Planning this year's motorcycle adventure

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paul246 · #1 Unread post by **paul246** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:59 am

Well, I figure its time for something different as far as this year's road trip goes. So, I'm thinking I'll venture out on my '65 Honda C200 (87cc) pulling a lightweight dog trailer with camping gear aboard. Sort of a minimalist adventure.

The bike is healthy and runs like a champ. I'll take along some basic tools, tire tube, patch kit, pump, spark plug and a chain link or two.

The trailer is a brand new Wikes dog trailer that my dog, pictured below, refuses to enter. I originally had it hooked to my mountain bike, not the Honda

Anyway, the trailer tows like a dream and is rated for up to 100 pounds of cargo. I probably wouldn't carry more than half that.

Travel will be daylight only. I'll plate the trailer as a motorcycle trailer and rig up some LED brake lights, along with a slow moving triangle affixed to the rear of the trailer.

The bike is good for 53mph, but I will cruise at about 40mph. Should get 125mpg at that speed.

I plan to tour southern Saskatchewan through the badlands, the ghost town route and Grasslands National Park. The more I think about this trip the more enthused I become.

The Honda C200 is the bike on the left. The trailer is pictured below that.

What do you guys think??

ejshotgun · #2 Unread post by **ejshotgun** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:08 am

Wellll.....
If that's your stable of Bikes behind you I don't understand why you would take the smallest one on a long road trip.
I do understand taking a road trip so if that's what you want to do more power to you and I know you'll have a great time.
I especially like the idea of your dog trailer for that bike.

paul246 · #3 Unread post by **paul246** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:15 am

ejshotgun wrote:Wellll.....
If that's your stable of Bikes behind you I don't understand why you would take the smallest one on a long road trip.
I do understand taking a road trip so if that's what you want to do more power to you and I know you'll have a great time.
I especially like the idea of your dog trailer for that bike.

Ya, they're my bikes (the V-Star is the wifes, but she won't be going along this year). Like I said, I want to do it a little differently this time...and seeing I'm stuck with that trailer ...

-Holiday · #4 Unread post by **-Holiday** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:12 am

paul246 wrote:
ejshotgun wrote:Wellll.....
If that's your stable of Bikes behind you I don't understand why you would take the smallest one on a long road trip.
I do understand taking a road trip so if that's what you want to do more power to you and I know you'll have a great time.
I especially like the idea of your dog trailer for that bike.
Ya, they're my bikes (the V-Star is the wifes, but she won't be going along this year). Like I said, I want to do it a little differently this time...and seeing I'm stuck with that trailer ...

have you towed that trailer with a load at that speed before? Or down a hill? I've done a lot of bicycle touring with similiar trailers, and i've found that with a fairly large load, 50+ pounds, that style trailer effects the handling of the bike a lot.

One time in the Adirondaks coming down a very steep grade going approximatly 50mph (on a bicycle), it tried to pass me. Meaning it started ocilating the bike so bad that I almost crashed. I was able to slow down enough to regain control and stop in the wrong lane. Luckily no traffic was coming.

Anyhow, seems like a cool idea. I think maybe the weight of your motorcycle might make things different for you. But I'd still check the speed rating of that trailer.

On another note, is that bike comfortable for all day riding?

Sev · #5 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:17 am

How do you hit 50mph on a pedal bike?

-Holiday · #6 Unread post by **-Holiday** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:19 am

Sevulturus wrote:How do you hit 50mph on a pedal bike?

easy, see my post above above

paul246 · #7 Unread post by **paul246** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:09 pm

-Holiday wrote:
paul246 wrote:
ejshotgun wrote:Wellll.....
If that's your stable of Bikes behind you I don't understand why you would take the smallest one on a long road trip.
I do understand taking a road trip so if that's what you want to do more power to you and I know you'll have a great time.
I especially like the idea of your dog trailer for that bike.
Ya, they're my bikes (the V-Star is the wifes, but she won't be going along this year). Like I said, I want to do it a little differently this time...and seeing I'm stuck with that trailer ...
have you towed that trailer with a load at that speed before? Or down a hill? I've done a lot of bicycle touring with similiar trailers, and i've found that with a fairly large load, 50+ pounds, that style trailer effects the handling of the bike a lot.

One time in the Adirondaks coming down a very steep grade going approximatly 50mph (on a bicycle), it tried to pass me. Meaning it started ocilating the bike so bad that I almost crashed. I was able to slow down enough to regain control and stop in the wrong lane. Luckily no traffic was coming.

Anyhow, seems like a cool idea. I think maybe the weight of your motorcycle might make things different for you. But I'd still check the speed rating of that trailer.

On another note, is that bike comfortable for all day riding?

The swaying issue is good to know about, thanks. I'll have to do some testing with the trailer loaded behind the bicycle. One tactic is to place the load so that a little more than 50% is positioned ahead of the "axle line" to minimize the chance of sway.

As far as the bike being comfortable, it is actually pretty good. The original seat foam is in remarkably good shape. I've had the bike out for several hours at a time and had no discomfort. With speeds being low the effects of wind are less, plus I'll be touring, ie; lots of stops for photos, water breaks, etc. So I'm not too worried about that aspect.

#8 Unread post by **cb360** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:27 pm

That sounds like a great trip! Don't let them get you down. Little bikes have their own charms - I

wish I could do that

paul246 · #9 Unread post by **paul246** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:39 pm

cb360 wrote:That sounds like a great trip! Don't let them get you down. Little bikes have their own charms - I wish I could do that

Not down here, I'm looking for any ideas people can offer, good or bad. You're right, too, these small bikes have a fun element of their own. Going minimal has its own set of rewards.

High_Side · Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:37 pm

Sounds like a great trip Paul, and I totally understand wanting to do the minimalist thing. I would be worried about the pooch eating alot of Saskatchewan gravel dust. When I pull the kids in mine, anything coming off of the tire goes straight onto the plastic front shield. As Holiday had mentioned, they will push you going down hill and try to slide your back wheel out from underneath you if you are turning going down hill. All of this should shake out in a test run however...
Some of my best motorcycle memories are riding the Alberta countryside on a DT200 Yamaha for days at a time. Not quite as minimalist as what you are planning, but simple just the same.
53mph on a 40y.o. 87cc Honda is impressive by the way....