Interesting conversation

I sent a thank you note and photo of my S'wing & it's new Shadow trailer to the owner of Mini-Trailer USA yesterday.  She replied back and seemed very surprised that I would be towing the trailer with a S'wing.  She said it was policy not to sell their trailers for use with any motorcycle under 1300cc, then proceeded to tell me a story about how a Harley Sportster owner had bought a Shadow, then complained that his gas mileage dropped from 40mpg to 10mpg.  He also complained that towing the trailer destroyed the transmission in his Sportster!

Well, I didn't try to argue, but I smelled 3-day old fish in that story.  Sportsters have been 1200cc since 1988, and that should be more than adequate horsepower to pull a little 200 lb trailer with a reasonable load.  As for destroying the transmission; he must have been using the trailer to haul bricks or firewood.  Either that, or Harley Sportsters are a lot junkier than they should be. (Or his was in poor shape to begin with)

As far as that 1300cc limit, it's a bit arbitrary in my book.  After all, the Can-Am Spyder is just under 1000cc, and Can-Am has their own branded line of trailers to match their trikes.

Anyway, I reassured the owner that I had been towing the trailer around town and could see no sign of problems so far.  I promised to keep her informed if any did show up.  She seemed reassured that I would not be coming back and complaining, but said she would not be using my photo on her website as she did not want to change her 1300cc limit policy.

So, any S'wing owners considering giving Mini-Trailer USA a call, I suggest being slightly less than completely honest if you are asked what you ride.

It'sa one'a them'a wing'a thing'as that'sa all'a ya gotta know'a.!

Interesting that their web site makes absolutely no mention of a 1300cc limit.

Actually the HD Sportster is still available in 883cc as well as the 1200cc version. Both are equally common. I had an 02, 883. It was a gorgeous bike but taking the Mrs. was an uncomfortable option for her. Imho the bike would not drop to 10mpg while towing a trailer, even if it was full of bricks or firewood!!

It sounds like buyer's remorse  by the Sportster owner (if the story is true).

Hi Yo wrote:

It sounds like buyer's remorse  by the Sportster owner (if the story is true).

I suspected something like that, and it was probably a cocked up sob story to get a refund.  More likely is that he bought the trailer without consulting his Chief Financial Officer. (wife)   Either that, or he got it out on the road, did something stupid, and scared the piss out of himself. The owner of Mini-Trailer did not give any details about that.  It's just an opinion on my part.