Sub 300lb 4-stroke street/scrambler?

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  • Jimmbuzz
    Forum Apprentice
    • May 2019
    • 56
    • Atlanta, GA

    #1

    Sub 300lb 4-stroke street/scrambler?

    I recently got a camper van, and I'm looking for a small <300lb 4-stroke bike that I could put on the back of it, and was wondering if anyone had any experience/recommendations. I'd like it to be a Suzuki, but I'm only aware of the GS250 and a bunch of two strokes. I have my eyes on a TW200, or the various Honda CB100, CL175's, etc. The hitches with the bike ramps are usually only rated for 350lb, and since the engine is in the back (old VW) I'd like to keep the weight down. Any advice/wisdom is appreciated!
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bikes:
    2016 Suzuki TU250X (Daily/Commuter)
    1982 Suzuki GS750T (Project)
    1979 Suzuki GS750 (in pieces)

    Cage:
    2005 Subaru WRX Wagon sh*t box
  • Guest

    #2
    Get a dual purpose bike like a DR400 or similar and fit whatever tires suit the mix of riding you want to do. Anything street based is going to be too heavy for your vehicle limitations.


    Mark

    Comment

    • Cipher
      Forum Sage
      • Mar 2016
      • 3127
      • Toronto Ontario

      #3
      Is the weight rating static or dynamic? Knew a guy lost two Bianchi bikes hung on a chinesium back rack.
      1983 GS 550 LD
      2009 BMW K1300s

      Comment

      • Grimly
        Forum Guru
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Sep 2012
        • 5760
        • Ireland

        #4
        I came across something interesting recently, for those who like to have a bike on the back of their camper.
        It's a short wide platform that attaches to the tow point, but has a pair of trailer wheels also.
        It means only a portion of the weight of the cargo is on the hitch. Full highway speed allowed, too.
        Dave
        '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
        Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

        Comment

        • Rijko
          Forum Sage
          • Feb 2014
          • 1445
          • Netherlands

          #5
          The Yamaha YBR 125 is popular for on the back of a camper. 51" wheelbase, 234lbs
          Rijk

          Top 10 Newbie Mistakes thread

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          Bikecliff's website
          The Stator Papers

          "The thing about freedom - it's never free"

          Comment

          • Grimly
            Forum Guru
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Sep 2012
            • 5760
            • Ireland

            #6
            And remember this useful advice...

            camper inspection.jpg
            Dave
            '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
            Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

            Comment

            • salty_monk
              Forum LongTimer
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              Super Site Supporter
              • Oct 2006
              • 14001
              • London, UK to Redondo Beach, California

              #7
              DRZ400 will be right on the limits of that 350. If you want to stay Suzuki it’d have to be the DR200.
              1980 GS1000G - Sold
              1978 GS1000E - Finished!
              1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
              1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
              2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
              1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
              2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

              www.parasiticsanalytics.com

              TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

              Comment

              • steve murdoch
                Forum Guru
                Past Site Supporter
                • May 2004
                • 8489
                • St. Catharines, On.

                #8
                Honda Grom is in the 230# range.
                2@ \'78 GS1000

                Comment

                • Jimmbuzz
                  Forum Apprentice
                  • May 2019
                  • 56
                  • Atlanta, GA

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Cipher
                  Is the weight rating static or dynamic? Knew a guy lost two Bianchi bikes hung on a chinesium back rack.
                  This is the hitch/ramp combo. Says it has "350 lbs. tongue weight."

                  Originally posted by Grimly
                  I came across something interesting recently, for those who like to have a bike on the back of their camper.
                  It's a short wide platform that attaches to the tow point, but has a pair of trailer wheels also.
                  It means only a portion of the weight of the cargo is on the hitch. Full highway speed allowed, too.
                  Link/Name?

                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Bikes:
                  2016 Suzuki TU250X (Daily/Commuter)
                  1982 Suzuki GS750T (Project)
                  1979 Suzuki GS750 (in pieces)

                  Cage:
                  2005 Subaru WRX Wagon sh*t box

                  Comment

                  • Jimmbuzz
                    Forum Apprentice
                    • May 2019
                    • 56
                    • Atlanta, GA

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Rijko
                    The Yamaha YBR 125 is popular for on the back of a camper. 51" wheelbase, 234lbs
                    Don't think these are sold in the states

                    Originally posted by salty_monk
                    DRZ400 will be right on the limits of that 350. If you want to stay Suzuki it’d have to be the DR200.
                    Not a bad option. I'll keep my eye out. Doesn't have to be Suzuki though if you have some other recommendations.

                    Originally posted by steve murdoch
                    Honda Grom is in the 230# range.
                    I'm 6' 3" so that would be comical I'd like to be able to ride two up so I don't think there would be enough room.

                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Bikes:
                    2016 Suzuki TU250X (Daily/Commuter)
                    1982 Suzuki GS750T (Project)
                    1979 Suzuki GS750 (in pieces)

                    Cage:
                    2005 Subaru WRX Wagon sh*t box

                    Comment

                    • Grimly
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Sep 2012
                      • 5760
                      • Ireland

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Jimmbuzz


                      Link/Name?
                      The guy who has one is touring Europe at the moment, I'll PM him.
                      Here it is in action, and he's done a couple of thousand miles with it so far.
                      kemps camper bike trailer.jpg
                      I found his reference to it when he bought it. Made by Hydra-Trail in the UK.

                      There are more Hydra Trail vids on youtube.
                      Attached Files
                      Last edited by Grimly; 06-25-2022, 05:48 AM.
                      Dave
                      '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
                      Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

                      Comment

                      • salty_monk
                        Forum LongTimer
                        GSResource Superstar
                        Past Site Supporter
                        Super Site Supporter
                        • Oct 2006
                        • 14001
                        • London, UK to Redondo Beach, California

                        #12
                        My Husqvarna TE610 is 310lb and as stock they come with passenger pegs...
                        1980 GS1000G - Sold
                        1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                        1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                        1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                        2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                        1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                        2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

                        www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                        TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

                        Comment

                        • Jimmbuzz
                          Forum Apprentice
                          • May 2019
                          • 56
                          • Atlanta, GA

                          #13
                          Originally posted by salty_monk
                          My Husqvarna TE610 is 310lb and as stock they come with passenger pegs...
                          How's finding parts/reliability?
                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Bikes:
                          2016 Suzuki TU250X (Daily/Commuter)
                          1982 Suzuki GS750T (Project)
                          1979 Suzuki GS750 (in pieces)

                          Cage:
                          2005 Subaru WRX Wagon sh*t box

                          Comment

                          • 93Bandit
                            Forum Mentor
                            • Nov 2018
                            • 839
                            • Mundy Twp, Michigan

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Grimly
                            I came across something interesting recently, for those who like to have a bike on the back of their camper.
                            It's a short wide platform that attaches to the tow point, but has a pair of trailer wheels also.
                            It means only a portion of the weight of the cargo is on the hitch. Full highway speed allowed, too.
                            That's interesting. So it a trailer, but not quite... Is there a pivot joint where it mounts to the hitch, or is it ridged? Seems like it'd be hard on the tires in turns if it's ridged. Regardless, interesting concept.
                            - 1983 GS850L ~ 30,000 miles and going up - Finally ready for a proper road trip!
                            - 1977 GS750B - Sold but not forgotten

                            Comment

                            • Grimly
                              Forum Guru
                              Past Site Supporter
                              Super Site Supporter
                              • Sep 2012
                              • 5760
                              • Ireland

                              #15
                              Originally posted by 93Bandit

                              That's interesting. So it a trailer, but not quite... Is there a pivot joint where it mounts to the hitch, or is it ridged? Seems like it'd be hard on the tires in turns if it's ridged. Regardless, interesting concept.
                              I believe it pivots, yes. Never had an in-person look at it, but the owner is pleased with it all over Europe, laden with m'sickle and surf boards.
                              Dave
                              '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
                              Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

                              Comment

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