Tow or Haul Motorcycle?

[ridgebackpilot]

I occasionally need to take my BMW R1300GS motorcycle on trips where I can’t ride it. Should I trailer it or haul it in the back of my Lightning?

The bike weighs more than 500 lbs. I’ve got a tow hitch on the Lightning and have rented motorcycle trailers in the past. But I’ve also got a ramp and can load the bike in the bed of the truck. The bike is longer than the bed so I have to leave the tailgate down. I secure the bike in the truck bed with tiedowns.

I suspect I’d get better range by hauling rather than trailering the bike. Hauling also might make it easier to charge the truck. What do you think?

Sponsored

 

[RickLightning]

Definitely hauling.

Make sure to turn off the powered tailgate...

 

[Jseis]

Tow for easy volcanic eruption escape!

 

[Henry Ford]

If you are confident in your ability to get the bike in and out of the bed, that's the way to go.

 

[krusherVA]

That is exactly what i do with my 25’ 1300gs, goes in the bed via 10’ black widow ramps. Range quite a bit better than when towed once with my 660 pound Aluma trailer. And on trips over 140-150 miles it is a pain to unhook to charge, so in the bed it goes.

Getting a large UTV and not looking forward to long trips trailering the unit.

 

[Aminorjourney]

Ramps, a proper wheel stand, and if you value your suspension and your truck, canyon dancers.

Oh, and if it doesn't fit in the back without the tailgate down, make sure you disable the auto up-down.

I've also towed with my bike in a garden trailer, but that was when I went to the DMV for registration and I suspected they weren't allowed to get into the truck to check the VIN...

 

[CavRider]

Hmmmm. Two other Lightning/R1300GS owners here besides me? Are there more? What's going on here?

 

[krusherVA]

Rode the 1300 to buy the truck and then put in back and drove home…

 

[TaxmanHog]

I'm not ready for a couch bike and too old for a crotch rocket.

Never too old..................... still have it (2012 ZX14r)

 

[CavRider]

Not I, the fun don't stop when the road does with my bike. DR650se, I'm not ready for a couch bike and too old for a crotch rocket.

I have thought about a DR some. But, chain maintenance AND a carburetor? Ugh.

I swapped out a K1600 Grand America for the R1300GS Adv and lost around 250 lbs in the process. That GSA feels just about as nimble to me as a DR, KLR etc. For now.

But, I also happen to have a '22 Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT in the garage and that is feeling a little superfluous after adding the GSA. If that morphs into something else my money is riding on a T7.

 

[krusherVA]

DR’s are great for what they do. Rock solid with good low grunt. I have a Husky 701 that smokes my buddies DR in a drag or on pavement but on tougher stuff the advantage mostly goes away. (Though the DR could use a good diet for the sand).

I love the GS for fire roads and Baja trip but a pain to change out tires for the rough stuff so i mainly ride the mountains roads with the 13 but anything really off road its the lighter bike.

 

[CavRider]

Chain maintenence is easy, and I got rid of the oem csrb in favor of a Mikuni pumper carb. Haven't had to do anything with it in15 years. Still runs like new.

I was just, um, yankin yer chain man.

 

[CavRider]

Here are my two in their winter resting phase.

 

[awilli1010]

Bought this as my retirement from the army gift. I’m definitely a senior citizen and I’ve ridden it every spring, summer, and fall since I’ve had it!

 

[Rayden]

I would also recommend hauling vs trailering if you can get it safely into the bed. I also used the Black Widow ramp to get my VTX1800R into my truck ('99 Dodge Ram 4x4 back then). Had to have the tailgate down but successfully drove it from Virginia to Florida and back with no problems. And that big girl is 800+ lbs!

Sponsored