Trailering my R3

[Heavyduty1]

I will be trailering my bike about 1200 mi round trip. I am borrowing a cycle trailer that has a 6 1/2" trough. The rear tire doesn't fit down in so I planned to put some wood in the trough to raise the tire off the side rails. Where should I strap on the front and rear for a solid safe ride? Can I compress the forks and how much?

[gbc]

I always tie my R3 off at the handlebars and shock towers. One strap at all four points. Pull them tight on the front forks via the bars but don't go overboard, just enough to restrict up and down movement. I always tie off the front wheel, leave the bike in gear, and never tie off with the kick stand down. Like I said, my own tie down rules and I haven't lost one yet.....

[Tripps]

A much better alternative...

[TallRocket]

Just ride the bike....

Consider the following lessons learned about trailers.

A. grease the bearings on the trailer
B. carry a spare tailer tire
C. Lights gotta work
D. trailer capacity greater than 800 lbs
E. avoid backing up
F. lock the trailer hitch closed

I guess the most important is the towing capacity. I think a 2x6 or 2x10 board over the rear tire tunnel would prevent tire damage. I don't know the trailer so either placement of the protective board will be real easy or a real pain in the arse as you load and unload the bike. Then with bike on trailer while sitting on the bike, compress the front and rear shocks with tie down staps and your set. You will need help with the above. As mentioned in the above posting, don't attempt to bottom out the shocks you still want the bike suspension to function while on the trailer.

[triplestrength]

I tow my rocket to avoid motorway miles with 2 bikes on board I still get 42 Mpg diesel.
I strap over the bottom yoke either side at the front and on the rear shock mounts at the rear. I do compress the suspension to prevent "hop" when going over bumpy ground.
The tools I take are a spare wheel a jack, grease for the tow ball and the right sized socket for the wheelnuts with breaker bar.
Also I use 500kg ratchet straps for the 4 tie down points and carry a spare.
If you look on the phoenex trailers website he has pics of our two bikes on our trailer ready to go. Black R3R and black Bonnie.
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[Heavyduty1]

I did have plans to ride but my wife saw that there was a high chance of rain and told me " I'm not gonna get all wet for 11hrs" That made me decide to trailer. If she starts happy the whole trip will be better. I will be by myself to load and secure so I want to get it with one shot.

[triplestrength]

On your own to load? Seriously, please get someone to help. I use the engine to get here up 1st gear at tickover works great. But who holds it while you tie it down?
Its a two people job in my experience.
Getting it off I put it in gear and use the clutch as a brake to roll it back.
Again holding it upright and letting off the straps is a job for 2.
I leave our bikes in neutral for the journey 600 miles of jiggling on the gearbox I dont like the sound of.
Im not telling you what to do but shes a heavy bike and id hate to see or hear of one falling over.
Safe journey and good riding:-)
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[Heavyduty1]

All went good. I was by myself so I drove up and had already positioned a couple wood blocks to put the kickstand down. That allowed me to get off and strap. The ramp that the trailer came with was far to weak and twisted like a pretzel. I found I could just back into a slight raised section of my landscaping and drive right on, same routine at the hotel. Funny thing is...it clouded up real heavy like it was gonna pour then cleared up and turned 100deg and humid for the next week. Didn't even get a drop! Trailering did allow us to have 2 vehicles while in Kansas City and that kept my wife from going crazy while I was working.

[Heavyduty1]

If anyone is interested... I was asked to be a guest judge on behalf of Harley Davidson for the Motorcycle Maintenance Competition at the 2012 SkillsUSA Nationals Competition in Kansas City MO last week. This was for High School and Tech school students. I was very proud to be there.

[triplestrength]

Good work with the trailer its a heavy old bike glad you made itok :-)

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