check out my hyper rack !

[v12gte]

After some careful math....I figured out that I could put the Hyper on the rack. I could transport my bike to more scenic locations without battling the morons eating burritos and watching their iphone music videos on the busy freeways around me. And I could take the fam to whatever destination, earning plenty of points for ride time. Or drop it off for the suspension setup, allowing me to leave the thing for a couple of days at the shop. (I do most of my own maintenance, but I wanted to have someone dial in the suspension and address the "stuck in gear" situation. Mine got stuck once, and the factory now has a kit to put into the affected bikes)

So...after posting in another thread...I was looking at the versa-haul (too much $), the joehauler (too heavy and I could not figure out the web site). I finally decided on the moto-tote, which was supposed to be high tech, light, and cool-looking (worth some extra $). But after delays and a manufacturer switch from India to China...I bought a cheapo model off ebay, from discountramps.com, built in the USA. It was only $220, and it is working just fine, with no tax and $30 shipping. Info on the site is comprehensive, with animation of the loading procedure.
http://discountramps.com/smc-600-motorcycle-hauler.htm

The math:
Dry Hyper = 395lb, 2 gal of gas at 6 lbs/gal =12 lbs, rack itself is 85 lbs, oil and brake fluid= 1lb----493lbs.
The rack is rated for 600lb, while the hitch in my 2003 Expedition is rated for 500lb. I am cutting it close, but so far...so good.

I bought 4 soft ties (think figure 8 loops) to put around the bike's body parts, and then 4 tethers for the corners, with ratchets and hooks on both ends, rated for 800lb. One end goes to the eylet in the rack, the other one to the soft tie. I have extra straps for the rims, just in case...
Loading is best done with two persons, although one person could do it. Bike goes up the ramp, and then after the rocking cradle rotates....it is locked by the wheel chock bar, allowing you to put the tethers in.
The bike sways a bit, even with the suspension compressed by the tethers, but it is a tolerable range of motion.

here is a low res pic at dusk

[hooptygoo]

Hmmm. I understand the reasoning, but with that rack, you are more brave than I.

[jbernard]

Nice...I get sketched out rollin' with my Hyper in the bed of my Tacoma - you must have a killer insurance policy!

[hbliam]

I'd haul it that way with an actual joehauler but I'm not putting 15K on something made by the lowest bidder in China.

[esca_rossa]

I have a similar one to carry my CR125 which utilizes an L-Arm on top to eliminate the tie downs. It is designed for one person loading, but I have not yet tested that theory.
Very cool to know you can carry a hyper on this type rack.

[MTScott2]

Emergency back up vehicle for when the old Ford dies on yuh NO just kidding really ..Yeah you are cutting it close on the weight . Should be ok with the built in saftey factor.
I can see some PMS influenced LEO questioning the licence plate visibility /or signals on some vehicles.
Very ingenious design . Do you trust it ? 100% 99% ?
Drive accordingly I guess.
Keep us posted after some more extensive testing .I like it...I've seen a motor cycle trailer at Costco made in Canada 14 feet long weighs under 300#for about $3000 Canadian with all the bells and whistles Stainless and aluminum , seems excessive but safe...Hope it works out.

[hooptygoo]

Hey, I just noticed... I have those same mirrors!

[v12gte]

About 150 miles and two trips so far....no problems. All the other racks have the same limits, and very similar designs/construction. The one that I got is actually made in the USA.
I am also under the hitch limit, albeit by only 7 lbs, and way under the rack limit of 600lbs. I went with this solution after hearing about others using a rear-suspended rack.
It does look a little precarious, like it could not possibly work, but so does a 747-400...
I will post back, if it falls off....

[v12gte]

yep, got them from motostrano, $70 for the pair (Seca model). They are pretty small, but work well enough when I do not unfold the "stock ears".

Originally Posted by hooptygoo

Hey, I just noticed... I have those same mirrors!

[hooptygoo]

Yep, those are the ones. Best looking available IMHO if you don't want to take out a loan for Rizoma stuff.

You know, you'll probably be fine with that rack. I'm sure those weight ratings have to be on the fairly conservative side. Kinda makes me want another truck.