Why I trailer my bike?

[MAD6Gun]

 This post is in response to a comment made on my finger thread.

   Listen, I met my soul mate Twila very late in my life. She loves to ride with me. She loves the freedom my bike brings almost as much as I do. But she is unable to ride for long distances. She rode with me to both Michigan rallies (about 330 miles one way) but she was in pain both times. So with that being said. If she want to go to rides with me I WILL trailer,end of discussion. If you have a problem with it keep it to yourself. I could give a (bleeeeep) less what you think. It's getting old.

 If I am riding by myself I WILL ride but if my wonderful wife is going I will do what's necessary to make her comfortable as best I can.

[Dave Ritsema]

Same deal here, I have taken the jabs at a few InZane's but it's all in good fun.  We don't care how anyone gets to InZane, we just care that they are there. 

[Alien]

Totally understandable.  Mrs. Alien rarely rides with me any more but when she did, I paid close attention to her needs.  We had to rent a truck and trailer a few hundred miles from home once when she was just done riding.  I did so without complaint.  A lot of guys will say "If she doesn't want to ride, just leave her home."  Those guys are crappy husbands.

Ride (or drive) Safe,

Alien

[Brewer]

This can be considered part of your 'domestic tranquility act' meaning you get to do what is right for your domestic tranquility... and it matters not at all what some one else says (but you already know that)

[John Schmidt]

I agree, how I get to a function is of little importance to the naysayers. Up to about 12-13 yrs. ago, my wife was a ready and willing passenger and made many long distance trips with me. I do recall that when she started riding with me I ended up buying a trailer to carry "stuff."    When her Parkinsons got to the point it was dangerous for her to ride, I sold the trailer. Strange how that happened!!  At that time she was still able to travel, so I would trailer the bike to one of her family members, then leave her and the car/trailer there and take off on the bike. That's how I attended a number of InZanes except for the first one in Frisco, CO. That one I trailered the bike from Florida and was glad I did....it was 104 degrees going across the plains.

Now, she's not able to travel at all and I'm older. That being the case, long rides for me have become somewhat uncomfortable at times so if I want to attend a function and it's more than a day's ride, I'll trailer. That's what I did last year in Asheville, was the only way I would have been able to attend but I'm glad I did. As I've said numerous times before; I've had my day in the wind and the sun. If I need to trailer now so as to take part, then so be it. Everyone has their reasons for doing so, these are mine and it's of little consequence to anyone else.  

[czuch]

I have a patch on my vest that states,
"I didnt trailer this far, not to ride".
Big fan of trailers. I get there fresher and able to stand up straight sooner.
Love riding, love long leggin it, Tammy gets done after 250 miles. Deming, Irma's, hotel.
Works for me.

[Black Dog]

Mark, you don't need to justify anything...  You are a rider, been so for as long as I've known you.  As for Twila, I wish my ex would have joined me, even for a short local ride, rather than ignoring my passion for riding all together.

She is a special lady, and you doing what is necessary to keep her close is all that matters 

See ya in Spearfish.

Black Dog

[JimC]

Mark,

I also will trailer my bike if my wife and I are going to a long distance rally. My wife's limit is about an hour, maybe two. she is very supportive when it comes to my riding, she has NEVER once made a stink about me hopping on the bike and riding off by myself.

What it comes down to is I enjoy my wife's company, if it means trailing to an event so she can accompany me, I will trailer, I could give a crap less what others think about what I do. (I got over that kind of bullshit years ago).

Actually, at 62 years old, I am at the point that I would strongly consider using a trailer to an event so I could be relaxed and enjoy riding while there. My personal limit on riding the motorcycle is about 4-5 hours a day, I can last much longer than that in a car. So if it came down to using a trailer, or not going, I would pick the trailer. The stories about what some guys have traveled in one day and the conditions that they did so, ie. heat, or storms, or cold, blows my mind. I refuse to do it, it would take the enjoyment out of the trip for me.

NOW with that said, I would love to hop on the bike and travel cross country, but doing it in short spurts and seeing the countryside and local attractions while doing so. Unfortunately it will never happen with my wife on back, so that means it will never happen for me.

None of the above means that I don't get the same feeling of freedom that you do when I get on the bike, all it means is that we all have different priorities and limits.

Jim

[Willow]

For context I have traveled by four wheeled vehicle to the past two InZanes.  If the Lord is willing and the Creeks don't rebel I plan to be on two wheels to this year's event.

I don't feel the need to get defensive or attack anyone who would attack me for how I travel.  I choose what I choose and I'm okay with that.  I don't present myself to be anything that I am not.  If someone tells me that I'm a wimp for what I choose I just shrug my shoulders and move along.  I am a bit of a pussy wimp and that's just the way it is.

It's the people at InZane that make it worthwhile to me.  Honestly, Mark, I'd rather see you there with Twila traveling by four wheels than you by yourself on two.  My loving wife and I were recently discussing meals (Is InZane like a meal?).  When she eats she analyzes each bite and tells me what flavoring and content went into the dish.  I told her I really didn't care that much about what was on the table.  To me it's what or who is around the table that matters.

We're each different.  Some ride because that is what they do.   Some ride to get to a destination.  Some ride so they can brag about how cool or what bad asses they might be.  I'm a pretty good ass myself.  I ride because I want to ride.  I don't do it to prove anything but I sometimes do it to get to where I'm going.

Be comfortable (I speak to everyone including myself) with who you are and what you choose.  If someone belittles you for what you are or what you've chosen just let it roll off or carefully decide whether it is important enough to thump or be thumped contesting their assessment.

I'll see you all, at least the ones of you that aren't pussies wimps in Spearfish.  I hope I can get there this time.  

[Woton]

If you have a problem with it keep it to yourself. I could give a (bleeeeep) less what you think. It's getting old.

Probably few of the at least semi-regular posters on this board have not taken the occasional swipe from another about something...

Easy thing to do via a keyboard...and most folks are more or less kidding anyway.  If there's a bright side to it for me maybe it helps thicken my skin a bit.

All that being said, I have a brand new Condor wheel chock in a box high up on a shelf in my storage room.  Will not install it until I need it.  One day I will...

Travel safely, M6G.  Hope to see you and the better half at Inzane.

[bill-jr]

Trailers are for ......, Well you know the rest ...... 

[solo1]

Well Said, John, Willow, Dave, and others.

We only have to satisfy our rational to ourselves. 

I also, don't give a rat's patootie, even after turning in my last ride.  I know what i did and that's enough for me.

Those who have their own definition of what a rider should be might think of that old saying "Judge not, lest Ye be Judged" 

[Jess Tolbirt]

you need to take some pain pills or something,, cause you aint in your right mind right now,,, hell i trailer too, and when i get there i unload it and enjoy the ride,,doesnt matter why,,,

[Disco]

Trailers are for ......, Well you know the rest ......  

What are they for, bill-jr?  Please fill in the blanks.  I'm curious.   Did you read all of this thread?  Did you read the predecessor thread?  

IMO, trailers are for people who:

want to haul more then they can fit on their bikes
have people along with them on the trip who don't want to be relegated to the pillion seat for an entire trip or who may want to do something other than ride once they reach their destination(s)
want to get where they are going fast, arrive fresh, maximize riding the good stuff, and get home fast
get tired of having to stop every 100 or 150 miles
can't decide which bike to take
have nothing to prove to anyone
figure four bikes on a trailer costs about the same in gas and, assuming no CBs, allows for shared driving and a lot more yucks  
are flat out tired of the long stretch of not much to look at or navigate through between Houston or Dallas and Colorado or Tennessee or South Dakota

They also come in really handy when something breaks...

[ptgb]

I'm "only" 46 (which with this group, means I'm still a puppy). Have ridden tons of long trips and have a look at the signature, not a newbie when it comes to long distances in short times.

Guess what? I am trailering to Spearfish. Guess how many sh*ts I give what others think?  Zero.

Why am I trailering? Many reasons.... The number of those reasons I have to explain? Zero.

I left my need to fit in with the supposed cool kids in high school.

Do what you want, when you want, how you want (as long as you aren't breaking the law     )

Who cares what anyone else thinks?

[havoc]

ya nailed it ptgb

freedom...it's the essence of why most of us ride

[oldfartfrankie]

I would do the same myself! Don't know what I'd do without her!

[..]

I don't care if you ride 10,000 miles in 10 days.

I don't care if you fly and rent a bike

I don't care if you trailer a bike

Do what's best for you.

I do care if you bald face lie like the simpletons 20 miles from Sturgis with their cunningly crafted stubble rubbing dirt on their jeans after unloading bikes so they could say "they rode to Sturgis". Plonkers. Not hearsay. I saw it with mine own 2 eyes.

All riding V twins. Don't know the brand. Don't care.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I don't care if you ride 10,000 miles in 10 days.

I don't care if you fly and rent a bike

I don't care if you trailer a bike

Do what's best for you.

I do care if you bald face lie like the simpletons 20 miles from Sturgis with their cunningly crafted stubble rubbing dirt on their jeans after unloading bikes so they could say "they rode to Sturgis". Plonkers. Not hearsay. I saw it with mine own 2 eyes.

All riding V twins. Don't know the brand. Don't care.

I know some that are going to do just that this August. I think it's pretty funny, but it doesn't bother me in the least. Like someone here said, we all have different reasons for riding. 

[bill-jr]

Come on Britman I thought that was our little secret .....

[Jeremy]

Like to see some pictures of what Trailers Y'all use. Are you confortable with open trailers or you feel enclosed are necessary? My wife and I travel  a good bit with a truck camper and would like to take the Valkyrie for sight seeing. We are going to Grand Canyon and met family there to camp this summer. While my wife will ride she not one to go across country. One year would like to make inzane. Tks.
 

[BobB]

My better half, Susan, also doesn't do well on long rides/trips.  Day rides of no more than 150 miles are fine.  Our solution is that I go alone to Inzanes, Sturgis, etc.  Mark, you simply have a different and perhaps better solution.  There is probably a Gold Wing in our near future, I've been looking for one...

[solo1]

Like to see some pictures of what Trailers Y'all use. Are you confortable with open trailers or you feel enclosed are necessary? QUOTE


Mark uses my quality built staked small utility trailer.  It is a tilt but we bolted it so it no longer tilts.
It has torsion bar suspension and give a smooth ride. It has been used for hauling everything , bikes, furniture, trash, you name it..  It's short for the VaLks but works fine with the steel ramps for loading.
The only problem is that the axle is in the middle, not enough tongue weight until the ramps are loaded on the front of the trailer.

[Oss]

Bonnie has flown to Detroit to go to Inzane in Michigan
to Chicago to ride in LaCrosse
to Denver to ride Colorado
to Asheville to ride last years Inzane

If I could get the Valk into the overhead luggage I would fly too  

My 99 camry could not pull a trailer if I had one


Taking 3 days to get to Inzane was a tough decision this year as I knew she would not be there this time

Riding with her is half the fun  

Mark when we were young some of us worried what others think Now we are older and know NOBODY is thinking of us so do what you like and what works for YOU

See ya in a few weeks

[Valkjerk]

I guess my bride is almost unique in regard to her riding desires. She prefers long trips only. She rarely rides with me locally. She doesn't want to go through all the preparations to ride locally just to see the same scenery. I'm like most on this board. I will trailer my bike when it's more convenient to do so and if I'm having health issues. I will ride when I have at least one riding buddy to accompany me and the ride isn't too grueling. I don't need to prove anything to anyone; I let my Valkyrie do that for me. If anybody is giving you a hard time for trailering, they're probably jealous that they didn't. Riding is cheaper than trailering, that's all. 

[fudgie]

Maybe Im reading it wrong but your still taking the bike with a broken finger? If it was me I wouldn't be riding the Hills with a injury, esp with a passenger. Those hills are nothing to take for granted. ALOT of switch backs and 10 mph u turn curves up and down the mountains. Your constantly shifting. Not to mention other sight see'rs and wildlife. Numerous stop lights in the areas, including 3 in a block from G-0. Rainy season is coming up and storms pop up all the time, most with hail. Altho the rain is short hate to ride with a injury of a appendage that maybe be needed. Hate to see you spasm up or reinjure it as your trying to stop. This will be my 11th yr out for the rally. 8 yrs of which Kit went with me. 3-4 of those yrs shes has had her permit and a bike for 2-3. As familiar as she was with the area (we stopped needing maps yrs ago) she always said she would not ride solo in the Hills. A lot can happen way to quick.

I like you guys, always have. Just looking out as Id hate to see something drastic happen. Id say a week or so before IZ Id take your bike out on Jefferson/Washington from NH to Coventry at rush hour and drive that 5-6 times and see how your hand is. If its tolerable, then you might be good in the Hills. You will be surprised how much PT you need and use you loose while in the cast.

[fudgie]

This is my little trailer funny, which is meant to be laughed at and not taken seriously! 

I trailer out in 02. Never again! After riding out solo in a day and a half in 06 I was like wow this is awesome! Rode out every yr since then. Folks always ask me how the ol lady fairs on the back and I always say very well. Sure we get sore but we keep on truckin! A lot ask me well what if she cant ride or wont ride all the way. I say well then she stays home!  But then again I am divorced x2. 

[fudgie]

I'm "only" 46 (which with this group, means I'm still a puppy).

Whew, your still older then me!   

[Rams]

If I make it to INZANE, I will be trailering the Valkyrie there and back.    Might even have room for a sore butt rider's Valk on the way back to Kentucky if, I make it this year.  

I've done my Iron Butt rides, didn't do it to prove anything to anyone.    Had some where I needed to be in a very short time.    I made it three times (I think, might have been four.).

[solo1]

Brian, Mark is NOT taking the bike.  He's driving to Inzane.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I trailer mine part way to Inzane every year. I drop the wife off at her moms house in Marshalltown IA the ride to wherever Inzane is held. She can't ride so it works for us. Happy wife, happy life.
Here's my Aluma:

[Hook#3287]

I've got three trailers, two open and one enclosed.  I've hauled bikes on all of them.  Some day I'm goona get me a 5th wheel toy hauler to pull behind my 1 ton.

I'll have my camp site and bike garage with me.

I don't give a rodents anus what anyone thinks about it.

[fudgie]

Brian, Mark is NOT taking the bike.  He's driving to Inzane.

Awesome!  I thght I maybe misreading.

A sporty car would be awesome out there.

[Hook#3287]

Don't think I'll try this.

[Bighead]

To each his own I would say, but if you see my bike on a trailer call 911 because it has been stolen.

[Robert]

Seems to me the ones who trailer are saying its more important to be with the people I like and want to be with and share with than it is to ride to the event. The others say its all about the ride and the people are a benefit or perk. Maybe the first group are saying more loud and clear really whats important. We all have limitations and we all have things we have to do, I am sorry that some made you feel the need to address the trailer situation and Thanks for responding and caring enough not only to clarify when you didn't have to but also to overcome obstacles to go to the event. My hats off to you.

When I think of those who criticize a trailer I think of the HD riders who call our bikes jap crap or wont wave.

[Bighead]

My post wasn't criticizing we all must do what we must do,and I think all the pokes on the other thread were just that pokin fun.
Also one of the best things about a group gathering is the kicking of the tires so to speak but I still find the ride to wherever equal to the fellowship.

[Jeremy]

Tkylli, do like the alumni. Where can I find one similar? Eddie

[R J]

I have over a million miles on a motor.

Most of those miles was put on when I was a CHP.

So I don't give a hoot what you say about me trailering.

The only excuse I have is the original InZane's, you had to run like 4377 to get home.

By trailering the wife could help drive.

One year coming from Colorado, it was hotter than 4377.   A couple of the gals in our bunch got sick on the way home.     I stuck with them till East of Denver and I cut loose and hauled butt the rest of the way home.   I was a dealership shuttle driver then and I didn't want to put them in a cramp with no driver.    I was on the Chevy Trike that year.   Thank God it had a roof on it and I was not required to wear a helmet.

The Temp signs on the banks were in the triple digit.

So listen up please.

Say what you want about me or anyone else trailering.     When you get close to the mileage we have on our motors then I might discuss it with you, in the mean time I'll just ignore you.

[Mr Whiskey]

Trailers are for ......, Well you know the rest ...... 

Boats!