I miss halfords

[Fats25]

So expat first world problems, was looking forward to going out on the new toy in the desert tomorrow, but found my rear tyre is flat. I have a spare tyre, but no tyre levers.

So tomorrow being Friday, and still with a chance to ride Saturday where will I find tyre levers?! Don't suggest ACE - as they don't have any!

I never thought I would miss halfords - but I'd love to have something like that over here. Is there someone I don't know about ?

[Pickled]

Kitchen spoons!

[Fats25]

Pickled said:

Kitchen spoons!

They are not strong enough ! I did try !

[matt_knowles]

Dragonmart?

[El Capitano]

Speedex

[IanUAE]

Seb Sports in Al Quoz http://sebsports.com/

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Fats25 said:

So expat first world problems, was looking forward to going out on the new toy in the desert tomorrow, but found my rear tyre is flat. I have a spare tyre, but no tyre levers.

So tomorrow being Friday, and still with a chance to ride Saturday where will I find tyre levers?! Don't suggest ACE - as they don't have any!

I never thought I would miss halfords - but I'd love to have something like that over here. Is there someone I don't know about ?

Can't help with your predicament, but on the assumption that you put your new toy in the back of the Raptor, where did you get your ramps from?

I'll be on the hunt for a dirt bike soon and the logical thing to do is throw it in the back of the pick-up.

I've asked all over, but no joy as yet.

[El Capitano]

Sebsports also sell folding ramps. High quality...
If none in stock Seb or Jayvee will order in for you.

Failing that, Sean at SRG may have them in stock too

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Never anything AD way

>huff<

Cheers though - I'll look into it.

[Rich_AR]

Pennyroyal Tea said:

Can't help with your predicament, but on the assumption that you put your new toy in the back of the Raptor, where did you get your ramps from?

I'll be on the hunt for a dirt bike soon and the logical thing to do is throw it in the back of the pick-up.

I've asked all over, but no joy as yet.

You can get the same ramp shipped in from the use for about $250. Worked out loads cheaper than buying locally!

Summit Racing ship to the UAE.

[shirt]

If it's purely for loading you can get folding ally ramps from ace

And yes, walking into halfords after living in the uae is a totally different experience than it used to be, you end up buying all sorts for future use "just in case".

[Pennyroyal Tea]

The ACE ramps are too short though. Given the Raptor's height, it needs a longer ramp. Apart from which, I'd want to load a 1000cc track bike into the back, ideally, so the ramps need to be substantial.

[Fats25]

Normal place for the bike is like this :-



This is what Rich is referring to that he shipped from US.

We did do a test putting straight into back of Raptor:-



I can't help with ramp as I brought mine with me from the UK. What I will say though is that the Husaberg was awkward to get on truck even with the right sized ramp. I wouldn't fancy with a track bike on my own. As you say the height is the problem, and a lack of courage on my part.

I did see a guy with a hi ride FX4 yesterday and he rode his KTM straight onto the truck having buried his rear wheels in the sand - but I'd get stuck and probably fall off the bike too when loading it !

Personally for a dirt bike I'd go with the setup in my first photo - for the track bike id get a trailer. I have a trailer I'm about to sell but it would be overkill for what you want as is a 3 bike trailer.

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Thanks for the info. Good to know. Looks like I'll need to do some proper research into this.

[shirt]

trailers are expensive, getting one made is not. there's a few trailer parts shops and steel merchants about, the latter being surprisingly cheap. i'd take a look at a bike trackday for ideas and draw something up. i can help with fab. if you like [cheap or free depending how large we're talking, by proper welders].

trailer means you're not tied to the raptor and/or have the load bed free for tools etc. towing in uae muppet traffic also means the scariest part of a trackday is over by the time you reach the paddock.

also that m5 in the what car thread looks a steal.

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Rich_AR said:

Pennyroyal Tea said:

Can't help with your predicament, but on the assumption that you put your new toy in the back of the Raptor, where did you get your ramps from?

I'll be on the hunt for a dirt bike soon and the logical thing to do is throw it in the back of the pick-up.

I've asked all over, but no joy as yet.

You can get the same ramp shipped in from the use for about $250. Worked out loads cheaper than buying locally!

Summit Racing ship to the UAE.

Right, I may or may not have found myself a bike, so the quest to procure some ramps unto which I can get the fecker in the truck is now very much on.

The bike in question shall be of the track variety and not sand dwelling; hence I require something more robust that a 5' plank of aluminum. The dirt bike can wait for now.

Therefore, through the application of some science and a smattering of hope, I have figured that I require a 120" (10') one piece, folding ramp in order to get a low bike up and into the truck bed safely. This rules out most of the ATV/Motorcross shops I have tried locally, as the maximum length Sebsports (e.g.) will give me (Oooh err/fnaar etc) is 8'.

Alas, this means quite some expenditure and long lead times from the States

Anyone got any other suggestions?