Motorcycle Hitch Trailer. Would it damage the transmission?

R

Red White and Ooze

New member
I'm thinking about buying this bike hitch trailer.
The idea is to tow a motorcycle with rear wheel on the ground.
http://www.prohoists.com/Motorcycle_Trailer_Hitch_Tow_Dolly
My question is, would it damage the transmission on my 1098?
Gears will be in neutral of course, but does the front sprocket and associated gears need lubrication while being towed?
I'm not planning on driving long distances. just to and back from the local track which is about 35 miles away.
I wish I could afford a full size trailer, but I just don't have any space to keep it around my house, and this hitch trailer seems pretty easy to work with.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
I'm sorry man...but there is no way I'd want my bike being towed like that.

I sympathize with not being able to store/purchase a full size trailer, but make the stretch and look at something else.

http://www.mototote.com/

http://www.mototote.com/default.aspx?ProductID=44

These are the ones that still use the hitch and store the bike perpendicular to the rear of the vehicle. Looks like they retail for $439.
 
Thanks for all your replies.
I was going to get that motorcycle carrier but 420 lbs plus 100 lbs for carrier itself adds up to 520 lbs. and it's going to be sitting 2 feet from the hitch.
I thought it's little too close to the limit of the hitch, not the carrier (01' Tahoe. 600lbs Tongue weight)

But, seems like more people are using this kind of carrier without any major malfunction, ie hitch assembly falling off on a freeway, which would be spectacular to look at.

Well, if a hitch can tow a 3000 lbs boat, I guess it can also carry a motorcycle.

P.S: This was on the review section of SportRider magazine.
http://www.discountramps.com/smc-600-motorcycle-hauler.htm
 
I personally wouldn't use that either but you have a different situation. Towing a bike that way should work fine but it would put a bit more wear on the rear end and head bearings. I would take the chain off the rear sprocket and zip tie it up out of the way, this way you don't have to worry about excess transmission wear. No way I'd use that w/o removing the chain.
 
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