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I get it.
Just thought you might be interested in what OM says.
I see people doing it all the time so I guess HD just wants to cover their *** incase some fool is towing a grand piano and gets jammed up.
HD will tell you you can not or should not put a sidecar on a HD. But they still offer a sidecar. Your correct they say it so if some one crashes HD can say we said not to do it.
Sidecars take a different skill set to operate. Pulling a trailer riding a trike do also. HD says a lot of things to cover their *** . And so would anyone that ran the place.
Once the bike is yours it is up to you with in the laws to decide.
I just saw this in the OWNER'S manual!
Guess its a liability issue. Do not pull a trailer with a motorcycle. Pulling a trailer can cause tire overload, damage and failure, reduced braking performance, and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury. (00018c)
If this is the case then we should tow trailers behind cars and trucks because exactly the same statements can be applied. Liability and insurance has more to do with this statement.
When a motorcycle trailer is loaded correctly it removes weight from the bike and helps the bike handle better. It weighs definitely more and impacts on braking, acceleration and performance which means your riding style needs to change to compensate for the trailer.
I recently did a trip with too much weight on the bike (no trailer) and it certainly impacted on low speed handling and stability. My combined weight of rider, pillion and gear far exceed the OP's requirements and once out of the carpark never caused any issues.
Each Harley motorcycle's GVWR is on the manufacturer's label on the front down tube.
Just below the date of manufacture, is the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). Just below the GVWR are both the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) for the front & rear axles, with the OEM tire size.
You can either actually go to a scale and weigh your bike, or look up the weight online. Subtract the bike's running weight from the GVWR, and you have the maximum payload weight your bike is designed to carry....
For an example:
Below is the manufacturer's label on my 2003 Heritage Classic. It shows a GVWR of 526 KG. (1160LB).
Online spec sites show the 2003 Heritage Classic "Vehicle Weight In Running Order (unladen) 738 lbs. (335.0 kg)"
So 1160 lbs minus 738 lbs equals 422lbs.
My 2003 Heritage is designed to carry a maximum of 422 lbs of passengers and gear.
Last edited by hattitude; Jul 21, 2024 at 06:01 PM.
This 2010RK is my first touring bike.
I've never gone on an extended road trip because I was never sure my 81shovelhead would get me back home every night.
I dont have that worry anymore with the RK.
It sounds like some of you put some serious extra weight on your ride.
I'm sure braking and slow speed turns/U-turns take on a new meaning when you've added another 300#+ into the equation.
I. It weighs definitely more and impacts on braking, acceleration and performance which means your riding style needs to change to compensate for the trailer.
.
Someone pulls out in front of you. More or less safe with a trailer?
I suppose you could say I ride in a t-shirt, less safe than ATGATT. But I won't do a trailer, we all draw our line somewhere. But what I hear from people is, don't even know its back there when pulling it. What about e-stops? Nobody plans those.
Revo A shocks have a sag adjustment. If you are taking a long trip I would adjust it with the weight on the bike. It makes a difference in handling and comfort and is done by hand turning the springs.
You are a good person. But doesn't change what i said. When pulling a trailer with my truck, I give myself more time to stop, bigger gap, ect. But you still never know when a deer will run out, or such. A trailer does effect stopping. No matter how much you practice, it will still effect stopping.
Last edited by Highway Handler; Jul 22, 2024 at 10:35 PM.
Reason: Removed rude comment
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