Interesting twist to the old hitch carrier. I currently use the one with a ramp that carries the whole bike across the back of my truck, which creates more anxiety than I can handle anymore these days. Loading it solo is sketchy at best. This thing looks like an elegant solution to bringing the truck to the rally without much fuss loading and unloading the bike...
My current setup:
(https://i.imgur.com/UqCFVf7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dJNaWu3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/quDZ6al.jpg)
MotowUSA (https://motowus.com/):
https://youtu.be/Onvy1BrDLa0
Have you considered a single rail motorcycle trailer? They make collapsible ones too.
Quote from: fj1289 on November 04, 2020, 01:37:23 PM
Have you considered a single rail motorcycle trailer? They make collapsible ones too.
Nope. Not interested in trailers.
Have you considered riding your bike rather than carrying it ?? :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Quote from: Millietant on November 04, 2020, 02:41:59 PM
Have you considered riding your bike rather than carrying it ?? :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Well, you can ride for 8 hours straight and still be in California, so I'd rather bring some things to keep me comfortable when I arrive at the twisties, and packing it all onto the bike is a bigger PITA than tossing everything into the back seat of the truck for a nice leisurely drive. Nothing worse than a 200 mile stretch of freeway to ruin your enthusiasm for hitting the twisties when you arrive.
(https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/61567_600x400.jpg) (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/61567_600x400/)
Ted
Here in Kalifornia the Motow is considered towing. So the speed limit is restricted to 55mph. More than two axles is a revenue generator in the state with more vehicles than most countries.
Buzzkill.
You'd have to disconnect the speedo cable otherwise your mileage will wind backward, but depending on the person involved and how often used could be a good thing when selling.
Quote from: Bones on November 05, 2020, 01:27:44 AM
You'd have to disconnect the speedo cable otherwise your mileage will wind backward, but depending on the person involved and how often used could be a good thing when selling.
The old Ferris Bueller trick.
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on November 04, 2020, 08:39:31 PM
(https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/61567_600x400.jpg) (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/61567_600x400/)
Ted
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50568878993_6231ec58ed_o.png)
Noel
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 04, 2020, 06:30:56 PM
Quote from: Millietant on November 04, 2020, 02:41:59 PM
Have you considered riding your bike rather than carrying it ?? :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Well, you can ride for 8 hours straight and still be in California, so I'd rather bring some things to keep me comfortable when I arrive at the twisties, and packing it all onto the bike is a bigger PITA than tossing everything into the back seat of the truck for a nice leisurely drive. Nothing worse than a 200 mile stretch of freeway to ruin your enthusiasm for hitting the twisties when you arrive.
Pah !!!!!!! - 200 miles of freeway is perfect for setting you up for the twisties.....jut makes you want them more.
C'mon Rick, packing for a rally ???? - 3 T'shirts, one change of underwear, a spare pair of socks, toothpaste/toothbrush and some bog roll....how much space does that take up :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Did someone say "selling"? WTF?
Dean, I'm not 25 anymore, but I still love the twisties enough to make sure I arrive ready to go. While you're unpacking, I'm off to the hills. I also commute 100 miles/day on it... so I get my fair share of miles.
This is another reason I don't understand how pickups have devolved to being SUV's with a luggage area exposed to the elements. I was concerned the box on my 90's Nissan pickup would be too small - until I realized it's bigger than 90% + of the trucks on the road today!
A good wide ramp and you can single handedly ride in or back out the bike - if the bed is long enough!
Quote from: fj1289 on November 05, 2020, 02:34:36 PM
This is another reason I don't understand how pickups have devolved to being SUV's with a luggage area exposed to the elements. I was concerned the box on my 90's Nissan pickup would be too small - until I realized it's bigger than 90% + of the trucks on the road today!
A good wide ramp and you can single handedly ride in or back out the bike - if the bed is long enough!
I prefer the quad cab with a nice comfortable back seat for luggage, and the enclosed bed for any of the messy stuff that needs to be locked up (boots, tools, extra tires, oil, yadda yadda). One press of the fob and all my shit is locked up safe and dry, and off I ride.
Quote from: ribbert on November 05, 2020, 07:30:55 AM
Quote from: Ted Schefelbein on November 04, 2020, 08:39:31 PM
(https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/61567_600x400.jpg) (https://www.jpgbox.com/page/61567_600x400/)
Ted
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50568878993_6231ec58ed_o.png)
Noel
Noel, I WANT that sticker!
The description in the video said "tow up to 600 lbs". That would put an FJ at it's max limit, if not slightly over with a later 1200. For occasional use prob ok, but regular use?
Would running the front wheel in reverse like that have any ill effect on wear pattern, etc.? I'm guessing prob not if only over a couple hrs?
Oh yeah... with your current set-up, or a trailer, your bike is not exposed to any road debris. With this there is a risk of a puncture, or chunks-o-roadkill to clean off upon arrival.
Just my 2c
I've considered those points. There isn't anywhere near 600lbs on this hitch, especially with the motor so far forward (to the rear). Also, I think the 600lb rating is how much it can lift, not pull. It's certainly less worrisome than my current setup. The one concern I have is about centering the forks so it tracks straight. Also, I do wonder if the stress at the neck bearings being opposite of normal travel will be an issue. The video looks extremely stable to me, compared to what I experience with the current setup. The biggest advantage that I think it will have is the ease of loading/unloading. I currently have to have a second person help on both ends. The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.
Great writeup by an adventure rider after several thousand miles of towing through Central America.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/motow-the-un-trailer.1420374/
I like the idea Rick....I like it much better than that cantilevered load on your current rig.
That bad boy makes me nervous.
As you correctly point out, with the Motow more than 1/2 of the bike's weight will be on the front tire.
I wonder if....I could fabricate a carrier that would allow 2 bikes (use 2 Motows) on 1 receiver hitch.
A couple of things to be aware of
1) I have had a Canyon Dancer handlebar strap crush my throttle tube and damage the heating element in my grip heaters.
Solution: Don't run the straps over the bar grips. Remove the bar end weights. Thread in some custom eye bolts for the straps to connect to. Carson City Paul, got your ears on?
2) I have seen a FJ which was loaded on a trailer backwards (bike front facing rear) and the windscreen had cracked at the base from a wind gust blowing against the back side of the screen. The windscreen acted as a parachute capturing the wind.
Solution: This happened on a trailer and is probably not an issue with the bike located so close to the car/truck. If in doubt, Take off the windscreen.
3) Running your Speedo backwards for hundreds of miles may bugger the internal gears....
Solution: Disconnect the Speedo cable and pull the cable out of the sheath.
4) Trailer lights (running/stop/turn) *might* be required. No biggie. It's a good idea.
Cheers
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 05, 2020, 09:10:41 PM
The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.
Even worse when it's 2" off the ground on it's side. :sarcastic:
You've covered some good points. The write-up on the ADV forum was interesting too, as it seems to have addressed a lot of the issues here. If you decide to get one let us know how it goes.
It arrives Wednesday.
Pat, good thinking on the grips. I have the fancy heaters in there. I'll keep an eye on the screen, and I'll be disconnecting the speedo for sure. I have some trailer lights that I use for the current ramp/carrier, but I don't think they'll be necessary with this setup.
More to come...
Am I missing some understanding of physics? Wouldn't it be better to clamp the front end forward?
https://youtu.be/w1bPVoYAaYw
Here's one called the towster, which is obviously a great name because it reminds you of toast.
All was great until the very end, when it said you're limited to 45 mph. So this model isn't really what you need for distance work, but I bet there are others out there like this.
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.
Yep, if you have to disconnect the chain, that puts it at the bottom of the pile.
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.
Why would you disconnect the chain?
Noel
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 05, 2020, 09:10:41 PM
The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.
Particularly if you're riding it at the time!
Quote from: ribbert on November 09, 2020, 09:21:15 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.
Why would you disconnect the chain?
Noel
Because Yamaha says to... and it's common sense. That's why I prefer the Motow.
From the owners manual:
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 09:37:05 PM
Quote from: ribbert on November 09, 2020, 09:21:15 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 09, 2020, 02:50:44 PM
Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.
Why would you disconnect the chain?
Noel
Because Yamaha says to... and it's common sense. That's why I prefer the Motow.
From the owners manual:
Sense appears not be as common at my place as it is at yours, you still don't say why.
Noel
Well, Noel, if you read from the top of the thread, you would see that it is about towing an FJ, and the various options available. If you choose to tow the bike from its front wheel, and allow the rear to roll, the chain should be removed so the transmission will not be harmed. This is why I'm interested in towing the opposite end of the bike.
An option is just to remove the engine and then take the transmission out ,but that is a little more time consuming i think
Is there anything in the instructions about a steering damper? I know most sport bikes these days have them standard. I wonder how well the geometry works with the steeper fork angle? It should act like a trailing link being pulled in reverse and be very stable. But I wonder if some combination of speed and bumps could cause a wobble similar to the wheels on a shopping cart (trolley)?
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 10, 2020, 08:50:29 AM
Well, Noel, if you read from the top of the thread, you would see that it is about towing an FJ.......... and allow the rear to roll, the chain should be removed so the transmission will not be harmed.
Very funny Rick.
Anyway, it appears my question isn't going to be answered, so I'll drop it.
Noel
Noel - my guess is the output shaft is pressure lubricated - not splash lubricated like an old style truck manual transmission. That said, the FSM does show pressure feed to the output shaft of the transmission - but I'm not sure what gets it. I do know the transmission that came out of the engine I had with the spun rod bearing also suffered a lubrication failure and required a bushing to be replaced. I'd guess short distance and low speeds everything would be fine. I'd be leery of longer distances or higher speeds - but out of ignorance rather than knowledge! As I've gotten older I've learned to respect not knowing what I don't know a little bit more! :drinks:
But then again, I really prefer towing in an enclosed trailer - but my formative years on that were in Florida with frequent rain showers to and from a race track.
Maybe I missed your question, Noel. I answered why the chain shoul be disconnected at least twice and provided an image of the factory's caution. I'm not sure what question you still want answered.
Quote from: fj1289 on November 10, 2020, 02:44:38 PM
Is there anything in the instructions about a steering damper? I know most sport bikes these days have them standard. I wonder how well the geometry works with the steeper fork angle? It should act like a trailing link being pulled in reverse and be very stable. But I wonder if some combination of speed and bumps could cause a wobble similar to the wheels on a shopping cart (trolley)?
This was addressed in the AV rider forum link above. It was resolved with tire pressure and tight straps.
Admitted I just looked at the ADV link.
Is the one pictured in the link a prototype? Appears it is not painted? Also, guessing this was a DIY project initially? Really surprised to see the pivot bolts mounted in single shear vice double. It would only take a very simple design mod to correct that. Also would be a good time to incorporate a replaceable bushing for those wear points too.
Quote from: fj1289 on November 11, 2020, 11:36:48 AM
Admitted I just looked at the ADV link.
Is the one pictured in the link a prototype? Appears it is not painted? Also, guessing this was a DIY project initially? Really surprised to see the pivot bolts mounted in single shear vice double. It would only take a very simple design mod to correct that. Also would be a good time to incorporate a replaceable bushing for those wear points too.
The website would suggest more than a DIY prototype. I'm going by the apparent stability shown in the product videos, but it seems to be very stable, especially compared to the one I currently use, as Pat's heart rate will support. A closer look at the single shear pivot bolts reveals gussets in the elbows of the bracket, which should eliminate stress concerns there. I'll know more when I get my hands on the actual product, and I can make a "seat of the pants" judgement about viability for the Rubenesque FJ.
Rubenesque FJ....that's good! :rofl:
Quote from: Pat Conlon on November 12, 2020, 10:37:14 AM
Rubenesque FJ....that's good! :rofl:
A FJ, lounging on a bed/sofa, with its fairing, tank and panels removed............that's an image to get excited about :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 11, 2020, 09:41:09 AM
Maybe I missed your question, Noel. I answered why the chain shoul be disconnected at least twice and provided an image of the factory's caution. I'm not sure what question you still want answered.
I don't know what's going on but this is a screen shot of your post.....
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50596785702_eda8d4e401_h.jpg)
...you reference it but then nothing.
Anyway, I won't dwell on this, the forum has enjoyed a period of harmonious interaction between members recently and I have no wish to spoil that.
Chris nailed it. Some, but not all, motorbikes have gear boxes that are pressure fed, that is, they need oil pressure from a running motor to stay lubricated. Some even have surface mounted capillaries running inside the casing to route oil. All car gear boxes are splash feed.
Noel
Is anyone else unable to see the attachment that Rick posted of the GYSM?
Randy - RPM
It appeared just fine for me.
I can see it too, but there have been times in the past when pictures have been mentioned in posts, but weren't there- I usually put tat down to typing errors, but maybe there's something more to it!
All good here...
Thanks Pat, Alan and Dean.
Noel, have you clicked on Rick's post to see if it's there?
Randy - RPM
Quick update - The hitch arrived yesterday, and appears of good strong quality. Weather has been a little sketchy, so I haven't rolled the bike out to give it a try just yet. I did install it on the hitch and it's a whole lot easier than the full ramp version, and a damned sight lighter at about 40lbs total. Super quick lift or drop using the battery powered impact gun. It reaches the ground perfectly. Looking forward to working through any of the issues identified by the ADV rider. One issue identified just mounting it up is that it sits just high enough that dropping the tailgate would punch a 13/16" hole right below the handle, so I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm sure the maiden voyage will be less stressful than the one I had with the bike hanging across the back of the truck. Stay tuned...
P.S. Noel, there's no pictures in this one.
Quote from: racerrad8 on November 15, 2020, 10:39:12 PM
Noel, have you clicked on Rick's post to see if it's there?
Randy - RPM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 15, 2020, 11:06:22 PM
P.S. Noel, there's no pictures in this one.
Sure.... :biggrin:
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on November 16, 2020, 05:14:49 AM
Quote from: racerrad8 on November 15, 2020, 10:39:12 PM
Noel, have you clicked on Rick's post to see if it's there?
Randy - RPM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 15, 2020, 11:06:22 PM
P.S. Noel, there's no pictures in this one.
Sure.... :biggrin:
Noel
So you are now able to see the picture from the GYSM that Rick posted?
I am trying to ensure there is not something amiss with the forum. But your one work answer doesn't answer my question.
Randy - RPM
T
Quote from: racerrad8 on November 16, 2020, 07:10:32 AM
Quote from: ribbert on November 16, 2020, 05:14:49 AM
Quote from: racerrad8 on November 15, 2020, 10:39:12 PM
Noel, have you clicked on Rick's post to see if it's there?
Randy - RPM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on November 15, 2020, 11:06:22 PM
P.S. Noel, there's no pictures in this one.
Sure.... :biggrin:
Noel
So you are now able to see the picture from the GYSM that Rick posted?
I am trying to ensure there is not something amiss with the forum. But your one work answer doesn't answer my question.
Randy - RPM
I thought you were being funny and referring to Rick's post above, the one where he says there is no picture.
I'll have a look.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on November 16, 2020, 07:48:29 AM
I thought you were being funny and referring to Rick's post above, the one where he says there is no picture.
I'll have a look.
Noel
Nope, my posted question precedes Rick's post indicating he did not post a photo.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: racerrad8 on November 16, 2020, 09:08:53 AM
Quote from: ribbert on November 16, 2020, 07:48:29 AM
I thought you were being funny and referring to Rick's post above, the one where he says there is no picture.
I'll have a look.
Noel
Nope, my posted question precedes Rick's post indicating he did not post a photo.
Randy - RPM
It would appear the forum has resumed normal operations.
Noel
UPDATE -
Just got back from RPM for an oil change and clutch spring replacement, along with lunch with Robert. (Thanks for the grub, BTW, and the Bakery is awesome.) It only took one good trip out to Oakdale (about 1.5 hrs each way) to convince me the MoTow is worth it's weight in gold. I love this thing. The ease of loadup and go is perfect. I installed a rear-view wifi camera in the shell of the truck to be able to keep an eye on the bike while driving, and it turns out it's pretty boring stuff. The bike stays planted, stable across all sorts of dips, bumps and grooves without a hint of trouble. The handlebar straps snug right up, crossed from opposite sides between the bars and the passenger holds behind the seat. I added a half-cover to keep the road grime from blasting the dash and inner fairing panels. It's a very neat package. Simply remove the speedo cable, and return the sheath to the front hub as normal, and no speedo worries. I'll be bringing the bike to Oregon this way. It really is the way to go.
Ready to roll -
(https://i.imgur.com/xoTfT0W.jpg)
Rear view -
(https://i.imgur.com/rFV8WCE.jpg)
Thanks for the great write-up on this Rick! Just placed an order for one!
Awesome, Cap'n ! You're gonna love it.
I have a cheap eBay version of this.
It is kinda sketchy in turns, the bike looks like it's falling over. I mitigate this with tying down the bars to the vehicle. I really only use it for emergency tows for me and my friends who also have old bikes and keep the speed down. And it was less than $200.
Kinda wonder if I can have my welder friends modify it to be more like this...