Motorcycle Towing

[Sister Sledge]

I've asked about motorcycle trailers here in the past and came across this image the other day.
Is it legal to tow a motorcycle on the UK highway this way? Just curious that's all.
(Obviously to save wear you could remove the chain and place a rear wheel on that's more worn until you arrive at the destination)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49463246126_b0611daa61_b.jpgLinking Purposes by Craig David, on Flickr
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CCM 404 DS

[doggone]

The pic seems to be from here

I can't see a problem other than rear tyre wear issue which would be less than riding it I guess.

[Easy-X]

For some reason I saw that photo and started humming the Dr.Pepper tune...
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Tankie]

Yes it is legal, I have a similar unit except mine is a lot lower to the ground, a trailer board has to be used across the rear of the bike to comply with lighting regs.
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[G]

No, it is not legal.
If you put a small dolly under the rear wheel it would be, providing the nose weight of the towing vehicle was rated for - the one in the picture will be.

The other way to make it legal would be to link the rear wheel of the bike to the towing vehicle's brakes.

A trailer under 750kg does not need to be braked.
Over 750kg you need brakes which apply when the vehicle brakes are used.

However any motorvehicle being towed must also be braked on all wheels touching the ground regardless of weight. The exception is if you're taking it 'to a place of safety' (a broken down car or bike, say).

A dolly under the rear wheel then classifies it as towing a trailer with a load vs towing a motorvehicle.
As I understand it, it doesn't matter if it's a road legal motorvehicle.

Whether it would still count if you took the engine out is another matter.

[weasley]

[Tankie]

I do not think G is right.
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[G]

[Confusion]

[Blah blah]

[Stalk]

Probably find that the moving parts of the engine are pressure lubricated, and that the gearbox is oil bath and splash lubricated. So no problem

[doggone]

I suspect lifting the front wheel the bike becomes effectively an unbraked trailer weighing under 750kg and that's OK.
If you are towing a vehicle the brakes are supposed to operate by some mean but it's not towing exactly is it?

In any case a fair bet that the average policeman won't have seen such a thing before and would rather go for a doughnut than look it up.
You might be pushing it towing a Goldwing behind a Fiat 500 though.
However the example shown the heavy landrover will barely be able to tell it's on the back. It can legally tow up to 3.5 tons but should have overrun brakes above 750kg.

[Pete.]

[Confusion]

[Pete.]

[Sister Sledge]

Lots of interesting comments. I'm not gonna do it - just wondered about the legality because I've never seen it done before.
Image was taken from CCM Mad on FB - the poster, Gary Wigston, is on both groups.
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CCM 404 DS

[G]