Motorbike Recovery

[Dai]

Now that we have 2 motorbikes in the fleet i'm thinking of how i can recover them if they break down. I am not having any luck finding a small trailer to adapt so i have been searching for other options. I came across these on E.bay, www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trials-Bike-Motorbike-Carrier-Towing-Attachment-/221179028547?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item337f4c2443

I havent seen any of these in use and i know there are a few places that make them, just wondering if they are legal to use for short distance recovery work just to get the bikes back home if something goes wrong???

[Rhubarb]

Says in the listing, classed as recovery items

Any well known firms make them?

[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 11:21:22 GMT 1 Rhubarb said:

Says in the listing, classed as recovery items

Any well known firms make them?

Yeah mate can see it listed but anyone can say its legit lol , some will tell you the summer is coming just to sell sommat, just wondered if anyone knows anything about them, legal wise.

Cant see any well known firms making them but quite a few similar to this are advertised

[natedog]

How much weight is on the front wheel of the bike you want to tow, and what trailer nose weight can your tow car take? It's normally 50 to 75kg, I suspect the front wheel of the bike and the weight if the frame will exceed this.

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[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 12:16:03 GMT 1 natedog said:

How much weight is on the front wheel of the bike you want to tow, and what trailer nose weight can your tow car take? It's normally 50 to 75kg, I suspect the front wheel of the bike and the weight if the frame will exceed this.

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Not sure of the front wheel weight of the bike but the whole bike weighs 125KG, my bike is heavier but its mainly incase the small bike breaks down. Trailer nose weight for my Rav4 is 75KG

[natedog]

So long as its got lights, red triangles and number plate showing correctly, can't see any reason why it wouldn't be road legal then

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[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 15:01:23 GMT 1 natedog said:

So long as its got lights, red triangles and number plate showing correctly, can't see any reason why it wouldn't be road legal then

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cool, cheers Nate, would i still need a light board tho as the bike is so narrow and my number plate is offset to the left

[natedog]

I would say probably, yes. The lights need to be at the back, and you'd need red triangles on it too

I'd guess the same rules would apply as towing a car with an a-frame. Basically its viewed as a trailer. Gross weight needs to be under 750kg as no brakes will be fitted (do they even plate bikes for gross weight?) and usual light and license rules for trailers apply.

Out of noseyness, what stops it just falling over? Is it bolted solid to the tow hitch?

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[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 15:26:13 GMT 1 natedog said:

I would say probably, yes. The lights need to be at the back, and you'd need red triangles on it too

I'd guess the same rules would apply as towing a car with an a-frame. Basically its viewed as a trailer. Gross weight needs to be under 750kg as no brakes will be fitted (do they even plate bikes for gross weight?) and usual light and license rules for trailers apply.

Out of noseyness, what stops it just falling over? Is it bolted solid to the tow hitch?

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cool, cheers Nate, i can use my light board i have for my 'A' Frame.

There is a plate that is bolted behind the ball hitch, the frame slots down over the plate and then a bolt is used to stop the frame lifting back off. But if i am not totally happy with it i can modify as i try it. Then the handle bars and/or forks are strapped to the frame using the bike steering head as the pivot.

[Welshy]

Borrow the van if you want to

I collected a motorbike from Nottingham some months ago. Easy to strap down in the back

[natedog]

Another thought - will you have any problems caused by the rear wheel turning without the engine running? Bikes ain't my thing, but I know quite a few cars need driven wheels lifted, or there are speed and distance restrictions on towing them

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[natedog]

DfT interpretation of the law on use of a-frames:

www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_200824.pdf

[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 19:15:42 GMT 1 Welshy said:

Borrow the van if you want to

I collected a motorbike from Nottingham some months ago. Easy to strap down in the back

Thanks Mate, we got the bike home now, i'm just thinking of recovery if her intshed breaks down going to or from work

[Dai]

Jan 31, 2013 20:24:12 GMT 1 natedog said:

Another thought - will you have any problems caused by the rear wheel turning without the engine running? Bikes ain't my thing, but I know quite a few cars need driven wheels lifted, or there are speed and distance restrictions on towing them

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aslong as the bike is in neutral there isnt any problems about the back wheel turning and i'm only thinking of towing short distances if it does breakdown.

i know what you mean about lifting drive wheels etc as i have done a fair bit of recovery, but mainly on landrovers and trucks.

Nate Thanks very much for your help and links, very useful information

[natedog]

no worries dude. unusual for there to be a post that i actually can be helpful ;D