Motorcycle carrier for Sportster
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
I saw, somewhere, a small single motorcycle trailer, that was narrow, and light enough to put in the bed of the truck, when done towing the trailer with it. It was made of aluminum and only weighed about 200 lbs.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 300
Likes: 112
From: Iowa
That strikes me as a pretty practical way to go. The garage can deal with your trailer while the truck is in the shop. That's assuming you have a place to park the trailer at home when not in use. Hopefully your truck isn't in the shop all that often.
Have you considered having your wife or a friend drive the truck while you follow them on the bike, then just ride double on the way back? It's not a great solution until you have some experience, but could it be a possibility down the road?
If you still like the idea of a minimalist towing setup, you might want to consider looking at The USA Trailer Store. They have regular, wheeled trailers and two versions of receiver mounted carriers that aren't your typical rail mounted crosswise. They instead lift the front wheel of the bike and the bikes rear wheel rolls on the ground. It's kind of like the single wheel, bumper mounted trailers I used to see behind cars as a kid. There are similar hitch attachments offered by other vendors.
For most people the utility trailer would be a great suggestion if they have a place to park it at home and need to haul things other than the motorcycle. I would consider mounting a wheel chock and some eye bolts to a sheet of plywood which could then be secured to the bed of the trailer only when needed for moving the bike and removed for other hauling tasks. Rail on wheels motorcycle trailers, by contrast, are only good for hauling motorcycles.
Generally if I can't ride the bike somewhere I will rent the open top U-Haul motorcycle trailer for about $15/day. You wouldn't want to pay the daily rate while leaving it sitting in the shop, but for my occasional trailering needs it has been far less expensive than buying my own. Usually if I rent the trailer I make a point of lining up other tasks for that same weekend and use it as a utility trailer between hauling bikes.
Have you considered having your wife or a friend drive the truck while you follow them on the bike, then just ride double on the way back? It's not a great solution until you have some experience, but could it be a possibility down the road?
If you still like the idea of a minimalist towing setup, you might want to consider looking at The USA Trailer Store. They have regular, wheeled trailers and two versions of receiver mounted carriers that aren't your typical rail mounted crosswise. They instead lift the front wheel of the bike and the bikes rear wheel rolls on the ground. It's kind of like the single wheel, bumper mounted trailers I used to see behind cars as a kid. There are similar hitch attachments offered by other vendors.
For most people the utility trailer would be a great suggestion if they have a place to park it at home and need to haul things other than the motorcycle. I would consider mounting a wheel chock and some eye bolts to a sheet of plywood which could then be secured to the bed of the trailer only when needed for moving the bike and removed for other hauling tasks. Rail on wheels motorcycle trailers, by contrast, are only good for hauling motorcycles.
Generally if I can't ride the bike somewhere I will rent the open top U-Haul motorcycle trailer for about $15/day. You wouldn't want to pay the daily rate while leaving it sitting in the shop, but for my occasional trailering needs it has been far less expensive than buying my own. Usually if I rent the trailer I make a point of lining up other tasks for that same weekend and use it as a utility trailer between hauling bikes.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 380
Likes: 153
From: Hot Springs, SD
You might check out Harbor Freight, they used to sell a folding two wheel trailer for a reasonable price ($199) . All you needed to do was attach a rail and a wheel chock as well as four eye bolts for tie downs. Folded up and stood against the wall in your garage. Rated for 1000 lbs.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
Here you go, plus you can get a 25 percent discount coupon to make it less.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ler-62645.html
Add a wheel chock:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ock-69026.html
John
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ler-62645.html
Add a wheel chock:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ock-69026.html
John
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
One because I been around bikes and trailers a while. You need extensions even for bicycles in many cases. Any extension to the hitch is automatic 50% reduction in weight. Do the home work etrailers is a good place to find video and information.
If the carrier is extended when you buy it the reduction is still required.. A simple basic one bike trailer would work much better in the long run.
If the carrier is extended when you buy it the reduction is still required.. A simple basic one bike trailer would work much better in the long run.
I'm not disagreeing that use of an extension reduces that capacity of the carrier. And that IF he needs an extension the carrier above will not have enough capacity to haul a Sportster.
But, I think a Sportster will fit on the Sportbike carrier linked above just fine behind a 3/4 ton pickup truck. That's from looking at the measurements of the carrier and the back of my pickup truck.
Sorry unless you can show me a picture of that carrier on the back of a truck and a Sportster not fitting on it I choose not to believe you.
Simple solution, the OP could contact the carrier company and ask them if a Sportster will fit.
Watch the videos on the web site. They aren't using an extension and it looks like there is plenty of room on there.
and if you look through there customer photos you can find a picture of a Sportster on one of their carriers, and also a Honda Shadow, as well as lots of sport bikes and dirt bikes.
Last edited by VAFish; Jan 24, 2020 at 10:35 PM.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Good evening, this is my 1st post. I have been lurking for some time and finally registered. My life is going to change and my excuse to get a bike is to be able to take my truck to the shop some 30 miles and ride the bike home. Most carriers I see have about a 600 lb limit and my truck can handle that on it's hitch. I am thinking of getting a 1200 but have any of you tried to carry one on the back of your truck. I could get a smaller bike but at my age this will be my 1st in a long time and my last so why not go with something I can enjoy.
Any and all input is appreciated.
Any and all input is appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 1,811
From: Kalifornia
That is actually a Honda Magna. Its a V4 engine sitting crossways in the frame. Just being technical. Weight specs for the Magna are very similar to the Sportster. Still not sure I would trust my sporty to a single point of hitch with all that weight on it. I have seen more than one of those receivers break from tongue weight.