Starting a new thread so those who have nothing nice to say about people who may use a trailer have a place to rant.

I used a trailer once. Trailered our Reflexes to MN in advance of a ride around Lake Superior. Had a great time. Wouldn't change a thing about it. The constraints of time and the desire to spend more time on the scoots while riding around the lake were both contributing factors.

I'd consider using a trailer again - I get only 120 hours of vacation each year and so when I factor in using a bit over 60 of them for a mission trip in addition to other family needs - I can see trailering to a location to squeeze in more time spent on location riding.

However I am not upset with you if you choose not to trailer - It's a big world and I think we can both exist and enjoy each others company.

I have a trailer and use it to haul 2 bikes at once , since police frown upon me trying to ride both at the same time.

Also i have friends that trailer to FL . during the winter. They then use the enclosed trailer as a camper. He is 71 and she's Uh...29 . hahahah

Nothing wrong with trailers. Right now mine is filled with limbs.

I also have a trailer I pull behind my M/C once in a while on long trips camping.

MaxB

I have two trailers. Does that make me double trailer trash?

One is an enclosed 6x10 that I have customized with two wheel chocks that can handle two fully dressed touring bikes if nexessary (it's tight bu doable).

I've installed tons of e-track on the floors and walls for tie downs (I also use it for hauling general stuff around, lend it to friends for moving day use etc.). It even has a cupboard, clothes bar for riding leathers and base cabinet for MC supplies, parts and other gear.

Inside its painted in checkerboard white and black and this coming season, I'll finish this project by trimming it out with checkerboard aluminum plate and a rubberized floor to prevent slippage.

My second open 4x8 utility trailer has some e-track fittings and tie-downs so I can use one of the chocks from the enclosed trailer. I use this trailer to run a single bike into the dealer when necessary. I also use it to haul trash to the dump ... yup ... trailer trash.

Like Dale and many others who still work, we have limited vacation time and we pull the enclosed trailer behind our RV so we can enjoy two of our favourite past-times ... RV touring/camping and touring on our scoots.

We just wouldn't have it any other way. Might even see some of you at the HAMS IV next June. We'll be the ones hauling our scoots in our trailer behind us as we wind and camp our way down from Canada. ~ sonuvabug ~

I only use a trailer to ride around the country trying to find "free" Silver Wings just sitting out.

Tracey and I trailer our scoots to Lancaster County twice a year to ride in the spring and fall Mid Atlantic Scooter Rally ( www.midatlanticscoot.com )

With our work schedules we found that the leisurely ride in the cage to and from the rally is a bit safer and for the past few years drier than if we had pushed on two wheels to keep schedules.

Ya Know...I never have had the Silverwing on a trailer.

NOW that old 59 Panhead Harley, just loved to ride on a trailer and/or in the back of a Pick-up. It was always breaking down for one reason or another. Parts were just wearing out on the old girl.

We trailered the SW home after we bought it from a fine gentleman 380 miles away from home. I had never ridden outside of a parking lot. Bob was use to shifting and using the clutch on his bike and wasn't comfortable riding it all the way home back to Chicago. We were storing my father-in-law's bike trailer in out garage for 5 years with out moving it. When we pulled it out to get it ready for the trip down to southern Illinois to pick up the SW the current license sticker was the same color as the the one on the plate. Glad we did that it was a long day. We got up at 3 am. and got home about 10 pm. Had some rain on the way home.

I got up the next day and took it for a ride in around the city and suburds. Had alot of fun. Manage to put about 1600 miles on it before the cold and snow set in while working a full time job.

I agree, when you have only limited vacation time you have to make the choice of spending more riding time at your destination or using that time up riding to your destination. Coming out of Chicago we are pretty flat and straight for quite a distance and quite congested.

Bob and I have to decide how we want to ride this summer. He always rode to where he was going. Whether it was Wyoming, Myrtle Beach, Tennessee etc. But now I am riding with him and I have yet to build up my endurance on long rides. It also, helps knowing we have a trailer in the garage to have that choice.

We are planning on going back to Knoxville this summer. Possibly the BMW Rally in Pennsylvania in July. And I would like to see if we could make it down to the STO Rally in Sept. I have more vacation time then Bob so we will have to see. I don't see myself going by myself. But maybe if I trailered it and met up with some you fine folks I could pull it off.

Good thread Dale.

Cathy

I'm not trying to dis anyone here, but what's the difference if you trailer your ride to the rally, park, wherever and riding it there? Whether you are in a car pulling a trailer or on a bike, it's the same amount of time. Now if you have an RV and like RV'ing, I totally understand. Also, if you have a lot of stuff to bring, then a car pulling a trailer would be more practical.

I guess it's just me, but I would rather ride a two wheeler in the rain than drive a car in the rain. I know. I'm a nut. But I'm a happy nut.

Hang on theres some sematics in here!

I own two trailers; 1 a small 4x5 box untility trailer that gets used for all and sundry, from runs down the recycling centre to collecting building materials, the other is a commercially made single motorcycle carrying trailer, its a chassis with a central rail in which the bike sits, there are no lockers, storage bins etc.etc. It cost me a fair whack of money 3 years ago after a holiday of a life time to Aus turned out to be anything but......

The point is the only time a motorcycle has been on the trailer (either mine or friends) is when its not working or on the very odd occasion I've been running a stand at a local show and need to shift not only a bike but a whole load of camping gear at the same time using the van, making one trip.

Initally, anybody (regardless of age) whom I found to be trailering a 'bike' anywhere to a rally was regarded at the very least with scepticism (putting it politely) or more likely with contempt. HOWEVER, the more one learns about others limited time, and taking into account distances that need to be travelled to get to events then I can begin to understand the attaction.

I rode over to a Dutch CX club rally a couple of years ago, and met up with a friend from Belgium. Late into the night we partied, and eventually the converstation came around to the lack of club members from his locality attending the rally. Grumpily, he told me that all the 'so called riders' he knew thought the ride to the event was a bit to far for them (a distance of about 90 miles) which was why he was on his own. He then commented it was a bad reflection on his country men that 18 of us from the UK had bothered to make the ride.

The point of all this is simple; from my perspective I can find an event going on here in the UK probaby every weekend of the year, and with luck I can leave at a reasonable time on a Friday afternoon and expect to arrive well in time for last orders at the bar. I can then set off on a Sunday morning and be back home before dark (most of the time). Have a good nights sleep and be fresh for Monday. I have never met anyone who's work arrangements make them count their time off in hours!!!! Even in the Army we took 'days/weeks' on leave. ~What sort of job (apart from shifts) requires you to work weekends as well as during the week?? Most Brits average 40-50 hours a week.....

Like I said, I feel very lucky to be able to live my life the way I do!

Skippy,

The past 18 months and probably the next 12 I have been working on a development program for a foriegn customer. The product we are designing is meant to get our friends out of harms way and put the customer up on their feet as their own protector. It is the only program I've ever worked where the schedule has consistently moved to the left (gotten tighter). I had a slacker week a couple of weeks ago - only 59 hours.

When I was a soldier I had 30 days of "leave" each year along with permissive TDY and passes, all paid. Oddly in the commercial world they don't want to pay you if you don't work. I have 120 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick pay that are at my disposal. I am leaving 41.5 hours of vacation and 20 hours of sick pay on the table this year.

I have a multitude of interests outside of riding a SilverWing. I dance, I ride with the Patriot Guard, I volunteer at a local High School, I'm a fairly active servant at my church, and I have a family that deserve more of my time. Unfortunately, no matter how much I would like it to be so - there are only 24 hours in a day and I do require some sleep.

I used to have a good bit of disdain for folks who used a trailer, until I realized that there is a limited amount of time. I guess like most things - our own experience sometimes is limited and does not account for the situation of others. I'd have to say I would probably not trailer to an event less than 400 - 500 miles away, but that is just my preference.

I have a Devon Mottoware sugar bowl; the motto is 'Say little but think much'.

I keep my own counsel and care little for what others think of me (in most circumstances).

I would not trailer my Silverwing under normal circumstances - the ride to and from is part of the event for me - and as most of my rideouts are in England, taking car and trailer on either Shuttle or ferry every time would prove very expensive.

It's a bit like ATTGATT.

As for working-hours and weekends; I could never 'get away' early on a Friday in term-time and frequently worked on Saturdays and Sundays, preparing, marking, writing Reports and so on.

I'm probably barmy but I actually get a buzz out of towing.

Adendum Edit:

JD, you seem to keep yourself busy As one of the European riders who use this forum, I constantly find myself suprised at the things you guys over the pond do. As I was saying, I now understand why some riders choose to trailer a bike to a rally or show, as has been discussed in the past, distances are so much greater over there than here, and for that I count myself lucky.

[quote="MikeO"]I have a Devon Mottoware sugar bowl; the motto is 'Say little but think much'.

Very good advice. That's why God gave us two ears and one mouth. Of course on some it's an awfully big mouth. Since Santa's still checking his list, I won't name names. As long as they don't invade my space, why should I care what others do or don't do.

i don't like trailering .but when it is necesary I do it . I will be trailering to texas in March . it could be -30 when I leave here . that might be a good reason to trailer .

Yeah we get em too,