Trailer my FJR

blueman · May 1, 2006

Wanting to have the option to trailer my FJR if I have to. I have a motorcycle trailer I have hailed dirt bikes for years. The question is what is the safest way to trailer my FJR on that trailer. I am looking at adding a BIKE PRO Wheel chalk. And have been shown that single strap that hooks to the tie downs and slips around the crips. Also what about securing the rear wheel. Thanks for any info.

FantasticJohnR · May 1, 2006

The most important bit is to tighten down the front wheel braced against the front of the trailor with all of the spring out of the front forks. Use two straps coming off each of the handle bars. The rear wheel can be simply secured with on strap that wraps around the tire and secures to each side of the trailor- or straps can be run off each side from the back brace to the trailor (see pic) that's how my bike was secured and I drove with it 369 miles upon pick up.

fjrchik · May 1, 2006

blueman said:
And have been shown that single strap that hooks to the tie downs and slips around the crips. Also what about securing the rear wheel. Thanks for any info.

Like these handle bar thingys?? I forget the brand name but I'll get Ryan to post up what they are when he's done watching tv. They are very slick and worked great!

Rogue · May 1, 2006

fjrchik said:
blueman said:

And have been shown that single strap that hooks to the tie downs and slips around the crips. Also what about securing the rear wheel. Thanks for any info.

Click to expand...

Like these handle bar thingys?? I forget the brand name but I'll get Ryan to post up what they are when he's done watching tv. They are very slick and worked great!

Canyon Dancer?

TalioGladius · May 2, 2006

Rogue said:
fjrchik said:

blueman said:

And have been shown that single strap that hooks to the tie downs and slips around the crips. Also what about securing the rear wheel. Thanks for any info.

Click to expand...

Like these handle bar thingys?? I forget the brand name but I'll get Ryan to post up what they are when he's done watching tv. They are very slick and worked great!

Click to expand...

Canyon Dancer?

Canyon Dancer is the correct answer. Tell him what he's won, Bob.....

dcarver · May 2, 2006

For what it's worth.

I prefer to tie the front down by using soft ties around the fork legs, just above the fork seal and *behind* the black pastic fork protector in conjunction with the Canyon Dancers. I don't trust the Dancers by themelves. I also use 2 tie downs per side.. just in case one breaks or slips the other takes over; cheap insurance.

When using the Dancers, you compress the front fork springs slightly. Hit a big enough bump, some slack gets into the tie downs which *can* cause problems. Tying off to the fork legs does not compress the fork springs.. is a 'solid' connection.

For longer hauls, I also tie the ass end down to keep it from 'hopping' to one side or the other.

YMMV.

Windjammer · May 2, 2006

:waaa: One can almost see the embarrassment and shame of Fantastic John's FJR as it rides home on a trailer like a :waaa: Harley or sumpthin. BTW, that's John hisself in the background of that pic, BEFORE he went on the slimfast plan so he could fit on the FJR. The AFTER pic is in his avatar, quite remarkable really. Almost redeems him for shaming the FJR on its maiden voyage.

A Russell seat is cheaper than a trailer! :yahoo:

eurofjr · May 2, 2006

I trailered my bike pretty much the same as John described and it survived a head-on collision at about 55 mph with nary a scratch. I was driving my Ford Explorer (loaded for bear) with trailer (and FJR) attached when a guy ran a red light and got T-boned (by guess who...). Anyway, took the bike to a local dealer (thanks to Liquid Silver for his greatly appreciated help) who pronounced it fit as a fiddle. About a year later (and only about 10k miles), no issues that I can tell.

The trailer was a Texas-Bragg open trailer. Very good quality and super solid.

Jim.

flyinlow · May 2, 2006

Looking at the photos scares me a bit. I used to trailer bikes like that, but never again. I now use a Baxley sport chock. Once in the chock, the part that flips is locked down with a hook and the front wheel is secured to the front of the chock with a tie down. Then the rear of the bike is secured with a tie down at each side, pulling in the forward direction. Towed four bikes this way from Minnesota to Daytona and back on a flatbed trailer on some very rough roads with no issues. The nice thing with the sport chock is you don't need to compress your front suspension. You can add ties downs to the handlebars for added security but it isn't necessary.

Feejer/Weejer man · May 2, 2006

Just for a little info, someone reported either on this site or somewhere that the canyon dancer cinched too tight broke one of the cast bars. Don't know the specifics, might have even been on the ST site. Hooking below on the lower legs works better with no damage to anything on the bars. I do tie the rear wheel with two straps, one on each side.

fjrchik · May 2, 2006

I spoke with Ryan last night and this isn't a canyon dancer. But his trailer is back in it's storage garage so he couldn't go see what brand they were. He feels this particular one is better than a canyon dancer. After hauling my bike home, he took his bike and another friend's bike to the Gap last week and continued to have no problems with it. They work great, whatever they are!

bikemonster · May 2, 2006

fjrchik said:
I spoke with Ryan last night and this isn't a canyon dancer. But his trailer is back in it's storage garage so he couldn't go see what brand they were. He feels this particular one is better than a canyon dancer. After hauling my bike home, he took his bike and another friend's bike to the Gap last week and continued to have no problems with it. They work great, whatever they are!

The Canyon Dancerss tend to squish the grips of a bike towards the inside. If too much pressure is applied on the tie downs it really screws things up. I believe I have the handle bar straps that are in the picture and they work way better than the Canyon Dancers. I do not know the name of them either but will get it later, and post.

FJRScorpion · May 2, 2006

dcarver +1

I've read on other forums that these handle bars, especially cast with risers will break off if they are used with tiedowns. I use the canyon dancers only as backups to stabilize the bike till I compress the forks with separate soft tiedowns going from the triple tree through and across (X) the faring, somewhat as dcarver has mentioned. You must route them through the hydraulic brake lines. If you search you will find this method discussed elsewhere for the FJR. It is extremely safe, (if not anal) and requires two soft loop ratchets for the front, two for the back, and two for the canyon dancer. Also, don't underestimate the needed rating of the straps. Most companies will not be up front with their labeling and you must read. I also use the Bed buddy from CCR Sports for good measure. I carry my FJR in the bed of my pickup truck and pull my camper too. :clapping:

www.ccrsport.com/the_bed_buddy.html

bikemonster · May 2, 2006

bikemonster said:
fjrchik said:

I spoke with Ryan last night and this isn't a canyon dancer. But his trailer is back in it's storage garage so he couldn't go see what brand they were. He feels this particular one is better than a canyon dancer. After hauling my bike home, he took his bike and another friend's bike to the Gap last week and continued to have no problems with it. They work great, whatever they are!

Click to expand...

The Canyon Dancerss tend to squish the grips of a bike towards the inside. If too much pressure is applied on the tie downs it really screws things up. I believe I have the handle bar straps that are in the picture and they work way better than the Canyon Dancers. I do not know the name of them either but will get it later, and post.

Cycle Cynch at cyclecynch.com

PerfectBlueride · May 10, 2006

Well, I guess I did it wrong, didn't have an issue but only did it to transport home for winter after service.

Trailer my FJR

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