Thursday, May 21, 2015

Hauling the Devil

Log Item: When I bought the Diavel, one of the operational/use plans for the scooter called for a trailer to haul it to distant locations where I wanted to ride - but didn't want to necessarily ride the bike all the way there. I'm looking at different options and I posted two examples of different configurations, below.
Potential Rides: Florida Keys, California Wine Country, Idaho Panhandle, Colorado (Hwy 550 from Ouray to Durango), Great Bend area of TX, New England after the leaves turn, Montreal in the summer, etc. 
Scenario: Drive the Raptor to the area with the trailer, find a nice hotel, check in, unload the scooter and explore until I don't want to explore anymore. Load up the Devil and drive somewhere else, repeat. I don't mind camping here and there but I have to admit here and for all time that I really enjoy a hot shower in the morning and one again at night. I like camp food (better if I don't have to cook it and clean up after), but I also like to find interesting places to eat. 
Thus some of my plans and motivations for buying a Diavel are revealed here (above) for the first time.

HAULING THE DEVIL

Pro-Line

The advantage of this system is that it holds two motorcycles. The cost with add-ons is about $5K + Delivery charge


exterior view


The Cyclone chalks, seen on the floor, hold the motorcycles upright and stable. You combine that with tie-downs to secure the machines properly.


Shows an optional front door ramp down, that I think is designed for snowmobiles more than for motorcycles.

Homestead Patriot

This unit is smaller, easier to store, and holds one motorcycle. Naturally, it's also less expensive at $2,600 plus shipping (from KY) and some basic work that I'd need to do inside to place the chalk, etc.




This unit comes with some options such as a spare tire but is not as nicely finished as the Pro Line trailer.

The question to you, dear readers, is which trailer makes the most sense?

Anticipating your questions:

Q What is the potential second cycle spot in the trailer for?

A For future expansion. As I mentioned previously, I'm looking for a Harley Davidson knucklehead to restore. Likely the guts of the HD would end up being transferred to a Paughco frame along with some other customizing. Yes, I know that I can buy and after market knucklehead engine from S&S, no, I'd prefer to start with an original. Naturally if I had that scooter, Sturgis would also be on my motorcycle bucket list of places to go.

Q Would you consider a dirt bike for the #2 slot?

A Absolutely. In fact, that would be a near term solution to the vexing problem: You're driving down the road in the Raptor, trailing a motorcycle and there is a dirt hill that needs climbing. The Diavel is not an off-road machine. It's sex on two wheels....clean sex. I need an off-road machine that I can get dirty and not feel bad about it. (naturally it will get a sponge bath before it gets back into the trailer)

Q Do you have experience riding a motorcycle off-road?

A Is Hillary Clinton a compulsive liar? Does Al Sharpton owe a bundle in back taxes that the IRS is ignoring? Does Joe Biden fire a shotgun out the window when he's scared? Is Michelle Obama an unhappy harpy?

Damned straight, I can ride a dirt bike. In fact the first three or so motorcycles I ever owned were dirt bikes. 

Q Do you have a dirt bike in mind.

I'm looking at several.


8 comments:

  1. I'd say the Pro-Line. There are always opportunities that you don't foresee. You might even find a gurl who rides and has her own bike and likes to camp, too.

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    1. Yes, that's what I'm thinking. The Pro-Line has more options than those that I listed that I like. (Can't have too many goodies) I can also build the Pro-Line into a species of "toy hauler" wherein I have space to rack out inside of the trailer.

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  2. I lke the Pro-Line because of the number of wheels. More stable in the wind. Also, you won't have to upgrade later for the dirt bike, Knucklehead or the babes bike.

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    1. That's two votes for the Pro-Line. It's a nicer trailer and I think that your spot on point that the tandem axels will trail better. In addition to hauling bikes, there comes the need for a utility trailer from time to time (kids moving, friends moving, etc) and you never wish that you had less space.

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  3. My tons of experience pulling trailers & goose necks loaded to beyond capacity with cattle & horses tells me the Pro-Line is a great choice. More room & more stability. If you have ever blown a tire on a fully loaded trailer at freeway speeds, you can truly appreciate tandem axles...

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    1. That clinches the deal. Tandem it is. You know, Brig, I have had experiences with trailer flats (pulling a boat with tandem axels) and they handle it well. At the time, I wondered what would have happened if I was hauling a single axel. But I forgot about that until you brought it up.

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  4. You've clearly asked a wise bunch and have your trailer situation solved! I'll only pipe up to say that it'll all be worth the price tag. Those sound like fun adventures!

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    1. Life is life, and there is only so much sand in the hour glass!

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