MoTow Lifestyle Blog

The Motorcycle has been constantly evolving since its inception. Each iteration brings new features, pros and cons, and results in something brand new and exciting. The whole idea behind a café racer started in the 60s, with young riders piecing together bikes with used parts and racing between the British side streets. They streamlined the bike for speed and handling, the end product is a blur of style and acceleration.

Today, Café Racers are a staple in the motorcycle industry worldwide. What once was a substitute for having to buy a car has turned into a statement of creativity and passion. Each Café Racer has its own personality, its own unique look. These bikes are art.

Thousands of workshops all over the world work on their personal cafe racer projects. MoTow attended the annual Garage Brewed Moto Show at Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio, and we saw firsthand the craftsmanship that goes into these amazing bikes. Things like custom fuel tanks, down-tilted handlebars, and awe-inspiring detailing in the paint and design of these bikes set them apart from anything you can buy from a motorcycle manufacturer.

If you are looking for a bike that no one else can claim, make your own! Café Racers have constantly innovated and problem solved to make a one-of-a-kind bike that can’t be mistaken for any other. No cookie cutters, just imagination and engineering.

If you found this article helpful, check out our blog page for other helpful information. When you are ready to take your bike on the road

Electric cars, electric bikes, and now… electric motorcycles! The age of environmentally safe transportation is coming sooner rather than later, and motorcycles are no exception. Your favorite hot rod could be due for a makeover. In fact, Harley Davidson has unveiled their Livewire electric motorcycle (pictured to the right) as well as branching out into eBikes with the Serial 1.

The argument for electric vehicles may seem obvious, but let’s take a look at the differences between electric and gas motorcycles.

Cars outnumber motorcycles on the road, yet motorcycles actually produce 16% more emissions than cars (according to CARBS mobile source emissions inventory). An increase in electric motorcycles would drastically reduce the emissions motorcycles are responsible for, and as a car replacement, create a whopping big reduction in global warming emissions.

Now that may be all well and good, but are they actually as fun to ride?

The short answer is YES! Every gas powered vehicle has a delay in the torque, which is a feeling many bikers have come to enjoy; feeling the power build up in the bike before taking off. But these electric motorcycles provide instant torque, which shoots you off right away with tons of power. As fun as the classic choppers are to cruise around on, sometimes you just want pure power and speed – some electric bikes can go from 0-60mph in under 2 seconds. That’s fast.

No more stopping at a gas station. Less maintenance required as there are no spark plugs, no oil, and no timing belts. Much lower lifetime cost to own. I think it’s safe to say electric motorcycles are here to stay, and they might just be a better experience than the gas motorcycles we all know and love.  With luck, there will be tax incentives to reduce the cost of adding these rides to your collection!

Experts agree that we can achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions by prioritizing the adoption of electric motorcycles over cars and combustion engine bikes. Find out more about motorcycle emissions and carbon footprints.

Now that the weather is getting warmer and days are getting longer, many of us are longing to find our freedom and head into the great outdoors. Your outdoor adventures may include taking your favorite bike roaming, camping, glamping, off-roading, or off to a race! Whether you are headed to a far-away National Park or your local track, getting there has never been easier with a MoTow Motorcycle Tow Hitch or e-Bike Carrier.

Let’s talk about the ease of hitching up with a MoTow Tow Hitch.

MoTow Motorcycle Tow Hitches offer one-person loading, right on the ground. No more trailers, ramps, and helpers are required. Our hitches effortlessly secure and elevate the back wheel using a simple lift system and household tools. Secure the handlebars with our ratchet straps and reflective flags, and you are ready to tow your bike across town or thousands of miles to your next adventure!

MoTow e-Bike Carriers are a breeze to attach and remove from your vehicle. Five simple parts fit together in 5 minutes. No, you don’t have to lift those heavy e-bikes! Upgrade to one-person loading with the MoTow Hitch Lift which lowers the rack to the ground and then lifts the bikes back up securely into place. With the wheel rims safely strapped to the cradles, you are ready to go find your freedom on distant park trails, sandy beaches, or exploring new towns.

Let’s talk Class.

When getting hitched with MoTow, it’s important to know the differences between hitch classes. Receiver hitches are divided into 5 classes, depending on towing capacity and receiver tube size. The higher the hitch class number, the higher the weight capacity and the larger the receiver tube. We will also be referring to the “tongue weight” of your vehicle since MoTow e-Bike Carriers hang off the vehicle’s hitch and do not rely on the ground for support.

Class I

Class I trailer hitches are equipped with a 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ receiver tube opening and are generally designed for passenger cars and small crossovers. Most class 1 hitches are rated to have a tongue weight of up to 200 lbs. However, not all hitches are rated at the same weight capacity and no hitch ever increases the maximum weight a vehicle can tow. Check that owner’s manual.

Class II

Class II trailer hitches are equipped with a 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ receiver tube opening and most are rated to have a tongue weight of up to 350 lbs. Typically, class II hitches are found on full-size sedans, minivans, and crossovers but can also be found on small SUVs and even pickup trucks.

Class III

Class III trailer hitches are equipped with a 2” x 2” receiver tube opening. They are the most common receiver hitch class installed on full-size pickup trucks, Fifth-wheels, and SUVs. If your truck is equipped with a towing prep package, it probably has a class III hitch. Typically, class III hitches have a weight carrying capacity of up to 800 lbs. tongue weight.

Class IV

Class IV trailer hitches are equipped with a 2” x 2” receiver tube opening. They are commonly mounted on full-size pickup trucks, RVs and SUVs. They generally have a weight carrying capacity of up to 1000 lbs. tongue weight.

Class V

Class V trailer hitches feature a 2” x 2” receiver tube opening and have the highest weight ratings of the receiver hitch classes. They offer as much as 2000 lbs. tongue weight capacity. They are typically used on full-size pickups and commercial trucks and Large RVs.

Can your vehicle and MoTow get hitched?

Let MoTow customer care professionals counsel you if you need guidance or have cold feet. The weight of your bike(s), the hitch Class, and the towing capacity of your vehicle will determine whether you can hitch up with MoTow. Because towing capacities are rated by each vehicle manufacturer, refer to your owner’s manual.

Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you’ll fall in love with a MoTow Tow Hitch or e-Bike Carrier, built to love a lifetime!