Carrying long guns on a spyder

[Barrysuperhawk]

Ok, by way of introduction, this is my current bike:

https://i.imgur.com/apYXzIF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7L0Rh2P.jpg

Yup, same bike.

I have made a couple racks that I can install on my bike and be able to carry locked ammo cans and a couple long guns (shotguns or whatever). I am shopping for a can-am trike, and I realize that I am going to have to duplicate my work with whatever I buy. I would like to start a discussion about how I might carry a shotgun or two on a can-am, and if any model might be more or less conducive to the task. Right now I am leaning toward the full dress touring models with the factory hard saddle bags and top trunk. I am not sure if this is the best model for what I am intending, though. So, what are your thoughts?

 

[JayBros]

I recognize that you are looking at the RT model because of its inherent cargo carrying capacity; however, from what I know about mine the only solid mounting option I see is to the passenger hand grips which are, IMO, a less than satisfactory idea because you are, to my slow brain, using only one point in the vertical plane to anchor the rack when two would be the minimum. Yes, you could mount a case transversely across the passenger seat area and that would give you two mounting positions but you're looking at 39-40" in case length before you would be, again IMO, having your cargo extending beyond the width of the saddlebags and you would be adding significantly to the barn door in the wind factor that will eat mileage. For that reason, I thing the better option Spyder-wise is an F3-S because it has a better mounting option for a vertical case. With the F3-S you are going to give up significant other cargo carrying capacity.

 

[Barrysuperhawk]

So none of the plastics mount in such a way that the mounting bolt could be extended from the frame, or repurposed? I guess what I ought to do is try to meet current, local owners (if there are any here) and look at things in person.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what is the longest item that can be fit into the frunk?

 

[fatboy]

rt or f3l or t put hitch on build from there

 

[JayBros]

The rear support assembly that holds the saddlebags is designed such that to attempt to attach any kind of a frame for a long gun case would require, to the best I can see from parts diagrams, cutting some plastic that would compromise the structural integrity of the saddlebags themselves. The strength and weight bearing capacity of the saddlebags is in the molded cargo containers themselves and cutting into any of that plastic could lead to problems. Any cutting of the containers could also introduce problems with the latches and possibly with the cargo covers (the saddlebag doors) and the water tight integrity of the compartments. The whole assemblies were designed to carry nominal loads, 15 lb ea, L&R, look streamlined, and the weakest links are the hinges to the saddlebag doors.

The nominal maximum depth of the carpeted frunk, right in front of the latch is 22 1/2". Any fore and aft dimension to what you are trying to stand in the frunk will be less than that because of the downward slope of the frunk lid toward the hinge. The gasket around the top edge frunk ensures water tight integrity and attempting to cram anything oversize in it risks creating problems with the latching mechanism, bad juju.

 

[Gwolf]

Koplin Clamps.....

Carry them the same way you carry rifle or shotgun on the off road 4 wheelers. Any sporting goods place should have what you need. I use the same clamps to carry my crutches on the Spyder.

 

[2dogs]

Get a trailer and be done with it,+ no one can see what you're carrying. Besides, where are you going to put all those dead ducks or pigeons or whatever it is you're hunting?

 

[Barrysuperhawk]

I actually already own a MC trailer, I just hate pulling it.

Is the built in luggage really that wimpy? Maybe going with a model that dosen't have the luggage might be a better idea. I built a mount for my sportbike that I can suspend the whole bike from without bending it. How sturdy is the subframe?

Koplin Clamps.....

Carry them the same way you carry rifle or shotgun on the off road 4 wheelers. Any sporting goods place should have what you need. I use the same clamps to carry my crutches on the Spyder.

Thats a great idea but I suspect the constabulary may not be amused...

 

[JayBros]

The luggage cases in the RTs are not wimpy but the model was not designed as a pick up truck. The weight limitations for all the cargo compartments was arrived at by engineers who designed a vehicle for three wheel motorcycle touring and it has proven very successful. That's why in my first post I suggested you look at the F3-S as a probable better vehicle for what you want to do based on your picture of your sport bike with the gun case and rack.

 

[senorgrand]

Takedown rifles get you down to top cases that are only 16-24 inches, which is doable.

Otherwise, go full Evil Dead:

 

[Barrysuperhawk]

My problem is that the stuff I want to carry doesn't come apart that way.

 

[imfleck]

Why would you want to carry your weapons on a Spyder? It's not really a very good vehicle when hunting seeing as it lacks proper storage and isn't designed to go four-wheeling.

 

[jcoats1]

Hacksaw ?

 

[Gwolf]

Why would you want to carry your weapons on a Spyder? It's not really a very good vehicle when hunting seeing as it lacks proper storage and isn't designed to go four-wheeling.

Riding to the shooting range, going to turkey shoots, riding to competitions held at Skeet & Trap Clubs............... Plenty of reasons to carry long guns on a bike. Primary reason being the bike gets 35 MPG and the truck gets 18 MPG.

One of the replies is probably accurate for the area of the country where the person who relied lives, however, in the rural areas of Florida and many other places, the local constabulary would not pay any attention at all to a rifle / shotgun in a zipper case strapped to a motorcycle. I have never been stopped and even if I was stopped, having a concealed weapons permit makes it completely legal to carry a weapon in a case which covers or conceals it, even if it is fairly obvious what is inside the case. Back about 20 years ago I was involved in a wreck which totaled my truck. The person who hit me was passing on a hill against the no passing zone and on my side of the road. I had several shotguns in the front seat of my truck. The Florida Highway Patrol simply asked what they were for and I told him I was returning from dove hunting. Also had hunting vest and a couple boxes of bird shot in the truck with me. The officer called my sister to come pick up the weapons with no further questions about it. The ambulance took me to the hospital for xrays and the officer waited with my truck until my sister got my shotguns out of it. That might not happen in the cities along the east coast where the rich people from up north live, but in the rural areas of Florida having weapons in a vehicle is almost expected, particularly during hunting season.

 

[2dogs]

In my neck of the woods if they can see it they'll steal it. Out of sight out of mind, most of the time anyway, if you're lucky.

 

[cptjam]

An F3S has hand holds you can remove, and bolt anything on you wish. Racks, boxes, whatever. Take a look at the F3P model. It has adventure bike type luggage. That rack is available from Can Am, to convert the F3S to a F3P. Have fun. Make it work out for you. The bike itself is great. Make a rack, go shoot.

 

[PW2013STL]

An F3S has hand holds you can remove, and bolt anything on you wish. Racks, boxes, whatever. Take a look at the F3P model. It has adventure bike type luggage. That rack is available from Can Am, to convert the F3S to a F3P. Have fun. Make it work out for you. The bike itself is great. Make a rack, go shoot.

Great idea Joe, but BRP is out of stock on those racks, and MAY have them available on Dec 19th. My dealer talked to his source at BRP forfillment and was told that Dec 19th would be the earliest and most likely be later than that (if at all).

I had tried ordering one for mounting a top box. I now will make my own after we get back from the Red Rock Spyder Ride In.

Les

 

[Gwolf]

An F3S has hand holds you can remove, and bolt anything on you wish. Racks, boxes, whatever. Take a look at the F3P model. It has adventure bike type luggage. That rack is available from Can Am, to convert the F3S to a F3P. Have fun. Make it work out for you. The bike itself is great. Make a rack, go shoot.

I left the hand holds on and made a piece that goes behind it. Got bungee strap loops, flag holder, and a mount for the clamp that holds the top of my crutches on it. The hand holds bolted back on over it.

 

[strykerAKAmack]

This is how I carry my cane . that's the bracket on seat that I use to hold lower end of cane in place and just velcro round
grab rail on top .

 

[Nico75]

Hi Barrysuperhawk ref long guns in Uk we carnt carry a toy pop gun , and the way crime is in uk we will need a machine gun and carry in on a tank good luck to you. Regards Nico 75