Towing my dirt bike with my Valk?

[kahnma]

Hello all,

So I recently purchased a new dirt bike and I use it at private land about 1 hour from my home. The roads to the private land are very scenic and I am sick of driving my car with trailer down them wishing I was on my Valk.

This gets me thinking... can I tow my dirt bike with my Valk? I have no experience with a trailer behind a motorcycle so any input would be greatly appreciated.

If all goes well, I would like to travel further distances (NY to Oregon) in the future with this setup so i will take some time to research it and try and have a trouble free setup.

If anyone has any recommendations good or bad please share, i am still at the beginning stages of this and do not even have a hitch for the Valk yet. I did some searching on Google and there wasn't a ton to go off.

Thank you all for reading!!!

[kahnma]

I was able to find this thread that was useful:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662721

Problem is that I am having hard time getting in contact with the guy. He made a custom swivel hitch starting from a hitch for a Valkyrie. I think his setup would be ideal.

[3fan4life]

Weight is the main issue.

The Valk has no problem pulling it, but remember you have to get it stopped.

Keep the trailer as small and light as possible while still being sturdy enough to hold the weight of the bike.

I am of course assuming that the bike weighs less than 300lbs.

[kahnma]

yes, the bike is pretty light. Only about 250lbs wet

[art]

I've seen a guy in Eugene,Or who pulls a mid 50s harley behind his GW to car and bike shows. He doesn't seem to have any problems.

[da prez]

I have pulled some wierd things with the Valk. Get a good hitch and set the bike up with the proper tongue weight. You should have no problems other than gaining a little experience. I have towed my trailer to IZ several times and even do shopping and have brought back bags of concrete mix. I ran the Dragon pulling a loaded trailer. Just use common sense and experience will come.

                                  da prez

[cookiedough]

Only thing I would be worried about besides further braking distance, is the bouncying up and down of a smaller trailer like this with a dirt bike on back.  Am sure is do-able with proper tongue weight, just not ideal. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks like it could work as shown in that picture, just don't tie the bike down like that guy did.  Only two points and them being the handlebars....totally inadequate

[BF]

There's some pictures on this site somewhere that show a red & white Valk pulling a custom trailer with a full size cruiser on it. 

Pulling a light weight dirt bike wouldn't be a problem I'd think. 

[BobB]

A long time ago a friend pulled his 200 pound trials bike to events behind his BMW.  If a BMW can pull a dirt bike, certainly a Valk can.  If memory recalls, he removed the front wheel and chain, and pulled a small two wheel tong and axial to which he attached the front fork, letting the rear wheel trail behind.

[sandy]

Try to keep the empty trailer at, or below 150 lbs. When you get above 400 lbs the Valk can be pretty hairy to stop when it's wet.

[CajunRider]

It CAN be done!  I'm not sure how much I'd trust it... but if your bike is only 250(ish) pounds, I think you'll be fine. 

Don't forget to allow extra stopping room!

[Rams]

I have no doubt it can be done but, I also know that such a load will dramatically effect both handling and braking.    This brings me to the question, just because it can be done, ask yourself if it should be done.   

The difference between riding a Valkyrie without a trailer and with a trailer is significant.    Getting in a hurry can and normally is hazardous to your health.   BTW, I pull a trailer on just about every trip and have been lucky to a certain extent, so far, none of my learning curve has resulted in anything more than soiled underwear.   

[kahnma]

One of my biggest worries is finding a trailer that will work well. Does anyone know a brand they can recommend? The one in the link above is home made.

[cookiedough]

So, what is the maximum allowed does everyone think of towing weight behind?  300 or 400 lbs. or ??   Also, what is ideal and maximum tongue weight, guessing under 100lbs. for sure?

I know not trailering anything, if my big butt at 280, wife pushing 200, and fully loaded I/S all 3 bags at pushing another 50-60lbs., my Valk I/S stopping distance is not nearly as good 2-up fully loaded bags vs. 1-up empty.   It doesn't bog down being 90+ hp, but won't win any races either loaded down, even most stock HD's will be able to keep up.  

Not so sure I would trailer much of anything if fully loaded 2-up riding.  Then again,  a newer Wing can be used as a tow vehicle, properly equipped of course:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiojZ7HfCWo

[jimmytee]

I have no doubt it can be done but, I also know that such a load will dramatically effect both handling and braking.    This brings me to the question, just because it can be done, ask yourself if it should be done.   

The difference between riding a Valkyrie without a trailer and with a trailer is significant.    Getting in a hurry can and normally is hazardous to your health.   BTW, I pull a trailer on just about every trip and have been lucky to a certain extent, so far, none of my learning curve has resulted in anything more than soiled underwear.   

Just leave the bike in gear if you park it on a hill at McDonald's .

[kahnma]

We plan too close the gap between the bags and rear fender, and add some integrated rear blinkers in the bags. I wonder if we can incorporate a nice hitch setup into the build. Hitch doc seems to be one of the best ones out but i dont know much about them. Are they still made new? I'm sure there are plenty of used ones for sale between VRCC and ebay?

[kahnma]

It CAN be done!  I'm not sure how much I'd trust it... but if your bike is only 250(ish) pounds, I think you'll be fine. 

Don't forget to allow extra stopping room!

Is this a home made trailer? I like this setup allot. Its likely more heavy duty then i would need but would make a good platform to start building.

[eric in md]

i have seen some strange things behind goldwings and valkyries.    heavy anvils  with a 1inch plate table  it was mounted on . lawnmowers, car dollys. etc  you can do it

[wingrider02]

It CAN be done!  I'm not sure how much I'd trust it... but if your bike is only 250(ish) pounds, I think you'll be fine. 

Don't forget to allow extra stopping room!

Is this a home made trailer? I like this setup allot. Its likely more heavy duty then i would need but would make a good platform to start building.

Hard to say if it is home made or not, but the wheel/fender combo looks very much like the ones I have on my American Legend trailer.  Suppose it is possible they made a bike hauler as well.

[kahnma]

Any one ever use the Stinger trailer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9lxQiRqiQ

It looks interesting. Has a tongue weight of only about 30lbs and folds when not in use very easily...

[cookiedough]

Why not haul 2 dirt bikes like this one for sale locally?

http://madison.craigslist.org/snw/4962057475.html

Seems like a decent price consider they say new is 3 grand.

I would think the trailer is not too heavy as long as dirt bikes are say 250cc or less each if hauling 2 of them?

[Gavin_Sons]

I have no doubt it can be done but, I also know that such a load will dramatically effect both handling and braking.    This brings me to the question, just because it can be done, ask yourself if it should be done.   

The difference between riding a Valkyrie without a trailer and with a trailer is significant.    Getting in a hurry can and normally is hazardous to your health.   BTW, I pull a trailer on just about every trip and have been lucky to a certain extent, so far, none of my learning curve has resulted in anything more than soiled underwear.   

Just leave the bike in gear if you park it on a hill at McDonald's .

I remember that all to well, gotta feel sorry for the guy. 

[bscrive]

I would just get the boat trailer that Harbor Freight sells for $499 and modify it to what you need.  It only weighs 76lbs.  It's on sale right now for $399.

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-boat-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-5002.html

[kahnma]

Why not haul 2 dirt bikes like this one for sale locally?

http://madison.craigslist.org/snw/4962057475.html

Seems like a decent price consider they say new is 3 grand.

I would think the trailer is not too heavy as long as dirt bikes are say 250cc or less each if hauling 2 of them?

Since i am only planning to tow one bike i would have to modify this trailer to place the bike in the middle of the trailer. Also, i own a trailer similar to this one but i am looking for something much smaller to tow with the motorcycle. But this is definitely a nice trailer i wish i owned it to tow with my truck.

[woofred1832]

                                             Ya thought I had seen it all till we were a stirgis in 2012 and saw a gold wing at a hotel with a harley on a trailer behind it Talked to the guy and he said ..................
    loved his harley but the gold wing was sooooooooooooooooo much better for long trips, this was his best of both worlds, ride the wing to get there ride the harley while there then load up and go home.
                                      I will just enjoy my valkyrie every time I ride

[RainMaker]

Any one ever use the Stinger trailer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9lxQiRqiQ

It looks interesting. Has a tongue weight of only about 30lbs and folds when not in use very easily...

I have one and it works well with my Interstate.  But don't use it a lot - only when going somewhere with the wife - she does not like to ride distances.

[kahnma]

Any one ever use the Stinger trailer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9lxQiRqiQ

It looks interesting. Has a tongue weight of only about 30lbs and folds when not in use very easily...

I have one and it works well with my Interstate.  But don't use it a lot - only when going somewhere with the wife - she does not like to ride distances.

Any issues with this particular hitch setup on the back of your bike? It doesn't attach to a ball like a normal trailer. This one drops into the hole where the ball would be in the drop bar.

The dealer says the tongue weight is only 20lbs on this which is great.