HUMBOLDT, Kan., B&W Trailer Hitches, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of heavy-duty, engineered trailer hitches and aftermarket truck/trailer accessories, announced that its new Biker Bar motorcycle-to-trailer mounting technology is quickly gaining favor among Harley-Davidson enthusiasts who use trailers to transport their bikes for rallies, vacations and more. Biker Bar is a totally unique concept and a complete departure from the cumbersome straps, chocks and bolt-on systems that can be ineffective, unsightly and cause damage to paint, chrome and leather finishes. Biker Bar is an engineered system, specifically designed to address the shortcomings associated with more primitive bike mounting methods commonly used today. “Nylon straps are awkward, take up space, must be constantly re-tightened, and can easily cause abrasive damage to a bike,” said Travis McCall, new product engineer for B&W Trailer Hitches and biking enthusiast. “Wheel chocks help, but they still rely on straps to hold the bike in alignment, and when wheel travel and tension factors combine, suspension failure and other damage can often result.” McCall noted that there are also products that require brackets to be permanently bolted to a bike’s frame, but that these affect aesthetics, reduce clearance height and require two people to practically operate. “Biker Bar is a complete, engineered system that uses the bike’s frame and suspension system to create an extremely rigid and stable mounting solution that takes one rider about 30 seconds to engage or disengage,” McCall added. Unlike products requiring bolt-on brackets that take time and negatively impact style and clearance, Biker Bar only touches the bike frame at the time of mounting and comes off immediately following dismounting. With Biker Bar, no tools are needed, because a hand-operated, neoprene-lined, quick-tension and quick-release clamping bar is applied to the frame just before loading. A single person can apply the clamping bar and roll the bike into the self-locking, trailer-mounted plate in about 30 seconds. A foot-operated release disengages Biker Bar and dismounting and removing the clamping bar is equally as quick and effortless as mounting. The physics behind Biker Bar are intelligent, protecting the motorcycles’ suspension system by incorporating it into the mounting equation. The rider sits on the bike, slightly compressing the suspension system as he or she guides Biker Bar into the mounting plate’s receiving mechanism, which automatically latches. When the rider dismounts, the suspension system remains compressed, exerting just the right amount of upward pressure to maintain rigid stability without stressing the suspension components. By repurposing the bike’s suspension system to create a firm vehicle stance, a bike secured with a Biker Bar becomes an extension of the trailer’s suspension system, instead of amplifying it as an active bike suspension system would. “Traveling with my bikes used to be a crapshoot, because they would shift no matter how hard I’d ratchet and tie them down,” said Bill Grotto, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Biker Bar user. “With Biker Bar, I never have to worry about surprises when I open up the trailer door, and my bikes arrive unharmed every time.” For bikers who use their trailers for multiple purposes, the Biker Bar receiving mechanism and base can be easily removed from the trailer floor. Two bolts secure the mechanism base to the floor and installation and removal takes about 30 seconds. B&W Trailer Hitches specializes in designing and engineering trailer hitches and aftermarket truck/trailer accessories and has a proud reputation as a U.S.-based manufacturer and innovator. The company’s workforce makes Biker Bar entirely in Humboldt, Kan., and the design is patented. Biker Bar comes in four models that accommodate most Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. A complete Biker Bar model chart can be accessed on the product website: www.DitchTheStraps.com. “Biker Bar is a great American-made product, made exclusively to enhance the use of another great American-made product,” McCall said. “Harley-Davidson attracts a unique type of individual, and we’ve designed Biker Bar to meet the high standards synonymous with that audience.” Biker Bar can be purchased online and a dealer locator is also available at: www.turnoverball.com To view videos of Biker Bar in action, please visit: http://www.turnoverball.com/products/motorcycle/biker-bar http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1VKc_w0R9_I