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Old 06-12-2010, 07:55 PM
 
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So anyone have any ideas on how a bike can be carried behind a van? Flatbed trailer is not an option. I don't think the bike will fit inside with all my stuff. How about a front wheel trailer?

Thanks.
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Old 06-13-2010, 04:23 PM
 
Location: Poway, CA
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Trailer is your best bet. You can get something bike-specific, but just about anything made to hold the weight of your bike and has places to tie down will do. I tow my bike with one like this:

http://hallmarkmotorstn.com/images/7__x_4__utility_trailer.jpg (broken link)

The trailer works great, although I will reinforce it if I ever use it to take the bike for long trips. I went with a trailer like this because, unlike motorcycle-specific trailers, I can use this one for other stuff as well. It comes in very handy.

Mike
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Old 06-13-2010, 05:50 PM
 
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Unfortunately I often travel to places where I will have no place to put a trailer. I was hoping for another solution.

I did buy a bike today though.
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Old 06-13-2010, 06:35 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnytang24 View Post
I did buy a bike today though.

So are you keeping what you bought a secret?
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Old 06-13-2010, 06:38 PM
 
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A work for the wise about trailering a bike...

Do not ratchet-down the tie-down straps to the point they compress the front forks. You will blow out the fork seals.
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Old 06-13-2010, 07:47 PM
 
Location: Poway, CA
2,698 posts, read 12,145,021 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnytang24 View Post
Unfortunately I often travel to places where I will have no place to put a trailer. I was hoping for another solution.

I did buy a bike today though.
Only other option (that I would use) is a pick-up truck or maybe a full-size work van. If you do not plan to move the bike around a lot, you can always rent a trailer from U-Haul. Only downside is that their bike trailers are typically local-only rentals.

So what did you get?

Mike
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Old 06-13-2010, 08:54 PM
 
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I ended up getting a GS500. The windshield is cracked and the fairings are scrapped up, but it seems to be good mechanically.
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Old 06-14-2010, 12:17 AM
 
Location: Keller, TX
5,658 posts, read 6,261,506 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnytang24 View Post
I ended up getting a GS500. The windshield is cracked and the fairings are scrapped up, but it seems to be good mechanically.
Windshield? Fairings?

Did you the get the GS500F version?

Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - Cycles - Products - GS500F - 2009 - GS500F

Either way, congratulations!
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Old 06-14-2010, 07:34 AM
 
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Thanks! It is a 2004 GS500F. I don't really like the sport bike look anyway, so I think after I learn to ride, I'll remove the fairings.
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Old 06-14-2010, 11:39 AM
 
Location: Keller, TX
5,658 posts, read 6,261,506 times
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Nice.

The wind protection can be nice although depending on your height and the fairing height it might hit you in just the wrong spot.

You could probably get a round headlight and mount it for not too much money or effort. You could even get a windshield made to fit a more generic bike/round headlight if you wanted to reclaim some wind protection.
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