How to not tow a bike | GTAMotorcycle.com

How to not tow a bike

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inreb

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Tried to bump a big single about half a kilometer. Wouldn't light, too much skidding. Guy across the street had a 3/8 poly rope, say 75ft long. "We'll do it like the desert racers, one loop around the cross bar and hold the rope. When we have adequate speed, just let go of the rope" I'm riding the tow bike. Get to top of first gear, buddy still hasn't let go. I guess he wants more speed. Second gear, he's still hanging on. Hmmm. Pound it into third gear I feel a release of tension. Good, I guess that's fast enough. I look back hoping to see a lit KLR. The road is empty. Dafuq??

I turn around, a little worried, and head back up the road still trailing the rope. I stop and gather it up, hoping to see a happy KLR rider come into view. Eerie silence. I get a weird sensation. I ride back to the drop zone to see buddys head pop up over the crest of the ditch. I see the KLR at the bottom pinned under a wire fence. Oh boy.

He could barely speak, his voice so hoarse. "Didn't you hear me screaming??"

He had looped the rope around the crossbar off centre (because fairing) and then rapped the rope around his hand. That was not the plan. Because off centre he had to push (mightily as I understand it) on the right grip and pull back on the left to go straight. This prevented him from unraveling the rope.

Waiting for CAA we had about an hour to debrief. We agreed it had been a splendid day of riding.
 
Ya, to bad about the video. Funny thing is this fellow is a prolific picture whore on Advrider. Any reason to take a picture is a reason to upload a picture, especially the hijinks ones. So I asked him, will I be reading about this on Advrider? "No, this is something you don't want getting out" The phone stayed in his pocket.
 
Great story, nearly cried laughing.
The best way I've found to tow a bike with another bike is to tie one end of the tow rope to the footpeg on the tow bike, tie the other end to the opposite footpeg on the bike being towed. Pulls down low, very evenly, doesn't affect steering much.
 
Iceman said:
Great story, nearly cried laughing.
The best way I've found to tow a bike with another bike is to tie one end of the tow rope to the footpeg on the tow bike, tie the other end to the opposite footpeg on the bike being towed. Pulls down low, very evenly, doesn't affect steering much.
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Next time. For sure.
 
nearace said:
Sounds like it may of hurt,thank goodness it was a KLR,probably didn't break anything.
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The noodle forks twisted severely. It's not noticeable when riding. Just kidding, it'll never be the same.
 
Let me guess. He was trying to start it in first gear.................Right?
 
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