Trailering my new to me Nomad

deemus · 11-24-2015, 08:37 PM

Hi everyone I'm new here in fact I won't have my bike till Friday and I can't ride it till spring

I have to trailer the bike home approx. 500Km and I have never trailered a bike before, just wondering if anyone out there had any tips for me.

blowndodge · 11-24-2015, 08:54 PM

Get a Victory instead?

I joke... Just take your time getting it home.

**BudMan** · 11-24-2015, 09:11 PM

Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum.
My advice is to place blocks on the sides of the tires. 2x4's would work assuming the trailer has a wood bed you could screw them down to.
If the rear tire slides to one side it could fall over no matter how well it's tied down.

Use plenty of tie down ratchet straps and check them along the way.
Not just left to right but front to back.

I also wouldn't use the handlebars as a place to apply considerable pressure.
Some, just to help stabilize the bike but not to much. You can do damage.
Get a strap around the risers. Don't pull the bike down so hard you have bottomed out the shocks.

Bud2rat · 11-24-2015, 09:20 PM

+1 on what Budman stated. Make sure you have it strapped down good. Also, watch the placement of the straps so as not to rub the paint.....don't ask me how I know this.

**smokier** · 11-25-2015, 06:55 AM

Greetings and Welcome!
Congratulations on the new-to-you-Nomad!
What the others have said. Stabilize the rear of the bike from bouncing and sliding.
Leave some slack in the front forks, so the forks can still absorb bumps in the road. Yes, even while trailer-ed!
Watch where your straps touch your scoot. They will leave marks as the rub, vibrate and scuff across paint and chrome...
Kick stand up, bike standing straight up.
With a little attention while securing, they ride better than you think.
Ride safe, and safe travels!
Smokier

sam · 11-25-2015, 07:07 AM

go to the parts & accessories for sale & get the condor stand. best way to trailer a bike & you can use this one in the garage also.

dshelly · 11-25-2015, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Get a Victory instead?

X2. I believe Victories come with their own trailer..

Loafer · 11-25-2015, 08:14 AM

Rule #1, don't ask GLWilson for advice on trailering
Rule #2, see Rule #1.

Some have used the crash bars for additional tie down spots. Best to you!

**JD Hog** · 11-25-2015, 11:34 AM

Welcome from Northern California

Congrats on the new Nomad, you will love the bike.

Lots of good advice above but I will add that you should check the tie downs often so if any come loose and start rubbing on the paint you can fix it before it's too late.

skullbagger · 11-25-2015, 11:57 AM

when the bike's front end is strapped down, have a buddy straddle the bike and lean with a counter steering action ( push left to go left and push rt to go right)
then you get the extra inch or two of strapping to tighten then switch to the other side of the bike and do it again, it will compress the front a little, BUT DONT BOTTOM IT OUT LEAVE SOME PLAY IN THE FRONT END. once in she aint going no where. strap the rear too so it dosent hop. thru the wheel and thru the floor if the trailor allows you to do so.

oh the front should be anchored with what I call bowties. from the risers down to the strap then cinch to anchor to the trailor

tonik · 11-25-2015, 11:59 AM

Four tie downs, two on the handle bars, and two on the saddle bag bars. Have someone compress the front a bit for you so the forks are preloaded. As mentioned if you can screw some short 2x4's in on both sides of the wheels. Especially the front tire. Make sure the tie downs hold the bike from stops and starts. So two pull forward and two backward.

Drive for a couple of miles, stop and recheck everything.

Not a big deal, it will be fine. But I understand your concern. It is always nerve wracking.

dank · 11-25-2015, 12:39 PM

U-haul rents a motorcycle trailer that is excellent. I rented one to trailer a Yamaha home for my son a few years ago. Nice ramp, metal channel for the wheels, and good tie-downs on the one we rented.

http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorc...ler-Rental/MT/

deemus · 11-25-2015, 01:00 PM

Thanks for all the excellent advice and I did rent a u-haul Dank, glad to hear they work so well.I just hope the weather holds a storm in southern Ontario this time of year can be nasty.

**ringadingh** · 11-25-2015, 01:25 PM

Congrats & Welcome aboard!

The Black Knight · 11-25-2015, 02:32 PM

Congrats and welcome from Italy!

11-24-2015, 09:11 PM	#3
BudMan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenwood, Ark. Posts: 4,736	Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum. My advice is to place blocks on the sides of the tires. 2x4's would work assuming the trailer has a wood bed you could screw them down to. If the rear tire slides to one side it could fall over no matter how well it's tied down. Use plenty of tie down ratchet straps and check them along the way. Not just left to right but front to back. I also wouldn't use the handlebars as a place to apply considerable pressure. Some, just to help stabilize the bike but not to much. You can do damage. Get a strap around the risers. Don't pull the bike down so hard you have bottomed out the shocks. __________________ Dave Jesse 2012 1700 Gray/Black Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad Green/Silver Sold VBA #1108 2010- Eureka Springs - Antlers - 2011- Maggie Valley - Antlers 2012- Margaritaville Ride - Van Buren - Antlers - 2013- Estes Park - Antlers 2014- Mountain View - Antlers - 2015- Eureka Springs - Antlers 2016- Salem - Antlers - 2017- Eureka Springs - Lake George - Antlers - 2018- Custer - Antlers
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11-24-2015, 09:20 PM	#4
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	+1 on what Budman stated. Make sure you have it strapped down good. Also, watch the placement of the straps so as not to rub the paint.....don't ask me how I know this. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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11-25-2015, 06:55 AM	#5
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Greetings and Welcome! Congratulations on the new-to-you-Nomad! What the others have said. Stabilize the rear of the bike from bouncing and sliding. Leave some slack in the front forks, so the forks can still absorb bumps in the road. Yes, even while trailer-ed! Watch where your straps touch your scoot. They will leave marks as the rub, vibrate and scuff across paint and chrome... Kick stand up, bike standing straight up. With a little attention while securing, they ride better than you think. Ride safe, and safe travels! Smokier __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-25-2015, 07:07 AM	#6
sam Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Clinton, CT Posts: 223	go to the parts & accessories for sale & get the condor stand. best way to trailer a bike & you can use this one in the garage also. __________________ Sam 05 1600 nomad
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11-25-2015, 08:14 AM	#8
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Rule #1, don't ask GLWilson for advice on trailering Rule #2, see Rule #1. Some have used the crash bars for additional tie down spots. Best to you! __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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11-24-2015, 08:37 PM	#1
deemus Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 13	Trailering my new to me Nomad Hi everyone I'm new here in fact I won't have my bike till Friday and I can't ride it till spring I have to trailer the bike home approx. 500Km and I have never trailered a bike before, just wondering if anyone out there had any tips for me. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-24-2015, 08:54 PM	#2
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Get a Victory instead? I joke... Just take your time getting it home. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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11-25-2015, 11:34 AM	#9
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,946	Welcome from Northern California Congrats on the new Nomad, you will love the bike. Lots of good advice above but I will add that you should check the tie downs often so if any come loose and start rubbing on the paint you can fix it before it's too late. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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11-25-2015, 11:57 AM	#10
skullbagger Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: N.C. Posts: 727	when the bike's front end is strapped down, have a buddy straddle the bike and lean with a counter steering action ( push left to go left and push rt to go right) then you get the extra inch or two of strapping to tighten then switch to the other side of the bike and do it again, it will compress the front a little, BUT DONT BOTTOM IT OUT LEAVE SOME PLAY IN THE FRONT END. once in she aint going no where. strap the rear too so it dosent hop. thru the wheel and thru the floor if the trailor allows you to do so. oh the front should be anchored with what I call bowties. from the risers down to the strap then cinch to anchor to the trailor __________________ " If your like most people its not for you " VULCAN VAQUERO
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11-25-2015, 11:59 AM	#11
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Four tie downs, two on the handle bars, and two on the saddle bag bars. Have someone compress the front a bit for you so the forks are preloaded. As mentioned if you can screw some short 2x4's in on both sides of the wheels. Especially the front tire. Make sure the tie downs hold the bike from stops and starts. So two pull forward and two backward. Drive for a couple of miles, stop and recheck everything. Not a big deal, it will be fine. But I understand your concern. It is always nerve wracking.
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11-25-2015, 12:39 PM	#12
dank Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,595	U-haul rents a motorcycle trailer that is excellent. I rented one to trailer a Yamaha home for my son a few years ago. Nice ramp, metal channel for the wheels, and good tie-downs on the one we rented. http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/Motorc...ler-Rental/MT/ __________________ Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts.
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11-25-2015, 01:00 PM	#13
deemus Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 13	Thanks for all the excellent advice and I did rent a u-haul Dank, glad to hear they work so well.I just hope the weather holds a storm in southern Ontario this time of year can be nasty.
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11-25-2015, 01:25 PM	#14
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Congrats & Welcome aboard! __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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11-25-2015, 02:32 PM	#15
The Black Knight Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Italy Posts: 6,013	Congrats and welcome from Italy! __________________ VBA 02514 - VROC 35394 VN 800 A - VN 900 Classic VN 1700 Vaquero Usque ad finem.
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