I'm looking at getting a 2nd bike that can handle Dirt and Track.
As nicely built as my fat boy is, it's not a bike I can really take to the track.
So I want to get a bike that can handle track, but also is capable of riding dirt.
That's the thing my fat boy cant really do is track and dirt.
So I'm looking into getting a bike that can do both, and I've landed on the Versys650 or some other ST/Mini ADV bikes.
I'd like to tow said bike for getting to the track if if there's a problem with it or something like that, and I'm curious now, has anyone else here built up a motorcycle towing situation with your Harley?
I'm thinking an M8 making 110/125 rear wheel is probably capable of hauling a 500lb motorcycle behind it, and I have a massive retire and ofc the standard big rear brake rotor for dealing with stopping the extra weight.
I've seen plenty of people haul 100lb trailers loaded with stuff on their baggers. I was thinking maybe a platform hitch where the front wheel of the towed bike sits in it and is strapped in straight and level, then the rear wheel rides on the ground, and I disconnect the chain so it can freewheel and not spin anything but the rear wheel.
Is this a genuinely stupid idea? Or is this something people do and it just requires creativity and better riding skills?

 

It's possible because I've seen it done. Now how safe is it? You'll have to make your own risk assessment. One thing I definitely wouldn't do is to flat tow it with the towed bikes rear wheel on the ground like you mentioned, put it on a trailer.

 

Reguardless of method, I will have to mount a hitch or trailer system through the rear swing arm/axle.
There is not enough weight capacity to put it on the bike's frame/subframe.
But I have a 260 rear that can take more loading than the 240.
I want to build a small mini trailer for touring and I want to do a heimjoint with a hitch on the swingarm with a bar that goes into the axle.
I've seen quite a lot of motorcycle pulled trailers that do this design.

 

If Joe can do it, you can do it.

 

Sounds kinda sketchy to me. But you do you. If you do this be sure to post up some pics of what you end up with.

 

I'll be doing a small trailer for camping first. I need more room for stuff when going camping, and traveling.
If I go with a towing solution for a 2nd bike I'll definitely post.
I have seen goldwings tow cars, I've seen harley baggers haul big trailers and campers so I cant imagine a small motorcycle can't be towed as well with a proper steel hook up.

 

Fran
Having read some of your life experienced on the softail forum, bad Juju happens to you.....hoping that has changed. Don't know what the law is in your State, here in Ontario Canada you see folks pulling trailers. Problem is if you're in an accident you're SOL as the insurance companies will deny any claim as the motorcycle was never designed by the factory to pull a trailer.

 

Trailer hitches should not be part of the suspension., It needs to be mounted to the frame of the motorcycle. Trailer hitches are made for softails. And they connect to the frame and use side plates for a rigid trailer hitch mount.

Suspension attached hitches are used for low speed equipment, not driven on public roads. Some adventure bikes do attach to swing arm. this but those trailers are very similar to bicycles trailers, lightweight.

It would be on the heavy side, But I have seen folks pull a one bike, minimal, trailer behind a 1000 CC Motor Guzzi and full dress Harleys.

My TimeOut camper weighs up to 650 pounds. That's my max weight that I set for myself. I know folks tow more, but I will not.

How far are you planning to tow?

 

How are you going to stop it?

 

https://openroadoutfitters.com/softa...ch-2018-black/

A quality hitch will be a necessity ... Then you have got to get/build a trailer capable of the size of the bike being towed ... Many opinions on towing with a motorcycle ... I have a Bushtec Quantum that has served me well behind my FLHTCU ... I have a friend who tows his YZ450 with his FLHTC and has no problems ... He converted a snowmobile trailer ... Good Luck