Whats the best Motorcycle for rack??

[nplenzick]

Dave,
I use my coach for my business which is doing various motorcycle shows/rallies through out the country. I tow an enclosed trailer that has my merchandise and also my bike (BMW R1200 RT). Once I get to my destination my only means of travel is by motorcycle so I ride about 15K a year. I guess you can say I use my bike like a car. I have no problem with it. My wife ( when she comes with me) doesn't enjoy it as much as she use too ever since she had knee surgery last year. So if she's with me for a few weeks and we are at one location for a week or so we'll rent a car. That really doesn't happen that often.
Lot's of good motorcycles out there, it really depends on how much time you expect to be on one. You haven't ridden in quit sometime so I would suggest an MSF course and also I would purchase the best riding gear that you can afford. That's Helmut, jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. Don't skimp on any of this, I've seen too many small accidents at low speed or even no speed ( simply falling over) turn into skin grafts , concussion, etc. They could have simply walked or ridden away if they had the proper gear.
As for bikes I would not suggest a BMW 1200 GS for someone just returning to two wheels. It's a very tall somewhat heavy bike for a novice and make no mistake since you haven't ridden in 20 years you are a novice. BMW also make a 800 and a 650 GS but to be honest with you the bike I would suggest for you would be a Suzuki 650 V Strom. The perfect bike for the novice and experience rider. Good power from the L twin motor fairly inexpensive to buy and holds it value probably better then any motorcycle out there. There's a cult like following for this bike. I owned one for a year as we used it for our display and sold it for what I paid for it.
Just remember unlike what some people like to think motorcycles are more dangerous then four wheel transportation, there's simply no doubt about it. Always wear all your gear all the time and take riding seriously, be the best you can be, learn and keep learning all you can. Do that and you'll end up enjoying motorcycles more then you can ever imagine!

[Vegasdan]

I've owned a 1150GS BMW but would feel that bike is too heavy for what you want. I'd recommend a Kawasaki KLR650. Not too heavy, can handle 2 up although I'd not recommend 2 up on off road (with any dual purpose) unless it's just a campground road. Older KLRs are low cost and reliable.

[Algoma]

I have a Kawasaki KLE650 (Versys) as I do mostly road work. I liked the BMW F650GS (except for the seat) but it was twice the price of the Versys. There is a lowering kit available if the seat is too high. The KLR650 may better for off-road work.

[KTM Guy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnFreyja Dave, I'm crowding 70 and no longer do Enduro type riding but I do still ride a Harley and I think you should consider a "HydraLift" Hydralift USA ™ Motorcycle Lifts For RV’s as they are very capable of hauling pretty much any motorcycle you want and lift it hydraulically up securely on the back of any class A and STILL tow a car at the same time if you want. Good luck and enjoy your Motorhome and Motorcycling! John 05 Country Coach Inspire

Don't overlook the Hydralift. We love ours. I added the sport conversion so we can carry two dirt bikes or one street bikes. I recommend also a rear camera so you can watch your bike(s) while driving.

[max49]

For the money, A KLR 650 is great deal and well proven to be reliable riding to and fro South America even packing double. If money is not a big deal, a 990 KTM or a BMW would be great bike for pavement and dirt roads. Your DP hitch could handle these but most moto carriers are rated for 500 lbs so keep that in mind. The bikes mentioned should be less than 500, but close with full fuel.

[bseidler3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1956 Thanks all for the many good comments. Goldwingerx2 raised a good point. we hope youuse the bike to get around gampgrounds and especially in national parks and wilderness areas. we are trying to avoid towing a vehicle. I had not inteded it for sick or hospital emergencies but that is a valid point. How do some of you folks feel about not having a toad with you? Thanks Dave

CoRider/Copilot come with the TOAD. No TOAD, I'm solo.

[bseidler3]

My CoPilot/CoRider only comes with a TOAD. How else will she shop? take the Class A?

[rough road]

You really have two excellent two up choices for the short dollar both BMW's; perhaps the most practical and rackable off roader is the R100 GS; big enough and comfortable enough to munch some serious highway miles and really quite capable off road in the soft stuff. The real superstar though is the first makeover of the GS line, the R1100 GS: Yes they are big, yes they are heavy, and yes you can really take one offroad (if you are a super human being) it really is, serious offroading aside, the perfect bike for us, we are two up 98% of the time.
The 259 engine is magnificent; maintaining dignified velocities will return low to mid 50's mpg even fully loaded-and you can pack almost as much weight onto the bike as the bike itself weighs, which is 540 lbs I think (if you are really interested I will post the exact limits), you can see why some refer to the 1100 as the 'mule'. This is the first production bike with full electronic engine management (some, ours included have a glitch that will cut off power at the most inconvienent times-very very seldom, but you get used to it), the first with abs (once you ride a bike with abs you will NEVER even get on one without it), the first with a 3 way cat, the first using the engine as a stressed part, it really has no frame and I believe the first with tubless SPOKE-cross laced-tires. The new style engine, the cylinders are slightly angled upward, have oil cooled exhaust valves and an oil cooler between the fork tubes, the purpose of the 'wierd' looking -fender, beak- is to channel air into the cooler and it works very, very well-in upper 90*F weather, on dirt roads, stop and go, or very-very dignified highway velocities, the engine, by gauge or ear, has never even come close to overheating.
The bike was well thought out, from the gigantic fuel tank-you can easily go 250 miles before you have to START looking plus it adds alot of protection from the wind (as does the small wind screen) to the stock alternator which will easily power electric clothing for two AND give you enough juice for two xenon aux lights, Hella FF4000 compacts are amazing.

Is it for everyone, no the sheer size, weight are a deal breaker for some (it is quite a chore to get one back up onto its feet)' the tranny is bulletproof but clunkly and the audilble abs reset bugs a few-but for the rest of us its magnificent-AND examples can be had for about 3k usd, just beware-some have been very thoroughly enjoyed.

Loud valves save lives.

[AZgl1500]

I think that you should take a look at the KLR 650. A bit more manageable and it is a darn good dual sport bike.

[Beagle RC Air]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZgl1500 I think that you should take a look at the KLR 650. A bit more manageable and it is a darn good dual sport bike.

Isn't the KLR series used for military bike? I think they may have used a diesel engine in place of the 650 cc gas engine.
The KLR 650 has always had good reputation as a dual sport.
Anyhow, enjoy your m/c when you are out with MH.
Beagle

[rough road]

If I have the bikes right the KLR makes the GS look low to the ground, and the GS is positively not for the vertically challanged-but I believe you to be correct about off road capabilities, our GS has been on the ground at least five times, all off road, all on soft surfaces, too much power. On all roads and all reasonably hard surfaces the GS is the finest-adventure touring- bike ever produced which is why it remains their best seller.
The only real disadvantage is that the bike is so stable, brake dive is really non existent, its just too easy to get stupid.

[AZgl1500]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle RC Air Isn't the KLR series used for military bike? I think they may have used a diesel engine in place of the 650 cc gas engine. The KLR 650 has always had good reputation as a dual sport. Anyhow, enjoy your m/c when you are out with MH. Beagle

Yes, the military uses a diesel engine in their version of the KLR-650. Would love to have one here at home for my stable.

As a tongue in cheek suggestion, this bike would make a nice on/off roader for taking along with our RVs.

It is a GL1500, or was at one time.

[luckyme]

I am looking at something between 400 and 650cc and motorcycletrailer.com has every kind of trailer you could think of. I like the RHDC1 $650 and the RHMR1 $390. I want to explore everywhere and a on/off is the best way for me to do that. The NU-WA hitchhiker II has a sturdy 500# hitch that looks like it will work for me. I think you will find a trailer here.

[krivanj]

Try Versahaul carrier. It has a receiver built into it that will let you pull a car behind the carrier It also has the antirattle hitch feature. . I have this with a KLR600, the forerunner to the KLR 650. The KLR is tall though.