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Old 09-10-2008, 09:19 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Motorcycle Carrier

Do you think this motorcycle carrier would work with the smart? My motorcycle is 390 lbs fully loaded with gas.

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Old 09-10-2008, 09:29 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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I was thinking of making the same thing for a 50cc scooter we take to the racetracks. I usually haul it in my truck but I would love to make the trip in the smart. Gas to go to Texas Motor Speedway would be 1/3 that of my truck. My only concern is the lever effect of the motorcycle so far from the bumper. Only way to know for sure is to load it up.
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Old 09-10-2008, 10:30 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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The tongue weight on the Class I hitches is only 100 pounds - you'll tear up your car in no time. - sheureka
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Old 09-11-2008, 05:58 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I've got one that is very similar to this Go-Ped (older model but very similar) that just fits in the back of my Smart. Mine weighs around 35lbs. A good option for getting around once you get close to where you're going.
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Old 09-11-2008, 10:20 AM   #5 (permalink)
 
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Absolutely not! the tongue weight is far too heavy and the weight of the bike and carrier would be 25% of the weight of the car - far too heavy to be putting on the back end. This is a recipe for disaster.

To put it in relative comparative terms this would be like putting a 1500 lb weight on a hitch on the back of the pickup.
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Old 09-11-2008, 12:59 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Oh well... anyone figure out a good way to tow a motorcycle?
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Old 09-11-2008, 03:02 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by letsgoskatepool View Post
Oh well... anyone figure out a good way to tow a motorcycle?

U-Haul hitch, trailer from Harbor Freight, total cost: roughly $500.

Increase in safety relative to that much weight dangling from the rear of your smart: Priceless!
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Old 09-12-2008, 10:53 AM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Nope. Even a small dirt bike is more weight than you want on the rear of the car and especially the lightweight receiver I'm thinkin.

A VERY light bike or scooter could be towed with a VERY light trailer probably, as in aluminum. You can TOW more total capacity than you can CARRY in a Smart, just like pretty much any other vehicle...

I have been considering something similar to carry a travel type electric mobility scooter. I can get a scooter that only weighs about 70lbs with the batteries... but the hitch and carrier weigh a lot more. I haven't found one made up yet that is made of aluminum rather than steel with a fold-down two part ramp gate on the side.
I think I'm gonna be stuck with folding the scooter and storing it behind the seats. Should just barely fit. Gonna check it out after we get back from our current road trip.
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Old 09-15-2008, 12:27 PM   #9 (permalink)
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