---SAFETY ITEM! --- How Big are your Balls?

[madmax]

That’s the question. (This is aimed at your International riders.)
We have slightly bigger balls than you over our side of the pond (UK)
I’m talking about Tow hitch Ball size. What else would I be talking about?
We use a 50mm (1-31⁄32 in) ball size diameter and conform to a standard BS AU 113b. The ISO standard has been adopted in most of the world outside North America. While in the USA, you use a 1-7/8”size.
I have a 1300 & a 1200 Voyager that both came across the pond with smaller balls. That’s to be expected.
But at the time I didn’t know there was a difference. It just seemed a little slack. If you don’t notice or don’t know that there is a difference, you could end up in big trouble, with the trailer parting company from the bike.
As you have members from all over the world it may be a good idea for anyone thinking of buying such items from the ‘U.S.’ to check what is used in their own country first before ordering items.
I see that there was a guy from Australia asking about trailer hitches for his voyager & who could supply them. That’s great but as long as they get the right size ball for their country.
Take a look at this info. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tow_hitch)
Now if you don’t know, Ask! There’s a saying. Don’t “ASSUME “anything as it will make a
“ Ass out of You & Me”.
Now both my bikes have gained weight & have bigger Balls now. So there you have it. Check your Ball size.
----------------“Safety First”------------------

[Lucasind]

LOL.....my balls are just right !

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

MadMax,
As I have English/British in-law relatives both in the UK and USA, I can appreciate the fact that Ball sizes vary somewhat. I can also testify to the fact that size doesn't matter as long as it's right for the job being asked of it. I've been towing for 30 years and my balls have always been the right size (the bigger the job, the bigger the ball) and got the job done!
Great advise to anyone outside the US though! Cheers mate!

[Gator Mike]

Very informative and even more humorous. Thanks for the laugh as the topic certainly got my attention.