Towing your Ninjette on a Trailer

BlackNinja8 · May 12th, 2012, 10:07 PM

Others have posted on this topic but I thought I would leave my experience with a low cost trailer option. I bought a Harbor Freight mini trailer 40" x 48" instead of the 4' x 8' because I did not have room to store a larger trailer. From the reviews on the folding ones I got the idea that they can be a PITA to fold after a while. So I found a way to make this work. Just went on a 600 mile trip towing the ninja for 300 miles and towing it empty for 300 miles. The trailer held up well in both cases.

I bought the trailer fro 179 with 20% off coupon ($219 regular price. The 8" tire model costs $189 reg price). There are always coupons for HF online so look around. This link might help:http://slickdeals.net/f/1276399-Harb...-Coupon-Thread

The wheel chock is from HF ($30 with coupon) and the bracket holding the rear tire is a $8 piece from home depot. Add $50 for wood and bolts etc. and all in, I got a working trailer for under $275.

Let me know if you have any questions how to make it work I'm happy to help.

BlackNinja8 · May 12th, 2012, 10:12 PM

Also, I used a 2 x 12 board for the ramp which I bolted down to the plywood for transit as you can see in the photo. I added a ramp top bracket from autozone ($24) and I have a secure way to load and unload the bike.

There is a seller on ebay offering this same trailer with a rail and ramp kit but you would have to spend $500 for it by the time you add shipping.

No issues registering the trailer in NY. Just took the HF paper work to DMV and walked out with plates.

ajcadoo · May 12th, 2012, 10:24 PM

Here is what I got: http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/...2TA-1TS32M.htm

Motofool · May 13th, 2012, 05:17 AM

Very good ideas!

What are the two little wheels on the rear for?

BlackNinja8 · May 13th, 2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Very good ideas!

What are the two little wheels on the rear for?

I was storing it vertically in the basement and the wheels made it easier to manuver it the tight space. Of course the are useless now that I bolted on the 2x10.

Sigma.40 · May 13th, 2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackNinja8

Just went on a 600 mile trip towing the ninja for 300 miles and towing it empty for 300 miles. The trailer held up well in both cases.

Very cool, but why did you drive 300 miles away ,drop off your Ninja and then drive 300 miles back? Did you forget your bike on the return trip

?

Also, is your rear tire bigger than stock and what fender eliminator do you have?

NJ Ninjette · May 13th, 2012, 09:28 AM

I have a 3 rail trailer I bought for my dirt bikes, nice to know it should work with my Ninja and if it doesn't it could.

BlackNinja8 · May 13th, 2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma.40

Very cool, but why did you drive 300 miles away ,drop off your Ninja and then drive 300 miles back? Did you forget your bike on the return trip

?

Also, is your rear tire bigger than stock and what fender eliminator do you have?

I was going to upstate NY for a graduation with my family so I rode my bike and had them bring them empty trailer up so I could trailer the bike home. I knew we were going to be ddrinking after the graduation...wow what a fun ride.

I have a the diablo rosso II rear tire in 140/17. The fender elim is a targa.

choneofakind · May 13th, 2012, 01:24 PM

I like this. I'll keep it in mind once I graduate, just in case I don't have access to a pickup truck.

cuong-nutz · May 13th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Great idea. I was contemplating something similar when I move out and have the garage space.

Tigerpaw · March 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM

Does the chock pinch your tire a lot? I don't know if I ratcheted the straps too tight or what. It really pinched and rolled the rubber.

Yakaru · March 3rd, 2013, 05:46 PM

Cute! How well does it store? I'm going the opposite way with a pretty premium trailer; I'll be sure to post a review after I get to use it. In my case it has to hide in the back of a parking space for when I'm in LA so compactness is super valuable.

BlackNinja8 · March 3rd, 2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

Does the chock pinch your tire a lot? I don't know if I ratcheted the straps too tight or what. It really pinched and rolled the rubber.

Doesn't pinch the tire at all. There is an adjuster which you can set to handle varying sizes of tire. I didn't have a problem with even the tightest setting though.

BlackNinja8 · March 3rd, 2013, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakaru

Cute! How well does it store? I'm going the opposite way with a pretty premium trailer; I'll be sure to post a review after I get to use it. In my case it has to hide in the back of a parking space for when I'm in LA so compactness is super valuable.

I hide mine in the back of my parking space for a while too. My space backs up to a wooded area so I had the tongue hanging off the back of the space. So really it only took up about 2 to 3 feet of my space. Now it is stored vertically up against the side of a shed. It's so light and easy to move I could store it just about anywhere.

May 13th, 2012, 05:17 AM	#4
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Very good ideas! What are the two little wheels on the rear for? __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 13th, 2012, 08:52 PM	#10
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Great idea. I was contemplating something similar when I move out and have the garage space. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

March 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM	#11
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	Does the chock pinch your tire a lot? I don't know if I ratcheted the straps too tight or what. It really pinched and rolled the rubber. __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

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May 12th, 2012, 10:12 PM	#2
BlackNinja8 ninjette.org guru Name: NJ Location: Westchester, NY Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R (Sold); 2012 Vulcan 900; 2009 Harley Iron 883; 2004 SV650s; and a bunch of others over the years... Posts: 470	Also, I used a 2 x 12 board for the ramp which I bolted down to the plywood for transit as you can see in the photo. I added a ramp top bracket from autozone ($24) and I have a secure way to load and unload the bike. There is a seller on ebay offering this same trailer with a rail and ramp kit but you would have to spend $500 for it by the time you add shipping. No issues registering the trailer in NY. Just took the HF paper work to DMV and walked out with plates.

May 12th, 2012, 10:24 PM	#3
ajcadoo Towster ['__'`,-, Name: Josh Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Green Ninja 250 SE Posts: 379	Here is what I got: http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/...2TA-1TS32M.htm

May 13th, 2012, 09:28 AM	#7
NJ Ninjette ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: NJ Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Husky TE 250, 2002 KTM EXC 250r Posts: 217	I have a 3 rail trailer I bought for my dirt bikes, nice to know it should work with my Ninja and if it doesn't it could.

May 13th, 2012, 01:24 PM	#9
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I like this. I'll keep it in mind once I graduate, just in case I don't have access to a pickup truck.

March 3rd, 2013, 05:46 PM	#12
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	Cute! How well does it store? I'm going the opposite way with a pretty premium trailer; I'll be sure to post a review after I get to use it. In my case it has to hide in the back of a parking space for when I'm in LA so compactness is super valuable.