Trailer Hitch Motorcycle Carrier Confusion

[AuburnATX]

@watchuko I don't have a pic of the back that I can find. I did buy the trailer from harbor freight and it's holding up well, no issues. I did add some brake lights to the trailer just to be extra. Not sure the model but think they only sell one that size at HF. Bike has held up great and no complaints. I use it mostly for quick around town trips and some off-roading. My girlfriend uses it mostly since it's a super easy to ride and hard to get into too much trouble or to damage it. I bought the Himalayan the first year they were imported to the US and they were CHEAP! They are now quite a bit more $$ since they have quite the cult following but still an incredible value. Hope this helps!

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[wachuko]

@watchuko I don't have a pic of the back that I can find. I did buy the trailer from harbor freight and it's holding up well, no issues. I did add some brake lights to the trailer just to be extra. Not sure the model but think they only sell one that size at HF. Bike has held up great and no complaints. I use it mostly for quick around town trips and some off-roading. My girlfriend uses it mostly since it's a super easy to ride and hard to get into too much trouble or to damage it. I bought the Himalayan the first year they were imported to the US and they were CHEAP! They are now quite a bit more $$ since they have quite the cult following but still an incredible value. Hope this helps!

Thank you. Trying to decide if I go that route or spend extra for the Versa Haul VH-55 RO.

 

[Mules]

Thanks for creating this thread. I'm thinking about hauling a dual sport /adventure bike (KLX300 or KLR650) on my Gladiator. Has anyone used an MX hauler yet?

I've got 38" tires and a 3.5 lift which is going to put the motorcycle pretty high. Wondering if the hydraulic lift on the MX will be close enough to the ground for me to put the bike on. It looks easier than a ramp style.

 

[Mules]

Here's another version called the Switch Hauler with an option that includes a 3" drop hitch, so you can drop your tailgate on pickups.

https://www.alljackedupinc.com/108-321-details

 

[Silverator]

Thanks for creating this thread. I'm thinking about hauling a dual sport /adventure bike (KLX300 or KLR650) on my Gladiator. Has anyone used an MX hauler yet?

I've got 38" tires and a 3.5 lift which is going to put the motorcycle pretty high. Wondering if the hydraulic lift on the MX will be close enough to the ground for me to put the bike on. It looks easier than a ramp style.

This is the carrier I'll be using to haul my KTM or Husky for off-road trips. The bed on the gladiator is just a bit short for comfort with a big bike in back - plus it's HIGH on the Rubicon, and in sketchy situations can be a bit of a load for me. The bottle jack solution carrier is perfect IMO.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

Thanks for creating this thread. I'm thinking about hauling a dual sport /adventure bike (KLX300 or KLR650) on my Gladiator. Has anyone used an MX hauler yet?

I've got 38" tires and a 3.5 lift which is going to put the motorcycle pretty high. Wondering if the hydraulic lift on the MX will be close enough to the ground for me to put the bike on. It looks easier than a ramp style.

You already have both bikes if you’re in the market? I had a ‘13 KLR650. They’re a lot of fun, depending on the kind of riding you’re going to be doing.

If I were going to get another x < 650cc class adventure bike though, I’d want something lighter.

 

[wachuko]

I am happy with my Versahaul VH55-RO. Was able to find it used ( but in like new condition!! ) from a fellow Mojave owner that lives 10 minutes from my house!! What are the odds!!!???

Very happy with the purchase as it was 1/2 of what it costs brand new.

Not the bike that I will carry, but just testing. I plan to buy the RE Himalayan by mid-August…

After this photo was taken, I added trailer lights to it…

EDIT: Here, take a look... installed in my RV...

Photo makes it look like it sticks out the sides of the Jeep or the RV... it does not... I took off the ramp and rear extensions so they do not walk away when it is just sitting at home... everything is inside the RV for when it is needed. Less stuff in the garage.

 

[Mules]

You already have both bikes if you’re in the market? I had a ‘13 KLR650. They’re a lot of fun, depending on the kind of riding you’re going to be doing.

If I were going to get another x < 650cc class adventure bike though, I’d want something lighter.

I’ve owned both dirt bikes and street in the past. I don’t have a bike now but am thinking about a light dual sport with enough power for highway. Prefer a KTM but the Kawasaki KLX is more budget friendly. The KLR 650 is set up great for gravel roads but probably too heavy for the trails I ride in Missouri. No Dakar rally stuff around here.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

I’ve owned both dirt bikes and street in the past. I don’t have a bike now but am thinking about a light dual sport with enough power for highway. Prefer a KTM but the Kawasaki KLX is more in budget. The KLR 650 is set up great for gravel roads but probably too heavy for the trails I ride in Missouri. No Dakar rally stuff around here.

If you were going to ride it 2+ hours to a spot, camp out, and off-road it from your base camp, the KLR is great.I rode it four hours laden down like this.

The KLR is a distance bike + off-roading. It’s top heavy. If you’re an experienced off-road rider, you’ll find a way to manage it, but it gets tiring to pick up (~440 lbs) if you’re pushing it.

It’s fine on dirt/fire roads and mud, provided you have decent tires. The stock ones, while 50/50, aren’t great. Tires for a KLR are cheap though.

Gravel…like lots of gravel…it can get squirrely.

Ground clearance isn’t great vs. other bikes in the class. A metal skid plate is…in my opinion…a requirement if you’re going to off-road

They’re great for what they are and they have a cult following, but if I had it to do over again (i.e. Was going to traveler or hitch carry to a trail), I’d be shooting to get something ~100 lbs lighter.

Suzuki DR650S and DR-Z400S are two other good options. They really don’t change these bikes much. There’s no reason to not consider a used one, which could save you some money. Might even be able to find one all done up (I sold mine all setup to another tall rider who was thrilled with the setup).

 

[Mules]

If you were going to ride it 2+ hours to a spot, camp out, and off-road it from your base camp, the KLR is great.I rode it four hours laden down like this.

The KLR is a distance bike + off-roading. It’s top heavy. If you’re an experienced off-road rider, you’ll find a way to manage it, but it gets tiring to pick up (~440 lbs) if you’re pushing it.

It’s fine on dirt/fire roads and mud, provided you have decent tires. The stock ones, while 50/50, aren’t great. Tires for a KLR are cheap though.

Gravel…like lots of gravel…it can get squirrely.

Ground clearance isn’t great vs. other bikes in the class. A metal skid plate is…in my opinion…a requirement if you’re going to off-road

They’re great for what they are and they have a cult following, but if I had it to do over again (i.e. Was going to traveler or hitch carry to a trail), I’d be shooting to get something ~100 lbs lighter.

Suzuki DR650S and DR-Z400S are two other good options. They really don’t change these bikes much. There’s no reason to not consider a used one, which could save you some money. Might even be able to find one all done up (I sold mine all setup to another tall rider who was thrilled with the setup).

It's a tough call which way to go for me. I used to race dirt bikes as a kid and would also do 14 hrs cross country on my old Ninja. The old "Thumpers" (KLR, DR, CRF) are the Jeeps of the motorcycle world though. They can do it all.

 

[wachuko]

Wished I had the height for those motorcycles... only reason I am going with the Himalayan (beside its price) is seat height... I was checking different options this past Saturday and everything was just to tall for this shorty...

KTM 890 Adventure... Not even with a lowering kit would this be okay for me... kit only lowers the bike about an inch... Really like this bike with its low center of gravity. Everything but seat height was perfect. Oh well... moving on...

 

[Mules]

Wished I had the height for those motorcycles... only reason I am going with the Himalayan (beside its price) is seat height... I was checking different options this past Saturday and everything was just to tall for this shorty...

KTM 890 Adventure... Not even with a lowering kit would this be okay for me... kit only lowers the bike about an inch... Really like this bike with its low center of gravity. Everything but seat height was perfect. Oh well... moving on...

Did you check out the KTM390 Adventure? It looks like a sweet bike with a nice price under $8k. It's still in the running for me.

Here's a nice review on overloading with it.

 

[wachuko]

Did you check out the KTM390 Adventure? It looks like a sweet bike with a nice price under $8k. It's still in the running for me.

Here's a nice review on overloading with it.

That is the other bike that I want to try. Local dealer in Ocala did not have one. Next week I will be in Orlando and plan to look and ride one before I buy anything.

Old video, but so much fun… either bike will be good for what I want, but the KTM will be better on the highway…. The Himalayan in the video is an older model that did not have the ability to disable ABS, recent ones have that now.



So yeah, those two are on my final short list.

 

[dcmdon]

Wished I had the height for those motorcycles... only reason I am going with the Himalayan (beside its price) is seat height... I was checking different options this past Saturday and everything was just to tall for this shorty...

KTM 890 Adventure... Not even with a lowering kit would this be okay for me... kit only lowers the bike about an inch... Really like this bike with its low center of gravity. Everything but seat height was perfect. Oh well... moving on...

What are your thoughts on the need for both feet to be on the ground? I am only 5'8". I've raced motocross and ridden on the street with no need to touch both feet ever.

The only time it really impacted me is when picking my way through technical stuff.

I'm just throwing it out, not criticizing in any way. We all have our comfort zones. It's just that if one bike is clearly preferred, it might be worth adjusting. For example if all your travel is dirt roads then it might be fine. If you ride it in the woods a lot, a taller bike might not be acceptable.

The other thing is that a truly custom seat can help more than any factory setup. It's not just how high the seat is but how wide it is. A seat that's narrower in front can allow your legs to hang down more.

I used to race with a guy who was only 5'4" and he had custom seats on everything. Actually he still has custom seats on all his bikes.

We ride our old RZ350s together. My seat is standard his has been cut down and narrowed substantially by a local upholstery shop.

 

[wachuko]

What are your thoughts on the need for both feet to be on the ground? I am only 5'8". I've raced motocross and ridden on the street with no need to touch both feet ever.

The only time it really impacted me is when picking my way through technical stuff.

I'm just throwing it out, not criticizing in any way. We all have our comfort zones. It's just that if one bike is clearly preferred, it might be worth adjusting. For example if all your travel is dirt roads then it might be fine. If you ride it in the woods a lot, a taller bike might not be acceptable.

The other thing is that a truly custom seat can help more than any factory setup. It's not just how high the seat is but how wide it is. A seat that's narrower in front can allow your legs to hang down more.

I used to race with a guy who was only 5'4" and he had custom seats on everything. Actually he still has custom seats on all his bikes.

We ride our old RZ350s together. My seat is standard his has been cut down and narrowed substantially by a local upholstery shop.

Good points and apologies in advanced for the long reply. For road riding I have no issues with a taller bike. I have had taller bikes on the road with no problem. Side to side when coming to a stop was common practice for me on those bikes.

It is a combinations of things for me for what I want to do with this bike... My BMW F 850 GSA was top heavy (well, heavy overall) and too tall. Weight distribution on that bike was awful for me. That was a bad combination for me when stopping on uneven terrain.

I want to enjoy my riding and having to worry that I am going to drop my bike takes all the fun out of the ride. Luckily those times that I had an "oh f* sh*t!" moment, there were friends near by that helped me to avoid dropping the bike... you see, once it got to a certain angle, or my foot would slip on one side and the terrain was lower there... well... not good.

I want to do more remote riding to go camping and exploring. I want a bike that is as light as possible... able to do some highway/interstate riding since there is no avoiding that when going to some forest trails or remote places... It needs to have lower center of gravity as I do not want to deal with a top heavy bike while doing light off-roading or forest trail rides... Also light enough to carry it on the hitch carrier since I do not want to use a trailer for those times that it makes more sense to drive to the initial destination before using the bike (although I prefer, as much as I can, to ride where I am going rather than carry the bike in Jeep).

In a lot of the off-road rides I will need to walk the bike. Having my feet well planted helps keep the bike upright.

I also need to be realistic, I cannot have a dedicated off-road bike... it needs to be dual purpose.

I did decide on not trying to make this next bike a do-it-all bike... So I am getting this one (KTM 390 Adventure or the RE Himalayan) for the fun off-roading rides... and buying a Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT for the coast to coast rides that I do with friends. Still keeping my café racer styled bike as well...

So the idea of just keeping two bikes went out the window a few months ago. I will be back to three bikes in the garage. So much for simplifying things... I could go back to two bikes, but I want to keep my fun-riding café styled bike...

I am comfortable modifying the seat. No issues there. You point on the width of the seat is spot on... the KTM has a wider seat and the frame under it, limits trimming the seat to make it narrower. Himalayan has much lower seat height and the frame is thin... so the seat could be modify even further if I wanted an even lower seat height... but on that one, there is no need for additional modifications.

And then there is the weight... picking up the bike when it falls on its side (and I foresee that it will fall while off-roading... many times) I want to keep it as light as I can. As much as I like that KTM 890 Adventure (impressive weight distribution very, very low on the bike), it is 476 lbs vs 387 lbs for the KTM 390... Yeah, I do not need the added weight. I know I can get the Himalayan down to below 400 lbs as other owners have done the same.

Again, sorry for the long reply. I do appreciate your comments. It all comes down to what I want to use this bike for.

Cheers!

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