Towing a bike

We're thinking of getting a cruiser type bike once i've passed my test, Saw
a Siamoto Geco 250 at my local bike shop today, ok i know it's not a big
name brand, but i don't care when it's 2 grand for a brand new bike that
looks the dogs bollox (well, we think so anyway, always liked cruisers, and
after riding the TS125 i really need something with a big comfy seat)

I'm the one that has the large motorhome, got the TS125 to put on the back
of the van so we could drive the motorhome to where we want to stay, then
use the bike to get around once were there, made the rack and all that.. and
it all works, but the TS is just too uncomfortable for me.. hence the
cruiser...

Obviousely i cant hang a 160 kilo plus bike on the back of the van on a rack
like the TS, appart from the cruiser being a bit too wide.. meaning the rack
would have to sit out even further from the rear bumper.. prolly taking me
over the 60% rule for overhangs,

So we'll have to tow the cruiser behind the van instead, but i'm not too
keen on a bike trailer, storage problems when were at a camp site for one
reason, and some get arsey and try to charge extra for anything more than 2
'vehicles'

So i recall seeing a devise you bolt onto your tow bar mountings, basicaly a
hoop of square section steel, and you sit the bikes front wheel in the hoop,
strap it down properly, and drive off down the road, towing the bike along
on it's rear wheel.

I last saw these for sale at the newark autojumble, a good few years back
tho, and at the time i just thought 'what a good idea' but never enquired
into things like the legality of it etc,

Now i want one.. or really i want to see what's done by the people who make
them, then prolly copy it and make me own i can't find anything in the
UK.. in america they have something called the 'motorcycle towing caddy',
this is a low more complex, a half circle of tubes, a wind up mechanism
etc.. a lot easier to load the bike onto of course, but expensive.

Anyone know who it is who made the UK version i saw?? idealy a web site with
them on would be very nice,
i have thought some things out about this, the bike will have a chain oiler,
one of the electronic ones, and i'll rig it up to operate every 10 minutes
or so for a minute when the bike is being towed, lights i'll just tap into
the bikes rear lights and indicaters.. hidden connector on the bike, plug
into the trailer socket, and i have a rear view camera on the motorhome that
will point directly at the bike on tow, so hopefully i have everything
covered.. i just need to find the bit of kit i am after now.

 

I've seen some really good coach conversions used by the stock car
racers. Half camper-half workshop.

 

http://www.epinions.com/content_3939344516

 

Why don't both of you take your tests and then one of you can ride the bike
to the campsites, with the campervan acting as support vehicle with cups of
coffees, hot rub downs etc.

Also when are you going to update your website?

 

http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rv_rentals/available/funmover.asp

 

OKAY.. i kinda figured i'd get answers like these... the american thing i'm
looking for is shown here
http://www.motorcycleramps.com/motorcycle_caddy.htm

of course i could order one from america, but i'd need to make up a 2 inch
hitch reciever for my van, not hard to do, but the one i saw at the
autojumbles was a lot simpeler.. and cheaper, and mounted on the uk type tow
hitches,

We want to bike as a cheap way to get around once were at a camp site, so
riding it 500 miles behind the motorhome when were off to scotland kinda
defeats the object

Gonna start updating my site when we're next away in the van, i've now got a
mobile internet connection (GPRS card in the lappy) so will be doing it on
the next rainy day we're stuck inside the van
i'm busy practicing for my bike test at the moment and all that

 

www.davecooper.co.uk

Good stuff. I use the rack for my MX bike. It comes apart in about 10
seconds and I lock it in the back of the car.