centex
New Member
I'm a 60 year young lifelong rider. I tend to keep bikes a long time. I have an '01 Ducati to satisfy my urges for 'day-ride sporting therapy' when needed. My main daily and touring/camping ride is an '04 ZG1000 Concours. I find that when 'touring' I'm riding slower and enjoying the view more as I 'mature'. I also find the high CG and total weight of the Connie are more of a burden with less payback since I'm doing less 'sporting' riding when touring and taking generally shorter trips (days instead of weeks, hundreds instead of a thousand miles per trip-day). So, I'm looking to downsize and the NC700x has caught my eye as a candidate.
The Connie has luggage and a custom Pelican-type topcase which lets me keep all my camping gear in weatherproof and lockable storage (no duffle-bags, etc). That luggage/topcase cubic inch capacity is not compatible with the NC700 (or any other 'downsize' bike I'm considering for that matter) from an appearance and bulk/weight distribution standpoint.
Though not particularly heavy (most everything is lightweight backpacker gear) some of it is long or bulky (tent poles, sleeping pad, kermit chair). So, I'm looking for bikes suitable for towing a small/narrow (5cuft/70lb empty) single-track trailer like the UniGo.
With all that background, to the NC-specific questions ...
- I estimate the loaded trailer+hitch would weigh around 140lb max, so approximately equal to a passenger. I'd be solo when towing and I'm 180 fully geared (ATTGATT rider here), so should be within the total load limits expected for the NC brakes (comment?).
- Yes, I'd expect some mileage and performance penalty with the added weight and aero drag. I would probably add a larger windscreen but not have any luggage or load other than myself on the bike itself. I'm not looking to set records on Deals Gap with this rig but I'd be unhappy in the long run if it won't briskly pass a slow motorhome on a posted 65-70mph road. Anyone notice a performance/mileage hit with a 'touring' size windscreen addition? Anyone care to comment on how your performance / mileage suffer with a pilot+passenger in the 320lb combined weight range?
- My looksee at the dealer indicates the relatively large OD rear frame rails and downtubes are accessible for a custom fab hitch mount but I could not see what sort of cross bracing there is between those tubes. Can anyone enlighten me on that?
- The rear 'subframe' appears to be welded integral with the main frame, not bolted-on; is that correct?
- Lateral stiffness is important for a hitch mount. I'm envisioning that 2 or 3 mount points (gusseted bolt-tabs or threaded lugs) would have to be welded to the frame at several points from under the pillion seat forward to the rear downtubes on each side for a fully triangulated hitch.
- Anyone with NC specific trailer towing experience or other UniGo experience able to offer any thoughts on overall suitability?
Long first post with lots of Q's, TIA for your comments.
The Connie has luggage and a custom Pelican-type topcase which lets me keep all my camping gear in weatherproof and lockable storage (no duffle-bags, etc). That luggage/topcase cubic inch capacity is not compatible with the NC700 (or any other 'downsize' bike I'm considering for that matter) from an appearance and bulk/weight distribution standpoint.
Though not particularly heavy (most everything is lightweight backpacker gear) some of it is long or bulky (tent poles, sleeping pad, kermit chair). So, I'm looking for bikes suitable for towing a small/narrow (5cuft/70lb empty) single-track trailer like the UniGo.
With all that background, to the NC-specific questions ...
- I estimate the loaded trailer+hitch would weigh around 140lb max, so approximately equal to a passenger. I'd be solo when towing and I'm 180 fully geared (ATTGATT rider here), so should be within the total load limits expected for the NC brakes (comment?).
- Yes, I'd expect some mileage and performance penalty with the added weight and aero drag. I would probably add a larger windscreen but not have any luggage or load other than myself on the bike itself. I'm not looking to set records on Deals Gap with this rig but I'd be unhappy in the long run if it won't briskly pass a slow motorhome on a posted 65-70mph road. Anyone notice a performance/mileage hit with a 'touring' size windscreen addition? Anyone care to comment on how your performance / mileage suffer with a pilot+passenger in the 320lb combined weight range?
- My looksee at the dealer indicates the relatively large OD rear frame rails and downtubes are accessible for a custom fab hitch mount but I could not see what sort of cross bracing there is between those tubes. Can anyone enlighten me on that?
- The rear 'subframe' appears to be welded integral with the main frame, not bolted-on; is that correct?
- Lateral stiffness is important for a hitch mount. I'm envisioning that 2 or 3 mount points (gusseted bolt-tabs or threaded lugs) would have to be welded to the frame at several points from under the pillion seat forward to the rear downtubes on each side for a fully triangulated hitch.
- Anyone with NC specific trailer towing experience or other UniGo experience able to offer any thoughts on overall suitability?
Long first post with lots of Q's, TIA for your comments.