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trailering

1K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  SgtRV 
#1 ·
For any Burgman 400 trike owners: can you offer any insight into pulling a small (empty wt 200lb) aluminum trailer? Hoping to have a modified hitch receiver mounted onto the center rear trike frame. I do know that the manual declares that these bikes are not designed for towing-but does that mean they can't?
 
#2 ·
It depends on how much weight your going to put in the trailer. I would think the 400 can pull at least as much weight as a passengers weight, but you have that much weight with the trailer alone. It does not leave much capacity for the load.
It might work out if you carry something really light, like a half ton of feathers! Lol
 
#3 ·
Just MHO, but I don't see why folks want to pull a trailer behind a motorcycle.

It seems to me that it is a potential "tail wagging the dog" scenario with possibly disastrous consequences. I know, its done every day ... and the trike setup would seem to be safer than trailering with two wheels.

Besides if you can't get enough stuff under the seat, in a top case, and an additional bag strapped to the passenger seat, and a tunnel bag ... maybe a convertible is the better choice ... or trailering the bike with a car/truck and riding it while at the location.

No criticism of the OP intended, I just have safety concerns with the whole trailering issue.

Sirkitrider
 
#4 ·
I agree with you. Barring a few special use cases (such as a multi-day 2-up camping trip, dog, work, etc.), pulling the trailer probably means you are taking more stuff than you really need.

As a solo rider having made substantial road trips involving camping, I never felt the need for a trailer. In fact, after my last 10-day trip, I vowed to take even LESS stuff next time. My goal is to eliminate the need for saddlebags (;
 
#5 · (Edited)
BurgmanBikerBabe

I've owned six m/c trailers and believe me, they came in handy. One followed me for 13,000 miles on a USA4Corners trip. It was a 500 lb. popup camper (Aspen Classic). Empty it weighs around 325 lbs. I've owned two other campers and have built three kit trailers from Harbor Freight, which weigh 175 lbs empty and are quite easy to put together. There is also a nice aluminum trailer sold here: https://theusatrailerstore.com/

Much information is available on my Delphi trailer forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTrailertowing

There are many trailer draggers on www.motorcampers.com

You can see my trailers on my www.picturetrail.com/bvail

I have seen several Burgmans towing trailers over the years. A couple of elderly gents brought their Burgmans and clamshell campers to an IBMC national camp in at Helper, UT. I have photos of them on my photo site.

I presently own a 2006 GL1800 and an Aspen Classic tent trailer, which I am thinking of selling both. I've been riding bikes since 1965 and pulling trailers since around 1998. If I do, I would consider a Burgman Exec 650 and building yet another Harbor Freight trailer.

Hope this helps a bit and I wouldn't pay much attention to the negative Nellies. What's next? Don't go to the Darkside or you will crash and die a fiery death?

Couple of points. Yes, one can load up the bikes with all kinds of paraphernalia such as a tent, sleeping bag, stove, cooler, lighting, whatever it takes and not only will that upset the balance/geometry of the bike but will increase the chance of a crash like the one I had up in the Yukon. Never would have happened if I was pulling a trailer.

Oh, and dogs were mentioned by one poster. Really? I never would subject a pooch to that. Ever.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Just a followup. My wife passed away this past July from a long bout (7 yrs.) with cancer so I'm more open to get back to riding now as I don't have to worry about crashing as much as I used to.

My last post on this thread I was considering getting rid of the Wing and the Camper. I did so and now have a 2012 Burgie and a Lumina trailer which I'm assembling.

Looking forward to riding and camping in Tellico Planes TN in June.
 
#8 ·
I have trailered for some time myself. The first bike was a Honda 750 K5 and home made trailer. Sold to buy first house. Then '86 Gold Wing and I build a kit from Tractor Supply in Burlington at half price with a car top box from a yard sale. Nice cheap deal. I assembled it as is and tried it. I noticed right away it was wrong. First I changed to 12" trailer tires from Blain's Farm & Fleet in Waukesha. Then because it was not the proper size ratio (length to width) I corrected that. The distance from axle to hitch coupler should be twice the distance between hub faces. For the size of the box I was able to narrow in by 6" and with two pieces of angle iron to increase the tongue length by 10". Getting the correct 2 to 1 ratio as required by a custom trailer manufacturer in Menominee Falls.
I could barely tell it was back there with tents and other camping gear for four in it. But behind my '98 Honda VF750C Magna I could tell it was there, even when empty. So I wouldn't want a trailer for distance or highway speeds behind even the Burgman 650. Just light loads at slower speeds and shorter distances.
But I can say putting a good load on the motorcycle would also be noticable. And then my pickup takes up a lot of space in the rental garage and gets 10 mpg.
Hope you all stay warm. The ground hog spoke.
 
#9 ·
There are some nice 1 wheel trailers out there that could be pulled behind a Burgman but load is very important. A AN650 will be able to pull a bigger and heaver load than a AN400 and MUCH MORE than a Burgman 200.

Yoda1 commented once about the small light weight bicycle trailer called Ibex. With a few mod's I think one could pass a local DOL test.
http://www.bobgear.com/bike-trailers/ibex

I'd replace the small light weight rim and tire with a used Burgman 650's front wheel. Also cut the front down and make a up/down only swivel hitch.

 
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