Hitch rack question - need auxiliary tail lights?

[Garandman]

I bought an HF hitch rack so I wouldn't need the van to transport my son's XR100R. Generally well reviewed, I did tighten all the bolts per one reviewer's suggestion.

The bike is 75" long and our Outback wagon is 69" wide. So part of the tail lights may be obscured.

I can buy an LED add-on light kit for $27. This is $27 more than I possibly need to spend but would be a lot less than any sort of ticket. I try to avoid "roadside conversations" as much as possible.

Advice?

[Garandman]

BTW, reading the reviews, it seems there have been some design changes along the line. It now comes with a clamp to hold it tight in the hitch: I'm going to drill my other carriers and add them great idea.

One negative review also noted it was aluminum mounted to the hitch bar, but there is a sheet steel insert in this one.

The XR100R is less than 200 lbs, if I had a bigger bike I would spend the $175 on a better one. No way our cars can handle a 500 lb hitch load.

[Sheppo]

I would rather spend the $ to insure the person behind me see's me stopping or turning. I am not sure if you would get stopped for obscuring your tail lights or not.

[OneCheekRider]

I installed lights on my bicycle rack. The last thing I want is to get rear ended on my way to the trails on a nice sunny day or deal with having to replace a high end mountain bike through insurance. I can't post pics at work but I get compliments on the install a lot.

What motivated me to do it: The day I moved into MA, someone rear ended my trailer. My trailer has bright LED taillights and reflective red tape. I honestly don't know how you could miss it...so I figure people here could use all the help they can get.

[breakdirt916]

it's not required, but do it



I also put reflective tape



like sheppo & onecheek said - don't give people another reason to hit you or sue you because "I couldn't see his taillights"

[Mr. Kurtz]

Mine had reflective tape, but lights are probably a good idea, and easy/cheap enough to be worth it.

[drop]

i'd throw the lights on if your factory lights are obstructed at all from the required viewing angles. cheap insurance for $27, why risk it? might consider moving the plate too if the numbers can't be easily read from a car behind you (particularly one with blue lights on it).

[aldend123]

I think the biggest risk is any kind of insurance pay-out if you are rear-ended without it. Not so much the ticket itself. You get rear-ended, then cited for obstructed lights, which is used against you to deny pay-out.

[OneCheekRider]

here are pics from my bike rack. DOT approved lights. Had to find something custom to work with my rack setup. Lights were $20 plus $5 or something for the 4-pin trailer harness.

1st pic is running lights. 2nd pic is running lights + brake lights. 3rd pic is brake lights. Turn signals the same as brake lights minus one side. Super bright.

[bryco13]

didn't ever think of this, i should see if my lights are blocked!

(gorgeous epic btw)

[OreoGaborio]

I have the same one. Used it to transport my 350lb race bike a few times with zero issues.

No aux lights but I've thought about it (for obvious reasons when you look at the picture below). May replace the reflectors with lights at some point but it's more difficult loading/unloading with a single person than I thought it would be.

You can get a cheap magnetic kit currently on sale for 10 bucks.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...trailer+lights

[brady]

my 350lb race bike

it looks good naked!

[OreoGaborio]

[Garandman]

I bought the HF LED magnetic light kit with a 20% off coupon. Even if the lights aren't blocked they should come in handy.

There is a $99 super coupon in Moto mags, not sure if you can combine those with a20% coupon.

[Garandman]

I'm really glad I got the lights and the LED's work well. This was the setup, although I added one more tie down. The hitch was solid but this is a light bike. the Outback suspension handled it no problem and I'm glad I went this way instead of getting a trailer. Unless we get another dirt bike.....This is a lot lower than a pickup so getting it on and off was easy.

[OreoGaborio]

Front tire clamp is supposed to be on bottom so the front tire drops all the way down. (see my pic above) Suppose on a bike that small it doesn't really matter though.

I'm probably gonna modify mine with more slats up front so the front tire doesn't sit that low and flip my front tire clamps the other way around like you have em. The way mine's set up right now it makes it way too difficult to unload without help.

[breakdirt916]

bitchin...and I have one without the front tire clamp, and in that case, 2 straps are not enough. I use 1 around the back too the way you do...but my dr200 has a metal rack on the back to so I have an attachment point

I love the convenience of these - no need to register a trailer or store one. I just lean it agaist the wall or keep it in the bed of my truck...easier than stealing candy from Pete.

they get even better than hf too...some come with a condor wheel chock in the front, and the versahaul ones are rated to carry 500lbs no problem (assuming you have a class IV weight distributing hitch to handle it)

but yes - ideally, this should be something that can be done by yourself.