Clarke Motorcycle Dolly

[Ecosseven]

Afternoon all,

Has anyone purchased a Clarke Motorcycle Dolly as shown below and if so what are your thoughts? I have a narrow single garage and it would make my life easier if I could simply spin the bike round on the dolly and park it against the back wall of the garage - this would allow me to get my MX-5 in the garage during the winter as well.

Thanks in advance.

[Caddyshack]

Clarke stuff is basic but reliable and I have seen adverts for these things. I think it will do what it says on the tin. Go for it.

I tend to wheel the front wheel to where I want it to be and then grab the back wheel and lift / slip it in to place. The dolly would make it easier but it is possible to do it without.

[ThreadKiller]

I bought the Motea one with front wheel choc. Keeps the bike vertical so creates a bit more space compared to bike on side stand.
Had to drill holes to make the choc fit.
Difficult to move if casters (sp?) not pointing in desired direction. I tap the casters with a hammer to get them pointing where I want to go.

[Fitz666]

I would make sure you have a smooth floor first.

[sclayto2]

Have a similar issue and I bought the Motea/ConStands one, but didn't have an issue with having to drill anything though.

The concrete in my garage isn't the smoothest, so you may have issues moving it around. It handles like a top heavy shopping trolley, that is being particularly belligerent. So moving it about isn't as easy you might hope.

[66mpg]

I have a centre stand dolly that I bought for my BMW R60/7 but I found it difficult to move on my dusty concrete floor. I can back each bike in and turn it to fit across the garage. I have two bikes at the back of the garage and a Toyota MR2 parked in front of them. It was tricky at first but now I’m a dab hand at getting the bikes in the right place.

[Ecosseven]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to clear out the back of the garage this weekend and have a good look at the floor. I think it's mostly level and fairly smooth so a dolly of some sort is probably worth a try. The bike is 202kg wet and about 2.1m long so hopfully it will be manageable.

[ThreadKiller]

It can still be a bit of a faff/struggle with a dolly, but for me it's still a lot easier than manoeuvring my bike to where I need it without one.

[twibs]

Good info..Anyone have experience of moto glide one's that you can use with an abba stand ?

[Krikkit]

What about the rear paddock stands with multi directional wheels? They seem like a good half way house

[Rollin]

I have one of those. Used it for several years with a Monster 1200. My garage floor is a bit lumpy and it was fine really. Use some thread lock on the fastenings as mine shook loose after a while.

[bogie]

Had the constands dolly for a few years now, works great to create more space in the garage as I work on one bike in the middle and park the others closer to the wall. It does not glide about as easy as a shopping trolley, but is easy just to ride into, so I use it as a stand for one bike. Prefer it over the clarke dolly as the bike is upright in a front wheel chock, so you just have the width of the bars as your limit for storage.

[gareth_r]

If anyone does buy from Motea, wait for a day when there's a 35% discount code. They cycle through 20%/25%/30%/35%. Today is 30%. I've seen 40%, but that seems to be a Christmas/New Year thing.

Also be aware that if your order is more than £135 you'll have to pay import duty and a handling charge.

Under £135, Motea charge UK VAT and it's like ordering from a UK company, at least as far as the bill is concerned.

[Krikkit]

That constands one looks excellent, tempting. I suppose the problem with that one is you can't put the steering lock on, might be an insurance issue

[bogie]

Krikkit said:

That constands one looks excellent, tempting. I suppose the problem with that one is you can't put the steering lock on, might be an insurance issue

Yeah no steering lock, but other additional physical security can be used. You can pass a big chain through the front wheel & chock if you want to secure bike to the stand. I use a big chain on the rear through single side wheel spindle with pragmasis "anti pinch pin" (not shown in the pic) and chain it to the floor or wall anchors.

Edited by bogie on Thursday 18th January 13:42

[Johnny50]

I used a Motea Constand too, but the one that bolts to the frame and lifts the bike.
Can still get the steering lock on, and i have my chain round swingarm and through the stand itself.

Means i can get the bike neatly against the wall.

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[loftylad]

Ecosseven said:

Afternoon all,

Has anyone purchased a Clarke Motorcycle Dolly as shown below and if so what are your thoughts? I have a narrow single garage and it would make my life easier if I could simply spin the bike round on the dolly and park it against the back wall of the garage - this would allow me to get my MX-5 in the garage during the winter as well.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there

I’ve had that exact model for around 6 years now.

I use it in exactly the same way that you’re proposing. (‘Bike flat to the back of the garage and butt the car up to it)

In my opinion, it’s an absolutely fantastic bit of kit. It’s well made and works really well.

I considered many different types before I settled on the Clarke one. There are some similar looking ones, but their wheels are single instead of double so not as strong or durable. I’m confident I will never have to replace it.

My garage floor is concrete, and not particularly smooth, but the dolly makes putting my ‘bike at the back of the garage an absolute doddle. My car then butts up to it. It’s so incredibly easy to spin the bike to the correct spot.

I ride into my garage, straight onto the dolly, side stand down then spin it to the back of the garage. Takes literally a minute.

Would 100% recommend.

[HughiusMaximus]

loftylad said:

I’ve had that exact model for around 6 years now.

Would 100% recommend.

+1

I have the same and very good.

My garage floor isn’t perfect but I find that with a foot on the dolly pushing it it still moves well.

[Ecosseven]

loftylad said:

Ecosseven said:

Afternoon all,

Has anyone purchased a Clarke Motorcycle Dolly as shown below and if so what are your thoughts? I have a narrow single garage and it would make my life easier if I could simply spin the bike round on the dolly and park it against the back wall of the garage - this would allow me to get my MX-5 in the garage during the winter as well.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there

I’ve had that exact model for around 6 years now.

I use it in exactly the same way that you’re proposing. (‘Bike flat to the back of the garage and butt the car up to it)

In my opinion, it’s an absolutely fantastic bit of kit. It’s well made and works really well.

I considered many different types before I settled on the Clarke one. There are some similar looking ones, but their wheels are single instead of double so not as strong or durable. I’m confident I will never have to replace it.

My garage floor is concrete, and not particularly smooth, but the dolly makes putting my ‘bike at the back of the garage an absolute doddle. My car then butts up to it. It’s so incredibly easy to spin the bike to the correct spot.

I ride into my garage, straight onto the dolly, side stand down then spin it to the back of the garage. Takes literally a minute.

Would 100% recommend.

Great, thanks for the reply. I'll probably order one once I get the garage tidied and have a good look at the floor - looks reasonably smooth so this should work fine. Thanks again.

[caley64]

gareth_r said:

If anyone does buy from Motea, wait for a day when there's a 35% discount code. They cycle through 20%/25%/30%/35%. Today is 30%. I've seen 40%, but that seems to be a Christmas/New Year thing.

Also be aware that if your order is more than £135 you'll have to pay import duty and a handling charge.

Under £135, Motea charge UK VAT and it's like ordering from a UK company, at least as far as the bill is concerned.

40% discount code today