Towing a motorcycle....opinions??

[blackmax]

Okay, so I'm taking my KLR650 on a 1000 mile trip. I plan on using a standard single bike platform, and the STOCK hitch. Thoughts??

* 2003 4Runner Limited (V6)

* Hitch- stock which claims either 500 or 640 lb tongue limit, depending if I have the "tow package". The "tow package" I think (??) has nothing to do with actual increased strength, but rather oil coolers. ? That correct? If so, for the purpose of what I'm doing, would the real tongue limit of my hitch be 640??

* Bike dry weight 340 pounds, plus the platform which is another 30ish?

Here's a picture of the setup (the only difference being I'll be using a 4runner). Would anyone be concerned at all? The only thing that comes to my mind is the length of the bar, thus the "lever" effect. Seems like the actual force of the 340LB bike could be far greater, since it's at the end of a 2 foot lever. BUT......wouldn't Toyota have already kind of considered that when publishing the weight limits? Or.....were they only assuming a trailer with an axle? Sorry for the length.

 

[galactic_04]

I wouldn't worry about it. The lever affect isn't going to double the weight.

 

[Casper421]

I think you will be just fine. Your ~350lbs is fine on your 500lb max tongue weight. If you are really worried, put a set of Airlift 1000's in and worries are gone! Thants what i would do.

 

[empty403]

I think you will be just fine. Your ~350lbs is fine on your 500lb max tongue weight. If you are really worried, put a set of Airlift 1000's in and worries are gone! Thants what i would do.

I agree with Casper421 on adding the an air sacks, Airlift 1000 or Firestone Ride-Rite. This is especially if you plan on doing this often, if this is a 1 time deal don't worry about the air bags but adjust your lights so you don't blind everyone at night and add about 5-8lbs of air to your rear tires.
I go to a few track days a year and there's one guy that puts a Honda CBR1000RR on the same platform. That bike is about 450lbs wet. His T4R doesn't have air sacks so the rear sag is pretty bad. I believe the levering affect is considered into the tongue weight limits. The levering affect is the same as towing a trailer.

 

[WNY 4Runner]

if you are going to be doing this often, you could upgrade the stock hitch to a full frame hitch, similar to what comes on the V8 4runners. The V6 does not have a "tow package" per say.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Hmmmm...

That doesn't look like a KLR in the pic. What year of KLR do you have? 2008 and later weigh more than the earlier ones. Also, with a 6 gallon fuel tank there is extra weight there too. I would also consider upgrading to a frame mounted hitch. Any extra mods done to the KLR?