New photos added to Grey Ghost January 22, 2008, 11:34:32 am Yahoo Message Number: 88695G'day everyone.I added some photos to the Grey Ghost album. I recently bought a motorcycle to carry on the back so I can explore and do errands when staying put for awhile. It's a 2000 Kawasaki Super Sherpa, a 250cc street legal dual sport and it gets approx. 70 mpg. I had a rack custom made to use two 2" receivers to keep things stable and secure. I also added a wireless backup camera and monitor that I purchased at Costco for $80. You can see the camera on one of the rear photos, it's right below the rear window and provides a clear view of behind me. I wired it to be powered all the time, not just when the backup lights come on. The monitor I put in place of the CB radio I removed and wired it to the power from the CB.Thanks.Jay
Re: New photos added to Grey Ghost Reply #1 – January 22, 2008, 06:34:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88721Thanks for sharing those photos Jay. Have you taken the rig out with the Sherpa on the back over any rough roads? Notice any problems with the torque on the rear bumper? I imagine wanting to do something similar, and the Sherpa looks like a great choice. Are you using the inexpensive backup camera simply for keeping an eye on the Sherpa, or can you use it to assist you
Re: New photos added to Grey Ghost Reply #2 – January 22, 2008, 06:57:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88723Quote Thanks for sharing those photos Jay. Have you taken the rig out with the Sherpa on the Quoteback over any rough roads? Notice any problems with the torque on the rear bumper?Quote I imagine wanting to do something similar, and the Sherpa looks like a great choice.Quote Are you using the inexpensive backup camera simply for keeping an eye on the Sherpa, or Quotecan you use it to assist you in parking, etc. How does it work under different lightingQuoteconditions? If generally useful, do you recall the manufacturer/model?Quote S-Steve and Carol Crisp Gonnabees - "Thistle Dew Too" 2000 Blue 26.5' MB I have not taken the rig over any rough roads yet. I have gone over a few speed bumps a little too fast and while the bike moves around a little it doesn't seem to bother the setup. Time will tell if is strong enough, so far so good. The Super Sherpa is a great bike, fairly light and easy to ride with awesome mileage.I use the backup camera for checking behind me when backing up and keeping an eye on the bike or just checking who is tailgating :-}. The one I got is from a company called Winplus. Here is a link from the manual, It's the one with the 3.5" monitor. http://www.winplususa.com/behindsight.htmlIt works in all light conditions, there is some kind of low light sensor.Jay
Re: New photos added to Grey Ghost Reply #3 – January 23, 2008, 02:17:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88742QuoteI have not taken the rig over any rough roads yet. I have gone over a few speed bumps a little too fast and while the bike moves around a little it doesn't seem to bother the setup. Time will tell if is strong enough, so far so good. The Super Sherpa is a great bike, fairly light and easy to ride with awesome mileage.Jay JAY: you seem to have just the setup I'm looking for. Where did you have your rack made? What did it cost (if you don't mind)? Are the extra attachments fitted only to the bumper or do they attach directly to the frame rails? Is the Sherpa suitable for two-up riding? Thanks, Jon ('06 23TK Grey "Albatross")
Re: New photos added to Grey Ghost Reply #4 – January 23, 2008, 03:39:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88745QuoteJAY: you seem to have just the setup I'm looking for. Where did you have your rack made? What did it cost (if you don't mind)? Are the extra attachments fitted only to the bumper or do they attach directly to the frame rails? Is the Sherpa suitable for two-up riding? Thanks,QuoteJon ('06 23TK Grey "Albatross") Hi Jon.I had the rack made at a fabrication shop in Phoenix, AZ. The rack and the added receivers cost $750 to make and install. The extra receivers are attached only to the plate under the bumper where the original one is. I looked at trying to go all the way to the main frame but it is so far forward it wasn't feasable. I also looked at attaching to the LD frame extensions but they are very small and it wasn't worth the hassle and added expense. I feel with the bumper being able to handle up to 500 lbs. for tongue weight and me using two 2" receivers that spread the weight of the rack and bike (which weigh approx. 350 lbs. total) I should be OK.Like I said, time will tell if it's strong enough. The Super Sherpa has foot rests for a passenger so while it is set up to handle two-up, it's probably not something I'd do for a long ride, but into town and around camp, no worries.Jay
Re: New photos added to Grey Ghost Reply #5 – January 23, 2008, 04:40:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 88748I also have a Kawasaki Super Sherpa. It is ideal for use this way. The only thing I would caution is that when you are carrying a larger passenger, you will lift the front end with uphill starts if you are using a good bit of throttle, nothing an experienced biker can't handle and enjoy, but a surprise the first time for such a low powered bike. It's cozy with two on board, but still a good solution. The bike is still in production, but was imported into the US only from 2000 to 2005 or so. It has decent disc brakes, both front and back, an electric starter, and can run freeway speeds of 70 wide open, weighing 250 dry. Gets 70 mpg on the road. I found mine on Cycletrader.com If you don't mind another 50 pounds, a Suzuki DR400 S is an excellent choice, unless you are short.EdThe Super Sherpa