Quest for the right motorcycle to carry on the back of the 80.

[DanielChase]

I bought a Yamaha tw200.
I’ve got a Honda ct110 trail.
But I love my lite little 1965 Honda S90
So I think I’ll look for a Honda CL90.
Anybody ride the new Honda CT125?
They’re impossible to find right now…
I think the tw200 is a better bike anyway but they are still very appealing.
Then there is the Honda ct70, hmm.
Pics to follow.

 

[mcgaskins]

I had a Honda Trail 125 on order for over 2 years, but when I finally got the call it was ready for delivery last year I was in the middle of a 6 week work trip and couldn't do it. I personally love the Yamaha XT250 which is old school but fuel injected and has front/rear disks and a low seat height and ~75mpg. It's not a hard core bike by any means, but these days I like to just have fun and take it easy. My last dirt bike was a modded (and barely street legal) CRF250X and it was a blast but was more bike than I need - and very tall/top heavy.

 

[DanielChase]

I had a Honda Trail 125 on order for over 2 years, but when I finally got the call it was ready for delivery last year I was in the middle of a 6 week work trip and couldn't do it. I personally love the Yamaha XT250 which is old school but fuel injected and has front/rear disks and a low seat height and ~75mpg. It's not a hard core bike by any means, but these days I like to just have fun and take it easy. My last dirt bike was a modded (and barely street legal) CRF250X and it was a blast but was more bike than I need - and very tall/top heavy.

Man, wish you had grabbed that 125! @jack-the-ripper has an xt225 and loves it. He turned my onto the tw200.

 

[DaveInDenver]

A TW200 weighs about 50 lbs more (about 275 lbs dry) than an XT225 (about 225 lbs dry), which is getting up there for what (I assume) you're thinking for a hitch carrier. It's not so much on pavement but if you're thinking over less good roads that's a lot of bouncing weight.

If your intention is only getting to a trailhead then it's obviously less important. Most of the better carriers are good to about 400 to 500 lbs in smooth conditions.

BTW, both are fun and really fine for dragging along but the TW200 is a special kind of fun. The downside is the rear tire is a PITA but if you don't need DOT legal there's ATV options.

 

[mcgaskins]

Man, wish you had grabbed that 125!

I remember the call - I was in Durango in the van and it was raining crazy hard. The salesperson was shocked I was declining it because I had called every few months for literally 2 years, but she said she could only hold it for 3 days and I was about to board a flight to NY for the R1S media launch. Bummer timing for sure!

 

[DanielChase]

A TW200 weighs about 50 lbs more (about 275 lbs dry) than an XT225 (about 225 lbs dry), which is getting up there for what (I assume) you're thinking for a hitch carrier. It's not so much on pavement but if you're thinking over less good roads that's a lot of bouncing weight.

If your intention is only getting to a trailhead then it's obviously less important. Most of the better carriers are good to about 400 to 500 lbs in smooth conditions.

BTW, both are fun and really fine for dragging along but the TW200 is a special kind of fun. The downside is the rear tire is a PITA but if you don't need DOT legal there's ATV options.

I’ll keep the tw200 for its own sake but may build something like this for the back of the 80

 

[BritKLR]

I have a KLR250 Super Sherpa and hitch carrier but haven’t used it for years due to not being a fan of the carrier. Hope to build one to meet my needs.

My current “event” bike is a vintage 2008 Yamaha Zuma 125 scooter. I haul it in my trailer to different events as my “pit bike” for goofing off…. Like right now! Hanging a Valley of the Gods and exploring the back road while heading to OE 2023 in Flagstaff!
Super tough little, lightweight run about that can carry 2-up and cruise at 50 mph.

 

[BritKLR]

I have a KLR250 Super Sherpa and hitch carrier but haven’t used it for years due to not being a fan of the carrier. Hope to build one to meet my needs.

My current “event” bike is a vintage 2008 Yamaha Zuma 125 scooter. I haul it in my trailer to different events as my “pit bike” for goofing off…. Like right now! Hanging a Valley of the Gods and exploring the back road while heading to OE 2023 in Flagstaff!
Super tough little, lightweight run about that can carry 2-up and cruise at 50 mph.

 

[HDavis]

We have an Xr400 that we swapped an 18" front rim onto. It's stupid fun and weights about the same as the TW200. I still don't know how we haven't owned a tw200 though.

 

[jack-the-ripper]

Just did 400+ miles on my '99 XT225 during Cruise Moab. Kokopelli (including Rose Garden), Steel Bender, Kane Creek, Slickrock, Fins and Things, Hell's Revenge, and Schaefer single track, plus more. I have it geared low, exhaust and air box mod, upped spring preload, and it takes a ton of abuse. I jump it, drop it, and then ride it 2 hours on the highway. Super awesome bike.

 

[mcgaskins]

Saw these at Motorado today. They would look great on the back of an 80.

 

[HDavis]

Saw these at Motorado today. They would look great on the back of an 80.

View attachment 115484View attachment 115485

My wife has the new version of that Ducati.

 

[DaveInDenver]

My wife has the new version of that Ducati.

The Ducati is pure awesome. Both new and old are.

Although the desert sled version might be more true to the original idea of a scrambler.



Fun fact, the 1970 Jupiter is a 450 making 27 HP and weighed 310 lbs dry. A 2023 Suzuki DR-Z400S is a, well, a 400 and makes about 32 HP, and weighs 319 lbs dry.

Both still have carbs, too.

Second fun fact, a 2023 DR-Z400 costs $896 less. Still made in Japan, too.

Only 1% as cool.

Which is I suppose appropriate if the KLR is the Cruiser then it would be it's smaller, slower, even more boring little brother mini truck that just runs for decades with oil and gas.

 

[DanielChase]

Any recommendations on hitch mounted carriers? All my bikes are sub-400 lbs

 

[Johnny Utah]

Joe Hauler Motorcycle Carriers and Accessories

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www.joehauler.com

MotoTote m3 - Deluxe Motorcycle, Scooter & Dirt Bike Hitch Carrier

Shop our proven motorcycle, scooter and dirt bike carrier that hauls up to 500 lbs. of motorcycle securely with a customizable platform and innovative attachments. Fits front tires up to 4.75” wide, rear tires up to 6” wide and securely attaches to any 2” trailer hitch receiver.

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Ultimate MX Hauler Motorcycle Carrier | Parts & Accessories | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Shop for Towing/Transport, like Ultimate MX Hauler Motorcycle Carrier at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. We have the best prices on dirt bike, atv and motorcycle parts, apparel and accessories and offer excellent customer service.

www.rockymountainatvmc.com

Motorcycle Carriers - Harbor Freight Tools

Haul heavy motorcycle safely with motorcycle carriers from Harbor Freight. Rugged aluminum construction. Supports up to 400 lbs.

www.harborfreight.com

I have a homemade steel version of the Joe Hauler. I’ve had it for 18 years and hauled several different bikes on it over the years. I’ve always been interested in trying the Ultimate MX Hauler because it removes the suspension from the equation when mounted. I have seen a bike come loose (not mine) and fall off of a tray style carrier due to the suspension compressing over a bump and allowing the strap to come undone. Mostly operator error, but it can happen.

If I were buying one, I would think about the MotoTote or Ultimate MX Hauler.

 

[DaveInDenver]

FYI, there was some relevant discussion about hitches and carriers here:

https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/40-60-or-80-series-bolt-on-hitch.33826

It’s not 1:1 to a MTB rack because to get the heavy weight you also get a longer moment (lever) but still be cognizant of the forces involved.

 

[HDavis]

The Ducati is pure awesome. Both new and old are.

Although the desert sled version might be more true to the original idea of a scrambler.

View attachment 115494

Having ridden the Desert sled, it feels much more dirt bike like, sort of like a KLR weighed down a little with all the horsepower you could ever want. If it were up to me, we would have the Desert Sled, but it just sits too tall for my wife, and she has a dirt bike she likes.

In reality, I still long for my 1993 BMW R100 GSPD, It's like an 80 series reincarnated.

 

[HDavis]

FYI, there was some relevant discussion about hitches and carriers here:

Wanted - 40, 60, or 80 Series Bolt on hitch.

Looking for a used bolt on hitch for my 80 series, like or similar to the images below. I will only be using this for my 1up bike rack on the back of my 80 series so no need for it to be rated to tow. Thanks!

risingsun4x4club.org

It’s not 1:1 to a MTB rack because to get the heavy weight you also get a longer moment (lever) but still be cognizant of the forces involved.

Thanks for bringing this up, I'm still looking for a good solution for the 80 without the hitch.

 

[rover67]

Bruce “60wag” has/had one like the ultimate MX carrier and we took his KTM 450 over some of E-Hill with it behind my old 60 one night. It seemed to work well. Maybe he can chime in

 

[HDavis]

How about a Monkey 50 hitched on a 3rd gen Prelude. Taken directly from the Joe Hauler site, lol.

This also reminds me of the Honda Turbo City II and the Moto Compo.