Custom Motorcycle Carrier

[Deputybuzz]

This picture may be a little obscene to some of you. I know...I know...It should be ridden not hauled. Occasionally I take some trips and would love to bring the bike along without hauling a trailer. So after taking some bike measurements, I came up with a plan.

This Custom hitch Motorcycle Carrier built for a about $200 from a local Fabrication shop. I will post some detailed pictures of the carrier tomorrow. I plan to add some Stop/Turn/Tail lights to improve visibility.

It pretty much maxes out my little jeeps tongue weight. I have to load all my heavy gear as far forward as possible to help out the weight on steers. All in all it pulls real nice and is easy to load my Buell on and off the carrier.

 

[Deputybuzz]

 

[xtreme]

Thats alot of tongue weight

 

[Deputybuzz]

I think the Max Tongue weight for my jeep is 750 lbs. The bike plus the Carrier is about 500 lbs but since that weight is centered about a 18" further back it really shift a lot of weight to the rear axle.

I noticed the jeep drives much better with passenger and gear loaded in rear seats.

 

[konarider94]

i also have a hitch hauler and i thought my jeep(WK) did fine. i was thinking about getting some of these. http://shop.airliftcompany.com/product/430105/60811/_/AIR_LIFT_1000;_COIL_SPRING

its a pretty cheap kit but i dont use the hauler enough to justify it. the jeep really did handle it just fine.

i have trailer lights on my carrier, might want to think about it

 

[lifestar]

i want one!

 

[rockerphotographer]

That, my friend, is awesome! Nice bike too.

 

[BuellyBagger]

I wish i could remeber the company, but there is one that sells these type of haulers... even ones that u can load a friggin gold wing on(provided u drive an excursion or 3/4ton suburban) i've thought about buyin one to put my uly on i think my expedition would handle it. I thought at least that way if i break down my wife can come get me without having to learn to pull a trailer. I think they're a sweet idea.

 

[peelandwin]

I have also thought about these so I could bring my Uly on road trips. I take several a year with my wife and kids.

I just never could get myself to trust that all that weight hanging in the air supported by that one point would be stable if I ever had to maneuver unexpectedly or brake hard.

 

[Burton]

Wow, that is an awesome way to bring your bike. I will want one at some point!

 

[theoctopus]

I just never could get myself to trust that all that weight hanging in the air supported by that one point would be stable if I ever had to maneuver unexpectedly or brake hard.

I'm with you there. Wayyyy too many stories over on ADVRider of guys loading their adventure bikes on to these carriers, then hearing a crack at highway speed and watching their bikes tumble off into the distance.

 

[Deputybuzz]

Took a little time to finally take these pictures but here you to. The bike is secured with 2 straps on front and 2 straps on back. I quickly found that 2 more are required from your safety chain hooks to the front and back of the bike. This prevents the bike from getting into an oscillation which could hit the back of the jeep or possibly breaking a strap or weld.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10445_20110916105108_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10445_20110916105058_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10445_20110916105039_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10445_20110916105017_L.jpg

 

[Deputybuzz]

Sorry here are the images instead of links

 

[BuellyBagger]

looks good. hows ur truck handle with the bike back there?

 

[Macbuell]

Wheelies better than ever.

 

[Deputybuzz]

With no passengers and no gear you can tell something is different. Feels like I am towing a heavy boat. I was very timid in my driving in the beginning but my trust in the setup has grown to confidence. Although I drive nice and easy with it, I have done some serious mountain highways and vehicle control is not an issue.

As I have mentioned above once I load a bunch of cargo in front of the rear axle it starts riding much better. Now that I'm happy with it I will add the stop turn tail lights to improve visibility.

 

[Blaylock1988]

Does it have a place to store the ramp on the hauler?

 

[Deputybuzz]

The ramp can be strapped on right in front of the wheel groove with bungees or tie down. It has been easier for me to just toss it on the floor in the back.

 

[jlrenken]

so deputybuzz have you had good luck with your haualer so far.

 

[iman501]

i would love one of these but i cant trust it on my yj wrangler.... that much weight on such a short wheel base, with a vehicle that weighs nothing, and has leaf springs i might be asking for a lot of trouble!!!!!