Don't waste time talking about manuals


He is asking about 180 passenger. Unless the the rider is 400 pounds, this is a wasted discussion.

He claims son is only 70 pounds more

 

HD will tell you you can not or should not put a sidecar on a HD. But they still offer a sidecar. Your correct they say it so if some one crashes HD can say we said not to do it.
Sidecars take a different skill set to operate. Pulling a trailer riding a trike do also. HD says a lot of things to cover their *** . And so would anyone that ran the place.
Once the bike is yours it is up to you with in the laws to decide.

 

If this is the case then we should tow trailers behind cars and trucks because exactly the same statements can be applied. Liability and insurance has more to do with this statement.
When a motorcycle trailer is loaded correctly it removes weight from the bike and helps the bike handle better. It weighs definitely more and impacts on braking, acceleration and performance which means your riding style needs to change to compensate for the trailer.

I recently did a trip with too much weight on the bike (no trailer) and it certainly impacted on low speed handling and stability. My combined weight of rider, pillion and gear far exceed the OP's requirements and once out of the carpark never caused any issues.

 

You don't even need an owner's manual......

Each Harley motorcycle's GVWR is on the manufacturer's label on the front down tube.

Just below the date of manufacture, is the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). Just below the GVWR are both the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) for the front & rear axles, with the OEM tire size.

You can either actually go to a scale and weigh your bike, or look up the weight online. Subtract the bike's running weight from the GVWR, and you have the maximum payload weight your bike is designed to carry....


For an example:

Below is the manufacturer's label on my 2003 Heritage Classic. It shows a GVWR of 526 KG. (1160LB).

Online spec sites show the 2003 Heritage Classic "Vehicle Weight In Running Order (unladen) 738 lbs. (335.0 kg)"

So 1160 lbs minus 738 lbs equals 422lbs.

My 2003 Heritage is designed to carry a maximum of 422 lbs of passengers and gear.

 

i HAVE A 2017. 107ci
I weigh 185 plus clothes, boots, 195
Wife is .... well,
and with a fully loaded tourpak, top travel bag, saddle bags full....

Have no problems doing 1700/7 day trip up mountains in Colorado. Million Dollar Highway.

 

This 2010RK is my first touring bike.
I've never gone on an extended road trip because I was never sure my 81shovelhead would get me back home every night.
I dont have that worry anymore with the RK.
It sounds like some of you put some serious extra weight on your ride.
I'm sure braking and slow speed turns/U-turns take on a new meaning when you've added another 300#+ into the equation.

 

Someone pulls out in front of you. More or less safe with a trailer?

I suppose you could say I ride in a t-shirt, less safe than ATGATT. But I won't do a trailer, we all draw our line somewhere. But what I hear from people is, don't even know its back there when pulling it. What about e-stops? Nobody plans those.

 

Revo A shocks have a sag adjustment. If you are taking a long trip I would adjust it with the weight on the bike. It makes a difference in handling and comfort and is done by hand turning the springs.

@Rounders i not only plan them, I practice them.

 

You are a good person. But doesn't change what i said. When pulling a trailer with my truck, I give myself more time to stop, bigger gap, ect. But you still never know when a deer will run out, or such. A trailer does effect stopping. No matter how much you practice, it will still effect stopping.

 

Nothing to worry about even with the bags and tourpac loaded and a bag on the luggage rack if you have one.