Go to the following link for some hitch pictures from Bushtec.
https://www.bushtecmotorcycletrailers.com/p...r-fjr-1300.aspx
That is hitch I have. I also have one of Bushtec's early turbo model trailers. As Niehart says, it tows really well.
Some lessons for must dos:
1. get after market suspension
2. install power comander
3. balance the load on the bike and trailer
We did a 2 up 10 day ride last summer ending at WFO. We planned to camp 2 nights then stay in a hotel. Ended up camping all nights except WFO and 1 other night. The key is find campgrounds that have showers. We packed for 10 days on the road so we did not need to do laundry. KOA's and state park campgrounds are great places to camp.
We did 3500 miles of twisty roads, back country roads, paved forest service roads. The PR2 tires were great. Still got 7000+ miles out of the tires and they were worn out on the edges. The suspension was pretty good even though it was set up for about 40 lbs less wieght on the rear. Stock suspension would be terrible for towing. The trailer was about 450 pounds loaded out.
I have a power commander loaded with the useless pickles smoothness map (converted Wally's map for GEN II bikes). I am contemplating getting the PC V so I can have two maps loaded and switch to a richer map when more power is needed.
The key to riding well or fast with a trialer is to get your bike set up to handle it and to balance the load on the bike and trailer so you keep the tongue weight to about 25-40 pounds. We put our pillows in the side bags on the FJR and put all the heavey weight towards the back of the trailer to balance it.
Other than the bike accelerating slower and the weight of the trailer pushing you through the corners when you let off the brakes and transition to the throttle, you would hardly know it is back there. I did ride hard enough in the twisties that coming down off the hill from Forest Service Road #1 (Willow Creek Hwy 299 to Mad River Hawy 36) to Mad River, that I had to slow down as the brakes were fading badly because of all the wieght and the speed I was carrying down the hill through the turns.
The bike performed very well towing.
About the trailer. If you haven't purchased one yet, look for one that has air shocks for suspension. They shocks suck up any bumps and the trailer doesn't bounce, which keeps and bumps or motion from transfering to the bike.
I love towing to trailer, it does not slow us down, just changes the approach to the turns slightly.
IOne thing to note, bushtec hitches are specific to their trailers. If I did't have the bushtec, I would use a daunbtless motors hitch. Both are very well made pieces.
Towing a 400lbs bike + trailer + gear is probably a bad idea although Im sure the FJR can handle it for short distances/limited braking trips.
