Am I crazy? I ordered a trailer hitch for my GS500!

[Bluesmudge]

I have always been enamored with motorcycles as transportation instead of art. Sidecars, panniers, top boxes, two-up riding, three-up riding, clever solutions to transport large items, and TRAILERS!

For the past 10 months I have been experimenting with a no-car life. My wife has a car but any time I go someplace by myself it is via motorcycle. I have figured out how to mount my snow skis on the bike and my locking panniers and top case allow me to take most items with me. But what about larger items? Bicycles, trips to the hardware store, bark mulch, or small sailboats? I need a trailer!

After years of searching for a solution that didn't involve sketchy DIY I finally found a company that manufactures a trailer for the GS500!
https://classicind.com.au/

I like that they consider all bikes 500cc+ capable of hauling their largest trailer. As opposed to motorcycle trailer manufacturers in the US that expect you to own a full dresser touring bike to even consider towing a trailer.

I've ordered the trailer hitch and now I'm on the hunt for a lightweight (under 300 lbs) utility trailer. Ideally something I can also tow behind my wife's small car.
I'll report back once I've made some progress!

[beRto]

Cool!

Good luck, and thanks for sharing. I am interested to see your updates when it's fitted!

[peteGS]

Mate that's us Aussies for ya', we like a good underdog 

I've pondered trailers before as I also just have my bikes only for solo transport, but always stuck just with my top box or tank bag or whatever.

[ShowBizWolf]

That is awesome!!! Can't wait to see! You've got support coming at you from me in Pennsylvania

[Sporty]

I was in Chicago, at a busy city gas station filling my car and a vintage Vespa scooter rides by towing a odd little trailer painted to match. If a Vespa can tow a trailer, a GS500 can too!

A quick search shows lots of them




A few campers too!

[peteGS]

I recall a number of years ago when my 450 was still stock I went on a rally and there was a fella on there with a stock SR400 towing a little home built trailer, and apparently that was standard for him. Anywhere he went, that trailer was on the back of his 400 towing all his gear.

[gruntle]

Respect...
a Gs5000 can go any where/do anything - pukka superbike...

[jackinacabin]

I hope you do it , ive been toying with the idea of a small mono wheel trailer to carry my boot scooter , I ride a gs when i can but am disabled , I can only walk a car length or three  so a trailer  would be an amazing thing ... flipping expensive here in the uk though .. A couple or so years ago i nearly bought a mono trailer from a vespa - unfortunately it was  just a little to small for the mobility scooter even when taken to bits ... good luck with your trailer thoughts....

[Bluesmudge]

The trailer hitch showed up from Australia. Seems very well made.

The attachment points are the exhaust hanger, the left footpeg mount, and two vertical supports on the subframe. Seems like a very smart way to do it that also shouldn't interfere with my pannier racks.

I still need to find time to mount the hitch. Since its winter, I've been skiing every weekend and not very focused on motorcycle stuff.

I've been looking around for a trailer. Trying to decide the best form factor for multiple uses that also doesn't get above 300 lbs.

[Bluesmudge]

Well I finally made it happen.
I found a 2008 Aluma MCTXL trailer on craigslist for a good price. I installed the Classic Industries trailer hitch and wiring and ball to match the Aluma trailer.

I replaced all the LED lighting on the trailer since many lights were cracked, leaking or malfunctioning and LEDs have come a ways since 2008 in terms of lumens per watt. I also re-caulked the trailer and added a vent to the bottom. The 14 year old caulking had all begun to crack and was letting rain enter from the top of the trailer.


The GS500 is definitely at the low-end for power when it comes to pulling this trailer on the highway. I would say my max normal speed will be 65 mph. Above that and the bike struggles to move all that mass through the air, especially up hill. It also starts to feel less stable above 65 mph, at least when its empty.

I took it on a dump run with 180 lbs of junk and 4 chairs stacked on top. That is probably the upper limit of what I would want to pull on the highway; I could definitely feel the trailer with that much weight and extra surface area.

I've spent more time pulling  a 90 lbs sailboat on top of the trailer and with that I can hardly tell its back there.
Overall I've added a ton of utility to the GS500 for about $1,000 all-in (trailer, hitch, parts). Now I really don't need a car. If anyone is looking for a similar solution I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Classic Industries motorcycle hitch and the Aluma trailer. They are quality made in USA (trailer) and made in Australia (hitch) products made of aluminum and steel and should last a long time.

The cold and wet winter day I picked up the trailer. A long cold ride back home was a great way to try towing a trailer on a motorcycle for the first time:


180 lb dump run! Now I need to try moving bark mulch and rocks for the garden:


Going sailing. This 11 foot sailboat is a little sunfish knockoff and was another great craigslist find. I hadn't been sailing since I was a kid. Now I can fit in a motorcycle ride and a quick sailing session after work:

[johnny ro]

In the rain. Yes crazy in a good way. Very nice.

[beRto]

 

[jackinacabin]

Thats great ! I may do the same... My mobility scooter fits on the pillion but its a forkler on my back to get it there so a trailer may be the longer term answer, I wondered if a gs would haul one ok and now I know .... interested to know how it holds up over time ...