Motorcycling with a dog

[Anonymous]

i, haven't posted for a long time. Well I acquired a dog, about 35-40 lbs I guess, & would like to try to see if he (Riley) would like to become a biker dog.

I would be carrying him on a 1981 GS 850G, Vetter'd & with a luggage rack & double bucket saddle. I figure I could pull the trunk & set up a padded platform with sides spanning the rear seat/rack area. I would figure also a secure chest harness on Riley that would buckle on 2 sides to the carrier body allowing him to sit or lay down but not be able to "exit" his perch. I have seen a pic of a Harley with something like this but dog was unattached & platform rode above the small rear trunk and tilted forward a bit. I can visualize the design & can make a quick prototype & "test ride" Riley on it around the trailer park here without going out on the road before I am certain as to how he would react.

I am seeking input from anyone with personal experience in having a dog of this size on a bike or if you have some solid info from knowing someone who did/does it.

Thanks for your input whether positive or negative.

Douglas.

P.S. If it matters, the GS is black & Riley is mostly brown.

:-)

DH

[beby99]

I think you should leave Riley at home where he's safe.

Most folks that own riding pets have trained them to ride
from when they where pups. If he's older and never been
riding before he's going to freak out and if he's straped down
he's going to take you with him. Just my .02

[Jethro]

Something to keep in mind is that dogs have extremely sensative hearing. Even if your bike isn't that loud, I'll bet it's torture to Rileys ears. As Beby said, I assume the only way to do it right would be to start at puppy hood.

If however you still want to pursue it, this company makes the most insane vehicle dog restraints in the buisness: http://ruffrider.com/

[mark]

I agree with the first post. The whole thing doesn't sound like a good idea. If I was going to do it (which I wouldn't) I think the best way would be to rig up a way to bolt on a travel kennel so the dog could move around a little bit and have some protection from the wind, sun etc. You could even get one of those camo covers from Cabella's to totally enclose the thing. I wouldn't strap your dog down to something.

The more I think about it the more it seems like a possibility....but I still don't think it would be good for you dog.

[feelergaugephil]

I had a jack russell years ago, that I used to carry in my coat, his head used to stick out of the top of my coat, he loved it, people used to laugh when they used to see him!

[Desolation Angel]

I'm all for taking pets with you when you go somewhere...except a motorcycle and here's why. If you go down YOU are not physically locked to the bike and can separate from it. You mustn't, for safety's sake, be seatbelted or forcibly held to the bike. What a meat grinder!! 8O

You don't want to do to your dog what you absolutely, positively would NEVER EVER do to yourself. =;

Please don't trap him on the bike. [-o<

Anything but that.

[skreemer]

there's always another option... most folks with dogs on bikes that I have seen have them in a sidecar. if the dog is well behaved enough an open top side car could work. Expensive solution but one none the less, and you wouldn't have to restrain the dog, and if he decided to shift positions it wouldn't affect you as much or at all...

[Sandy]

I'm all for taking pets with you when you go somewhere...except a motorcycle and here's why. If you go down YOU are not physically locked to the bike and can separate from it. You mustn't, for safety's sake, be seatbelted or forcibly held to the bike. What a meat grinder!! 8O

You don't want to do to your dog what you absolutely, positively would NEVER EVER do to yourself. =;

Please don't trap him on the bike. [-o<

Anything but that.

I totally agree. While it might cute and a good conversation piece it could definitely be a disaster should something go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Motorcycling with a dog

Thank you for your replies, and please anyone else jump in. I especially appreciate those who are not in favor AND have clear reasons why, so I will look at things I might not come up with myself.

Well sidecar is out, I hate them, from negative personal experience.

In the jacket, not in mine, maybe Jared's (from Subway commercials!) jacket would have room tho. Riley is too big & I ain't too trim.

I will apply double value to all the safety factors that were raised as I continue this thought process. It is only an idea in my head, I haven't even put a scratch on paper or made a measurement yet.

Is there anyone out there who has done this, espceially without a "pocket-sized pooch"???

Thans again.

DH

[AOD]

[daveo]

They mostly love to ride, some are better at it than others though....if they're very good they'll instinctively know which way to lean too this girl is the best at it she won't leave the sidecar unattended and will growl at the other 2 if they go near 'her' ride

[Anonymous]

only gonna say, "Butch" loved to ride..
A mini schnauzer, and poodle mix.

He rode on the tank, atop a towel held down with a net.
I used a body harness and short strap to keep him on the bike "Just incase"

about 2500 miles over 3 yrs and he never fell off, and I never road like and idiot w/ him on :P

I miss that dog..

[Anonymous]

motorcycling with dogs

Thanks for the pics daveo & busafied. I bet you do miss that doggie. This is my first dog, I'm 57. We had "family dogs" but tho I interacted with them I never thought much of them nor felt any real connection. Just was often stuck being the caregiver/disciplinarianteacher/cleaner-upper. So this is a strange new experience with Riley.
Would love to hear from someone who has a dog who rides behind the motorcycle operator.

Well keep those cards & letters coming folks

DH

[kevin gs1100e]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH....

SOme dogs love the wind, wether or not it messes up there hearing, my dog, a 160lb mastiff, loves sticking his head out the sun roof in the summer, infact he will keep his out of the sunroof at highway speeds for hours at a time.

Dogs are in constant search of a companion, and if that companion wants them to ride on a bike, it is better psycologically than being stuck in a kennel with strangers for weeks.

Think about it being strapped to a bike is not that bad, a dog is more likely to be killed trying to cross the road for tail, than riding on the back of a bike.


Kevin

[Anonymous]

Motorcycling with a dog

Yeah, know what you mean. I've almost been killed crossing a road for tail several times.