For those who tow...

[ZOA NOM]

Ted

                           


                       



Noel


                                                                           

Noel, I WANT that sticker!

[PaulG]

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

[ZOA NOM]

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.

[ZOA NOM]

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/

[Pat Conlon]

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

[PaulG]

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. 

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.

[ZOA NOM]

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...

[andyoutandabout]

Am I missing some understanding of physics? Wouldn't it be better to clamp the front end forward?

[andyoutandabout]

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.

[ZOA NOM]

Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.

[andyoutandabout]

Yep, if you have to disconnect the chain, that puts it at the bottom of the pile.

[ribbert]

Much less hassle without disconnecting the chain.

Why would you disconnect the chain?

Noel

[ribbert]

The FJ is a pig when it's a couple feet off the ground.

Particularly if you're riding it at the time!

[ZOA NOM]

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:

[ribbert]

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