Depending how serious you want to get...

 

I'm thinking more of a rope and pulley system (much lighter to carry and less expensive) rather than an electric winch. I know that BestRest Products makes one, as does Green Chile Adventure, but not sure how well either actually works in "real life" situations. Thanks.

 

I think a lot hinges on the type of situation you are in. Just assisting the big bike through mud a rope and pulley is likely enough. Dead lifting it up an embankment is different. Main reason I suggested a winch is your comment on riding solo. Even with the force multiplication of a pulley trying to move 550+ pounds of dead weight is a big ask.

Here is a 14 pound/$60 option:

2000 lb. Utility Trailer Winch with Steel Rope

Amazing deals on this 2000Lb 12V Utility Trailer Winch at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Here's a good vid on the Green Chili one in use. If you look at effort of it on a TW200 I'd be skeptical of how it'd work solo on a GS. Likely some other moto winches on YouTube. (Edit...helps when you add the video link!)

 

I've honestly already committed to buying a manual boat winch for exactly this type scenario. Just throwing out the 8:1 force multiplier available on some models and the compactness if you remove the handle. I'll come to be known for my thrifty nature. Hah.

To your OP question = never heard of the Z-Drag system and looked it up. Looks slick but pretty spendy. Thanks for sharing!. I believe you can achieve the same solution via a cam-lock strap and some simple pulleys for perhaps the same $ or less. The principle is solid but the actual system seems length limited and again......a little spendy. Good luck to you!

 

I know a few people that carry a WARN wench. On our big epic ADV rides like the TAT we always had at least one recovery device in the group. Usually that was a simple lightweight come-a-long with some para cord.

 

I'm in the same boat, been shopping around. For myself, I'll probably go with the rope/pulley system, more work on my end but also more versatile.
Here are some great resources to check out:
Stuck Motorcycles
Bret Tkacs z-drag
Bike Self Haul-Cascade Rescue

 

Thanks for all the responses and great suggestions! I’ve got a lot to consider now. Regards to all!

 

Nifty Lift

I purchased a Nifty lift for snowmobiling and carry it while off road. Never used it, but lightweight and compact