Track Day logistics (getting there)

[tonyalta]

Ok here is a simple logistics question for you regular track riders out there. I plan to take the GS out on the track this fall and am preparing accordingly but one thing keeps popping into my head, how am I going to get the bike there? Do most of you guys already own trailers/trucks that you haul the GS in or do rent them? Does anybody actually ride to the track (does not seem to be the best solution)? Do you rent a trailer? Unfortunately my other vehicule is not a big burly truck but a small BMW hatchback sooooo a trailer might be difficult. Am I screwed? and if so what are my options?

Odd question for them forum but it is one of the things on my list in preparing for my first track day.

Thanks for the advice

Tony

[spc]

That BMW hatchback will tow big enough of a trailer to haul your bike, but you would have to get a hitch..........and a trailer

[tussey]

Whatever you do don't let UHaul touch your BMW. The will F!@$ it up! By a tow hitch and do it yourself. Then rent a pos trailer from uhaul and attach it yourself.

I rode my bike to track day and had my gf follow me in her SUV. We went down the night before (3 hour trip), slept in the back of her car. Then at the end of the day I drove home (exhausted) and she followed. It F'ing sucked. PLUS if you crash your bike....you need a plan to get it home....

[spc]

+1
I wasn't suggesting he let uhaul do the install.........bunch of retarded underpaid monkeys
Generally installing a hitch is a matter of popping a few bolts in and torqueing them down REALLY well.

[ben2go]

I'd find a local RV shop and have a hitch installed.Then I'd get one of those $300 trailers from Harbor Frieght or Northern Tool,if you have these locally.If you will be towing along distance,I'd try to get a trailer with 15inch wheels.They don't bounce around as much.My aunt has a 1.9L automatic Saturn SL2.She pulls a trailer and about 1000pounds,around upstate,SC.I'd think the Beemers stouter brakes,engine,and tranny would take it in stride.Remember this is just my opinion.You can also get one of those heavy duty plastic lockable truck bed boxes and bolt it to the floor or possibly the trailer tounge.RangerBrown had a VW Golf,I think,and pulled his bike,gear,and a couple of truck boxes from Columbia,SC,to my house in Spartanburg,SC,then to Deals Gap,NC.He made the trip home also,with no problems.Well he had to deal with stupid drivers.

[tonyalta]

Thanks for the info. I think I will get a hitch and then shop around to buy a trailer (or rent if I can't find one). Yeah, Ihad heard from a variety of sources it is a bad idea to ride to the track.....

I am pretty excited about the prospect of pushing the GS around the track. Pretty much all I thing about these days when I am working on the bike.

Cheers, Tony

[werase643]

just rent a small pickup truck and put the bike in the back
cheaper than a hitch and trailer rental

see if you like it before you spend every last penny you have.....

[pantablo]

That BMW hatchback will tow big enough of a trailer to haul your bike, but you would have to get a hitch..........and a trailer

get a hitch for your bimmer from hitchmart.com. I bought mine for $150, shipped. Installed in 15 minutes w/o drilling anything-bolted to existing frame holes. when on the website check the install instructions for your car to make sure its easy like that.
Your bimmer wont have a problem towing a Uhaul trailer if my intera LS hatch can without problem:


Uhaul trailers are $15/day to rent. trucks are about the same but they charge mileage too so it gets expensive.
I towed with my acura at least a dozen times without incident. the Uhaul motorcycle trailers are great in that they have a built in ramp/tailgate making loading a 15 minute job. I got tired of renting one though and bought my own for $400 from a local distributor of a chinese made trailer. you can also look at harbor freight trailers for $275 or so.
this is the harbor freight trailer after a couple years of abuse (plywood was added):


we just bought a new car for my wife though. I'll be using this as a tow vehicle (sold my acura too):

[jen_]

Another last ditch option for the trailer-less--  a friend of mine was planning to rent a UHAUL, only to find out they won't rent trailers to Ford Explorers.  He posted up on craigslist, and some guy a few blocks away had one and let him borrow it for like $50 for the weekend.  Probably liability and insurance issues there, but there's always peeps with unused trailers sittin around.

I've had good luck with the UHAULS, and have a few friends with those Harbor Freight trailers.  Uhaul has the motorcycle trailers, or if you are taking more than one bike, they have bigger like 6'x9' ramp trailers, too.  They don't always have tie down bolts in them, but I just bolt in my own from HomeDepot--those trailers are usually so scratched up, they never notice new bolt holes in the floor. 

Also, I love my Baxley Sport Chock.  I can throw that thing on anyones trailer, and just roll my bike into it.  2 quick tie downs, and the bike's all set. http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Sportchock.html


The little local go-cart track I just ride to, then take my mirrors off and air down the tires when I get there.  It's close enough that if I wreck, I can call someone to come pick it up.  I know people that ride to a big track, then ride home at the end of the day, and they are never happy about it.

[TheMajekalBum]

sorry to hi-jack the thread but wheres this g-cart track you speak of?

[ohgood]

hey there pantablo - are those volvos in your pictures the same vehicle ? they both look quite new, and I wondered how long you kept them, how reliable they were, what model, blah etc

<bump> for a good thread too

[tonyalta]

Thanks again. I am not so worried anymore about my litte car with a trailer. Looks like I'll get a hitch from hitchmart.com (thanks pantablo) then just rent a trailer at first.

Also if anyone has some general words of wisdom learned from your first few times at the track please let us know. any stories, advice, lessons learned, good and bad. Anything from prepping the bike to the actual day. Also for those of you who have made a regular thing of going to the track I am curious to know how many of you have track specific bikes and how many are riding their street bikes.

Cheers, Tony

[ben2go]

That BMW hatchback will tow big enough of a trailer to haul your bike, but you would have to get a hitch..........and a trailer

get a hitch for your bimmer from hitchmart.com. I bought mine for $150, shipped. Installed in 15 minutes w/o drilling anything-bolted to existing frame holes. when on the website check the install instructions for your car to make sure its easy like that.
Your bimmer wont have a problem towing a Uhaul trailer if my intera LS hatch can without problem:


Uhaul trailers are $15/day to rent. trucks are about the same but they charge mileage too so it gets expensive.
I towed with my acura at least a dozen times without incident. the Uhaul motorcycle trailers are great in that they have a built in ramp/tailgate making loading a 15 minute job. I got tired of renting one though and bought my own for $400 from a local distributor of a chinese made trailer. you can also look at harbor freight trailers for $275 or so.
this is the harbor freight trailer after a couple years of abuse (plywood was added):


we just bought a new car for my wife though. I'll be using this as a tow vehicle (sold my acura too):

Panty Thanks.
I'm getting a hitch for my car and truck.I haven't been able to find a hitch for my car.I've looked for one since I bought it in 1998!

[frankieG]

i towed two bikes, my tlr100 and gixxer 600, about 150 miles one way using my four cylinder honda accord exr