Pit-Bull strapless restraint

[roy]

I know a lot of folks here scoff at the thought of trailering a Super Ténéré. But if you are like me and have been married for 20 or longer years you like to include your better half on your trips. Well my wife will not tent camp, period, once did but not anymore. She does not like motels or rental anything. So that is why we own a Toy Hauler camper. When she goes so does the house on wheels and the big fuel burning truck. It's not a real big unit just right for me, her and two bikes or 3 if you put one in the back of the pickup. That usually is where the Zuma scooter goes. Now back to the thread, I have a Pit-Bull strapless restraint in the Toy Hauler. I used it on my GSXR racebike, B-King and Bandit 1250. It is universal with the difference being the pins that go into rear axle and attach to the restraint arm. Works great because the motorcycle rest on it's own weight and no strap are pulling down on the suspension. I contacted Pit-Bull about the S10 back in Feb. Once I got the bike we began talking via email and such. I sent pictures along with caliper measurements of the rear axle. They had to do a special make on my B-king as it was not a standard fit. That took 3 try's to finally get it right. Time is an issue for us right now. We leave in 3 weeks on a 8 day trip so we don't have time to get it wrong 3 times. So I talked with them today and I will be riding the Super Tén up to Huntsville, Al. friday a 348 miles trip for me. They are going to take the measurements and produce the pins for the S10. I won't be able to take them with me friday as they have to be zinc coated and that can't be done all in one day. They are going to ship them to me the following week. After leaving Pi-Bull I am headed to the smokies for a two night camping trip at www.Kickstandlodge.com I figured might as well just make a big loop up that way and come back to Mississippi late sunday.

Here is a link to the Pit-Bull website showing the system.

http://www.pit-bull.com/trailer-restraint.shtml

And a video showing how it works.

Pit Bull Trailer Restraint 2009 video

I already have the plate in the camper all they are doing is making the pin set that attaches to the restraint arm.

This is my old Bandit 1250 in the restraint

Looking down at my GSXR in the restraint

I will let you know how it goes after I get it in the Toy Hauler.

 

[rem]

Slicker 'n' snot, roy. More power to you. That's what trailers are for. Neat set up. I have a double trailer as well, just not as well appointed as yours. A little more crude and basic, not unlike myself.


I had to paint it pink ....... R

 

[roy]

Slicker 'n' snot, roy. More power to you. That's what trailers are for. Neat set up. I have a double trailer as well, just not as well appointed as yours. A little more crude and basic, not unlike myself.


I had to paint it pink ....... R

Thanks Rem the trailer really came into play when I was racing and trackdays. My wife's motel, hotel phobia gets worse with age and no sign of that letting up. Me I will camp anywhere as long as they have a shower ;D She has talked of getting a bigger camper but I always stop her with that thought. I like simple stuff and this one is simple, paid for and not bad to pull other than the truck using fuel. We did 12 trackday weekends in it last year and vacationed two times a week each so it gets used.

 

[rem]

My wife's motel, hotel phobia gets worse with age

I can certainly identify with that concept. I'm not a clean freak but jeeze ... some of these places haven't seen a vacuum since before the vikings.


Will this system work with any bike? How would the "axle pins" fit on to the Tenere, or is that possible ???


And can you use just a regular chock at the front, or is a matching one required??? Thanks. R

 

[roy]

I can certainly identify with that concept. I'm not a clean freak but jeeze ... some of these places haven't seen a vacuum since before the vikings.


Will this system work with any bike? How would the "axle pins" fit on to the Tenere, or is that possible ???


And can you use just a regular chock at the front, or is a matching one required??? Thanks. R

No chock needed or straps. The pins insert into the axle and the whole thing floats on that restraint arm which clicks into the attachments on the floor plate. They are telling me it will work but to make sure I offered to take it in person. I don't see why it would not work the S10 axle is hollow. The hex side will be machined just like a bit only it will float on the restraint arm. There is no lateral loads on this system the bike basically is balanced on its own suspension. I have several thousand miles with the GSXR, B-King and Bandit using this system, never had a issue. Bike was always right where I left it. The camper does not ride rough it is a double tandem axle and weighs 4400 lbs dry with nothing in it. We will see soon as to what they come up with. Pit-Bull has some sharp people working there and it is all american made.

 

[rem]

Well, I'm a mite ignert when it comes to mechanical stuff, but I'd sure be interested in what they come up with for the Tenere. It's a sweet looking system. I bet my wife would have to work a lot of overtime for me to afford it. R

 

[roy]

I made it to Pit-bull yesterday. Great group of guys there. Took them about an hour to get a restraint setup for the S10. It will require the wide restrait so my existing one will not work on the S10. Not a problem they said I will have the system in the mail thursday.

Here they are gathering the S10 dimensions.

 

[roy]

I forgot to mention Pit-Bull will be selling these restraints for the Super 10 as soon as they get back conformation from me that it works and everything is within tolerance.

 

[rem]

I think I may be interested in this, roy, depending on cost and shipping to nowhere (here). I'll be interested in hearing how yours works and what parts/pieces are involved, and at what cost. Thanks. R

 

[roy]

Certainly rem I will keep you updated. I hope to have mine here by Thursday.

 

[rem]

I just watched the video again. Pretty slick. Does the plate just screw/bolt through the 3/4" floor, or is there a plate also underneath to add strength ???? I'm really liking this system. Never heard of it before, but then I've only had a trailer for a couple months. R

 

[roy]

Okay as promised I got the Pit-Bull restraint in today. It fits pretty good but the right side hex is a bit too tight. Once in I cannot pull it out. So I took a hand file and took the zinc coating off, bingo it slid right in. It was too late to call up and actually talk to George at Pit-Bull but I did call and leave a voicemail plus I sent him a email wit ha pic explaining the tolerance issue. I am sure he will contact me either tomorrow or monday. It works fine with the zinc coating off so it is very close. I am happy what a nice fit it was in the hauler. Real solid mount and the best fit of all these I own to date. This is going to work so well. Here are a few pics I snapped. BTW once I get him corrected on the tolerance (I am sure he will send me a revised pin next week) these things will be for sale through Pit-Bull. It is not cheap but neither is suspension work after all the fork seals start leaking or rear shock blows out. Their system sells for $279.95 and that includes, trailer base plate with hardware, latches, restraint arm and pin kit. Trust me one fork seal replacement job will set you back over $500, been there done that on racebikes with expensive Ohlins suspension.

 

[rem]

Awesome, roy, thanks for that. I'm definitely interested. Shipping is what might kill the deal for me, but I emailed them the other day and asked if they would advise me when the unit for the Tenere is available. If they can send it cheap and slow, I'm in. Does the entire unit come in a single package do you know? Thanks again. R

 

[roy]

Awesome, roy, thanks for that. I'm definitely interested. Shipping is what might kill the deal for me, but I emailed them the other day and asked if they would advise me when the unit for the Tenere is available. If they can send it cheap and slow, I'm in. Does the entire unit come in a single package do you know? Thanks again. R

rem it comes complete with everything you see attached to my bike and to the floor of hauler. George is who you need to deal with he is a super nice guy who happens to be the general manager. I am certain he can work some shipping out for you. I know George from the WERA BBS race board he is an active member who strives in taking care of customers new and old. I have seen him send out new pin kits free to past buyers when a pin design changed. Pit-Bull is no. 1 in customer service. I am certain he will have this slight tolerance issue solved by weeks end and then everyone is good to go. It is a perfect fit now but I would prefer to have the zinc coating on my pin tip even though it will wear off eventually, a;ways does ) you cannot go wrong with this setup it is very good and applies no stress on the bike at all.

 

[rem]

I really like it. I'll email them again and direct it to Big George. Definitely interested. Thanks for the info. R

 

[roy]

I really like it. I'll email them again and direct it to Big George. Definitely interested. Thanks for the info. R

You are welcome rem, I know this is not for everyone since this is a highway mile eater but sometimes we must step back and realize not everyone wants to burn hundreds of miles. My wife (I love her to death) loves to ride just not far and she has to have her own bed at bedtime. I do what I can to make that happen.

BTW I will be talking with George next week or before and when I do I will tell him you are on the forum that I had told him about last week. It is such a small world one of the other guys found me on ADVrider's forum while I was at their facility, we all had a laugh about that. ) They were all over the S10, their lead machinist rides a KLR and he drooled all over the thing while I was there.

 

[trinc4me]

You are welcome rem, I know this is not for everyone since this is a highway mile eater but sometimes we must step back and realize not everyone wants to burn hundreds of miles. My wife (I love her to death) loves to ride just not far and she has to have her own bed at bedtime. I do what I can to make that happen.

BTW I will be talking with George next week or before and when I do I will tell him you are on the forum that I had told him about last week. It is such a small world one of the other guys found me on ADVrider's forum while I was at their facility, we all had a laugh about that. ) They were all over the S10, their lead machinist rides a KLR and he drooled all over the thing while I was there.

Roy,

I am really interested in the trailer restraint as well. Do you know if they have things finalized and are ready to ship?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[rem]

I emailed them two days ago and received a prompt response from Christie Johnson with a shipping quote, so I'm assuming it's good to go. As I am a little financially challenged just now, I'll wait until spring, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna invest in one of these. I hope they come in pink. R

 

[trinc4me]

I emailed them two days ago and received a prompt response from Christie Johnson with a shipping quote, so I'm assuming it's good to go. As I am a little financially challenged just now, I'll wait until spring, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna invest in one of these. I hope they come in pink. R

Thanks for the reply rem......I have dealt with them for some other purchases and they are great to deal with. I'll call them on Monday.

 

[3putt]

Really neat setup there Roy, thanks for showing that deal.

Where do you do track days? Ever go to any in Texas?