Will 650 pull a trailer?

Nobody has attached a trailer to a Burgman yet that I am aware of. Here's some threads you might want to read thru. The last one includes info on Joe Wolfe here in TN who makes a hidden hitch for scooters :

http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2652
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2446
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=720
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1784

If I had money to blow on a trailer, I'd consider one of these for my Burgman :

http://www.bushtec.com/

Personally, I wouldn't consider pulling a trailer with any motorcycle unless it was either very light or had brakes of its own. I'd be paranoid about all that weight pushing on the back of the bike. Stopping straight would be fine, but in a panic on a corner, all that weight would tend to push the rear of your motorcycle/scooter around. :?

frugality said:

Personally, I wouldn't consider pulling a trailer with any motorcycle unless it was either very light or had brakes of its own. I'd be paranoid about all that weight pushing on the back of the bike. Stopping straight would be fine, but in a panic on a corner, all that weight would tend to push the rear of your motorcycle/scooter around. :?

Click to expand...

Pulling trailers can be a little more challenging than regular riding, but some precautions can minimize the problems: don't tow too heavy a trailer/load, keep the load in the trailer balanced front-to-rear so as to put a little -- but not too much -- down-force on the tongue, take corners extra slow, increase your following distance, etc.

Lots of riders have towed trailers; the GWRRA members have practically made an art of it. For many riders, the benefits must outweigh the risks or it wouldn't be so common.

I think the Unigo has been discussed here before. In any case here is the link and they list a hitch for the 650. It is small and pricey but probably the best towing bike trailer around. I believe the company is leaving New Zealand and setting up shop in the USA.

http://www.uni-go.com

That's pretty cool. 8) I've got a one-wheeled trailer for my bicycle like that -- a B.O.B. (Bicycles Obispo). It's nice to take the load off of the bike itself, but even with a relatively light load on a bike, it does make the handling a bit squirrely. It makes the front end feel light and twitchy. I got up to 40mph on a steep hill (not for fun, I really didn't want to be going that fast, but gravity seems to have its way), and it was a bit nerve-racking.

I just found these three links in an on-line magazine I subscribe to. They are French (Quebec) companies and the English tanslations are not the best, but the trailers are cool.

http://cyclope2000.com/

http://www.tries.com/

http://www.armoricdesign.com/

There were at least a few scooters at Scootercade that pulled trailers. I remember looking at one hitch on a Honda Silverwing that seemed somewhat overbuilt, but I'm not sure if it was homemade or commercial.

If my wife wanted to tour with me on the Burgman, I'd give a trailer some thought. The main problems are the cost, and storage space in the garage. I am sure that I would ride more conservatively with a trailer attached, but once we reached our destination the trailer would come off and I'd do the real recreational riding without it. Which brings up the issue of securing the trailer when left behind at the motel.

Check this one out, if I lived close enough I would consider buying one.
http://www.monogo.com/Anglais/index_Enter.php

Howard;
I read one review of that trailer and it wasn't very favorable. The biggest problem being the design of the hitch tended to bind not allowing smooth articulation and then tended to skip through corners.

I pulled a Monogo with my Silver Wing, in fact, even went thru the Dragon with it on.

The Monogo is a PIA to move around when it's off the bike (due to the single wheel) but on the bike, you can't even feel it. The B'Man, having more power than the SWing would also handle it fine.

See my site http://www.JerseyBiker.com for more info on it.

ooops try this http://www.iron-moto.cz/operky.html

Slepejs,
That looks like a very nice little trailer. Also, thank you for the photos and other links. There are some very impressive motorcycles shown in them. May I ask you for more information about the saddle bag mounts shown on the Burgman 650? It looks as if part of the frame replaces the original hand holds on either side.

Hi Slepejs,

Yes, that helps a lot. The mounts look very strong, and clean in design. I'll look forward to seeing more pictures, and maybe some close ups of them. thanks again.

Bruce

One of our forum members just got back from Bike Week in Florida and towed a trailer behind his 650 from Tennessee to the Florida keys and back. He said, "The bike did real good and the only draw back was I only got about 120 miles per tank on the fuel." and "I just used the same trailer that i pull behind my 1100GSGK Suzuki. Worked like a charm and pulled great. I think it pulled better than the 1100 or at least a lot smoother. I didn't have any trouble with the trailer...I mean no weaving or bouncing or any of that stuff."

Bill. Did that guy who pulled the trailer post a thread or just shoot a pm to ya? I'd like to read about his experience. My friend here wanted me to go with him to bike week last weekend but I had to go to Fayetteville NC Sunday morning. Just got back an hour ago. tia - pedz.

Pete,

It was email. Maybe he'll post more info as time allows.