Whether it’s a dirt bike, an every day street bike used to commute back and forth to work, or a custom show bike only taking out on very special occasions, transporting a motorcycle isn’t always as simple as getting on it and riding it. For this reason, many motorcycle owners also own trailers. Choosing the right motorcycle trailer can be challenging. However, by understanding the different types of motorcycle cargo trailers, as well as their different features, and what facets that need to be considered when selecting a motorcycle trailer, motorcycle owners can make the best purchase decision possible.
There are three basic types of trailers for transporting motorcycles. These include: open motorcycle trailers, enclosed motorcycle trailers, and trailer alternatives. Open trailers, as the name implies, come in a variety of designs but all have one primary feature – the bike is open to the environment. Many open trailers offer a tilt back design, in order to allow for easy loading of the bike.
Enclosed trailers, again as the name implies, completely enclose the motorcycle for transport. These trailers are the ultimate in protection for the motorcycle, protecting it completely from the weather, rocks and other road debris, theft, and other environmental elements, such as birds and bugs that can damage a bike being transported on an open trailer.
The features on an enclosed trailer vary greatly by the size of the used motorcycle trailer. The simplest enclosed motorcycle trailers offer storage area for the bike itself, with a small amount of personal storage area inside the trailer. Some enclosed motorcycle trailers offer a luggage rack on top, allowing them to serve double duty. However, the more complex enclosed motorcycle trailers for sale are more like mini-campers than trailers. These units can typically hold multiple motorcycles, in the back of a small camper-style trailer. The front part of the trailer then features living quarters for the owner, including a bed, sitting area, and sometimes a kitchen and small bathroom, on the largest models.
Lastly, the third type of trailers aren’t really motorcycle trailers at all, but trailer alternatives. These ingenious pieces of engineering are similar to rear mounted bike racks that bicyclists have used for decades. Instead of towing an extra trailer with the motorcycle, alternative motorcycle carriers use the truck or SUV’s trailer hitch to secure a rack to the back of the vehicle. The motorcycle is secured to this rack, above the ground. The primary benefit to this type of set up is the cost. Where an open motorcycle trailer often easily costs more than $1,000, and a the more elaborate enclosed trailers can cost more than $10,000, motorcycle racks can cost just over $100, depending on the size of bike to be transported.
With an understanding of the three basic types of trailers available, a motorcycle owner can then begin to decide which trailer is best suited to his or her needs. The first thing to consider is how the trailer will be used. If the owner only needs to transport it short distances, then an open trailer or a trailer alternative in the form of a motorcycle rack may be the best solution. If the motorcycle is a show cycle that is transported long distances and needs to be kept in pristine condition, then an enclosed trailer is probably the best option.
The second consideration when choosing a motorcycle trailer is the size of the bike to be transported. Alternative trailers are most often used for lighter bikes, especially dirt bikes. Larger bikes, or if the owner is transporting multiple bikes, will need either an open or enclosed trailer.
Deciding how much your bike is worth to you is another important factor in selecting a trailer. A trailer alternative or open trailer will be exposed to the elements and to the rocks and debris from the road, meaning it can get damaged during transport. Some open trailers offer rock guards. This couple inch lip of metal running along the bottom of the trailer can help prevent rocks from flying up from the road. However, it won’t protect the bike from all of them, nor will it protect it from airborne debris, bugs, birds, or the weather. Both alternative trailers and open motorcycle trailers also expose the bike to potential thieves.
An enclosed trailer is more expensive than open trailers or motorcycle racks, but offer considerable additional protection. For valuable bikes, either financial or sentimental, an enclosed trailer will protect the bike completely during transport. In addition, while parked, the enclosed set up offers an additional deterrent to thieves. For these reasons, many owners feel the extra expense is worth it, for an enclosed trailer.
Once a decision has been made about what type of trailer is best suited to the motorcycle owner’s needs and budget, shopping for it is much like buying a car. Dealers will often have several models on hand and may even have trade in trailers to offer. The Internet with online classifieds, such as Craigslist.org, trailershopper.com, and cycletrader.com, can also be a great source for finding a good used motorcycle trailer at a discounted price. Either way, the consumer should compare prices, compare features, and make sure they’re getting the trailer they want at the right price.
- How to Transport a Motorcycle?
- How To Ship A Motorcycle?
- How to Buy Motorcycle?
- How to Buy a Used Motorcycle?
- How To Change Motorcycle Grips?
