[Bazbro]

Hi Firestorm (and I've got a good idea which 'bike you've got...!)

Weight is the B-I-G problem with m/homes; the more you want to carry, the bigger the m/home has to be, the more expensive, the less manoeuverable, etc, etc. A vicious circle.

My solution is to trail the 'bike using a front-wheel-lift
here: http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/mag1/caddy1.html
but there's also a British company making a similar (more expensive!) device
here http://www.easylifter.co.uk/motorcycle_trailers/motorcycle_trailers_hydrualic_003.htm
By trailing the bike, only half the weight is carried by the m/home. Less weight, smaller m/home, and so on! Also, there's no trailer to worry about when leaving the m/home parked.

If you're interested in how I've done it, pm me and I'll get some photos taken (it's going to rain tomorrow!)

 

[Bazbro]

Gary, there's a difficulty cornering with these 'trailing racks' on HUGE American motorhomes because of the enormous rear overhang - that isn't the case with most normal UK motorhomes, which, as you say, are the size of 'normal' US estates!!! There's no problem using these on an ordinary UK motorhome. Mine's an AutoSleeper Rienza.

Stability at speed isn't an issue - the 'bike becomes a single-wheel trailer with no rearward weight to make it unstable. There are legal speed-restrictions when towing anyway.

There will be minimal tyre-wear but the rear wheel is only rolling - not braking or accelerating.

All motorhomes have an on-road weight limit, ie weight of vehicle + weight of conversion + weight of accessories (water, gas, etc) + weight of passengers and their personal luggage. It's this last category which is VERY slim on some conversions, very few kilograms in some cases. I'm managing my outfit by reducing the amount of water I carry. Search this site for more advice on "Weights" - there have been a great many, very enlightening, posts on overall weight limits. The penalties for exceeding maximum vehicle weight (if you're unlucky enough to get stopped by the "weight police"!) are swingeing.

One final consideration if contemplating 'trailing' is the final drive of your 'bike. Some machines use engine oil-pressure to lubricate the gearbox, in which case the chain should be removed (because the engine won't be running and the gearbox bearings could be running 'dry'). Fortunately for me (and you'll forgive a moment of smugness...) my 'bike's a BMW with shaft drive and separate gearbox lubrication.

Good luck with whatever you decide - it's good to see a few more 'big-bikers' motorhoming!

 

[Bazbro]

I've just had another look at the US site I gave, and this is an old version of the Motorcycle Caddy! My apologies.

The current version has added a pivot ahead of the wheel carrier and jack, and the 'bike is ratchet-strapped to fixings on the jack. The steering head is therefore no longer the pivot when steering the outfit, and this makes the 'bike suitable to be towed by anything except the grossest of American motorhomes.

For a more up-to-date advert, see here:
http://www.factoryramps.com/products/motorcycle/carrier/rhmc1.html
and note:
"THE NEW MOTORCYCLE TOWING CADDY NOW SWIVELS SO IT WORKS BETTER WITH BIGGER BIKES, CHOPPERS AND TRIKES AND TOWS BETTER BEHIND RV'S AND CAMPERS!!!
THE NEW CADDY ALSO INCLUDES A CLAMP ON SPREADER BAR WITH TIE DOWN LUGS, MAKES FOR EASY AND FAST TIE DOWN!!! "

By the way, I paid UNDER $400 for mine in the USA.....

 

[Bazbro]

Gary, you may also be interested in this:
http://www.versahaul.com/vhsport.html

but the entire weight of the 'bike is taken by the vehicle.

Good luck!