I've been looking around on HU for information on pulling trailers with motorcycles and have found very little information. I have to admit that I am a new member and am still finding my way around. I do have lots of questions, but I'm going to start by simply asking what you seasoned adventure motorcyclists have to say about two concepts.

1. Why not pull a trailer on a trip throughout South America? Seems all I see are bikes loaded to the gill which make them top heavy. Wouldn't distributing the weight by pulling a trailer make maneuvering better?

2. I am considering driving my current Honda Goldwing GL1100i and pulling a trailer throughout South America. The bike is in excellent condition with a little over 40,000 miles on it. I've had it a couple of years and have updated timing belts, tires, windshield, starter, and a few other things. I'm the third owner and as you can see from the photo, the bike is in good shape. I hear that you can get over 150,000 miles on these Gold Wings without any major work being done to them.

My plan is to mainly stay on tarmacs wherever possible, but I realize that some of the roads in SA are not quite what we think as being paved. My trip will be slow and thorough with lots of stops to document the people and scenery of South America. I hope to create documentaries on creative people along the way and carrying cameras, lighting, tripods and camping gear is the main reason for pulling a trailer.

Big question is, am I going to regret taking an older heavier (730 lb.) motorcycle with a trailer on this treck?

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If I was bringing that much crap with me, I'd drive a car instead: far better security, and easier to park too.

I suggest you load up your GL and trailer (realistically, with as much as you're thinking of bringing along), then find some nice potholed back roads, construction zones, dirt forest roads during rainstorms, nameless tracks across expanses of desert, and other such. See if you can simulate sixteen thousand giant speed bumps while you're at it. Now ride around all day. Don't cheat. At the end of the day, park it in a bad neighborhood and try to figure out how you're going to find a hotel without turning your back on it. Think carefully about whether you'll be able to ride it up the steps to park it in the lobby when that's your only option.

How's that feel? If you like it, by all means go ahead--people ride all kinds of stuff to South America. They just make it work, and some of them seem to be having a good time doing it. Maybe you'll join them.

On the other hand, there's probably a reason virtually all of us decided not to do what you're thinking of doing. You can probably best understand the reasoning behind this if you repeat your experiment on a 650 single. Its advantages will be apparent right around the time you go vaulting gleefully through the first set of potholes, a big smile on your face--the very same potholes which wheel-trapped your GL or its trailer.

Or maybe you'll find you prefer the GL. More power to you.

Mark

I agree with Mark. A 4x4 SUV or Toyota pickup with shell would seem more useful. Air conditioned, easier to park, capable of carrying loads of expensive camera equipment, able to sleep in the back in a pinch.

I saw one Goldwing on my way to Panama and back. No trailer though. I imagine your bike and trailer would make it. It would take a beating and you would have to slow down and take the hundreds of topes (curb-like traffic calming speed bumps) with care.

Will you regret taking a Goldwing and trailer? Quite possibly. It makes me cringe just imagining what a thumping that bike and trailer would take. Or imagining myself towing that thing through rush hour traffic in the third world and how sad I would be not being able to split lanes and thread through traffic with the pizza delivery bikes. Or stuck behind a belching bus on a curvy mountain road in the rain. Or taking a wrong turn up a steep narrow cobblestone street in a village only to reach a dead end. I think I would be cursing a lot.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

While I think the "get a 4x4" thing is probbably posted by guys who've never towed with a bike (It's still a bike, 12 hour days and dirt and just the same except it uses more petrol) I'd have to agree with the idea of reducing the load. OK, with two dogs, the wife, BBQ, three days food to avoid wasteing time shopping etc. the outfit and trailer are a great way to see the UK. There is however no way to do this when riding a continent. You'll have to buy food and clothes at some point so why not start on day 1?. Places are cheap compared with the cost of getting there, so forget the huge tent and stove, stay in hotels.

The hassle as the guys above have guessed comes in the form of security (trailers are very much lusted after in poorer countries and impossible to secure) but also with the law. I don't know about South America, but even Spain and Italy have restrictions aimed at 50cc ice cream stands that will have uniformed thugs reaching for the rule book. Will the customs want the trailer to be registered?

Do your research and make sure there isn't a 50 kph speed limit and bans on the major highways.

Good Luck and Enjoy it.

Andy

It's that bad, eh? So the same would not be said if the trip was here in the U.S.? I do have to say that I've pulled this trailer down dirt roads, back woods roads for camping, and throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway here in North Carolina with no problems. In fact, it handled better then when I packed everything on the bike. Only thing I've noticed is in breaking power. It takes a bit longer to come to a stand still. No problem there. I compensate when following vehicles. I also don't have to worry about my stuff getting stolen because it is all under lock and key. Nothing packed on the outside where it can be easily stolen.

I just didn't know that the roads and hospitality of South America was so bad...

Thanks for the insight Mark.

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It's not that it's so bad all the time: it's that so much of the good stuff is so far from the easy riding. You want 100% pavement? You can find it. You just won't see much.

I'll suggest again that you spend a day duplicating riding in difficult conditions. Maybe you've already done this (I don't think so, but maybe); it's different from taking a forest road for a bit in search of a camping spot. Really. Load that trailer and see what it's like.

What you say about security is evidence you're not really grasping the concept. That's ok. Read some blogs and trip reports and see what you think. Search out the ones written by people who traveled with Wings or HD's or other such. If they inspire you, hitch the trailer and hit the road.

Mark

PS: what threewheelbonnie says might be crucial: you can't normally temporarily import two vehicles into, for example, Mexico--subject to some obscure exclusions. That trailer might be considered a vehicle. Look into it.

Thanks Andy for considering my questions and for stating the obvious about the "get a 4x4" response. The reason I posted here is because my research into taking a trailer/bike combo on a tour of South America has turned up very little. I would love to follow/read about other bikers doing similar trips, but I just haven't found any. Maybe I need to post this in the South America forum and see what kind of response I get.

Mark, I would love to read the reports from Goldwingers! I just can't find any. Maybe you could direct me? I'm also a bit curious what experience you've had in South America. What ride did you take and when did you do this?

On another note. I'm not planning on taking the kitchen sink! My consideration is distributing the weight from the rear end of the bike which makes it less maneuverable, to the stability of a trailer. Yes, the trailer has two wheels but is not much wider then many of the bikes with panniers I see bikers using on these trips.

I also wonder what the percentage is of "off road" traveling will be on a SA tour? I don't plan on being 100 percent of the time on pavement. And I've read many posts indicating that the dual purpose bikes used on these continental trips don't actually see off road excursions as much as on tarmacs. Which makes me question the actual comfort of riding those 12 hour days on a dirt bike. Just wondering...

BTW, speaking of gas mileage. I get 42 mpg without the trailer and 40 mpg with the trailer attached and loaded.

Another BTW... I've got about $4,000 into the current setup which includes the bike and trailer. Buying a new adventure bike is going to cost me at least twice that amount. Is it worth it and will I be more comfortable at the end of long day riding? I'd love to hear back from people who have experienced both types of long distance riding.

Again, thanks for the feedback and have a great 2 wheel ride! Nothing like the open air ride on 2 wheels...

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I took a quick look and didn't find trip reports by wingers in S.A. I've read at least one account and know of a book, but I'm not willing to put the energy into finding either. I've also read a few accounts of Harley riders in S.A.--they're easier to find, and approximately comparable in certain ways, not in others. I've never seen or heard of anyone with a trailer, but who knows?

The main point I'm trying to make is that you should find a way to check out the riding experience personally before committing too much. If you don't want to do that, don't. If you've already done it, fine. But there are limits to what you can learn by asking here, then telling responders why you don't think what they say applies.

I 've spent about 16 months riding in Central and South America--all countries, most more than once. YMMV.

Mark

You will regret it! Did South America Nov and Dec of last year (on a BMW 1200 GSA) and I would say the following;
- if you are expecting only to ride on tramac you will have to leave a lot out. Many of the major routes through many countries (Peru, Bolivia, Columbia etc) have frequent and long stretches of unpaved road - at best that awful corrugated surface or gravel, or at worst sand!
- Even decent tarmac roads have surfaces and potholes like you wouldn't believe - potholes that will drop you if you hit them. Navigating such surfaces requires agility and max manoeuvrability. That idea that you could get that with a trailer behind you!!
Get yourself a decent mid size adventure bike and pack light

Thanks Brian for taking the time to reply. Seems there is much to consider for touring South America. On one hand, there is the idea of riding in comfort and packing in a secure locked trailer so nothing is left out for someone to consider taking, and then on the other hand, going light with little to carry and more dependent on staying in hostels and towns worrying about anything that is not secured in panniers. There's also the concern of riding on a loud hard seating bike that will get you around the potholes and rough roads. Lots to consider...

BTW, how was the ride on that big 1200 GS? Smooth or rough?

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Hello, I live in Argentina, your moto is very nice, and you can go for all the countries in South America without problems, but only in Highways, national routes, and not too much more. You cannot go to a lot of very nice places with that moto. Probably you can´t find motorcycle parts for your moto !!! I have a 1800 GL , I love it .... but I used it only in Europe, here I used GS ´BMWs, or RT .

See here's what I mean - everyone has an opinion. Maybe some people feel comfortable only riding Highways and National routes and that's okay, but to say someone else can't get to other nice places on a GoldWing is pure speculation. I remember parts of Central & Sth America being incredibly challenging but these also were often the most rewarding. Yes, there's gravel and corrugations and there's sand in many places, but your level of skill and confidence will dictate what you're comfortable doing and what you're not.

True, it's helpful to know spare parts might not be available, but you can have them sent DHL to any part of the world. If you get to know your bike, practice riding in all conditions with a trailer and learn a few useful mechanical skills before you leave, then there's a good chance you'll find the ride isn't as hard as you imagined. Being given advice can sometimes be a godsend, especially when it's given in the spirit of helping a fellow rider, but other times it's a pain in the butt because it just gets in the way of living our dreams.

QuiQue do your own thing and enjoy it. How does anyone know "you'll regret it" because they did? Lynne & I loved it and I'll bet there's plenty like us, so who gets to decide? Even if your trip through Sth America turns out to be not what you expected, it's been a life experience. Sadly there's not enough people having them these days. I didn't even pick up a map this trip til I hit Europe and now I spend too much time looking at the map instead of enjoying the scenery. My wife meanwhile is following me on buses, trains, & hitching rides from one country to another while many her age are playing lawn bowls. Nothing wrong with bowls, but it doesn't happen to ring her bell.

Ask yourself, will your experience be the same as the next guy even if you're on the same bike, on the same road, with the same colored tent? At the end of the day will you give a rusty nail if it is or it isn't? The best person to give you advice is yourself. Listen to your instinct and if it feels wrong it usually is. Otherwise just go for it.

1 + for the opinion here above (oldblokeonabike)
variety is the spice of live!

Good Luck and saludos.

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I appreciate the feedback docrafita, but I'm wondering if you realize the difference between your 1800 GL and my 1100 GL. You have a much bigger goldwing my friend! One of the things I like about this older 1982 bike is that it is smaller and much lighter than the newer GoldWings. My biggest concern right now is the air suspension and am seriously considering replacing both front and back shocks with manual controlled shocks. The other thing is to put better tires on it. Maybe something between off-road and street tires?

I haven't done the research and will likely go to one of the Goldwing specific web sites to see what the classic goldwingers have to say about the subject. Anyone here with recommendations for shocks and tire mods for the Goldwing will be greatly appreciated.

In weighing all the different situations for this trip, and realizing that I have no desire to do "off-road" trailblazing, I've come to the conclusion that 90% of my biking experience will be on tarmacs and gravel roads. I believe that if I'm going to be on this bike for 6 months or more that it will be important to travel with as much comfort as possible.

Please realize this is an older Goldwing. One that does not have all the modern electronics and fancy looks. That is why I really like my 1982 Goldwing Interstate. Its solid, light for the power it has (1100cc) and proven as a low maintenance bike. I know parts will be virtually impossible to find, but that is nothing new because it is the same here in the states. Thats were the beauty of the Internet comes in. The key is prepping and knowing what the bike is and what it can do before taking this trip.

It's a mechanical love relationship that I have with my Baby Jane. I know her inside and out ;-)

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For more then ten years I had a GoldWing GL1200. A nice bike that I also used on dirtroads. No heavy off-roading but it was doing fine.

After some other bikes like a Sportster and a BMW F650GS, I bought a GoldWing again. Now a GL1500/6 but after a year I sold it again. It was perfect on tarmac but for me it was to big to ride dirtroads. I'm sure some people will do it on a 1500/1800 but I'm not that good.

Now I bought a BMW R1100GS and I am very happy with it but I know that with a GL1200 (or a GL1100) you can do a lot more off the tarmac then on the bigger 1500 and 1800 Goldwings.

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Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl