K Bike Tech

How To Trailer A K Bike

Disclaimer: When you trailer a motorcycle you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK and I am not liable for anything that happens to you or your bike. This is how I trailer K bikes and what makes the most sense to me. Over the years I've trailered many K bikes over many miles this way without issue. If you think you have a better way to do it then go for it. It's your bike.

Use Ratcheted Tie Downs:

These are readily available at auto parts stores, hardware stores, Wal-Mart, Amazon and Harbor Freight. They are usually sold in sets of four which is ideal for motorcycle trailering.

If you have never used ratcheted tie downs before then ask a friend or go to YouTube to learn how to use them properly. I've seen them used incorrectly before causing a bike to fall over and be damaged in transit.

How I Trailer K Bikes:

In the front run a tie down over each side of the fork brace. This allows the front of the bike to ride on its own suspension.

If it's a motorcycle trailer with a wheel chock for the front wheel and the tie downs are pulling the wheel forward into the chock then that is the minimum that you need.

However, even on a trailer with a wheel chock I also run tie downs through the frame at the rear as a back-up. If one of the front tie downs fails for some reason then the rear tie downs will help keep the bike upright.

The rear ones should be fairly taut but not cranked down. If you crank them down too much then they will be putting unnecessary pressure on the shock.

If any of your tie downs are routed somewhere like over an edge where they might rub and chafe then put a rag at that spot before tightening the tie down to help keep the tie down from being damaged.

Once the bike is secured to the trailer each tie down will have loose leftover strap. You can keep these from flapping around by folding the excess strap over several times and then zip-tying it to the taut part of the strap.

Don't rush this process. Take your time and think about what you're doing when tying down a bike. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Parts You Don't Want To Lose:

If you are towing with an open trailer vs. an enclosed trailer then there are parts that can possibly escape during towing so you should remove them prior to getting under way. Remove these parts and place them inside of the towing vehicle.

Side Covers: Remove the side (battery) covers for the following models:

K75 Standard

K75C

K75S

K1100RS

K1100LT

The side covers for K100s and K75RTs usually stay on pretty well but if one or both feel loose at all then remove them before towing.

Mirrors: Remove the mirror pods for the following models:

K100RS

K1100RS

The mirror pods for RT and LT models stay on pretty well but if one or both feel loose then it doesn't hurt to remove those before towing.

Bucket Covers: For RT and LT models make sure that the fairing storage compartment covers are securely closed and locked.

Luggage: Remove side and top cases.

Under Way:

Once you've gone a few blocks and the bike has had a chance to settle in on the trailer, it's a good idea to pull over, get out and double check all of your tie downs. Tighten the tie downs as necessary. Then at each gas or other stop along the way check them all again.

Trailering A "Dead" Bike:

If you are planning to trailer a bike that has been sitting unused for a while then have an air compressor available and get the tires up to at least 32 psi before moving the bike. It will be much easier to push the bike around and load it onto the trailer if there's a decent amount of air in the tires.