SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 08, 2009 07:42 AM
I used a trailer for my bikes and got tired of the fuel mileage on long trips being slightly reduced, b*tch to park it on trips and such. $300 set of ramps and I've been in heaven and haven't backed up to the trailer since.
horrible for me:
life got better!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
  
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masszx14
Pro
A mind beside itself!
Posts: 1806
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posted October 08, 2009 09:20 AM
Getting a lowered and stretched zx14 up and down that ramp
might be way more difficult than with the 600cc.
His truck is a 3/4 ton 4x4 that's probably a few inches higher too.
I'd go with a lightweight open trailer- more $$$ but there's a lot of
used ones around for sale.
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universal@mind
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted October 08, 2009 09:49 AM
I just use my 6x12 enclosed with a ramp door: cant imagine any bike not being able to make that! And being enclosed I can bring all kinds of crap along with me if I choose, without 'losing' it at the track or gas stations or restuarants afterwords. As far as getting your bike into your truck, you can always take the simplest, fastest route: just lift it in. One guy on each side, no problem. Just make sure the guy is your size or bigger!
Done it twice on my 14, dozen+ times on my equally heavy TL1000R: pull up to tail gate, get a guy on each side of front tire and put one hand on the clipons, one on the lower end of the fork and pick up. Comes up pretty easy! Set tire on tailgate, roll forward until fairings or headers hit, then one at a time go to the rear (having a third person in the bed makes it alot easier since they can grab the bars at this point and help out). When you get to the rear you have a choice: put a 2" strap throught the rim and each of you wrap it around your forearms for a forearm lift, or just reach down and grap the swingarm ends and pick up. (strap is wayy easier, you can use your tie down strap as the lift strap in a pinch). You can have a bike into a bed in 30 seconds or less that way.
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted October 08, 2009 10:04 AM
quote:
I just use my 6x12 enclosed with a ramp door: cant imagine any bike not being able to make that! And being enclosed I can bring all kinds of crap along with me if I choose, without 'losing' it at the track or gas stations or restuarants afterwords. As far as getting your bike into your truck, you can always take the simplest, fastest route: just lift it in. One guy on each side, no problem. Just make sure the guy is your size or bigger!
Done it twice on my 14, dozen+ times on my equally heavy TL1000R: pull up to tail gate, get a guy on each side of front tire and put one hand on the clipons, one on the lower end of the fork and pick up. Comes up pretty easy! Set tire on tailgate, roll forward until fairings or headers hit, then one at a time go to the rear (having a third person in the bed makes it alot easier since they can grab the bars at this point and help out). When you get to the rear you have a choice: put a 2" strap throught the rim and each of you wrap it around your forearms for a forearm lift, or just reach down and grap the swingarm ends and pick up. (strap is wayy easier, you can use your tie down strap as the lift strap in a pinch). You can have a bike into a bed in 30 seconds or less that way.
I'm sure I could find a helping hand at the track for lifting, however, being that I married a pretty lady and not a shemale, I'll have to opt out of the "lifting it into the bed" option. 
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted October 08, 2009 10:34 AM
I have a 6x12 enclosed. Best money I've spent yet! I have all my crap in there (chairs, tool box, table, etc) for the track. When I get ready to go, I back up to the trailor (sorry steve your not good at driving backwards ) pull the bike in there, and I'm ready for a weekend of fun!
I have a f250 and I probably wouldn't go to the track if I had to deal with putting the bike back there...
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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gilberjj
Needs a job
Friend of Fast
Posts: 3196
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posted October 08, 2009 01:45 PM
I neither have the space or money for a 6x12. I could fit a 4x8 in my single garage (where my motorcycle currently resides), but it would be tight having the trailer in there with the bike. I bet I'd have to keep the motorcycle ON the trailer (which isn't that big of a deal). Or I can just kill 2 birds with one stone and buy a cherry picker (as I'll eventually need one). That way I can just save for a proper trailer! Plus the cherry picker is cheap!
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted October 08, 2009 02:37 PM
That's one good thing about living in the country I guess... I just pull it behind my storage building where it isn't visible from the driveway.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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masszx14
Pro
A mind beside itself!
Posts: 1806
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posted October 09, 2009 04:10 PM
I actually enjoy towing a trailer and I can't see anything else but having to paralel park in a tight spot in heavy downtown traffic being a pita. Unless the trailer is really big.
I'm very happy with my Kendon open trailer and it takes so little space in the garage when stood up.
The V-nose comes in hand when hauling multiple bikes and I had 4 in it a couple of summers ago when we did the Dragon.
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universal@mind
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Halvefast
Zone Head
Posts: 806
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posted October 09, 2009 05:18 PM
+1 on the Kendon, I've had mine since 2004, gotta have well over 25k miles on it by now,
It hauls 2 of the biggest bikes you can find, easily, and I do it with my 4cyl Chevy HHR,
and it still gets 27mpg towing, normally about 30mpg. I use the arched ramp you see
in the middle of the trailer to make it 1 man loading, never a problem.
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Texas Mile 200.256mph - Oct. 2007 (Update 202.577mph Oct 2008) NOS assisted
ECTA Ohio Mile 195.132mph
TexasMile 2012 199.9 mph all motor!
Streetriders Shootout 2008 series Pro/ET Champ!
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masszx14
Pro
A mind beside itself!
Posts: 1806
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posted October 09, 2009 05:43 PM
I posted a pic of my Kendon somewhere... can't find any in my Photobucket either.
I paid $1K for a used trailer from Craigslist, they are more than twice than that new.
BTW I'll tow it from Boston to Miami towards the end of Nov and expect good gas mileage as it's really light.
Both my car and suv have v8s in them but I've seen many small cars haul them.
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universal@mind
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