You're better off with a van. PCs tend to have a higher load height, less head room and rarely have flat floors. I looked at a Mitsubishi Delicia when a mate had one with the seats taken out, because I need a 4X4 as well. Apart from the terrible reliability record getting a bike in it would have been tricky. It would have needed a long ramp and you'd be pushing it in at a crouch which is asking for a mishap. There was very little room inside to tie the bike down, no bulkhead and you definitely wouldn't get two in there. And the Delicia is one of the bigger ones. A van just for bikes might seem an indulgence but it will have an easy life and you can kit it out to suit. Bunks, fold-down ramps etc. If you do a lot of track days there's nothing better.
have been considering this myself the last few days, going for a ducato i think, fancy seeing a lot more down south but don't do motorways on the bike.
I used to have a Renault Trafic SWB - same as Vivaro. (Don't drive them through floods, they can't swim). They have one of the lowest load height, a full perpendicular bulkhead, small wheel arches and fairly flat, square sides which makes them roomy and easy to board out. There's stacks of them around, they're quite good on fuel (2.0L is better than the 1.9), they don't really suffer from metal worm and they're quite nice to drive if a bit clacky and plasticy in the cab. I'd have another.
Vivaro- get a five speed not six if you like changing gear. As for posh bike transporter, a mb Vito works ok, just take seats out. VW t4 trendy enough , transits are ten a penny. A mate even used a Vauxhall combo to drag his zx10r around in
Track days at Cadwell on more than one occasion - can't remember his name but a chap used to bring his 748 in the back of his Renault Espace. It can be done!
There was a bloke at the Sept ARD who had his bike in a Ford Galaxy. Just shoved it in the back, couple of tie downs and he was away. Looked funky mind ;-)
My Mrs had a Galaxy and I managed to get my Son's Gilera 50cc trail-type bike in after removing the mirrors but it was tight and anything bigger would be a struggle. I did measure it up once for the 916 but not enough height - may just have fit with bits removed and car passenger seat pushed forwards? but the door opening was even lower than the inside space meaning it would need to go through the door on the angle, which is OK with a 50cc trailie but not so easy with a 200kg 916. She's now got a Citroen C4 grand Picasso thing that's shorter and due to the seats not being removable (fold into the floor) even less height inside. Did once see a Kangoo/Berlingo? (not sure which) with an RS250 in the back. Front wheel needed to go between the seats but did just fit.
Ive been trying to pursuade Mrs T to change the family car for a VW Caravelle or similar. They seem to hold their value rediculously well and it would do all the jobs we'd need it to do (family car/bike transporter/hotel for trackdays). Still got work to do though
Espace is ideal, synergie/806 also ok. Rattler used s voyager for years. You normally have to remove the head fairing and obv the seats.
I've got a Peugeot Partner which is the same thing as a Berlingo and there's no way I'd get the Streetfighter in the back (which is about the same size as any litre sports bike). I did think about it when I had to take it for a tune up. Its impossible to get a bicycle in upright without having the front wheel inside the cab with you.
Would a small people carrier type vehicle be weighted correctly to carry a motorcycle and all the other bits and bobs needed . Not talking legally more would it be on its knees so to speak.
Not if you only have bike plus riding kit and not lots of tools. No different to 6 people plus luggage. Less likely an issue than towing a caravan or trailer, which many don't realise are over axle weight
Agreed. A wife an three kids has got to weigh more than 170 odd kilos. And if she's from Yorkshire the wife'll weigh more than that.. :Bag:
If the bike weighs 200kg, maybe less plus spares etc. maybe 400kg, if it's a 7-seater then the 5 rear seat passengers probably weigh a similar amount? so I reckon weight-wise would be OK. A van is best but for occasional use a trailer is probably a better option - no running costs, MOT, insurance etc.
as above has to be a van really,preferably something with a sealed type bulkhead,once petrol fumes get into a car/mpv it becomes an almost permenant smell and is quite unpleasant and obviously if mpv etc is needed for daily use,the smell gets into your clothes,children,dog etc. renaults and other front wheel drive normally have low loading height which is good to have,older transits were rear wheel drive and quite high at the back,unsure about newer ones though,been a while since i had a van. vans are good fun though and surprisingly useful. Always used to have a car based pickup with a tarp or hoop frame canopy for my heaps(ford p100s),but there doesnt seem to be much in the way of that design vehical about nowadays.
