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Author: Subject: Recommendation for smallish motorcycle for hauling around
Hook
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 02:23 PM
Recommendation for smallish motorcycle for hauling around


I'm contemplating purchasing a used motorcycle that I would haul on a hitch on the front of my truck when I have my cabover camper on the back. I'm looking for something with enough power to accommodate two people on pavement for short distances (errands away from camp, mostly) but not too heavy for use by one on dirt roads.

I really havent shopped motorcycles since the early 80s. But I preferred the Japanese manufacturers for reliability back then.

Can anyone recommend a particular brand, year and model I should look at? I'm thinking something in the neighborhood of 350-500cc. My inseam is at 31-32 inches.




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 02:36 PM


This one seems to be pretty small:

http://www.failfunnies.com/29/images/fattie-biker-fail.jpg
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rts551
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 02:48 PM


I would think a 350-500 is a little large to put on the front of your truck. For example, a honda xr400r is over 250 punds, At most you would want a 250 or one of the older 175-185'5. used to be popular to put the old Honda 110's on the front.
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mtgoat666
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 02:56 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
I would think a 350-500 is a little large to put on the front of your truck. For example, a honda xr400r is over 250 punds, At most you would want a 250 or one of the older 175-185'5. used to be popular to put the old Honda 110's on the front.


ya, that's what i thought. a 500 cc is a big bike and aint easy to hang on front of PU. sounds like he needs a scooter or electric-motor assisted bicycle. there are some really cool scooters and assisted bikes on the market these days...
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rts551
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 03:17 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
I would think a 350-500 is a little large to put on the front of your truck. For example, a honda xr400r is over 250 punds, At most you would want a 250 or one of the older 175-185'5. used to be popular to put the old Honda 110's on the front.


ya, that's what i thought. a 500 cc is a big bike and aint easy to hang on front of PU. sounds like he needs a scooter or electric-motor assisted bicycle. there are some really cool scooters and assisted bikes on the market these days...


scooter or electric assisted bike wouldn't be very good for the dirt roads.
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 03:32 PM


Look for a used Honda 90 or 110 in good shape. They are kind of collectors now, but will last forever and are very light and easy to ride. I have had mine for 30 years. It has been used and abused, but keeps on going. The seat height is also low, nice for a shorter person. Most on/off road bikes will be high.

[Edited on 3-17-2012 by msteve1014]
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Hook
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 03:46 PM


Almost all the current dual sport bikes are over 300 lbs, except one. The Honda CRF 230L at 267, wet.

What are your concerns about having that much weight up front?




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 03:52 PM


Here's what you need.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/35919-Honda-Fa...




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 03:59 PM


Those Fatcats are fun and at 1800, agood price, but fat tires won't fit well in a rack.

Hook; Although I am sure that a rack could be made to handle it, most people don't want that much wait out in the front of the truck. The wait is exacerbated by the fact it is going to be out from its mounting point at least a foot. Its similar to the extended racks on the back.
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Hook
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 04:13 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Here's what you need.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/35919-Honda-Fa...


Plus, it wont accommodate two people for the occasional errand or tour of a small town.




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 04:24 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Almost all the current dual sport bikes are over 300 lbs, except one. The Honda CRF 230L at 267, wet.

What are your concerns about having that much weight up front?


My KTM 525 weighs 249lbs complete with electric start(it also has a kickstarter), lights front/rear and licence plate. It'll do both slow technical single track or go 100mph. Hard to beat in my opinion, if you want a dirt oreinted street legal bike, that is powerful and light.

If you drop to a 200-300 class KTM with the same features, you are looking at a 205-225lb bike.
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 04:30 PM


Honda Fatcat's were made around 1986 and are about 25 years old.

Yamaha TW200's are still made. 2011's are about $4,000. Lot's of them around five years old for $2,000 to $2,500. Can ride two people, are set up with factory pegs and a two-up seat.

No problem with a 450 bike on the front of an F350 powerstroke. Carry it all the time with a slide-in pop-up camper on the back.
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Hook
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 04:33 PM


I dont know ANYTHING about KTM. Where are they made? Are they reliable/easy to get parts for?

In their current classes of motorcycles, should I be looking at the enduro line? It's hard to tell which are their equivalents of a dual sport bike.




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 04:35 PM


F350 Powerstroke, year 2000. That's me.



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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 05:48 PM


what msteve said:)



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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 05:52 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
I would think a 350-500 is a little large to put on the front of your truck. For example, a honda xr400r is over 250 punds, At most you would want a 250 or one of the older 175-185'5. used to be popular to put the old Honda 110's on the front.


ya, that's what i thought. a 500 cc is a big bike and aint easy to hang on front of PU. sounds like he needs a scooter or electric-motor assisted bicycle. there are some really cool scooters and assisted bikes on the market these days...


scooter or electric assisted bike wouldn't be very good for the dirt roads.


BS.

check out this bike:
[img]http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0130/9572/products/3_fortnew_large.jpg?487[/img]
http://www.fortunehanebrink.com/bicycles/eat-model/

and check out this:
http://optibike.com/r-series-optibike

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Hook
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 05:55 PM


A Honda Trail 90 can accommodate TWO people? Not the ones I've seen. These come on the market regularly over here. Seat is too small, no rear pegs. And 90cc for over 300 lbs. of flesh, combined.

Not to mention how inadequate the old style brakes must be on those dinosaurs.

No, it's gotta be AT LEAST 200cc, doesnt it?

Bronco boy, where are you???




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 05:59 PM


How about a Wizzard ... delivered papers on one...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83677003@N00/125503140/




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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 06:10 PM


I had a CT110 for several years and sold it now wish I still had it. You can put pegs on the rear and a cushion on the rack for another rider. My only complaint was I want a left hand lever for the rear brakes. I took mine over the summit and coming down a step section I had my feet out but could only use the front brake. Mine would only do about 45 mph tops.
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rts551
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[*] posted on 3-17-2012 at 06:28 PM


Not much room for two there. Maybe the partner can ride on his shoulders.

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
I would think a 350-500 is a little large to put on the front of your truck. For example, a honda xr400r is over 250 punds, At most you would want a 250 or one of the older 175-185'5. used to be popular to put the old Honda 110's on the front.


ya, that's what i thought. a 500 cc is a big bike and aint easy to hang on front of PU. sounds like he needs a scooter or electric-motor assisted bicycle. there are some really cool scooters and assisted bikes on the market these days...


scooter or electric assisted bike wouldn't be very good for the dirt roads.


BS.

check out this bike:
[img]http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0130/9572/products/3_fortnew_large.jpg?487[/img]
http://www.fortunehanebrink.com/bicycles/eat-model/

and check out this:
http://optibike.com/r-series-optibike

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