Is it harmful to haul a bike with the rear tire on the ground in neutral?

GaryBD · 07-19-2018, 06:17 PM

Is it harmful to haul a bike with the rear tire on the ground in neutral? I just put Together my RPS hawk. I was going to take it to a farm to break in. I do not have a license plate on it yet. I’ve seen these hitches where the front wheel is on the hitch in the rear wheel is on the ground in neutral. Is this harmful to the bike?

I do have a 4 x 8 Harbor freight trailer if I need to haul it on a trailer. But I’m not very experienced with that.

ChrisWNY · 07-19-2018, 06:25 PM

Personally I'd trailer it rather than haul it with the rear tire on the ground...in the event the bike somehow winds up in gear while being dragged, it could cause damage. A trailer would be a much better option...better safe than sorry. You can rent motorcycle trailers from U-Haul for less than $20 per day.

Ariel Red Hunter · 07-19-2018, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryBD

Is it harmful to haul a bike with the rear tire on the ground in neutral? I just put Together my RPS hawk. I was going to take it to a farm to break in. I do not have a license plate on it yet. I’ve seen these hitches where the front wheel is on the hitch in the rear wheel is on the ground in neutral. Is this harmful to the bike?

I do have a 4 x 8 Harbor freight trailer if I need to haul it on a trailer. But I’m not very experienced with that.

I would recommend that you remove the chain before you do this. No way to harm the transmission without a chain...ARH

Sochin · 07-20-2018, 12:26 AM

I have one of these, and I haul if it is less than 10 miles without any damage.

kirbo7106 · 07-20-2018, 12:57 AM

I think I would load the Hawk up in the trailer. You don`t get a lot of miles out of motorcycle tires, so this would save on wear and tear.

pete · 07-20-2018, 01:12 AM

remove the chain and you will have no issues...
I have towed bikes 1000s km like this..
The only issue is if you get a flat rear tyre while
riding you have to fix it before you can tow the bike home..

this pic is the day I picked the TTR up....

pete · 07-20-2018, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirbo7106

I think I would load the Hawk up in the trailer. You don`t get a lot of miles out of motorcycle tires, so this would save on wear and tear.

You will ware far more rubber off the tyre riding it the same distance..
towing it..theres no drive load / no brakeing load / little heat build up
in the tyre...less weight as no rider....

..

Mudflap · 07-20-2018, 07:31 AM

Like ARH said, remove chain and it works fine. I've towed a bike from California to N Carolina and back with no problem.

GaryBD · 07-20-2018, 07:55 AM

Thanks everyone for the info. In case i do tow on road sometime, how do most people take the chain off? Do you remove the master link or take off the back wheel? Just curious what ends up being easier

timcosby · 07-20-2018, 11:42 AM

i wouldnt worry about it. put it on there chain and all and go. but hey thats just me! im the only person that would start a 18,000 mile trip with bald front tires!

Mudflap · 07-20-2018, 12:07 PM

I remove the master link. Its OK to tow it for a short distance with the chain in place but the transmission isn't being supplied with oil.

**JerryHawk250** · 07-20-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timcosby

i wouldnt worry about it. put it on there chain and all and go. but hey thats just me! im the only person that would start a 18,000 mile trip with bald front tires!

Tim, is this the same bald tire you had last year? lol Have a safe trip.

timcosby · 07-21-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Tim, is this the same bald tire you had last year? lol Have a safe trip.

nah there good this year. but one made 9000 miles till it started bouncing about mid canada! the other one made to within 400 miles of home befor it started bouncing. just getting my moneys worth out of em. ill get a pic befor we pull out to show everyone how to have fun!

pistolclass · 07-21-2018, 08:36 PM

Is it possible to use a trailer hitch mount? I haul my hawk all the time with one and it is super easy. This way both wheels are off the ground. $100 from harbor freight.

tomrom · 07-22-2018, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolclass

Is it possible to use a trailer hitch mount? I haul my hawk all the time with one and it is super easy. This way both wheels are off the ground. $100 from harbor freight.

This is the way to go. I think the type that drag the rear wheel are better suited for large heavy bikes that exceed the weight limit of the horizontal type. The harbor freight or equivalent one has a little ramp and can be used on any car with a 2 inch receiver. I just don't see any advantage to letting my bike bounce around and be subject to road hazards and wear and tear.

07-19-2018, 06:17 PM	#1
GaryBD Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 14	Is it harmful to haul a bike with the rear tire on the ground in neutral? Is it harmful to haul a bike with the rear tire on the ground in neutral? I just put Together my RPS hawk. I was going to take it to a farm to break in. I do not have a license plate on it yet. I’ve seen these hitches where the front wheel is on the hitch in the rear wheel is on the ground in neutral. Is this harmful to the bike? I do have a 4 x 8 Harbor freight trailer if I need to haul it on a trailer. But I’m not very experienced with that.
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07-19-2018, 06:25 PM	#2
ChrisWNY Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 212	Personally I'd trailer it rather than haul it with the rear tire on the ground...in the event the bike somehow winds up in gear while being dragged, it could cause damage. A trailer would be a much better option...better safe than sorry. You can rent motorcycle trailers from U-Haul for less than $20 per day. __________________ 2018 RPS Hawk 250cc Mods so far: 1. Mikuni VM26 Carburetor w/#115 main jet 2. 17T/45T JT sprockets 3. JT 428 X-ring chain 4. Air box mod 5. Hawk Digital Cluster 6. Aftermarket IMS shift lever 7. Performance Aftermarket Exhaust 8. 295mm Nitrogen Gas Monoshock, 20W oil front forks Last edited by ChrisWNY; 07-20-2018 at 08:22 AM.
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07-20-2018, 12:26 AM	#4
Sochin Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Montucky Posts: 209	I have one of these, and I haul if it is less than 10 miles without any damage. __________________ 1991 Kawasaki KLR250
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07-20-2018, 12:57 AM	#5
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	I think I would load the Hawk up in the trailer. You don`t get a lot of miles out of motorcycle tires, so this would save on wear and tear. __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
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07-20-2018, 01:12 AM	#6
pete Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ChCh , NZ Posts: 2,261	remove the chain and you will have no issues... I have towed bikes 1000s km like this.. The only issue is if you get a flat rear tyre while riding you have to fix it before you can tow the bike home.. this pic is the day I picked the TTR up.... __________________ 09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com Last edited by pete; 07-20-2018 at 03:02 AM.
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07-20-2018, 07:31 AM	#8
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,876	Like ARH said, remove chain and it works fine. I've towed a bike from California to N Carolina and back with no problem.
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07-20-2018, 07:55 AM	#9
GaryBD Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 14	Removing chain. Thanks everyone for the info. In case i do tow on road sometime, how do most people take the chain off? Do you remove the master link or take off the back wheel? Just curious what ends up being easier
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07-20-2018, 11:42 AM	#10
timcosby Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: robertsdale alabama usa Posts: 1,007	i wouldnt worry about it. put it on there chain and all and go. but hey thats just me! im the only person that would start a 18,000 mile trip with bald front tires! __________________ 1991 harley heritage softail classic 2016 hawk kaw h1 400 tripple 13' long chopper in progress 2009 johnny pag bar hog 2004 hd electra glide ultra classic shriner edition 1997 harley davidson 1200 sportster 1972 harley davidson amf sx250
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07-20-2018, 12:07 PM	#11
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,876	I remove the master link. Its OK to tow it for a short distance with the chain in place but the transmission isn't being supplied with oil.
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07-21-2018, 08:36 PM	#14
pistolclass Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: connecticut Posts: 978	Is it possible to use a trailer hitch mount? I haul my hawk all the time with one and it is super easy. This way both wheels are off the ground. $100 from harbor freight.
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