New, extended range

[Brammofan]

Just purchased the essential Enertia add-on necessary to extend one's range.
[smg id=147 width=500 caption="Time to ramp it up"]

I've been looking at these hitch carriers for a while and found this one on craigslist for about 1/3 of the cost of a new one.  I'll let you know how it works.

[HighlanderMWC]

Looks like the one I have. I haven't actually used it beyond a test.

[enertia-ette]

Tell me more!! Where do we find some details about this ramp of yours?

[Brammofan]

Highland - yours was the first carrier I think I ever saw -- didn't you share photos on elmoto?  If yes, then you are my inspiration.

Enertiaette- You'll have to wait... I intend to produce a feature-length video.

[BrammoBrian]

Adrian has one of these installed as well... I'm sure he'd be willing to share some photos and thoughts...

[Brammofan]

I did a short test of the BRE400 yesterday.  (BRE = Brammo Range Extender, 400 lb. maximum).  I didn't set up the video camera because I don't want to think this thought as the motorcycle falls on me: "If I survive... must...delete...video."

It was actually easier than I thought it would be.  I was worried that the ramp/carrier junction might be too severe and that the Enertia might scrape (highside?) on it, but it was just fine. 

I'm sure that every safety brochure or label says "Do not attempt to load this with one person" and "do not use the bike's power to drive it onto the carrier" but F*** that -- I'm a professional.

It was certainly less complicated than I imagine it would be for a gas bike -- no clutch to worry about, no stalls to worry about.  Just power... and brake... power... and brake.  Little more power.... little bit of brake. Clunk.  We're in.  Strap her down. There you go.

And getting the bike down from the carrier is even easier, although a bit more strength is required as you must be able to rock it backward hard enough so that the front tire can escape its holding place.  Then it's just a matter of yank... brake... yank... brake...etc.

I'll be sure to get a little movie of it soon.

[beatsdddx]

I spilled my drink and fell off my chair when I seen that
title........''New, extended range''! I was thinking you discovered some new type of
after market batteries etc!

That was a good one Brammofan you got me.!

[Brammofan]

Glad to help, Beats.    Coming soon, video of the loading and unloading of the Brammo Enertia REX (range extender).

I know that there's plenty of reasons for Brammo not to offer one of these with every purchase, but I'm beginning to think it's a must-have accessory along with a track stand and a kick-stand plate.

[Brammofan]

I have used the hitch hauler but, as someone wiser than me once said, "loading single-handed is fraught with danger."  Don't ask me how I know that these words are true. 

However, here's what I like about a hitch-mounted carrier:
1. No need for a trailer license plate, yearly personal property tax assessments, etc.
2. No need for excessive storage space - it is currently standing up in my garage and takes very little room.
3. The bike (once it is on the rack and properly secured) rides nicely.  The rack has an anti-wobble fitting that really holds the bike and hitch securely.

Because of the "danger" involved, and the fact that I don't have anyone who could really help me load and unload (alas, my youngest son is at college, far away), I started wondering about other, safer options, including the ability to use a hydraulic jack to lift the bike up to a safe level.

If I owned an RV (motor home), I'd get one of these:


...but it is too much, too high for my Honda Pilot.  Plus, it costs about $3000.

But then I saw this, the Ultimate MX Hauler:

It is built for a dirt bike but it seems to me that any bike with a flat bottom (i.e. no tube) would fit on it:


If you put some heavy duty rubber on that base, it doesn't seem like it would damage the bottom of the Enertia.  Then you'd use those brackets (with the wingnuts on the bottom) to fasten the footpegs to the device.  And then you'd use some straps to keep the front forks from turning, and to make sure it's fastened securely and you'd be good to go.

It would allow you to do the necessary fastening with the bike at ground level, and then jack it up to traveling height.

My concern is that there is not enough structural "beef" in the flat bottom of the Enertia body to safely support it during travel.  The only reason I thought it MIGHT work is because, as we all know, the new Brammo Enertia Plus will come with the option of a center stand.  If a center stand can support the bike, shouldn't this platform be able to do so?

Would love some input from the Brammo Owners Forum geniuses.

[Phantom]

My concern would be how much weight the MX Hauler can safely hold. You might need some re-engineering to make sure the weight of an Enertia is stable.

I agree with your center stand logic.

I am trying to visualize my Enertia, but I think there is a piece of plastic that might not support the weight of the bike where you want to lift it, in addition to the "structural beef" that you mention.

Bottom line, I think it will work with some modification.

[mykb13]

www.discountramps.com states the max weight is 375 lbs. which is under the 324 lbs. listed for the Enertia on Brammo.com.  The 1 thought I had is that the platform doesn't touch the ground, so you'd have to pull up along side of it and then scoot the bike over the platform to lock it down.  While this might not be too hard for a dirt bike since they're relatively light, have a lot of places to grab hold and don't generally mind a few scratches, would it be possible to do this easily and gently with a Brammo?

I really like the idea and my just pick 1 of these up for my dirtbikes so I don't have to haul my trailer when only transporting 1 bike!

[HighlanderMWC]

Pushing the Enertia up the ramp of the hitch carrier didn't feel too bad, but I wouldn't want to do it regularly. If the rack had the listed capacity (can't recall mine) I'd probalby just ride up (despite that being warned against).

Hard to justify spending more for something I'm hoping to never use. (i.e. the lift version)

[Brammofan]

I used the throttle and the brake to get the bike up on the ramp and it worked just fine, 4 out of 5 times.
 

[Vibetrippin]

it's that 1 in 5 that bothers me.

[Brammofan]

There is, indeed a structural steel (or aluminum?) member that is exposed at the bottom of the bike, just aft of the plastic body panel.  It's about 6" long, and the width of the body.  It appears to have what looks like a drain hole in it.  I think the hydraulic carrier would work with this.  Now, to set some money aside to be able to buy one.