[LVC2003]

Ok, here's the issue - Transporting my motorcylce... I've had several different bikes in the past few years, and currently I ride a 2008 Yamaha FZ6.

I had a 4.5' x 9' utility trailer, and it served me well when I needed to tow my bike, and other various assorted things. The main problem, however, was storing the trailer. And since it didn't get used much, I sold it.

My plan was to to get a hitch hauler for my motorcycle. Two problems though, first, they make me nervous. Even with the High Rock rear bumper I got, which has a rated 2.5 hitch with 400lb tongue weight, there really isn't any way to come in at that weight. I can drain my fuel and get my bike down to just over 400 lbs, but then the weight of the carrier bumps it back up. It would work, but for a long trip, it's not worth it if something happens, because in the eyes of an insurance company, I was towing more than I should! And two, I don't want to shell out the money for something that I have to store... again!

Ok, enough babbling... so I said to myself, "Self, you almost 56 inches from the lip behind the seat in your LJ, all the way back to the tailgate." To which myself replied, "Good thinking Self, your bike has a wheelbase of 57 inches, and with the front seat pushed forward, you have almost 65 inches of room back there."

So, without my back seat (which is currently installed backwards when it is in, just for more room and fun), could I haul my motorcycle back there???

Random things you may wonder before telling me how dumb (or brilliant ) this is:

Fluids and oil - not a big deal. I have my entire tub lined

Head room - If I removed the windshield from my bike, I could easily still have my soft top on overhead.

Tie Downs - I personally think there is enough to securely tie down the bike back there.

Ramp - Still unsure of this, but why wouldn't it be just as secure as ramping a bike up into the bed of a pickup??

LEGALITY - This is the one I'm worried about. Since I've never seen this, is it legal??? Who knows??


Ok, I can take a pic of the bike next to me Jeep just so you can visualize what I'm visualizing, and then give me your thoughts, which I would appreciate!!


Sorry this is so long, but I finally went out and took some measurements to see if it was even possible. I then ran and excitedly told me wife about this extraordinary idea, and she told me to go away...

[LVC2003]

Ok, I'm dumb. Wheelbase is irrelevant. My overall length from front tire to back tire is almost 78".

I would need to remove the passenger seat to get 80" straight back. Not a big issue, as this will be done during a move from PA to AL in June. My wife will be driving her car separately. If the bike is angled, I would have even more space to play with.

Here are two pics, just for frame of reference.

[brunosplace]

If it is just for a move, why not just rent a small u-haul trailer for a one-way trip? If you remove the pass seat to fit the bike, where are you going to put it for the trip?

[PILL]

You can put the bike in at an angle and it will have even more room As long as you secure it properly you should be fine.

[Border Dave]

Have you considered getting a folding motorcycle trailer?

Here are some options.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-trailer/folding-motorcycle-trailer/

http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-trailers.htm

http://www.stingertrailer.com/

http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/motorcycle-trailer.htm

[M2LJ]

I have a 2005 Honda CBR1000RR Repsol and an LJ, and would never consider hauling it in my Jeep. I don't think you can get it in there with your top up or even with the rollbar. My CBR is approximately 44" tall with the windshield removed, and the floor to the bottom of the rollbar in my LJ is only 40". You would have to back the bike in to even consider it. Either way, do you really want to drive all that way topless in the middle of summer?

As brunosplace recommended, get a small U-haul and move it with all your other stuff in it. I've shipped motorcycles to Europe and back twice while in the military, and they always went in my household good shipment. Just remove the mirrors and windshield, wrap it up with the padded blankets, and strap it against the side.

Just curious, why are you moving from PA to AL?

Cheers! M2

[LVC2003]

Border Dave - I have looked at the folding trailers, and they're not cheap. Even the trailer-in-a-bag is over $700 shipped.

M2LJ - I'm around 44" too without the windshield. However, with the front tire dropping down into the front portion of the tub, wouldn't that give you the extra room under the roll bar? More than likely it will just get towed or shipped with household goods. I'm headed to Ft. Rucker for flight school. I'm leery of shipping it though, I had two friends who had their bikes scratched up when they went with HHG.

To be honest, I know it's not practical. I'm just curious to see if it's possible. The seat could be shipped with my goods. I had my rear seat packed up and shipped when I moved from Alaska to PA.

[gaTJgal]

FYI....uhaul in GA won't rent you a trailer if you've got a jeep. As to putting the bike in the jeep---what about removing the front tire? Would that make it easier to 'wedge' in place?

and most important.....how's your head going to feel bouncing off that bike in a roll over? Lots of highway between PA and Bama. But it's your head ya know!

[toberste]

We drove this from Maryland to VA in my buddy's TJ and had no problems. It was a 450cc Yamaha that had been wrecked and we wanted the engine for our go cart build. It was free so why not lol. Anyways got few thumbs up along the way and the police didn't care. I say go for it! Just make sure its tied down good so it doesn't shift on you. I'd go crazy on the tie downs just to be safe, but if you have the room. Why not use it? Just remember if something happens and you get in an accident, 400 pounds of bike is gonna be coming at you.




oh yea, sweet bike by the way

[NDSpeed]

You have to have a hardtop to rent a trailer from U-haul.
something to do with the possibility of a rollover.

just a thought. my buddy made himself a trailer it was narrow and had no sides, so when he was done using it, he just leaned it on its side in his garage.

[LVC2003]

I didn't think about hitting my head during a roll over... to be honest, I try not to think about those kinds of things too often!

Perhaps I could wear my helmet while driving? Safety first!!

I haven't checked with Uhaul up here, but I do know they require hard tops. I can understand them not renting out to TJ's, their (Uhaul) minimum towing capacity it 2000 lbs I think. That wouldn't be a problem with an LJ, just have to put the darned hard top back on!

[Dmcastino]

I have a short wheel base TJ, and I stuck my JetSki (about 74" I believe) in the back of it once. I actually plan do this more often over the summer after I get around to building a set of runners to sit inside the Jeep and hold the JetSki.

This pictures is already floatin around the forum, but whatever, no harm in posting it again. BTW, It wasn't all the way in yet in this picture, we were still pushing it forward.

[PolloLoco]

Originally Posted by NDSpeed

You have to have a hardtop to rent a trailer from U-haul.
something to do with the possibility of a rollover.

Yes, because that fiberglass is going to protect you.

I've seen the rule on their website, completely asinine.

[M2LJ]

Originally Posted by LVC2003

M2LJ - I'm around 44" too without the windshield. However, with the front tire dropping down into the front portion of the tub, wouldn't that give you the extra room under the roll bar? More than likely it will just get towed or shipped with household goods. I'm headed to Ft. Rucker for flight school. I'm leery of shipping it though, I had two friends who had their bikes scratched up when they went with HHG.

First, congrats on going to "Mother Rucker," I take it you already were in the Army having moved from Alaska. I am retired USAF myself.

Secondly, the floorpan may help but I honestly don't think the tire would hit it before the top of the fairing hits the soundbar portion of the rollbar.

And as I said, I sent a bike to Europe and back twice and it did experience a little damage (I forgot to take the mirrors off the first time, and one cracked); but for the most part it survived pretty well. And this was a much bigger bike, a 1991 Honda ST1100 sport-tourer that weights between 700-750 lbs dry. My CBR is probably around 400 lbs, and I am sure your FZ6 is about the same or even lighter. The first mover actually crated the bike separately, you may want to see if your mover will pack it by itself.

If by chance you do get it in your LJ, be sure to post pics!

Cheers ! M2

[Mean Max]

Have you considered a "Motorcycle Caddy" to tow it with?

Pull your chain off & load it up.

http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/caddy1.html



Max