Hi

I plan to do a 3-4 month trip from Mid Nrth Coast to Darwin via Alice on my 05 Sportster (883).

I hope to pull a trailer as it will be winter so it will have heaps clothes, tent etc...

my question is, can a Sportster pull a trailer comfortable. (I know a bigger bike would but for health reasons the Sportster is it).  Although my hubby reckons clothes you wear and a spare, realistically I'll need more. I want to be reasonable comfortable (and warm) and wondered and if so what do you reckon the limit (weight) it would tow comfortably. What are the pitfalls...welcome any constructive advice.

thanks

Personally , I don,t like the trailer idea , but that,s me . Could you not use saddle bags and a top box ? Best put new shocks on though .

i would have thought you could do it with any bike.

it is 883 cc which is a hell of alot bigger than the old bikes with side cars.

gee i see push bikes on the hiway with a trailer (now thats hard yaka).

just make sure you get some good advice from some one that has towed a trailer behind a bike (although i would have thought it would be like a car), braking distances and towbar weight would all come into it.

good on you for doing it. 

its called living the dream.

I have a 1200 with a tow bar & had it certified was told by engineer 60kg was the limit, I would imagine an 883 would be less than that, So by the time you find a trailer which the lighter ones weigh around 45kg, you wouldn't gain much.
As mentioned a top box with a rack on the lid & a decent set of saddle bags would be a better option.

I've seen 883 sporty with a sidecar so you would think it would pull a trailer.

towed a trailer to perth and back from melb and all around Tassie another but behind road king or ultraclassic. they do limit your freedom if you want to push it through the twisties but long straight roads you don't even know they are behind you after an hour. a couple of hundred kilos should be ok if its balanced well. keep the drawbar or hitch weight heavier than the rear end. just like a caravan. round 40kgs towball weight should be ok. I think a sportser would be fine. as long as you leave plenty of room for breaking distance as a lighter bike will be effected by the weight of whats pushing from behind. engine power for pulling im not sure as ive never ridden a sportser but it has gears so you should be fine. I did a two minth stint on the road with swag etc and the trailer was great for living away in. fishing gear, guitar, gas cooker and food , chair. just try to use the lightest of available gear practicle. ride easy and enjoy the trip.

cheers

Hmmmm as usual words of wisdom.
I am sure that would be the hitch downforce limit.

Just remember you MUST pack carefully, not only with using available space but also with weight distribution.
Too much one way or the other will affect hitch downforce and rear stability.
To much one side to the other may affect trailer sway etc.

I have seen a vespa pulling a trailer in Uk but they don't travel the distances or have the heat, terrain etc we do here.
If you take note of the difference in performance between solo and two up you can get an idea of what affect adding a trailer and gear will have.

I cant see why wouldn't work but there are considerations.
Ride Safe
Nigel

thank you for all your really good advice, ....hubby is a truckie so I know it will be loaded probably..I should of said my towbar (not hitch) capacity was 230k....anyhow sounds like the sporty will tow it ok and that I can have a few extra bits and pieces. now to start planning the finer details like fuel distances etc..

Will be very keen to see some pics and hear of your adventures....ride safe and keep us all posted. Sounds like a blast...

i went on a 3 day ride last year, days were 26-28 degrees, nights fell to 2 degrees, i only had a swag and sleeping bag, slept in my jocks and was more than comfortable. A swag will keep plenty of heat in. I have a large detachable sissy bar that i modded a shopping trolly bag (old lady style) to slide onto it, i loaded it with my swag, wet gear, socks and jocks, a spare jumper and jeans. I used plenty of hocky straps which allowed me to just tuck my jacket into when not needed. With saddle bags and a rear bag rack there will be plenty of room. There is no need to take too many clothes, your not going to get that smelly riding all day. Have a shower at caravan parks every day or so and buy whatever else you need along the way.

T1

My mate tows a trailer around behind his GSX 500 piece of shit so I don't see why a Sporty wouldn't do it...

I would gear the bike down on the engine pulley if I was towing a trailer with a 883 sporty.

dont know if anyone has thrown it out there but ... what about using a sidecar for your gear ?

 From what I have heard I would'nt put a sidecar on a bike I ever wanted to use without a sidecar & wanted to go in a straight line again!!

You can always unhook your trailer when you are staying somewhere for a few days & tour around without it.

 From what I have heard I would'nt put a sidecar on a bike I ever wanted to use without a sidecar & wanted to go in a straight line again!!

You can always unhook your trailer when you are staying somewhere for a few days & tour around without it.

what a cool trumpy.  bet the roads were better those days too!.

your going to have a blast which ever way you decide to do it.

good on ya for doing it too!

 Have towed many things in the past behind my Off Road vehicles, but  only once on a bike tho' 

To make things easier for you & the bike there are now many manufacturers that make trailers now. Plastic, Aluminium are great options. If it is only clothing, a plastic trailer is a great option & the units do not not weigh a lot & are easy to manoeuvre.

http://www.pod trailer.com/products_pod.html

Not sure if these guys do bike units but gives you an idea of what to research.

Cheers & enjoy ya trip lucky lady.

 

could you just get a side car and use it like a trailer? may be that the sidecar can take more weight as the downforce is distributed over all the wheels instead of just the rear...just a thought

Just a question. Have you physically gathered all the essential gear to work out whether you need a trailer ? 

A trailer is going to cost some coin and perhaps better spent on a really nice solo swag. 

What Trailer did you end up buying, I'm looking at doing something similar

Thanks