Two Motorcycles, One Van...
Discussion
Appreciate this isn't for everybody, but any motorcyclist is here with experience of fitting a pair of what you might call normal size motorcycles side-by-side in the back of a van?
Mate and I have done touring in different countries, and last summer road trip to the Dordogne, but want to go further a field and don't love the motorway slog.
Our idea would be to buy something like a Transit Custom so we can load up the bikes and our kit and go further field, leaving the van somewhere like a compliant hotel car park. He is usually on a Triumph Bonneville, and I could be on something even less suitable for touring if I fancy…
My question really is how small of a van can we go? Would something the size of a Doblo or Transit Connect be too small, even in LWB form?
Mate and I have done touring in different countries, and last summer road trip to the Dordogne, but want to go further a field and don't love the motorway slog.
Our idea would be to buy something like a Transit Custom so we can load up the bikes and our kit and go further field, leaving the van somewhere like a compliant hotel car park. He is usually on a Triumph Bonneville, and I could be on something even less suitable for touring if I fancy…
My question really is how small of a van can we go? Would something the size of a Doblo or Transit Connect be too small, even in LWB form?
.I get 2 sports bikes in my SWB Transporter. It s verging on tight width wise but if it s slightly bigger bikes you could probably turn one around. I can t imagine 2 of something like a 1290GT or similar would fit easily though.
Edited by jock mcsporran on Wednesday 11th February 07:18
We put Enduros in vans all the time (green laning etc) and two go happily in any regular Transit - no need for high top or LWB. Road bikes will have narrower bars probably. When you put two off roaders in the handlebars just about rouch.
We strap the bars down, bike in gear, suspension compressed (forks). These make all the difference: They don't move an inch.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KCT-Motorcycle-Paddock-Mo...
I'd not want to try in a Connect unless you are happy to drag the bikes in and lay them on each other!!
We strap the bars down, bike in gear, suspension compressed (forks). These make all the difference: They don't move an inch.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KCT-Motorcycle-Paddock-Mo...
I'd not want to try in a Connect unless you are happy to drag the bikes in and lay them on each other!!
Griffith4ever said:
We put Enduros in vans all the time (green laning etc) and two go happily in any regular Transit - no need for high top or LWB. Road bikes will have narrower bars probably. When you put two off roaders in the handlebars just about rouch.
We strap the bars down, bike in gear, suspension compressed (forks). These make all the difference: They don't move an inch.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KCT-Motorcycle-Paddock-Mo...
I'd not want to try in a Connect unless you are happy to drag the bikes in and lay them on each other!!
Thank you!We strap the bars down, bike in gear, suspension compressed (forks). These make all the difference: They don't move an inch.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KCT-Motorcycle-Paddock-Mo...
I'd not want to try in a Connect unless you are happy to drag the bikes in and lay them on each other!!
Krikkit said:
We got 2x Tuonos in a Transit Custom without any bother, depends on the bikes!
Yeah I think this question largely depends on the bikes! Two 1250GSA's will naturally take more room than a pair of Bonnevilles but I'm hoping a transit custom will do the job. Did you just have a single ramp to slide between them? And was the van standard "L1H1" not a longer or taller variant? Thank you!
Many years ago racing I'd have 2 possibly 3 bikes in a van (at a push) this was a Merc Vito.
Easy to get two bikes as long as you have tie down points to anchor the bikes to. The safest option is to keep them upright and tie downs on the bars or off the centre of the frame and to the outside of the van, use a ratchet strap between the bikes around the subframe to keep them upright, if you have paddock stands that will help no end, or one of the front wheel chocks. If you're tying down from the bars don't put excessive tension on the forks as you can pop the fork seals, also put a cable tie on the brake levers and ensure the front wheels are against the bulkhead (if you haven't got a wheel chock).
The other option which I've done many times with race bikes is to simply wheel them into the van close the to sides, turn the bars to the front wheel faces inwards and lean the bike onto the sides of the van - you need a ply lined van for this, the bar end rests on the sides, put a cloth between the bar end not to damage it, bike in gear, cable tie again. And you can use a single ratchet strap from the outside peg/rearset over the seat to a tie down point on the outside of the van, put a towel over the seat under the ratchet strap - works a treat and gives more space between the bikes.
Easy to get two bikes as long as you have tie down points to anchor the bikes to. The safest option is to keep them upright and tie downs on the bars or off the centre of the frame and to the outside of the van, use a ratchet strap between the bikes around the subframe to keep them upright, if you have paddock stands that will help no end, or one of the front wheel chocks. If you're tying down from the bars don't put excessive tension on the forks as you can pop the fork seals, also put a cable tie on the brake levers and ensure the front wheels are against the bulkhead (if you haven't got a wheel chock).
The other option which I've done many times with race bikes is to simply wheel them into the van close the to sides, turn the bars to the front wheel faces inwards and lean the bike onto the sides of the van - you need a ply lined van for this, the bar end rests on the sides, put a cloth between the bar end not to damage it, bike in gear, cable tie again. And you can use a single ratchet strap from the outside peg/rearset over the seat to a tie down point on the outside of the van, put a towel over the seat under the ratchet strap - works a treat and gives more space between the bikes.
Jos
travels said:
travels said:Krikkit said:
We got 2x Tuonos in a Transit Custom without any bother, depends on the bikes!
Yeah I think this question largely depends on the bikes! Two 1250GSA's will naturally take more room than a pair of Bonnevilles but I'm hoping a transit custom will do the job. Did you just have a single ramp to slide between them? And was the van standard "L1H1" not a longer or taller variant? Thank you!
I've a swb low roof Custom and the amount of stuff you can fit in it is surprising, especially with some careful loading. They're about 1.6m wide internally, and that's at the top where it tapers in slightly. I'd be very surprised if you couldn't fit two bikes in the back, even quite large ones.
If you are tying bikes down for a prolonged period it isn't a good idea to use ratchet straps on the bars or frame, as it pressurises the fork seals for a long period which can damage them. If they go, it'll spoil your holiday.
Saw these things at MCL25 and they allow you to strap the bike securely without compressing the forks. https://axfix.co.uk/
Saw these things at MCL25 and they allow you to strap the bike securely without compressing the forks. https://axfix.co.uk/
Smaller vans aren't long enough to get bikes in without removing the front wheel.
I've had Doblo (bike front wheel where passenger seat was) and currently a Caddy - long enough, but two bikes? Probably not.
You'll end up with a Tranny or Vivaro due to there being loads around and cheap.
But look at the Peugeot/Citroen mid size van....these come up as ex patient transport so have built in ramps (my Caddy is a wheelchair conversion)
I've had Doblo (bike front wheel where passenger seat was) and currently a Caddy - long enough, but two bikes? Probably not.
You'll end up with a Tranny or Vivaro due to there being loads around and cheap.
But look at the Peugeot/Citroen mid size van....these come up as ex patient transport so have built in ramps (my Caddy is a wheelchair conversion)
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