Getting motorcycle on trailer

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jarobbins · #1 Unread post by **jarobbins** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:57 am

I am new to motorcycling. Am handling bike OK but having trouble getting bike on trailer. Cycle is Suzuki C90 (600+ lbs.). Trailer is Kendon single. My sons and I cannot push bike up ramp. Driving it up has been hazardous because of inability to put feet down to stabilize. I bought a pair of "oil change ramps" to put on either side of the single ramp that comes with the trailer but they are not long enough to give footing all the way on to ramp. Backing down the ramp has same problems - the bike is unstable if I can't get my feet down. I doubt that two of us can stand on either side of bike and push it up or guide it down without a risk of bike falling.

Possible solutions: 1)longer higher ramps to put on either side of bike when going up and down. Are there any that are commercially available? 2) Back trailer up to curb so that ramp is not as steep and use "oil change ramps" to get footing in the reduce size gap, 3) buy $300 winch to pull bike up and ease it down but this would seem to have same problem with no footing that is, gap will still exists and without feet down despite

Thanks for help.

ronboskz650sr · Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:08 am

What about a hand operated boat loading winch? One person winches, two people steady the bike.

iwannadie · Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:34 am

either you need 3 people,one to sit on the bike, 2 to stabilize it. or just get it lined up on the ramp , close your eyes and go for it

Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:18 am

you need a small landscape trailer where you let the gate down and ride the bike in.what is gonna happen when you are alone and need to load it.

Wizzard · #5 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:48 pm

First off Joe , welcome to TMW Forums . My question sir , is if you just got this nice scoot , what is it doing on a trailer? Just an old guys curiosity .
Regards, Wizzard

#6 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:05 pm

I'm assuming it's a trailer without any floor to it, except for a runner for the bike's tires...

If that is the case, put a floor on it, at least in the areas that you need one, or get a different style of trailer, there are lots out there...

greengo · #7 Unread post by **greengo** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:36 am

I'm loading on a car hauler style of trailer, I doubt that's the kind of trailer you're dealing with. I have two ramps and use one to walk alongside the bike. I run the engine and walk the bike up the ramps. I load by myself. I'd recommend you find a way to add a ramp alongside the bike. Unless you're always going to have a team to load and unload the bike.

Fortunately, the bike comes off the trailer nose first. I have backed the bike down and using the front brake is not ideal in that situation, as the front tire tends to skid in reverse.

greengo · #8 Unread post by **greengo** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:45 am

Wizzard wrote:First off Joe , welcome to TMW Forums . My question sir , is if you just got this nice scoot , what is it doing on a trailer? Just an old guys curiosity .
Regards, Wizzard

In my case, I'm usually headed to the desert for several days. And I'm camping with a bunch of Jeepers. So both the Jeep and the bike are on the trailer. I do the Jeep rides with the gang and run out on the bike inbetween.

Just this past weekend, I flew my mother-in-law out from Florida. Then loaded her and my wife up in the RV and drove to Camp Verde, AZ. So, I trailered the Z4 and my Dakar. That allowed my wife and her mother to go do the ladies thing in town and I got to go off on my own. Nice way to visit with the m-in-law, don't ya think?

To my surprise, many bikers wave at me as they pass me on the highway when the bike is on the trailer.