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Q&A for How to Trailer a Motorcycle
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QuestionDo you leave the bike transmission in neutral while trailering?Adam MonkCommunity AnswerThat is up to you. It is safer to leave it in gear, as this stops it from rolling if the straps break.
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QuestionShould I lock the bars to prevent movement?Community AnswerOnly if they can be locked in the straight-ahead position, as this is the position you want them in. For this, the motorcycle wheel chocks are a good investment, as they are made to not only keep it from going forward, but to hold it in the straight position.
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QuestionDoes fully compressing the suspension do damage to the shocks?Community AnswerYes, it can. Some trail bike riders put a spacer to stop front shocks being fully compressed.
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QuestionShould the bike be over the trailer wheels, or in front of them?Community AnswerRefer to your vehicle/trailer manuals. My car manual states 60% of the weight in front of the trailer axle and 40% behind it. I believe this will give maximum trailer stability in almost every situation with almost any trailer.
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QuestionHow many straps should I use for one motorcycle?Community AnswerFour. Two on the front handle bars so the front forks are compressed, and two on the rear above the shocks on the frame to compress the rear suspension. It helps to have the tie down straps as widely spaced as possible both to the sides and the front and back. Along with wheel cocks, this will hold the bike from rolling back and forth should you need to brake hard. Like riding, prepare for the worst case scenario.
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QuestionShould I have the bike on its center stand if it has one?Community AnswerI would not keep the bike on its center stand as this will increase the height and center of gravity, so the bike will move more and become unstable.
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QuestionCould I damage the starter trailering a motorcycle?Community AnswerNo. The starter has no connection to being trailered - unless you strap the motorcycle to the trailer by the starter.
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QuestionShould I shut off the fuel petcock when trailering a motorcycle?Community AnswerYou should shut off the fuel petcock when you aren't riding the bike, so yes.
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QuestionShould I leave the kickstand down?Community AnswerNo. You may damage or trip on it. Strap down the left front strap first ,leaving lots of slack. Make sure the kickstand is still supporting the bike. Then the right side till the stand just leaves the floor of the trailer. Go back and adjusting the left, then the right, till the bike is vertical and secure. Then put the stand up.
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QuestionWhere can I find spacers to prevent suspension damage, and how do I use them?TheechindaCommunity AnswerA fork saver is a tool used to protect the front suspension on a motorcycle while it is in transport. Although most common on dirt bikes (due to their long travel and soft suspension), all motorcycles with a front fork can save the operator from damaging the front suspension. Locate gap between the front fork and tire on your dirt bike (or motorcycle). This gap is located at the front of the motorcycle, just above the tire.
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