Can a Fit Haul a Motorcycle?

draw2much · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:19 AM

I'm aware this might be are really dumb question but I don't know much about hauling so I figured I better ask.

Can a Fit 2009 haul a motorcycle? Or is that too heavy?

My husband wants to get into motorcycles (specifically the Harley-Davidson Night Rod) when we get back to the States, which is why I'm curious.

solbrothers · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:26 AM

i guess you could. depends on the weight of the bike, id bet. a dirt bike yeah, a fully loaded cruiser, maybe

draw2much · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:55 AM

Well, it IS a cruiser. The Night Rod "Special" is 676.0 lbs. Though the beginner bike he's thinking of getting is HALF that weight.

Type 100 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 06:22 AM

I think you should be driving alone when you do. The rated payload capacity of the Fit is 800-something pounds...there was an old thread that talked about that, just do a search for it.

HotIron · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:44 AM

I wouldn't. Maybe a Ruckus or a Vespa or something else small, but not a Night Rod, or any other Harley. Besides, I really don't think you could get one in the hatch.

And if you did, someone would take a pic and post it on the "Doing It Wrong" thread at The Car Lounge message board. There is a picture in that thread of a Civic, that's been cut open, and is carrying a Honda motorcycle.

You don't want to end up on that thread.

awptickes · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:09 AM

I too have been looking into this.

It looks like I'll be getting an aluminum trailer with brakes on it, and then just keep an eye on the weight on the trailer. The max the fit can haul in europe is 1000Kg. More than enough for a motorcycle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://honda.de/content/automobile/modelle_jazz_technische_daten.php?mv=1024

Trailer load braked, kg 1,000
Unbraked trailer load, kg 450

E = Mc2 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 01:46 PM

That 1000kg is with a trailer that has brakes on it, BTW... Most of the small trailers I've seen don't have them, so the 450kg (992lb) is probably the better number.

That said, I have put an additional 800+ pounds of stuff IN the car and driven it short distances. A big part of the question comes down to tongue weight.

mahout · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by draw2much

I'm aware this might be are really dumb question but I don't know much about hauling so I figured I better ask.

Can a Fit 2009 haul a motorcycle? Or is that too heavy?

My husband wants to get into motorcycles (specifically the Harley-Davidson Night Rod) when we get back to the States, which is why I'm curious.

First, note that the Fit is not recommended to tow anything. That said, for those of us who avoid some things lawyers say:
It can haul a 600 lb motorcycle on a lightweight trailer (Tractor Supply typical) fairly easily but you need a good trailrer hitch. we recommend strongly that the rear shocks are replaced with AirLifts ( see suspension posts). Don't expect the Fit to be as good as a VW bug in performance though.

HotIron · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:54 PM

D'OH

Sorry. I thought you meant IN the car.

As far as trailering, what they said. ;D

awptickes · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:30 PM

Stinger Folding Motorcycle Trailer-Specifications

Texas Coyote · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:05 PM

I think that my Goldwing is a good choice for hauling the Fit, but I wouldn't do it the other way.

awptickes · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Coyote

I think that my Goldwing is a good choice for hauling the Fit, but I wouldn't do it the other way.

haha. Nice.

Type 100 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotIron

D'OH

Sorry. I thought you meant IN the car.

As far as trailering, what they said. ;D

Hahaha! Same here. Was scratching my head wondering how the Night Rod would fit inside the Fit.

I haven't seen the bike in any photos but I know Harleys (almost by definition) are bulky beasts.

draw2much · #14 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:33 PM

I did do a search, but I didn't come up with much. Of course my searching skills are pretty poor to begin with. (I have better luck using google to search a website than the websites actual search engine.)

Thanks for all the responses! So, technically, the Fit could haul the motorcycle, but I'd have to enforce the rear breaks, drive very carefully, and expect a performance hit.

Just so you know, I didn't expect the Fit to be a hauler. I use to own a Plymouth Relient ('85), it wasn't meant to haul either. However, if you drove it gently and reinforced the back end you could get that engine to pull quite a bit. Which is why I wondered about the Fit.

Little cars can do some surprising things if you take care of them and don't expect to get anywhere fast.

Tork · #15 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 05:33 AM

I towed a 550 lb snowmobile on a 350ish pound trailer all over the upper midwest with my 07. No issues.
On the Australian Honda web site they offer a hitch and say you can tow about 950 lbs without trailer brakes and around a whopping 2000 lbs with.
Tongue weight should be about 50 lbs (do you understand what tongue weight is?)
shouldn't need to do anything to your cars brakes also.

draw2much · #16 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:23 PM

I had to look it up but I know what tongue weight is. xD

That's good to know! I did a quick google search and there does appear to be a Hitch that can be attached to the Fit.

I'm stunned at how expensive trailer beds are though. (Never been a hauler so this is the first time I looked at the prices.) Wow! I wonder if we can get a used one? xD