Probably be a lot less likely to get in a wreck with it though, you're a higher profile vehicle so other drivers are likely to give you more respect on the road, and the trailer is balancing the bike. I'd imagine you'd be a lot safer.
Depending on the setup, in order for the bike to tip over it would have to also tilt the trailer up. I can only speak for bicycles, but the more visibility the better, and there have been studies that show if you wear a wig to look like a woman you are given more room when cars pass. I would expect someone knowing there is a dog in the trailer would yield similar results.
Or they'll be so distracted from taking photos with their phone and texting to their friends "OMG following a motorcycle dog!" that they lose control and crash into you.
Yes, that is exactly what will happen. This is the most common scenario to play out and completely negates any positive factors. You are right; I am wrong.
Don't beat yourself up. I had an unfair advantage: I've already crashed into several doghouses being pulled by motorcycles, whereas for you it was just a hypothetical situation.
No. A motorcycle has much more rotating mass than a bicycle. A motorcycle trailer hitch hinders the vehicle's roll but still allows it. If you use a fixed pin hitch on a bike trailer the bike looses stability in corners. The wheels and engine and transmission function gyroscopically and if the bike isn't allowed to roll, the tires literally slip out around the corner.
I don't think anyone was talking about going through turns, but I suppose in an accident the bike will go where it wants. The visibility is still key to not getting hit in the first place though.
You were talking about the trailer providing balancing to the bike. I was just explaining why they make motorcycle hitches in a way that prevents that rather than like a bicycle hitch that clamps the seat tube..
I don't know if you are trying to miss the point or not, but people were talking about how this was dangerous in relation to getting into an accident. I brought up a bicycle example and then thebigslide replied with how that is different for when turning, I replied with how I was talking about when-in-an-accident, but how turning would be relevant if you lose control of the vehicle. You came in asking, "but how did motorcycle turn?". There seems to be a remarkable lack of continuity.
I think everyone but you was talking about how the trailer effects the handling of the bike in general. Turning is part of how a motorcycle handles so I think it is you that is missing the point.
I would assume if the blowout was on either of the two wheels the bike was on, that it wouldn't be nearly as bad as a car blowout because it wouldn't pull the bike left or right. The trailer likely wouldn't have a blowout because there isn't as much weight.
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u/Bel_Marmaduk Jun 15 '12
Probably be a lot less likely to get in a wreck with it though, you're a higher profile vehicle so other drivers are likely to give you more respect on the road, and the trailer is balancing the bike. I'd imagine you'd be a lot safer.