change a tire yourselves on a range rover.   

The one thing I like about my rack is that you don't have to back the bike off.  load it under power and unload under power.  But, mine is only rated for 400 lbs which works well for my 300 lb bikes.

Ha ha we had a flat the first few months we owned it and the tailgate looks HORRIBLE with just the empty carrier on it. So much so my youngest complained about riding in Mom's "ghetto" car. 


PS, she called ME and I changed it lol.

[twowheeladdict]

Ha ha we had a flat the first few months we owned it and the tailgate looks HORRIBLE with just the empty carrier on it. So much so my youngest complained about riding in Mom's "ghetto" car. 


PS, she called ME and I changed it lol.

 

[TimmyTheHog]

Do you think this is small enough? :P





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-WgGh9lvx4

[Kev m]

Finally tested the new hitch carrier with Jenn's Duc and the D110.

Just loaded it and took it around the block a couple of times. But cautiously optimistic this is going to work out for us.

We went with:

BlackWidow SMC-600r

https://www.blackwidowpro.com/motorc...rs/p/smc-600r/

I have to say the D110 didn't seem to know or care it was there. To use it properly I'm going to have to remove the right side rider's peg to keep it from contacting the spare and I'm going to triple-check the tie-downs, but otherwise it looks like we should be good to go.

Besides using it for this trip it will be nice to know it's available should any of our svelte Italian girls require a rescue (or the same for any of our friends).

If anyone was interested the carrier worked fantastically for a good nearly 400 mile run yesterday. The Land Rover didn't even notice it back there.

Very pleased.

Now Jenn and I can leave the Rover and the kids with family and head off for a couple of days on our bikes.

[s1120]

If anyone was interested the carrier worked fantastically for a good nearly 400 mile run yesterday. The Land Rover didn't even notice it back there.

Very pleased.

Now Jenn and I can leave the Rover and the kids with family and head off for a couple of days on our bikes.

I always thought those were so wild. I would think you would get a lot of twisting movement while moving. Was that a issue at all? I know I would never want to put my 02 stone on it...  but looks like a nice setup that would allow me to travel wit a smaller duel sport.

[Kev m]

I always thought those were so wild. I would think you would get a lot of twisting movement while moving. Was that a issue at all? I know I would never want to put my 02 stone on it...  but looks like a nice setup that would allow me to travel wit a smaller duel sport.

Yeah a Stone would max out the carrier by weight, but a stout enough truck could probably handle it

I think it's much better suited to the Duc and possibly the V7's as needed in the future.

Obviously a dirt bike/dual sport or scooter would be a cinch.

On the carrier itself  Though a normal hitch tends to have some play this carrier comes with menthods to help minimize this.

The hitch pin has almost an interference fit and there is a collar that slides over the draw bar and hitch with four bolts that you tighten against the hitch/bar to help hold them together.

As an additional brace I ran a set of straps over the wheels, and over the outer corners of the carrier and attached them to the safety chain eyelets on the hitch synching then down also reduced any possibility of play/rocking.

I rode behind the Defender for at least 300 of those miles and even after driving over potholes, expansion joints, or other irregularities the Defender and the carrier looked completely steady and undisturbed.

[Ncdan]

If anyone was interested the carrier worked fantastically for a good nearly 400 mile run yesterday. The Land Rover didn't even notice it back there.

Very pleased.

Now Jenn and I can leave the Rover and the kids with family and head off for a couple of days on our bikes.

Im a little surprised you couldn’t tell it was even there. I had a carrier on the back of my Grand Cherokee with some gear and a couple MT bikes and it made a noticeable difference in the handling. Maybe it’s suspension is lighter than your SUV?

[Kev m]

Im a little surprised you couldn’t tell it was even there. I had a carrier on the back of my Grand Cherokee with some gear and a couple MT bikes and it made a noticeable difference in the handling. Maybe it’s suspension is lighter than your SUV?

Our Grand Cherokee had a tow package with self leveling rear suspension and heavy duty brakes. It was a decent rig for the little stuff we towed with it. But I wouldn't have tried this with it.

Our GC was not even close to the Defender for this kind of duty. The latter has a full air suspension, a little more wheelbase, brakes for days, another 100+ hp and even more additional torques, plus it's rated for thousands of # more tow weight and hundreds of pounds more tongue weight. Speaking of brakes, the calipers are so massive you can't fit anything smaller than 19" wheels over them. And the chassis/suspension is extremely stout without being harsh.

[Kev m]

Kev , I wonder if the wild stallion would ride on that carrier ?

 Dusty

Sorry man the reference is completely lost on me? 

[s1120]

Thanks for the review Kev.