Haul dirt bike in trailer

[LWJ]

Hello
My midlife / Covid crisis solution is to tear up the dirt on a small cc motorcycle. Lots of fun.

Well. My trailer has disintegrated and I bought a basic utility trailer from a neighbor.

I would love some insight as to what makes a great system to haul a motorcycle or two.

Thanks in advance!

[Bill Douglas]

If it's a small motorbike you could look at one of those motorbike racks that fit across the back of a vehicle. Mainly supported by the towbar mount. A lot can be said for not having to own/borrow trailer.

[ckelly78z]

You'll need a cradle for the front tire to keep it from steering, and a couple ratchet straps to compress the suspension a bit to make it stay upright. Pull down on the handlebars equal amounts, and it won't go anywhere.

[LWJ]

^^^This has been my strategy. I have two vertical 2X4s that make a front wheel slot currently.

I think there are some small improvements to this design. Hence my question.

Thinking that a steel channel may be the way to go for the cradle.

It would be nice to have the option for adding a second bike as well.

Again, thanks!

[Baz]

Recently transported one in the bed of my truck. Used 4 ratchet straps at the corners. Cycle did not budge over a 1 hour journey. I have 4 built in hoops in the corners of my bed I used.

Also, You Tube has numerous tutorials on this subject that I found helpful.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

If it's a small motorbike you could look at one of those motorbike racks that fit across the back of a vehicle. Mainly supported by the towbar mount. A lot can be said for not having to own/borrow trailer.

I do this routinely for my son, but I would not recommend it for anything larger than a 150 or so. The lift on my Land Cruiser doesn't help at all, but manhandling a larger bike is difficult (I've done it). Plus...only one bike for sure...

[Baz]

Originally Posted by IROC

I do this routinely for my son, but I would not recommend it for anything larger than a 150 or so. The lift on my Land Cruiser doesn't help at all, but manhandling a larger bike is difficult (I've done it). Plus...only one bike for sure...

Very nice, Mike. Your son will treasure those memories for his entire life. Well done, Dad!

[speeder]

Those are some very strange tie-down techniques for a MC. ^^^ You are lucky if they worked over any distance. I prefer not to leave things to luck when it comes to towing and hauling.

Wheel chocks are nice and advisable but I've hauled many a MC standing up without them. It's all a matter of properly cinching down the front end. If you do that correctly, the bike can't go anywhere.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by speeder

Those are some very strange tie-down techniques for a MC. ^^^ You are lucky if they worked over any distance. I prefer not to leave things to luck when it comes to towing and hauling.

Wheel chocks are nice and advisable but I've hauled many a MC standing up without them. It's all a matter of properly cinching down the front end. If you do that correctly, the bike can't go anywhere.

Yep.... +1

I have hauled bikes thousands of times (raced/practiced motocross for many years in my youth).... Never once used a kickstand or center stand.

A strap on each side up front minimum with front wheel in guide or against front truck bed and on open trailers, a strap/straps on back.

I have never had a bike fall while transporting.

[Tim Hancock]

One could always purchase or build something like this to mount in a trailer if they did not have something to wedge the front wheel against.

[LWJ]

^^^Yes. I have two 2x4's in the front of my current trailer. It works fine to capture the front wheel.

I was thinking the brain trust may have a genius idea that I could steal.

Thanks all!

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Hello
My midlife / Covid crisis solution is to tear up the dirt on a small cc motorcycle. Lots of fun.

Well. My trailer has disintegrated and I bought a basic utility trailer from a neighbor.

I would love some insight as to what makes a great system to haul a motorcycle or two.

Thanks in advance!

Bro, you are talking to a dirt bike junky. Been riding since 84 so I know all the tricks. Buy a bumper carrier bike hauler. Light and easy and leagle to tow your scoot. just plug it in, roll your bike up and tie it down and have a fun time. Bummper carriers are a rail that plugs into a class 3 reciever. I spent $188 a few years back and its still in the garage. It hauls my 220 lb CR-250 just fine..

[speeder]

I have that lower HF chock, it's junk but I needed something in a hurry when I bought another bike far from home. Really good chocks, like a Condor, are valuable to have both in a shop situation and in trailers.

Of course now the thread makes no sense because Florida man took down his photos. They have been posted before in other threads, basically some bikes, (mostly older BMWs), on a car trailer with really scary tie-downs. One was on a side stand and another on the center stand with a piece of wood under the stand. Maybe a 2x4(?)

It's too bad because they served as a good example of what not to do.

[LWJ]

^^^I saw the side stand. I was very uncomfortable with that!

[vash]

You don’t need ratchet straps. Use cam straps with “soft” ends. Motorcycle specific straps. That way you dont have any hard hooks on motorcycle contact. I typically just strap the fronts. I compress the suspension down with the cam strap.