Side Wheels for heavy motorcycles

Now I imagine there'd be quite the chuckling and ribbing to be endured if one were to get this sidewheel setup for their BMW K1200LT motorcycle. This model of beemer is over 800lbs of machine and definitely much heavier than my 600lb+ 1150RT which can be quite the handful when on slick surfaces.

The site listed by the folks at Gizmag is in Japanese and while I did click around for a bit I could not find more photos than what Gizmag had on their website: LINK.

gizmag pictures

pic from response.jp

So, if I had the K1200LT, and during Colorado's Fall/Winter snows which cause seemingly everlasting snow-packed streets; would you not think having such a side-wheel rig would be great for helping keep your heavy motorcycle upright as you power your way through those pesky neighborhood streets covered with snow until you reach the main roads which are plowed and dry? Think about it.

I wonder if they make a kit for my model motorcycle? : )

Couple the above side wheels with these "snow claws" from this site: LINKand you've got options for escaping snow-packed neighborhoods!


From the gizmag.com site:

Doken came up with a solution: small side wheels that descend at the touch of a button, or when the motorcycle’s speed drops below 5km/h. As soon as speed exceeds 5 km/h, the casters retract. Apart from the obvious advantage of never having to put your feet on the ground at red lights, the wheels offer salvation for motorcyclists with physical handicaps who want to ride a two-wheeler, but would otherwise be unable to do so.

Not cheap at 4,500 €(US$5300), the Touch-Down enables you to do things you can’t do without it, and the quality is very BMW-like (i.e. top shelf).

I did some googling and there's this other "retractable side wheels" alternative made in the good old USA! LINK.


Interesting concepts, they apparently don't do Beemers though....oh well. Check out the videos on the site though, pretty cool.