2008 GS500F pulling trailor?

[bud_44]

Has anyone pulled a small trailor with a GS500F or any GS500?  A good friend suggest I do this to haul my gear when on a road trip with my wife or solo.  Please share your thoughts on this with me.  Thanks for your help.  Ride safe my friends.

[jdoorn14]

I wouldn't guess you would have enough torque to pull a motorcycle trailer behind your GS500, especially if you've got stuff like a cooler, 5 gallon gas can, food, camping equipment, luggage, kitchen sink, etc.  Remember, this isn't a Goldwing. 

[Formori]

If the trailer had a really low rolling resistance, and wasn't overweighted , I don't think you'd have much trouble. In saying that tho, the max weight capacity of the bike is around 500lbs (2 people riding), so including yourself and no passenger, that would be your capability.

If you do, post a pic, I'd love to see a GS pullin' a trailer!

[jestercinti]

I would not pull a trailer on the GS500.  I think the experience will not be very pleasant.  Not meant for that.  If you want to pull a trailer, buy a bigger bike.

[jdoorn14]

I would expect the trailer by itself (no load) to be in the area of 150-200 lbs. If the OP is also 150-200 lbs with riding gear (for some of us that would be a bit light), that leaves somewhere between 100-200 lbs of gear he can haul in said trailer before overloading the bike. That said, I would think that the load would be more stable if affixed to the bike itself by way of backpack, tank, tail, & saddlebags.

But, as Formori said, if you find a way to do it, only pics will be accepted as proof that it can be done.

Out of curiosity, what are you thinking of hauling in that trailer?

[Paulcet]

Putting 500 lbs on a trailer does not necessarily overload the bike.  The payload capacity is weight carried on the bike.  So when determining the total weight carried on the bike, simply add the tongue weight of the trailer instead of the gross weight. 

I don't see a problem with it really.  Just be aware of the extra load on the driveline and don't try to race from light to light!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=58460.0

[cheetahman]

Normally when you buy a trailer towing option for your F150 pick-up, you get a lower axle ratio, heavier springs and brakes, as well as the hitch and associated electric equipment.  In the old days they even beefed up the cooling system and gave you a heavier duty front axle and better tires, bigger transmission cooler etc..

Now the same logic applies to the motorcycle.  The lower overall gear ratio eases the strain on the drive line from stops and starts.  This you can do with sprockets.  You can upgrade the rear shock and front fork springs yourself, and you can even probably figure a way to run dual disc brakes up front for more braking power to compensate for the extra weight.  The question is: is it worth it?  If you don't do these things, you may well be compromising safety and long gevity of you and the motorcycle itself.

Just because you can do something, doesn't neccessarily mean you should.

[ohgood]

Ride someones bike with a trailer (kids trailer) behind it, and drop 100 lbs in it. Then get up to 20 mph, in a turn, and try braking...

Now imagine that feeling at 75mph, on your gs.

Don't do it.

[bud_44]

I wanted to pull camping gear for my wife and I.  Not much weight but I'm backing away from this idea.  I've been told it is not a good idea.  Thank you for your help.  Ride safe my friends.

[Bluesmudge]

The GS could handle something like this:

http://www.moto-mule.com/trailers.html

[SAFE-T]

A light single-track trailer like the mule should be fine. Adjust your riding accordingly and off you go