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[Brian2000]

I'm looking into transporting my Zero FXS 7.2 with a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier as seen here:
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-aluminum-motorcycle-carrier-62837.html

It seems theoretically possible since it carries 400lbs and the bike is 300lbs. I might have to get a hitch extender too since it'll be attached to an SUV and I think the handlebars would contact the rear window otherwise. What's your experience with motorcycle carriers? Is there anything I should watch out for?

[DonTom]

I'm looking into transporting my Zero FXS 7.2 with a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier as seen here:
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-aluminum-motorcycle-carrier-62837.html

It seems theoretically possible since it carries 400lbs and the bike is 300lbs. I might have to get a hitch extender too since it'll be attached to an SUV and I think the handlebars would contact the rear window otherwise. What's your experience with motorcycle carriers? Is there anything I should watch out for?

I have used one of these on my RV for many thousands of miles, with an extender. I won't leave in my RV without my Zero DS (also with 7.2 KWH battery).


BTW,  cant you remove the battery in a FZS and make it even lighter?



No straps are needed with these carriers. However,  the vertical bar can scratch of the bike a lot, so protection of some type between the bike and  vertical bar should be used on at least some bikes and my DS is one of them.


I have seen the HFT rack. Not something I would want.


My RV tongue weigh limit is only 350 LBS. I am up to the limit with my rack and 317 lbs bike.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[MrMogensen]

Beware when using an extender.
The further away the less weight it can carry.

If it's quite easy to remove handlebars (strap it somewhere so all cables are still attached) I would recommend that

[DonTom]

Beware when using an extender.
The further away the less weight it can carry.

They say about 50% less when a single extender is used. But it really depends on how long it is.


I have been using an extender for years with no problems, but it only adds a few inches of length past my hitch receiver.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[DonTom]

If it's quite easy to remove handlebars (strap it somewhere so all cables are still attached) I would recommend that

Since they will have to be removed in advance, that will make it very difficult to get the bike up the ramp.


One of the nice things about electric motorcycles with RVs is it is very easy to have the bike ride itself up the ramp, no clutch to deal with and an easy one-man job. Be sure the bike is in ECO mode when going up the ramp at perhaps 1 or so mph.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[cmockadventure fx]

Thinking about one of these type of hitch rigs. Looks super easy for my two vehicles, which seem lower than a truck.
The current black widow tray style will scrape likely. Question tho, is the FX frame only OK to load all the weight in this style. I bet Zero team thought moto stands would use this style and need to support bike.
Also bottom of FX, looks a little extra supported from the charger cover.
Would be super convenient.  Ultimate MX Hauler - https://www.ebay.com/itm/163827250733 or cheaper https://www.ebay.com/itm/282655256208.

[Crissa]

Huh, that's just enough for my Zero.

But how do you get it up onto the platform?

-Crissa

[Demoni]

I would not trust a product built to the lowest possible price point to transport one of my bikes.

No personal experience with that specific product, based on a few items I have purchased from HF over the years it's clear longevity is not a priority. When the $10 polisher breaks after an hour of use, oh well. When a weld fails due to poor penetration and your bike is ejected onto the freeway, that's another matter.

I'm sure there is probably a safety factor or 3x for any vehicles stated tongue weight. Just keep in mind when you hit a bump when towing a trailer most of that load is spread to the trailers wheels. With a hitch carrier all that force is focused at the hitch.

But how do you get it up onto the platform?

-Crissa

They normally come with a removable ramp or are designed to pivot to allow easy loading and unloading.



 

[Allen_C]

I'm looking into transporting my Zero FXS 7.2 with a hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier as seen here:
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-aluminum-motorcycle-carrier-62837.html

It seems theoretically possible since it carries 400lbs and the bike is 300lbs. I might have to get a hitch extender too since it'll be attached to an SUV and I think the handlebars would contact the rear window otherwise. What's your experience with motorcycle carriers? Is there anything I should watch out for?

I've used one like this: https://www.amazon.com/Goplus-Motorcycle-Carrier-Hauler-Loading/dp/B07W4CL82T/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=motorcycle+hitch+carrier&qid=1626878743&sr=8-5 to carry my Yamaha R3 and now my Zero DS for thousands of miles. If you are loading by yourself, I do not recommend the dirt bike carriers like the one you listed because it is more difficult to load over the rungs of the carrier than a flat ramp.

[Nairb]

I use a Mototote MTX3 for my DRZ400 on the back of my '06 Honda Pilot.  No problem with the bars getting close to the rear window and I use it with the rack as close to the car as it will go.  I also remove the underneath spare to get it as close as I can.  The DRZ is 320lbs wet weight if I recall, but mine with oversize tank and racks is probably 360lbs. The mototote's have the best anti wobble system that I found when I was researching.  It uses smaller holes in the insert bar than the receiver and a machine bolt and nut to "suck" the  bar against the one side of the receiver.  That being said, I also tend to run a couple tie downs from the roof rack down to the ends of the rack.  Even though the bike won't wobble, there would be quite a bit of leverage and torque put on the hitch receiver and bar when the weight wants to shift from one side to the other.  I can add photos later probably but I'm just in the middle of packing for a trip.

They also have an optional led lighting package that I opted for as most bikes will obscure your tail lights significantly.  My carrier seems to be called the M3 now, at the bottom of the list, and I see that they now have 2 newer models and an upgraded anti-wobble bolt system:

https://www.mototote.com/motorcycle-carriers.html

I had initially purchased mine via discountramps.com a couple years ago during an end of Summer sale in late August of that year.