Towing an FJR

[Havard]

Saw something the other day about towing an FJR. Basically hooking the front wheel to a vehicle hitch and the back wheel stays on the ground. Don't remember where I saw this but has anyone heard of this?

 

[CaptianBanana]

You mean something like this?

https://www.motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/caddy1.html

Seems to me that for $600 you could find a normal trailer and not put pointless miles on your rear tire.

 

[olsonm3915]

Saw something the other day about towing an FJR. Basically hooking the front wheel to a vehicle hitch and the back wheel stays on the ground. Don't remember where I saw this but has anyone heard of this?

I've heard of it.

I wouldn't do it to an FJR. I'm not sure of the details but the transmission more than likely relies on the engine oil pump for lubrication. Without the engine running your transmission will not be getting oil pressure.

 

[wfooshee]

^^^^ What he said. A car's manual gearbox circulates its oil by splash, the bike does not.

Besides, why add wear to the rear tire that's not involved in riding?

 

[bandit]

^^^^ What he said. A car's manual gearbox circulates its oil by splash, the bike does not.
Besides, why add wear to the rear tire that's not involved in riding?

Some cars dont lube the gearbox when towign either. Only the uptput shafts spins with no gears turning. but I agree , Trailers are pretty cheap to come by.

 

[Big-D]

It was said these things are not meant to be used on a motor home, but I see many motor homes here in Havasu using this type of tow system. It looks really scary and would never tow my (any type) bike in this manner. For one, if you were going down the road and it came off, you'd never know it until someone caught up to you yelling and screaming.

Just doesn't look very stable at all.

 

[olsonm3915]

For one, if you were going down the road and it came off, you'd never know it until someone caught up to you yelling and screaming.

Another thing to consider, it's like towing a very short trailer. As anyone who has towed a short trailer will know, they are difficult as hell to back up with. A longer trailer is actually easier to steer, in my experience, when backing up.

Avoid. For what this outfit are asking you can buy a perfectly suitable brand new trailer, a wheel chock, and a set of quality tie downs and have money left over.

 

[FJRBluesman]

...Some cars dont lube the gearbox ...

I hate it when my gearbox doesn't get lubed... :dribble:

 

[lnewlf]

That tow behind thing puts a wicked strain on the forks, steering head and other parts when turning..The pivot point is not vertical and the bike is not allowed to lean when turning so something has to give-in theory the rear tire has to skate.

 

[YooperDick]

in theory the rear tire has to skate

No theory at all. It will. Also, can you imagine the sand blasting the bike will get from road debris?

 

[CaptianBanana]

That tow behind thing puts a wicked strain on the forks, steering head and other parts when turning..The pivot point is not vertical and the bike is not allowed to lean when turning so something has to give-in theory the rear tire has to skate.

Good enough reason to avoid this thing. If my head bearings wear out, I want it to be because I rode the hell out of my bike, not because I tortured it pulling it behind a car.

 

[bandit]

...Some cars dont lube the gearbox ...

I hate it when my gearbox doesn't get lubed... :dribble:

You cant really read that wrong, Means exactly what i said. the bearings and gears wont get lubricated.

 

[Leskid]

...Some cars dont lube the gearbox ...

I hate it when my gearbox doesn't get lubed... :dribble:

You cant really read that wrong, Means exactly what i said. the bearings and gears wont get lubricated.

IIRC, the actual term that RVers use for car compatibility for towing like that is "wheels down towing"

It would surprise the hell out of me if any motocycle manufacturer ever bothered to engineer their bikes for wheels down towing

and Bandit..... I think FJRBluesman was talking about 'something else'

 

[mcatrophy]

Saw something the other day about towing an FJR. Basically hooking the front wheel to a vehicle hitch and the back wheel stays on the ground. Don't remember where I saw this but has anyone heard of this?

Even with the transmission in the neutral position, do not coast for long periods of time with the engine off, and do not tow the vehicle for long distances. The transmission is properly lubricated only when the engine is running. Inadequate lubrication may damage the transmission.

Don't do it.

 

[Burnspot]

Saw something the other day about towing an FJR. Basically hooking the front wheel to a vehicle hitch and the back wheel stays on the ground. Don't remember where I saw this but has anyone heard of this?

I've heard of it.

I wouldn't do it to an FJR. I'm not sure of the details but the transmission more than likely relies on the engine oil pump for lubrication. Without the engine running your transmission will not be getting oil pressure.

The URL referenced actually says their product may not be suitable for "driveshaft" bikes. I wouldn't risk it...there's simply too much to possibly go wrong. For the money, you can get a nice little utility trailer and straps (Canyon Dancer and things of that nature).

 

[cruppelt]

Saw something the other day about towing an FJR. Basically hooking the front wheel to a vehicle hitch and the back wheel stays on the ground. Don't remember where I saw this but has anyone heard of this?

I've heard of it.

I wouldn't do it to an FJR. I'm not sure of the details but the transmission more than likely relies on the engine oil pump for lubrication. Without the engine running your transmission will not be getting oil pressure.

The URL referenced actually says their product may not be suitable for "driveshaft" bikes. I wouldn't risk it...there's simply too much to possibly go wrong. For the money, you can get a nice little utility trailer and straps (Canyon Dancer and things of that nature).

+1 on being way ahead money-wise with a normal trailer. I was at a cross roads a few years back to either get another pickup for very occasional use, or get a trailer.

I bought a great utility trailer at Fred Meyer here in Portland, to be used with my van, but I ended up usually pulling that thing with my Toyota Camry... The trailer was on sale for $250, and I had to make my own bed and fence, but I used stuff I already had laying around for that (1 piece of 3/4 plywood, cedar fence boards and some dark green paint), then I built myself a wooden wheel choke and got some good tie downs. I have transported several bikes with this setup over the last few years. The bikes stay rock solid and I never ever have to worry.

The benefit is that I use this trailer also for moving tons of other stuff, including getting lumber, sheets of plywood (I made the fence slightly larger then 4x8 for that reason), even appliances. And being in the boonies without recycling service, I also use it for the occasional run to the recycling containers at the transfer station (new word for dump).

 

[Havard]

That tow behind thing puts a wicked strain on the forks, steering head and other parts when turning..The pivot point is not vertical and the bike is not allowed to lean when turning so something has to give-in theory the rear tire has to skate.

I just wanted to get thoughts and I appreciate them very much. I have a trailer and will use it but wondered if anyone else had tried or heard of this.