Can you tow a K1200Lt with rear wheel on the ground?

[hagar]

Just wondering if the Undertaker would work on our bikes, or would this be a big no-no on a shaft driven bike?
See http://www.undertakermts.com/mod.php?mod=siteinfo&id=12

[dshealey]

Just wondering if the Undertaker would work on our bikes, or would this be a big no-no on a shaft driven bike?
See http://www.undertakermts.com/mod.php?mod=siteinfo&id=12

No reason it cannot be used. There are many cars that cannot be towed with the rear wheels on the ground, because automatic transmissions will not circulate the fluid without the engine running, and long distance towing can damage them. The final drive on the LT is splash lubricated, so no problem there, and the same with the tranny.

[meese]

Just don't tie it down with the handlebars or you'll be very sorry. :eek:

[hagar]

What's the deal with the handlebars? On my ZX11 I use this neat little strap that goes over the handlebars and you tie it down pretty tight. I think it will stand up on it's own even without the wheel chuck. What's different about the Beemer?

[Woolly]

What's the deal with the handlebars?

because of the length of the bars, the leverage can lead to the mounts failing.

[mneblett]

What's the deal with the handlebars? On my ZX11 I use this neat little strap that goes over the handlebars and you tie it down pretty tight. I think it will stand up on it's own even without the wheel chuck. What's different about the Beemer?As noted, the leverage can pull the bars down, breaking plastic and bending stuff. BMW issued a warning on this, and I can remember couple reports a while back of damage from folks that did it anyway.

I also have a Canyon Dancer strap; it's a great design works and very well on 3 of our 4 bikes -- but it will never see use on my LT.

[UncleRock]

Just wondering if the Undertaker would work on our bikes, or would this be a big no-no on a shaft driven bike?
See http://www.undertakermts.com/mod.php?mod=siteinfo&id=12
If you do use that, I got first dibs on the parts that are left

Rock

[hagar]

As in "after the accident"? ;)

[mneblett]

No reason it cannot be used. There are many cars that cannot be towed with the rear wheels on the ground, because automatic transmissions will not circulate the fluid without the engine running, and long distance towing can damage them. The final drive on the LT is splash lubricated, so no problem there, and the same with the tranny.I agree (yet again) with Dr. Shealey -- no mechanical reason to not do this.

However, I wouldn't want to test my LT with it. This product gets much of its stability from straps gonig up to the handlebars/steering head, which provides a relatively large lever arm for the straps to keep the bike vertical.

Due to the problem with the LT's handlebars, plus I'll bet fairing clearance issues, the only place you can tie off is the fork tubes, right above the fender (obviously, you can't tie off on the bike chassis, because it needs to be free to pivot about the forks when the tow vehicle is turning). Putting the straps on so low would leave the straps with very little leverage for holding the bike upright, and also require very large forces to be applied at the fork/fender junction. At a minimum I would expect scarring on the forks and/or fender from the straps, and -- here's my real concern -- unless rigid bars were used to absolutely *lock* the forks vertical, I *expect* the bike would fall over to one side, due to the inherent elasticity of the straps and the fact that they would only have to stretch a short distance to let the bike go over.

[hagar]

OK, I'm convinced. Not a good idea for an LT. Maybe a good reason to keep my ZX11!

[UncleRock]

As in "after the accident"? ;)
Eggzakly :eek:
Rock