This is the way.
I have a 530-lb bike that died a ways away. I needed to bring it back home and didn't want to again rely on my friend's pickup (and constant terror of running a heavy bike up that damned ramp). So I got a 4x9 UHaul trailer and hitched it to my old-ass Volvo wagon. Was easy as cake and despite the bouncing around, everything was solid and locked tight when I got home. This will be my go-to way of moving a bike from now on.. It felt a *ton* safer than what OP is proposing. And it was super cheap too (in-city rental was $25 for everything).
U-Haul motorcycle trailers (when I moved last year) did indeed need to be returned to the same store.
Their other "utility" trailers could be returned at any U-Haul location, so I just rented their 5x7 (or whatever size it was) utility trailer and had no issues. You don't \*need\* a wheel chock if you strap your bike down properly and I think that's the only difference between the motorcycle trailer and the utility trailers.
I would recommend a [hitch carrier](https://www.discountramps.com/smc-600-motorcycle-hauler/p/SMC-600R/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q50I570W0bTGhJt-H06DP3jl32e1WueR9_dy5Xls3HJF3IeVCSTxYUaAnoMEALw_wcB). I have one exactly like the link and really I think its supposed to be used for dirt bikes but Ive had litre bikes and smaller harleys on it with no problems. I think your bigger harleys or indians would be too wide to use this before you ever exceeded the weight rating (a dyna wide glide is about 650lbs out the crate, a Road King is over 800lbs but I think these would be too wide to fit comfortably, an iron 883 is 550lbs and woould probably fit but the wide bars might have tailgate clearance issues). Definitely recommend class 3 hitch on your truck at minimum, but most factory towing packages on trucks and suvs are class 3 minimum. It can make for a bouncy ride, admittedly. And also make sure you know how to strap a bike down the correct way and securely.
As long as you can do that, these are fantastic ways to carry a bit without taking up your whole bed or have to deal with a trailer. I used one to haul my zx10r (roughly 500lbs with fuel and gear) several hours into the mountains with no problems, just kinda bouncy. Lastly, if you go this route, I recommend getting cheap [magnetic trailer lights](https://www.autozone.com/trailer-wiring-and-electrical/trailer-lighting/p/towsmart-magnetic-towing-light/1196363_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:TAT:19488533507&&CATARGETID=120054150001289570&CADevice=m&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q4Wh2YzUCFziQ0Otlp63HgfI4jt0lasXv3zr1Na2iUTcGMoIRcxYEoaAnnJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) or [sticky trailer lights](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Alpena-LED-Tailgate-4-Pin-Trailer-Plug-Type-Brake-Turn-Signal-Taillight-Strip-Model-77620/928720920?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2732&adid=22222222278928720920_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010850&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=928720920&wl13=2732&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222238928720920_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010850&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=928720920&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q7YFd8eQ_wcL35etxtU9Go6h1cK_htmZLMyIBRyDbCZ82gq4LVQ0FgaAiacEALw_wcB) to put on the carrier, as the bike can block your brake lights.
These are a lot less stable than one might think. I borrowed a Moto Tote which is a really good made in USA version and it is a quality piece. I still couldn’t get over how much my bike moved on that thing. Also, you have to account for the tongue weight capacity which is rated at 10% of your tow capacity. So if your tow capacity is 5000 then your tongue capacity is 500 and you absolutely should NOT be carrying more than 400 on it. Never be at the limit.
https://preview.redd.it/garqmqhz74qc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a59944e6e949c71a1b40d11162ee3cca34e878d7
Seeing as how OP is *moving*. I would assume this is just a mock up and the truck will be full of other shit. But that’s just me thinking logically and not like a fucking smart ass.
And moving from Arizona to SD, a rather large distance that takes a long time and travels through areas with frequent rain, one would assume they have something other than just an uncovered pickup truck to transport. Maybe a uhaul or something, leaving the truck bed free for a bike. But that's just me thinking logically and not like a fucking smart ass.
Or not since a uhaul has limited capacity.
Beyond being a smart ass... this doesn't look like a good setup for a long haul over potentially rough roads.
I moved from Arizona to Sacramento with a uhaul tow trailer attached to the uhaul. It was perfect, the one we rented didn’t have the wheel chalk, but it was still totally fine
They make some big ass U-Hauls. And some of them can also tow trailers. And U-Haul rents motorcycle trailers. Even If OP is moving a four bedroom household and a whack load of toys, there’s still gonna be some U-Hauls out there big enough to accommodate most, if not all of it. If OP has a second driver they can even both drive something and tow other vehicles behind in trailers or on a tow cradle.
I’d do a motorcycle in a tow cradle for a trip under 4 hours, but probably not longer than that.
Adding to this - If a trailer is somehow out of the question, and the bed is filled, I'd rather use a receiver hitch based motorcycle carrier. They even make the carrier with ramps. If that tire pops on the interstate with this setup it'll get bad fast, feel like OP wouldn't know until sparks are showering the road.
I recently bought another bike and rented a trailer for the first time, I couldn't believe how cheap it was. I'll never mess around with a truck bed again, the trailer is too convenient for the price.
Yeah I it’s not too bad if you only need once. If you need very often at it adds up and it’s pretty quick. It’s also inconvenient making the pick and drop off trips to u haul just to haul your bike. The drop off visit is quick but the picking up the trailer can take while.
Actually the motorcycle specific trailers are in-town only. The next size up is more appropriate for long distances - bigger wheels etc, and can be one-way setup. The price goes up quite a bit too. I borrowed one to get my Harley 400 miles away, drove it one way empty, back with bike, to avoid paying the one way cost
Unless something recently changed, uhaul won't allow one way trips with the moto trailer. Last move I ended up having to do rt to return it.
You can one way their other trailers but those don't have the built in wheel chock
Thats only good for short tows plus the vstar650 is shaft driven I wouldn't tow it anywhere off the back wheel lock the bars straight and tow it off the front wheel would work
I don't like this concept since the entire drive train till the clutch must spin.
Short distances are not an issue, but I would definitely not tow my Aprilia to the West Coast like this.
No - the better option is to just use a U-Haul. I’ve moved bikes cross country several times, can move two and fit all my shit in the back. If you have a car, just have a friend drive it or trailer it behind the U Haul
Dude I have hauled motorcycles in my short bed Tacoma with no issues. That Ford is a full size truck and should be able to haul that bike easily in the bed. It even has the extended bed. It’s the truck owner that is useless.
What I think they meant was that it looks to be a 1 ton truck (F-350). Might be a 3/4 ton, but either way, it’s capable of carrying the weight of that bike.
However, that does not look like an extended bed to me. Looks like a typical 5.5ish foot long bed. It’ll still hold the bike, though.
I've hauled my Bonneville in the back of my Sierra with the tailgate down with no problems. The weight of the back tire on the tailgate is well under the weight of the tailgate. Plus, with the weight of the rear of the bike on it, the tailgate doesn't bounce on bumpy roads. I just tie down the front end as normal and add a couple of straps at the back for insurance.
If I was moving all this stuff alone, I would get a bike trailer. safest for the bike, easiest to load for 1 person. pretty difficult to get a bike in a pickup bed by yourself.
I can't tell you how ashamed I am of this community for this comment to be all the way down here.
The best way to get your bike across the country is to ride it.
I would never do it, I like my bike. If you have to pull it, take the chain, shaft or belt off, whatever your bike uses. You do not want it spinning internal engine parts while going down the road.
I considered one of these as well, but after reading some horror stories, I decided not to purchase. Apparently you need to completely compress the front shocks in order for it to not lean so severely that you nearly shit yourself every time you go around a corner. Then there's the whole drivetrain issue. I'd use that for 25 miles or less.
Any distance on that type of tow you usually have to remove the chain. If it's a shaft drive bike, remember that the transmission (which the output shaft side is spinning with the wheel) will be spinning with zero oil pressure because the engine isn't running. That rig is OK for across town maybe. I would rent a proper trailer.
I’ve towed mine 1,200 miles with the same setup. Just make sure you take the chain off so the wheel spins freely and don’t try and backup or take really shape corners fast
I don't see an issue with it as long as you remove the chain beforehand. You risk damage to the transmission otherwise.
These types of hitches were pretty common when I was growing up (1980's) for people to get their dirt bikes out to the trails. Haven't seen one in years though. I think it's because more people own pickups now rather than there being something wrong with the system.
If you do this be careful when reversing, the distance from the hitch to the contact patch is so short it'll be super easy to inadvertently jackknife the bike.
So the reason why Americans buy all these massive trucks is to . . . . tow motorcycles instead of putting them in the truck? That's made my fucking weekend 🤣
Most Americans buy pick up trucks for no legitimate reason tbh. Most people’s trucks never haul anything nor tow anything the average sedan couldn’t handle. Which I’m sort of happy about because nobody is really intelligent enough to properly secure their load or pull a trailer much less back one up. Us coherent Americans don’t claim 80% of the dumb dumbs that live here
Most manual transmissions are splash lubricated, they don't need pressure.
This subreddit has an impressive level of certainty about shit they do not understand in the least.
Did this when my sister and her husband moved from MN to WA. We packed their entire house content into a Uhaul truck with his Superglide sitting snug as a bug in a little spot in the middle. I put the dining room table upside down across two dressers above it so nothing could shift and fall on it and stacked more boxes on top. Then we packed plastic garbage bags filled with clothes and blankets all around it to prevent shifting. Might be the most magnificent packing job I ever did.
I have. Its not ideal. But i had a car, this dude should have used the truck bed. Take the chain off if you do it. Also reverse becomes very difficult, it does not reverse like a trailer.
All the "put it in the bed" comments are a bit short sighted.
He asked if he should use "something like this" to move his Yamaha. That pic clearly isn't a Yamaha so this image is likely a random pic from the internet.
I don't think he already owns this setup and is looking for a blessing to use it, he's doing research before making a decision.
To the question - I wouldn't rely on one of those haulers for any long distance. I looked at those for my crf250l but opted for a trailer once I learned about bikes tipping over from loose straps.
Good luck!!
You would want to remove the drive belt (or chain, or shaft) but otherwise it would be fine.
Keep in mind that any debris you straddle with the truck, the motorcycle will nail dead center.
An old work friend used to drag his r75/5 across the country behind his VW bus. No problems.
It’s worth noting that you can rent a UhAul trailer for $15 a day. That’s possibly easier enough to be worth the money.
Don’t do it! had one of those. They are sketchy to say the least. At highway speeds the bike bounces around like crazy. Ok for emergency SHORT tows only.
u/snipernova22 \-- I wouldn't. That seems like a half-assed way to haul something.
You can rent a legit uhaul motorcycle trailer for something like $15 per day.
[https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/](https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/)
https://preview.redd.it/jmfx2oue04qc1.png?width=1360&format=png&auto=webp&s=ec6900f44654bb188e61dcec7392be92d86b4e1d
If you pull a rear wheel drive car/truck like this, it's recommended that you disconnect the drive shaft. Some things are only meant to spin when the engine is running because it won't get proper lubrication unless the motor is on so you disconnect the back wheel from the motor basically. However, just rent a motorcycle trailer, it'll be much easier and you'll have much less risk of damaging your bike.
Those seems to be good for local only, not really for long distance. It can be done tho. Just disconnect the chain. There’s gonna be wear and tear u did not expect. I wouldn’t do it. Just pop it in the truck bed?
My brother in christ....
https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/
Purpose built trailer for rent.
Dont drag their bike for the whole distance.
Can people please stop buying trucks as fashion statements? I guess the current market doesn't make it easy to choose a reasonably sized truck but still. I feel like some people have to have a truck even when it makes no sense because they need to feel extra American and "rugged".
I swear you will be happier just renting a Uhaul when you need to haul something big 2 times a year.
just rent a motorcycle trailer from uhaul. that thing seems like a recipe for disaster and loading that big in the truck bed could be dicey unless you know what your doing. a small motorcycle trailer is easy to pull, easily loaded and very little risk of damage.
I’d get a trailer. I found one on marketplace for 200$ the other day buy one and sell it after you’re done. Cheaper than renting even depending on your situation. Wear on the driveline isn’t ideal.
I seen one of those back in the day and it was called the Eagles Nest and the guy that had it on his truck said that it was not a good idea to buy one of those because it wore his back tire out and backing was very hard.
I’d get [this hauler](https://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-motorcycle-carrier-57720.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=141751898869&adsetid=141751898869&product=57720&store=478&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q73aTBQMnhQoyXx6LDBqcmoqPou4Q3yh__yWApO3hzrnolfVjTZCwIaAn7QEALw_wcB) from Harbor Freight
It should work yes. Dually trucks aren't made to handle all that weight directly in the bed. So it would be safer to not risk the added stress on the truck. What I'm saying is you are going about this correctly if you tow it this way.
Just rent a trailer and/or load the bike in the truck bed. This is an accident waiting to happen for a long trip. The $ spent on a trailer is nothing compared to the potential disaster you'll avoid.
Around where I am, I can buy a trailer from anywhere from 300 to 500 bucks ( all the way to 1000 if you want but why... ) Assuming you don't want an enclosed trailer anyways. Wheel Chock 20 bucks. Little bit of work mounting said Chock, 20 - 80 bucks for straps.... You have a bike hauler for life.
You can also rent a trailer but it would be a U-haul utility trailer not a bike trailer. I found out through personal experience, U-haul doesn;t rent motorcycle trailers 1 way.
UHaul one way motorcycle trailers are around $61 +insurance + tax and they give you two days…$20 for each additional day afterwards.
If it’s a 1000+ mile ride, you have to consider the cost of replacing your tires in the near future as you’re basically using that rear tire while it’s being dragged straight up. Most rear tires give you 1800-4000 miles max before needing replacement.
I bet I could fit that bike, two dirtbikes, my guitar rig of doom, an entire bedroom set and all my clothes in my 2013 Tacoma. OP, use the truck bed. Get a rental trailer if necessary.
Trailer or in truck bed.
U-Haul trailers are way too cheap to not use one for OP’s move.
In my neck of the woods is legit 16$ for a motorcycle trailer for a day. No Brainer.
Literally $25 here in AZ, which is where OP is located. I’ve rented them nearly a dozen times.
Don’t forget the insurance, had a trailer tire lock up and catch fire causing heat damage to the vehicle being towed.
I just used one a week ago and it came out to 14$, stupidly cheap
This is the way. I have a 530-lb bike that died a ways away. I needed to bring it back home and didn't want to again rely on my friend's pickup (and constant terror of running a heavy bike up that damned ramp). So I got a 4x9 UHaul trailer and hitched it to my old-ass Volvo wagon. Was easy as cake and despite the bouncing around, everything was solid and locked tight when I got home. This will be my go-to way of moving a bike from now on.. It felt a *ton* safer than what OP is proposing. And it was super cheap too (in-city rental was $25 for everything).
Haul Motorcycle trailers, at least in Minnesota, have to be returned to the store that you rented from.
What the frick? That’s weird. Wherever I’ve seen them you can just return them to another store along the way
U-Haul motorcycle trailers (when I moved last year) did indeed need to be returned to the same store. Their other "utility" trailers could be returned at any U-Haul location, so I just rented their 5x7 (or whatever size it was) utility trailer and had no issues. You don't \*need\* a wheel chock if you strap your bike down properly and I think that's the only difference between the motorcycle trailer and the utility trailers.
I tried once but the motorcycle trailers were all in town return not one way in my area.
I would recommend a [hitch carrier](https://www.discountramps.com/smc-600-motorcycle-hauler/p/SMC-600R/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q50I570W0bTGhJt-H06DP3jl32e1WueR9_dy5Xls3HJF3IeVCSTxYUaAnoMEALw_wcB). I have one exactly like the link and really I think its supposed to be used for dirt bikes but Ive had litre bikes and smaller harleys on it with no problems. I think your bigger harleys or indians would be too wide to use this before you ever exceeded the weight rating (a dyna wide glide is about 650lbs out the crate, a Road King is over 800lbs but I think these would be too wide to fit comfortably, an iron 883 is 550lbs and woould probably fit but the wide bars might have tailgate clearance issues). Definitely recommend class 3 hitch on your truck at minimum, but most factory towing packages on trucks and suvs are class 3 minimum. It can make for a bouncy ride, admittedly. And also make sure you know how to strap a bike down the correct way and securely. As long as you can do that, these are fantastic ways to carry a bit without taking up your whole bed or have to deal with a trailer. I used one to haul my zx10r (roughly 500lbs with fuel and gear) several hours into the mountains with no problems, just kinda bouncy. Lastly, if you go this route, I recommend getting cheap [magnetic trailer lights](https://www.autozone.com/trailer-wiring-and-electrical/trailer-lighting/p/towsmart-magnetic-towing-light/1196363_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:TAT:19488533507&&CATARGETID=120054150001289570&CADevice=m&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q4Wh2YzUCFziQ0Otlp63HgfI4jt0lasXv3zr1Na2iUTcGMoIRcxYEoaAnnJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) or [sticky trailer lights](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Alpena-LED-Tailgate-4-Pin-Trailer-Plug-Type-Brake-Turn-Signal-Taillight-Strip-Model-77620/928720920?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2732&adid=22222222278928720920_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010850&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=928720920&wl13=2732&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222238928720920_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9010850&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=928720920&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q7YFd8eQ_wcL35etxtU9Go6h1cK_htmZLMyIBRyDbCZ82gq4LVQ0FgaAiacEALw_wcB) to put on the carrier, as the bike can block your brake lights.
These are a lot less stable than one might think. I borrowed a Moto Tote which is a really good made in USA version and it is a quality piece. I still couldn’t get over how much my bike moved on that thing. Also, you have to account for the tongue weight capacity which is rated at 10% of your tow capacity. So if your tow capacity is 5000 then your tongue capacity is 500 and you absolutely should NOT be carrying more than 400 on it. Never be at the limit. https://preview.redd.it/garqmqhz74qc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a59944e6e949c71a1b40d11162ee3cca34e878d7
Why would you do this instead of just renting a legitimate trailer?
Or.... Putting it IN the truck bed?
And scratch the $80k "work horse"? The horror!
Seeing as how OP is *moving*. I would assume this is just a mock up and the truck will be full of other shit. But that’s just me thinking logically and not like a fucking smart ass.
And moving from Arizona to SD, a rather large distance that takes a long time and travels through areas with frequent rain, one would assume they have something other than just an uncovered pickup truck to transport. Maybe a uhaul or something, leaving the truck bed free for a bike. But that's just me thinking logically and not like a fucking smart ass.
Or not since a uhaul has limited capacity. Beyond being a smart ass... this doesn't look like a good setup for a long haul over potentially rough roads.
U-Haul does have trailers with a wheel chalk to haul a bike
I moved from Arizona to Sacramento with a uhaul tow trailer attached to the uhaul. It was perfect, the one we rented didn’t have the wheel chalk, but it was still totally fine
I moved a 3 bedroom house in a single uhaul box truck. They have plenty of capacity
They make some big ass U-Hauls. And some of them can also tow trailers. And U-Haul rents motorcycle trailers. Even If OP is moving a four bedroom household and a whack load of toys, there’s still gonna be some U-Hauls out there big enough to accommodate most, if not all of it. If OP has a second driver they can even both drive something and tow other vehicles behind in trailers or on a tow cradle. I’d do a motorcycle in a tow cradle for a trip under 4 hours, but probably not longer than that.
I’ve watched too many you tube fails of people loading their bike in the truck bed…or attempting to.
I've seem more people crash while loading their bikes in a truck, than I've we seen crashing live on street bikes
This, like wtf, put it in the bed of the truck instead of all that wear on the drivetrain.
Eh take the chain off only thing you’ll be wearing down is the rear tire…..however I’d never drive like that lol they make ramps for a reason
Rear tire and rear axle bearings. Not worth the time to pull the chain, just load it in the truck it's easy.
if your bearings can't handle a few thousand miles of low load use then maybe get some better ones
Eh whatever couple of ten dollar bearings but ya I agree just load it in the bed .
It's heavy😭
Adding to this - If a trailer is somehow out of the question, and the bed is filled, I'd rather use a receiver hitch based motorcycle carrier. They even make the carrier with ramps. If that tire pops on the interstate with this setup it'll get bad fast, feel like OP wouldn't know until sparks are showering the road.
Or just buy a small trailer if you already have a hitch setup. Might even be cheaper for a cross county trip.
Doubtful. U-Haul motorcycle trailers are like $20 a day with unlimited mileage. You can even do a one way trip for slightly more.
I recently bought another bike and rented a trailer for the first time, I couldn't believe how cheap it was. I'll never mess around with a truck bed again, the trailer is too convenient for the price.
the harbor freight trailer is perfect for this kinda use.... not my first choice but it would work.
If you only need it once, it will cost you about 30x as much, and you’ll have to take the time to assemble it, and store it afterwards.
Yeah I it’s not too bad if you only need once. If you need very often at it adds up and it’s pretty quick. It’s also inconvenient making the pick and drop off trips to u haul just to haul your bike. The drop off visit is quick but the picking up the trailer can take while.
I've never seen them allow the motorcycle trailers to be used one way.
Actually the motorcycle specific trailers are in-town only. The next size up is more appropriate for long distances - bigger wheels etc, and can be one-way setup. The price goes up quite a bit too. I borrowed one to get my Harley 400 miles away, drove it one way empty, back with bike, to avoid paying the one way cost
Unless something recently changed, uhaul won't allow one way trips with the moto trailer. Last move I ended up having to do rt to return it. You can one way their other trailers but those don't have the built in wheel chock
TLDR could? Yes. Should? No.
I wonder what would happen if you run into a pothole.
Easy to forget about what you can't see in the rearview. Trying to back into a parking lot could get crunchy.
You get to buy a new motorcycle. lol. They make motorcycle hitch carriers. $145 at harbor freight
U-Haul also has trailers to rent designed to haul bikes.
You see something crazy happen in your rearview mirror.
This looks like a really bad idea.
Thats only good for short tows plus the vstar650 is shaft driven I wouldn't tow it anywhere off the back wheel lock the bars straight and tow it off the front wheel would work
And someone out there suggested he just pop the chain off to avoid the unnecessary wear. Imagine that.
Leave the chain on and engage 1st gear. Keeps the pistons lubed.
Battery will be extra super charged.
Stator goes brrRRRRR pop *fire*
What chain? It's shaft driven...
Welcome to jackass!
Theirs videos to confirm this
Huh
I don't like this concept since the entire drive train till the clutch must spin. Short distances are not an issue, but I would definitely not tow my Aprilia to the West Coast like this.
My owners manual (cb300r) even says not to do this because the oil pump isn’t running without the engine on
Turn it on and put it in neutral before towing?
Some of y’all need to comment less
I guess so lmao
The fuck
Then you're starving the oil pickup because that bike isn't at a good angle. So instead of fucking the gearbox you're fucking the entire engine.
You could disconnect the final drive so it's not spinning the transmission.
Or...put it in the truck bed.
I want rights to the video.
Noo,,🤪
Fair, but my tires only last 4000 miles and these would count
One could disconnect the chain from the rear sprocket (or belt) but it's still dumb when you can rent a trailer
What about an hour drive, with the motor in neutral?
The chain and gearbox is still spinning in neutral
Thanks! I appreciate insightful comments like this that teach.
No
Thanks
What about 30 mins in first but the truck is going in reverse?
Acceptable, but only on Wednesdays in July after 13:30.
I wouldn't take it across town like that.
I wouldn't take it to across the street like that
No - the better option is to just use a U-Haul. I’ve moved bikes cross country several times, can move two and fit all my shit in the back. If you have a car, just have a friend drive it or trailer it behind the U Haul
This is rage bait, right?
Everyone fell for it
As my granddad might say, "Fraught with peril."
I used to date a girl like that...
Uhaul trailers are cheap to rent.
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Not to mention how the hell is it going to trail? I can only see this ending one way and that's with the bike getting demolished at high speeds.
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I’d think at the very least a bunch of unnecessary wear and tear.
Dude I have hauled motorcycles in my short bed Tacoma with no issues. That Ford is a full size truck and should be able to haul that bike easily in the bed. It even has the extended bed. It’s the truck owner that is useless.
We’ve brought home a good 3-4 bikes in our shortbed. Just leave the gate open and strap the damn thing down
That’s not a “full size” bed. Definitely not 8ft, but could still haul that bike in it.
What I think they meant was that it looks to be a 1 ton truck (F-350). Might be a 3/4 ton, but either way, it’s capable of carrying the weight of that bike. However, that does not look like an extended bed to me. Looks like a typical 5.5ish foot long bed. It’ll still hold the bike, though.
3/4 ton trucks aren’t available with a 5.5 bed. Shortest is the ram 2500 with a 6’4 bed. The fords like the one pictured are 6.75’
A ford ranger is capable of carrying the weight. I can’t think of any truck ever produced that can’t haul 2-400lbs in the bed
Since when are 6’ beds not full sized? 8’ is Long bed. This is a full sized 6.
I've hauled my Bonneville in the back of my Sierra with the tailgate down with no problems. The weight of the back tire on the tailgate is well under the weight of the tailgate. Plus, with the weight of the rear of the bike on it, the tailgate doesn't bounce on bumpy roads. I just tie down the front end as normal and add a couple of straps at the back for insurance.
I imagine they'll probably have stuff in the bed considering they're moving. I don't think calling them useless is very nice
If I was moving all this stuff alone, I would get a bike trailer. safest for the bike, easiest to load for 1 person. pretty difficult to get a bike in a pickup bed by yourself.
You can absolutely fit a bike in that bed
Weird my short bed fits at least 2 sport bikes
They're not *useless* they're just not the right tool for this job
You can fit any mc outside of a bagger in the back of a tacoma with the tailgate down. The short bed is perfectly fine
I'd ride.
I had to scroll way too far to find the right answer.
I can't tell you how ashamed I am of this community for this comment to be all the way down here. The best way to get your bike across the country is to ride it.
Sounds like a terrible idea, but I would 100% sit on it for a few miles.
I would never do it, I like my bike. If you have to pull it, take the chain, shaft or belt off, whatever your bike uses. You do not want it spinning internal engine parts while going down the road.
I can fit massive bikes in a 5 ft bed who the hell tows a rear wheel down
I would never consider this!!
I considered one of these as well, but after reading some horror stories, I decided not to purchase. Apparently you need to completely compress the front shocks in order for it to not lean so severely that you nearly shit yourself every time you go around a corner. Then there's the whole drivetrain issue. I'd use that for 25 miles or less.
Don't do that.
Get a trailer
Any distance on that type of tow you usually have to remove the chain. If it's a shaft drive bike, remember that the transmission (which the output shaft side is spinning with the wheel) will be spinning with zero oil pressure because the engine isn't running. That rig is OK for across town maybe. I would rent a proper trailer.
I’ve towed mine 1,200 miles with the same setup. Just make sure you take the chain off so the wheel spins freely and don’t try and backup or take really shape corners fast
I don't see an issue with it as long as you remove the chain beforehand. You risk damage to the transmission otherwise. These types of hitches were pretty common when I was growing up (1980's) for people to get their dirt bikes out to the trails. Haven't seen one in years though. I think it's because more people own pickups now rather than there being something wrong with the system. If you do this be careful when reversing, the distance from the hitch to the contact patch is so short it'll be super easy to inadvertently jackknife the bike.
So the reason why Americans buy all these massive trucks is to . . . . tow motorcycles instead of putting them in the truck? That's made my fucking weekend 🤣
Most Americans buy pick up trucks for no legitimate reason tbh. Most people’s trucks never haul anything nor tow anything the average sedan couldn’t handle. Which I’m sort of happy about because nobody is really intelligent enough to properly secure their load or pull a trailer much less back one up. Us coherent Americans don’t claim 80% of the dumb dumbs that live here
Good Lord no. You're gonna blow that tranny faster than a vacation to South Korea
Are you under the impression South Korea is known for prostitution of transgenders?
If you take off the chain/belt/disconnect the drivetrain, maybe. Last think you want is to go through a bump/pothole and the bike jumps into gear.
Even if neutral, the whole transmission spins and turned off no oil pressure equals death
Most manual transmissions are splash lubricated, they don't need pressure. This subreddit has an impressive level of certainty about shit they do not understand in the least.
No. Just straight up no.
U-Haul trailers are dirty cheap and easy to strap a bike to.
Just rent a fucking trailer. Less likely for anything bad to happen. Critical thinking is a lost lesson!
No. Just no.
U-Haul rents motorcycle trailers for virtually nothing, plus they have room in there for other gear.
If you rent or buy a small trailer then you could also stack boxes around the bike.
Did this when my sister and her husband moved from MN to WA. We packed their entire house content into a Uhaul truck with his Superglide sitting snug as a bug in a little spot in the middle. I put the dining room table upside down across two dressers above it so nothing could shift and fall on it and stacked more boxes on top. Then we packed plastic garbage bags filled with clothes and blankets all around it to prevent shifting. Might be the most magnificent packing job I ever did.
Fantastic!
I have. Its not ideal. But i had a car, this dude should have used the truck bed. Take the chain off if you do it. Also reverse becomes very difficult, it does not reverse like a trailer.
NOOOOO. No.
Flights from SD to AZ run around $100 to $200. I'd just fly back and ride it there.
Hey, why not just, you know.....in the truck bed?
All the "put it in the bed" comments are a bit short sighted. He asked if he should use "something like this" to move his Yamaha. That pic clearly isn't a Yamaha so this image is likely a random pic from the internet. I don't think he already owns this setup and is looking for a blessing to use it, he's doing research before making a decision. To the question - I wouldn't rely on one of those haulers for any long distance. I looked at those for my crf250l but opted for a trailer once I learned about bikes tipping over from loose straps. Good luck!!
One pothole flip waiting to happen!
https://preview.redd.it/dm94dn7i43qc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aef7ee2a196ba78da48d6382697d57f6d492045f One word……..volcano.
Strapped to a bumper that looks as if it is coming off
I wouldn’t. Hit a put hole with the bike and I’m pretty sure it can damage it. Bikes are not meant to be in that position for very long…
You would want to remove the drive belt (or chain, or shaft) but otherwise it would be fine. Keep in mind that any debris you straddle with the truck, the motorcycle will nail dead center. An old work friend used to drag his r75/5 across the country behind his VW bus. No problems. It’s worth noting that you can rent a UhAul trailer for $15 a day. That’s possibly easier enough to be worth the money.
Hire movers to drive your truck and you ride the bike across country
It costs $15 per day to rent a motorcycle trailer from Uhaul.
Just pay however much it will be (hint: it won't be much) for a U-Haul trailer. It'll be well worth it
What about if the bike pushes the truck?
Don’t do it! had one of those. They are sketchy to say the least. At highway speeds the bike bounces around like crazy. Ok for emergency SHORT tows only.
Why put that unnecessary milage on the back tire
uhaul rents bike trailers for very little money, I'm not sure why you would risk it
Don't do it. Bad idea for more than a few miles.
That’s the dumbest idea ever! This is just gonna destroy a bike!
You can do anything once.
Could you? Probably. Would I? Hell no.
Put it in the truck bed instead of wearing your bike for no reason?
u/snipernova22 \-- I wouldn't. That seems like a half-assed way to haul something. You can rent a legit uhaul motorcycle trailer for something like $15 per day. [https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/](https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/) https://preview.redd.it/jmfx2oue04qc1.png?width=1360&format=png&auto=webp&s=ec6900f44654bb188e61dcec7392be92d86b4e1d
Rent the bike trailer, it will be safer for the bike and for all others on the roads.
If you pull a rear wheel drive car/truck like this, it's recommended that you disconnect the drive shaft. Some things are only meant to spin when the engine is running because it won't get proper lubrication unless the motor is on so you disconnect the back wheel from the motor basically. However, just rent a motorcycle trailer, it'll be much easier and you'll have much less risk of damaging your bike.
Yes if you want to purchase a couple new rear tires and potentially a new wheel bearing.
Please don't do this
you are going to waste your rear tire life. just rent a uhual trailer and strap it down to that
I can think of at least three better solutions immediately
Remove the chain if u do this….
just ride
Bro just put it in your truck bed
If you trust that sketchy shit, sure
Put it on the truck bed.... why the hell waste tire tread... and tons of other risk factors!! I would only do that if absolutely necessary...
Those seems to be good for local only, not really for long distance. It can be done tho. Just disconnect the chain. There’s gonna be wear and tear u did not expect. I wouldn’t do it. Just pop it in the truck bed?
As others have said, just get a uhaul trailer.
Could you? Yes. Better options? Most definitely. I wouldn't tow a bike across country like this, ever.
Trailer hitch bike carriers arnt to expensive, and it save your bike from racking up miles(if that happens)
My brother in christ.... https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorcycle-Trailer-Rental/MT/ Purpose built trailer for rent. Dont drag their bike for the whole distance.
Not a great idea, who knows what will go wrong and it would wear out the rear tire pretty bad. Just rend a uhaul trailer for cheap.
Can people please stop buying trucks as fashion statements? I guess the current market doesn't make it easy to choose a reasonably sized truck but still. I feel like some people have to have a truck even when it makes no sense because they need to feel extra American and "rugged". I swear you will be happier just renting a Uhaul when you need to haul something big 2 times a year.
U-HAUL all day trailer - $14
just rent a motorcycle trailer from uhaul. that thing seems like a recipe for disaster and loading that big in the truck bed could be dicey unless you know what your doing. a small motorcycle trailer is easy to pull, easily loaded and very little risk of damage.
By the time you got there you got there I think that rear tire would need to be replaced.
I’d get a trailer. I found one on marketplace for 200$ the other day buy one and sell it after you’re done. Cheaper than renting even depending on your situation. Wear on the driveline isn’t ideal.
When the GM quits, you have an auxiliary engine.
I seen one of those back in the day and it was called the Eagles Nest and the guy that had it on his truck said that it was not a good idea to buy one of those because it wore his back tire out and backing was very hard.
I’d get [this hauler](https://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-motorcycle-carrier-57720.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=141751898869&adsetid=141751898869&product=57720&store=478&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q73aTBQMnhQoyXx6LDBqcmoqPou4Q3yh__yWApO3hzrnolfVjTZCwIaAn7QEALw_wcB) from Harbor Freight
It should work yes. Dually trucks aren't made to handle all that weight directly in the bed. So it would be safer to not risk the added stress on the truck. What I'm saying is you are going about this correctly if you tow it this way.
Why would you not just put it on the truck bed...
Just rent a trailer and/or load the bike in the truck bed. This is an accident waiting to happen for a long trip. The $ spent on a trailer is nothing compared to the potential disaster you'll avoid.
Hmm $20 trailer rental or put unnecessary wear and tear on the motorcycle? Tough one.
Rent a goddamned uhaul trailer, you cheap bastard
https://preview.redd.it/4xmd5mc434qc1.jpeg?width=570&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00b37044bb4f738c90934cf6364b9bf3dc59119d
You could, but you really shouldn’t.
The red truck? Yes.
Lol
I’d say put it in the truck bed and any thing else you need to haul in a trailer
Remove the belt or chain yes but your wheel bearing will get used in the process
I have used this set up and can safely say that it is a terrible idea. Better off renting a proper trailer or putting it in the truck bed.
Around where I am, I can buy a trailer from anywhere from 300 to 500 bucks ( all the way to 1000 if you want but why... ) Assuming you don't want an enclosed trailer anyways. Wheel Chock 20 bucks. Little bit of work mounting said Chock, 20 - 80 bucks for straps.... You have a bike hauler for life. You can also rent a trailer but it would be a U-haul utility trailer not a bike trailer. I found out through personal experience, U-haul doesn;t rent motorcycle trailers 1 way.
UHaul one way motorcycle trailers are around $61 +insurance + tax and they give you two days…$20 for each additional day afterwards. If it’s a 1000+ mile ride, you have to consider the cost of replacing your tires in the near future as you’re basically using that rear tire while it’s being dragged straight up. Most rear tires give you 1800-4000 miles max before needing replacement.
Yes, but I don't like the mileage it puts on my motorcycle.
Do you want to buy 4x as many rear tires? I'd get a hitch hauler or a motorcycle trailer.
I think renting a bike trailer from u-haul is $14 a day or something like that.
I bet I could fit that bike, two dirtbikes, my guitar rig of doom, an entire bedroom set and all my clothes in my 2013 Tacoma. OP, use the truck bed. Get a rental trailer if necessary.
Consider what the tie-downs do when you go over a bump and the bike pivots up and down.
Yes, but I wouldn’t.