Northern Industrial Motorcycle Carrier
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small bike hauler
If you want to haul a very small bike this is for you.I could barely get a 125cc scooter on this and when you do get the tires in the cradle it takes two people to get it out and off the hauler.The ramp that comes with this isnt very user friendly,i had to buy a longer ramp so the scooter wouldnt bottom out on the hauler putting it on.So a high hitch is not recommended.When you put this togeather watch so u dont over tighten the bolts, it smashes the metal.
January 11, 2013
Required Adjustments for Scooter
Is functionally as described however the wheel track is narrow so would not work for tires wider than 120/90. Probably best suited for narrow, higher clearance bikes than a scooter. Also, since I used a double receiver hitch extender, I had to add about 3 ft. to the ramp to easily load the scooter (YAMAHA YW50SS). Will need at least 3 tiedowns to secure the scooter to the carrier as my scooter's tires and the lack of carrier/undercarriage clearance did not allow the scooter to sit down in the carrier as intended.
August 26, 2012
Great Rack for the Buck
Just got this rack and had NO Problems putting it together. (Guess prior reviews worked) very simple and detailed instructions included. I loaded my BRAND NEW DR650 (360 lb bike) on it by myself with no problem. The only problem encountered was that I followed the directions and allowed the front wheel to drop down into a deep position. Fortunately my Brother was there to lift out the front wheel while I rolled it off. I put one of the pin's back in and using rachet straps cinched the bike down and drove 60 miles back to town. Rack worked beautifully. I am going to have my "buddy the welder" to weld all of the joints together (just to make me feel better) and install A WHEEL STOP for the front wheel to hit and make sure the bike doesn't drop off the opposite side.
I have ordered an "anti-rattle kit" to snug up the bar into the receiver but for the first time out..I got some of those new plastic door/window wedges and drove them in between the hitch and receiver. (worked fantastic for 120 very bumpy miles. Highly recommend this ramp.
August 14, 2012
Carrier review
I purchased this in North Carolina and assembled at the guys house i bought the motorcycle from, took maybe 1/2 hour to assemble, it came with everything but straps which i purchased separately - don't forget these!!! it came with all bolts and even the trailer pin and directions to assemble. it does have some movement but it worked well for the job, I hauled a cbr 900rr which is about 400-500 lbs or so, back tire does not fit within the rails but with a few straps it did not move. I had to travel 3 hours and had no issues.
March 27, 2012
Motorcycle Carrier
I would give it 4 stars, but I have to take into consideration that it was a little sloppy just bolted together and not stiffened by more support brackets, although this is a great carrier for the money. I bought the carrier and I had to weld all the bolted pieces together for rigidity and then I made arms, that slide under each end and slide into receiver brackets on each frame rail, so it doesn't move around. I would show some pics, but it is stored vertically on the back of my car trailer.
Note: My wife says I am a perfectionist, so you have to take that into consideration when reading this review.
October 10, 2011
Looked high and low.
Just needed a simple carrier to haul my Trail 90 on my camping trips. Not a luggage rack to slip into the receiver on my SUV. In days gone by, two wheel chocks that bolted on the bumper was just fine, other than the lifting. Easily loaded and removable for my next task.
March 22, 2011
Good for the price
Good basic hitch carrier. Comes without assembly instructions, but blowing up photo of carrier on Northern's site shows details if your somewhat mechanically inclined. Others reported the thinwall tubing crushed easily when the bolts were tightened. Sounds like installer was over tightening bolts. Other reports note carrier was wobbly when mounted. The ends of carrier can move up & down about 1.5", about what I've seen with other carriers. I have no problem mounting, dismounting carrier and/or motorcycle by myself. With the low ground clearance of my minivan's hitch receiver, there's only 8" of clearance to the ground at the end of of carrier. 'Just have to be careful entering driveways or dips.
October 19, 2010
Waste of money
This product is useless. It doesn't fit securely into the receiver hitch, sways under load, takes two people to carefully guide the scooter onto it and off.
September 15, 2009
Motorcycle carrier
Unit came in a box without assembly instructions.
Picture on box covered up with the shipping label.
Had to use a hair dryer to peel label off picture for assembly by photo.
Made of very thin gauge metal, finish mars easily. When tightening the assembly bolts/nuts the square tube pieces started to crush with very little torque.
Very cheaply made two piece channel.
Very wobbly, need to anchor the ends of channel during transportation.
If you want a disposable unit, buy this one.
Spend the extra bucks and get a one piece channel with heavier gauge metal parts if you want one to use over the years.
July 13, 2009
It's a headscratcher
comes with no instructions, and the picture on the box is your only guide - but it isn't properly assembled in the photo! missing alot of bolts & nuts, so be prepared to go to the hardware store. Powdercoating is spotty. But for the price, it is solid and will do the job, no doubt. very sturdy once finally assembled
June 11, 2009