Re: Looking For Feedback on Condition or Damage to Motorcycle on Long Open Trailer Tr
As I read this post I think that there are a couple of points being missed by the original question. Does damage occur to the motorcycle when trailering? Yes, Maybe. Here are a couple of points that my wife and I have learned about trailering. Nearly 10k miles in the last two years.
First how are the bikes tied down to the trailer. There have been many discussions on this over the years and I guarantee you that everyone has an opinion on this. When placing the tie downs are there any points of contact to the bike, meaning points where the tie down strap can cause damage or wear marks? Bikes with rubber mounted bars I would look to something other than the handlebars for tie points (the ST1300) included. Do I elect to compress my front and rear suspension? And if so how much? I prefer to tie the front without compressing the forks. Like on the ST or my wife's VFR I tie to the lower fork legs. This lets the bikes suspension work without loosening the tie down straps. I do however have to compress the rear suspension, just by design that need to happen. I used to compress the front forks and I have had many times where the strap hook would come off the anchor point on the trailer.
Look for potential wear points on paint, or metal surfaces. The straps are abravisive. The outside panniers take a beating if left on the bikes and not covered or removed. Road debris will cause paint damage. Open floor on the trailer will allow more road debris up and cause minor pitting to low slung painted surfaces. Although I am not sure if it is any more than what riding may cause. Personally I think good mud flaps on the tow vehicle will go along way to protecting the bike on the trailer from any other debris that maybe kicked up. I have never covered my bike while towing and really have not noticed any significant damage caused by road debris, (no more than riding the bike in the same conditions) other than the outside panniers.
I don't think I could spring $600 a pop for covers to protect the bikes (for me that's times 2). I would rather put that money into a good, well designed trailer for hauling the bikes, that provides tie down options, flexibility as to the number of bikes being trailered & how to configure the load, and the ability to load the bikes with confidence.
As I read this post I think that there are a couple of points being missed by the original question. Does damage occur to the motorcycle when trailering? Yes, Maybe. Here are a couple of points that my wife and I have learned about trailering. Nearly 10k miles in the last two years.
First how are the bikes tied down to the trailer. There have been many discussions on this over the years and I guarantee you that everyone has an opinion on this. When placing the tie downs are there any points of contact to the bike, meaning points where the tie down strap can cause damage or wear marks? Bikes with rubber mounted bars I would look to something other than the handlebars for tie points (the ST1300) included. Do I elect to compress my front and rear suspension? And if so how much? I prefer to tie the front without compressing the forks. Like on the ST or my wife's VFR I tie to the lower fork legs. This lets the bikes suspension work without loosening the tie down straps. I do however have to compress the rear suspension, just by design that need to happen. I used to compress the front forks and I have had many times where the strap hook would come off the anchor point on the trailer.
Look for potential wear points on paint, or metal surfaces. The straps are abravisive. The outside panniers take a beating if left on the bikes and not covered or removed. Road debris will cause paint damage. Open floor on the trailer will allow more road debris up and cause minor pitting to low slung painted surfaces. Although I am not sure if it is any more than what riding may cause. Personally I think good mud flaps on the tow vehicle will go along way to protecting the bike on the trailer from any other debris that maybe kicked up. I have never covered my bike while towing and really have not noticed any significant damage caused by road debris, (no more than riding the bike in the same conditions) other than the outside panniers.
I don't think I could spring $600 a pop for covers to protect the bikes (for me that's times 2). I would rather put that money into a good, well designed trailer for hauling the bikes, that provides tie down options, flexibility as to the number of bikes being trailered & how to configure the load, and the ability to load the bikes with confidence.