Bicycles mounted on motorcycle picture thread

[Yostwerks]

wdeTA wrote....
I've been thinking about getting one since I haven't come up with a way to tow my kayak behind the Transalp yet. I can tow it behind my bicycle though. Heading up to paddle Icy Bay near Yakutat in a couple weeks, but flying up with my Aire Lynx II for that.

A folding kayak might be the way to go for motorcycle kayaking . I've come up with a way to carry both the kayak and a bicycle, but haven't taken the time yet to build the rack.

Here's my homebuilt Falco folding kayak at Lake Dillon.

[HeadShrinker]

[onefastrph]

Also discussed here: http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...9#post10377939

Johnny Rack on my former V-Strom, modified to remove the rear wheel for better weight distribution:



Globetrottin Rack on my 1200 GS:

From June 24, 2012

From June 24, 2012

[gtbensley]

My home made rack this last weekend being put to use.

[reed523]

Originally Posted by gtbensley

My home made rack this last weekend being put to use.

Do you mind giving us a handling report? I'm trying to decide if i should design my setup with back wheel on or off.

[visovm]

I am thinking of making a home brew bike-on-bike rack.
Im glad this thread got revived.

I like the idea of the bicycle alongside the motorcycle to keep the weight down. Like Helluvastella's setup with the V-Strom. I think that will yield the best results, and if the rear wheel comes off and mounts next to the front one that will help even more.

I plan to make a bracket that can be easily removed from the right side Givi rack. This bracket will hold a Yakima Copperhead fork mount roof rack and the Yakima clamp will attach where the foot peg is. This will make the bicycle lean far forward, but with the back wheel off and the bottom bracket supported by foam in the Yakima channel...I hope this will yield a fairly stable setup. If it does not stick out further than my side cases, even better.

I will be following this thread to see what others have to say about the handling of mounting a bicycle off the back. Looking to reed523 for his experience. This will be my next best option, but it seems a little too top heavy for my liking.

When I get around to building this rig, I will take pics and post them here.

[gtbensley]

Originally Posted by reed523

Do you mind giving us a handling report? I'm trying to decide if i should design my setup with back wheel on or off.

At low speeds the steering is a little lite but not bad. With speed it really makes it less noticable that the bike is even back there unless there is gusty wind. Did about five hours total riding with it mounted this way and had zero issues. Can still rail corners although bumps upset the bike slightly when leaned over. This set up cost me $10....,give it a shot, you can always change it.

[reed523]

Originally Posted by visovm

I am thinking of making a home brew bike-on-bike rack.
Im glad this thread got revived.

I like the idea of the bicycle alongside the motorcycle to keep the weight down. Like Helluvastella's setup with the V-Strom. I think that will yield the best results, and if the rear wheel comes off and mounts next to the front one that will help even more.

I plan to make a bracket that can be easily removed from the right side Givi rack. This bracket will hold a Yakima Copperhead fork mount roof rack and the Yakima clamp will attach where the foot peg is. This will make the bicycle lean far forward, but with the back wheel off and the bottom bracket supported by foam in the Yakima channel...I hope this will yield a fairly stable setup. If it does not stick out further than my side cases, even better.

I will be following this thread to see what others have to say about the handling of mounting a bicycle off the back. Looking to reed523 for his experience. This will be my next best option, but it seems a little too top heavy for my liking.

When I get around to building this rig, I will take pics and post them here.

Side saddle on the KLR worked really well with 2 caveats. Do not put it on the high side, at least with a stock suspension. It is kind of discouraging to walk back out of the gas station with a fully loaded KLR laying on top of your new Specialized Allez :( (amazingly no damage other than a slightly tweaked wheel). Also, make sure you have whichever wheel is hanging off the back up plenty high. I managed to flat spot one dragging it in the twisties of Austin's Lime Creek Road

The pic I have posted is v.2 with both of these issues corrected. I did a 1600 mile trip to Durango and back with this setup and had zero issues except for numerous offers from beautiful women with exceptional taste :) Actually 2 thumbs up from girls in convertibles but i'll take what i can get!

[visovm]

Originally Posted by reed523

Side saddle on the KLR worked really well with 2 caveats. Do not put it on the high side, at least with a stock suspension. It is kind of discouraging to walk back out of the gas station with a fully loaded KLR laying on top of your new Specialized Allez :( (amazingly no damage other than a slightly tweaked wheel). Also, make sure you have whichever wheel is hanging off the back up plenty high. I managed to flat spot one dragging it in the twisties of Austin's Lime Creek Road

The pic I have posted is v.2 with both of these issues corrected. I did a 1600 mile trip to Durango and back with this setup and had zero issues except for numerous offers from beautiful women with exceptional taste :) Actually 2 thumbs up from girls in convertibles but i'll take what i can get!

Thanks for the feedback from your experience.
That is an excellent point about mounting the bicycle on the high side of the motorcycle. I will make sure to take that into consideration when designing my setup. I think the v-strom leans over far enough that i should be ok, as long as the bike is on level ground and there is not significant wind.
I hope to dive into this project in the next week or so. I received my Yakima rack (bough in an ebay auction for less than $50) so i will be able to start playing around with different configurations.

People are already telling me i am crazy for thinking i can mount a bicycle to a bike safely. I know its possible, and i will prove it to them. And the looks i will hopefully get will be worth it as well!

[reed523]

Good luck with your project. Just a final note of caution on the right side thing, the KLR would look fine when you walked away, but after a minute or two, it would start to move and momentum would just lay it over. I think your going to be surprised how far outboard the bicycle actually has to be mounted to make it all work.

Be sure and post pics of your project. I had a Wee in-between the KLR and ST. I could not ever figure out how to go sidesaddle with it so i dreamed up this:


I made one dry run without the bikes on Let's just say apparently I do have a "survival instinct" gene because that mess is piled on the scrap pile out back. I still like the general idea but it would need lots and lots of modification (and maybe a Goldwing) to make it work.

[Yostwerks]

People are already telling me i am crazy for thinking i can mount a bicycle to a bike safely.

One fact is worth 10,000 useless opinions !

Do you mind giving us a handling report? I'm trying to decide if i should design my setup with back wheel on or off.

I've tested it both ways extensively and have arrived at the following conclusions.

Ride with both wheels off the bike and the bottom bracket sitting on the tray. CG is lowered considerably, balance point is moved forward , and cross winds plus low speed, high speed, any speed handling and balance are noticably improved. This is important to me as I live in the mountains and spend 90% of my time negotiating the twisties.

Another advantages of two wheels attached up front is the additional side by side stability provided to the entire setup and the lighter weight directly on the bike rack as the wheels rest on the pannier racks. In addition, the tray length can be shortened considerably resulting in far less hanging off the back of the bike. See 3 pics below.

But don't take my word for it, simply try it both ways and decide for yourself... Tom




Original setup ... Top heavy, too much overhang, and twitchy in strong cross winds.




Current setup ... Handles all conditions well ... Roller skis and poles optional

[ScootTour]

my next project is to figure out a bike on bike solution that will allow me to still have my case top on. I saw one in this string that looked it what I would need to do.

Thing is, for my needs I dont need to go on the freeway or really travel more than 10 miles or so with the bike on it.

[ScootTour]

Originally Posted by reed523

Good luck with your project. Just a final note of caution on the right side thing, the KLR would look fine when you walked away, but after a minute or two, it would start to move and momentum would just lay it over. I think your going to be surprised how far outboard the bicycle actually has to be mounted to make it all work.

Be sure and post pics of your project. I had a Wee in-between the KLR and ST. I could not ever figure out how to go sidesaddle with it so i dreamed up this:


I made one dry run without the bikes on Let's just say apparently I do have a "survival instinct" gene because that mess is piled on the scrap pile out back. I still like the general idea but it would need lots and lots of modification (and maybe a Goldwing) to make it work.

I would think having two wheels for the trailer would make a huge difference.

[reed523]

Originally Posted by ScootTour

I would think having two wheels for the trailer would make a huge difference.

I'm sure you are correct. My original idea was a play on the unigo set up.

[ScootTour]

I just had an idea for a solution and I hope to find a welder who can do it for me. Take a standard Thule roof rack and have it go over the back seat tangent with the bike. Now granted this design would not be good for long distant freeway riding but it would give me the 10 miles of city driving I need to get to some organized rides and it would even allow me to still have my top case on the back. I would also need it to be easily removed as I need to open the seat to fill up with gas.