Kendon Stand-Up Motorcycle Trailer Review

Kendon Stand-Up Motorcycle Trailer. A wide 3-piece ramp allows you to ride a bike on.
Kendon Stand-Up Motorcycle Trailer. A wide 3-piece ramp allows you to ride a bike on.

I can think of several ways that even a diehard street rider can make use of a motorcycle trailer. Transporting bikes for service, rescuing a broken-down machine or towing a less comfortable motorcycle across the state to a good riding area, for example. We also use our trailer to pick up test bikes when we can’t leave one behind. The trouble with most trailers, though (besides needing a tow vehicle), is that they have to live somewhere when you’re not using them, and they typically take up a lot of space.

Upright, the trailer has a 27- by 70-inch footprint.
Upright, the trailer has a 27- by 70-inch footprint.

Not so with the Kendon Single Ride-Up SRL Stand-Up trailer that we have been testing for several months. The back half of its metal diamond-plate bed folds over onto the front, shortening the trailer from 9.3 feet long (with an 80- by 33-inch bed) to just 7 feet between the hitch and the three caster wheels on the other end. Once folded, you can tip the trailer up, stand it on the casters and roll it into a 27- by 70-inch space—about the same footprint as a medium-sized motorcycle. Ours tucks away in the Rider shop and fits easily in the garage at home to secure it out of sight. Most people can pull the trailer down off the casters fairly easily, but lifting it onto them requires considerable strength or two people, especially if the optional spare wheel and tire are bolted on.

Radial tires and chrome wheels are standard.
Radial tires and chrome wheels are standard.

Kendon’s Single Ride-Up SRL Stand-Up trailer has a tubular-steel frame and heavy-duty independent torsion-bar axles and hubs that give it a load capacity of 1,000 pounds, so you can haul everything from a dirt bike to a Gold Wing, large ADV machine or sport tourer. Besides needing minimal storage space, the Kendon’s chief advantage is that you can ride a bike onto it and load and unload the trailer by yourself. The center section of the included 3-piece loading ramp can be used by itself to push a lighter machine on, or use all three sections together and you can keep your feet planted on the ramp and trailer as you ride on. Kendon’s Suspension Reactive Loading (SRL) frame geometry design compresses the suspension as you ride on, leveling the loading ramp with the trailer and eliminating a ramp-to-trailer apex. This makes it easy to load large, heavy bikes like our staff Gold Wing GL1500, which I was able to ride on and tie down by myself. As long as the trailer is on a level surface side-to-side, the tilting wheel chock that grabs the front wheel will hold the bike balanced in place while you tie it down.

Advertisement
SRL tech levels the ramp while loading.
SRL tech levels the ramp while loading.

Towing the Kendon is a smooth experience thanks to its low 350-pound weight and standard 13-inch radial tires on chrome wheels. When not in use the loading ramp sections stow on the trailer, and removable raised guide rails help steer the bike into the chock when you can’t see the front wheel easily. Towing it unladen, the trailer is so compact that it can be hard to see, which makes backing it more of a challenge, but that’s the only issue we had with this versatile and well-made trailer.

Kendon’s Single Ride-Up SRL Stand-Up trailer retails for $2,995, and a non-SRL model (push-on) is $2,599.95. Kendon also offers Dual Stand-Up motorcycle and Triple Stand-Up dirt bike/sportbike trailers and utility models.

For more information, call (888) 985-3410 or visit kendonusa.com.

9 COMMENTS

  1. I am the owner of an early production 2015 Kendon SRL single trailer, the improved version. Easy safe loading and unloading. Now, with approximately 2000 miles. I am not at all happy. My issue is, at speeds between 50 and 65 the bike and trailer shakes so violently I was afraid the bike was going to be damaged, it was like it was on a vibrator. The handlebars were a blur. I never noticed it until recently as I just happened to be looking at the rearview mirror and thought that’s not right. Because the kendon is so light you don’t know you are trailering a motorcycle. Above or below those speeds everything smooths out. I discovered I am not alone as I have read rare reviews about other Kendons with the same problem. I thought it was wheel balance, so I took all 3 wheels and tires to the tire shop. They said all 3 steel rims were warped (including the spare which is brand spankin new and never been on the ground), when spun you could see the rim moving in and out along the edges, and the Chinese radials seemed oval, and out of round. The tire shop refused to balance them as it would be a waste of money and labor. They suggested I buy new wheels and tires. I have never hit a pothole or a hard bump. My suggestion is to anyone buying a Kendon, order it with the alloy wheel option. I think this is the best/only way to go. And that is the only way the local Harley Dealer orders them. A better wheel might be stronger and have less chance to warping or bending thru use. I am sure Kendon builds a great product. That is why I purchased one. I did not find many complaints. I did a lot of research. However, I am the rare unlucky one who has a problem. I called Kendon, and I am hoping they will be able to help me. I suggested I would happily pay for an upgrade to the alloy wheels option, I am not concerned about the spare. Only time will tell if they approve my request. Wish me luck, in my quest.

  2. Update,As previously mentioned, I was concerned about a vibration while towing. Turns out Kendon is a first class trailer company. Today new tires and wheels arrived at my door. I have to say, a big thank you. This type of service is why I will always recommend Kendon. It appears to have corrected my problem.

  3. I have been comparing this trailer to the Aluma MC1F folding trailer. The Aluma has a front “stone guard” built onto the trailer and has a solid bottom. However, it weighs in at 465lbs vs 350 for the Kendon and has a larger footprint when stored (obviously due in part to the stone guard). Can anyone provide experience on any road damage incurred on your bike when loaded on the Kendon since it does not have the stone shield and does not have a solid bottom? I like the Kendon as it seems to be a more manageable package.
    BTW I am a long time subscriber to Rider. I find it to be a very informative source.
    Thanks

    • I have a Kendon 2 place trailer to haul my two large Harley’s. I haven’t had too many issues. I got the stone guard and only use it when I I tow behind my smaller SUV. I did tow some of my sport and sport touring bikes, even my scooters over the past 2 years and really didn’t see any damage not using the stone guard. It’s somewhat combersome to take on and off the trailer. When I tow behind my truck camper I don’t need it as my camper and mud guards are blocking and debris. The big problem I’ve had with this trailer is even though I removed the spare tire and keep it in my vehicle the trailer bottoms out a lot because it’s so low to the ground. And the ramp it comes with sucks. I have 2 Black Widow folding ramps so I can ride my bikes up onto the trailer.

      • Peter…what model of Black Widow loading ramp did you get for your 2 place Kendon trailer? We are purchasing a 2 place, 2005 model BB205 and our Harley Roadking is heavy and I want a drive up ramp without spending the $800 for the retrofit kit.
        My email is khedine53@gmail.com

        • I bought the Retro fit kit. I have a 2003 Duel BB205 and it worked for me. I did not like the little ramp when loading my Harley Limited. I did try tying two ramps together, It was better but still when you got the bike on you had to get it off. A little scary coming off especially since you had no where to put your foot. The Retro kit has four time wider ramp, and a place to put your feet on and off.

  4. I have a 2004 Kendon dual that I have used for many trips from Gainesville, FL to Ft. Lauderdale and 6 round trips Gainesville,FL to Michigan. Never any problems with anything at all other than having the under mounted spare bottom out on very steep driveways and speed bumps. Solved that with mounting the spare on top of the trailer. Mine came with a winch mounting post and a winch. I ditched the stupid narrow stock “ramp” and got an ATV 3 part folding ramp that I secure to the trailer bed with some chains and hooks. I’ll use the winch for a slow and steady pull up the ramps. I can hardly tell it’s there when I tow other than my fuel mileage goes down about 40% but it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than shipping your bike these days. Highly recommend this trailer. I’ve towed a Triumph Thunderbird 1600 and a few other big bikes with zero issues. Also used it to haul rotten wood to the dump and big loads of mulch with the garden.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here