Motorcycle Roof Rack

[s3fella]

For an offroader just get a tow bar mounted motorbike rack.

[Wedg1e]

Same bloke, different day...

[Turbofocus]

einsign said:

Thanks, do you know who I am or what I do?

At a guess you are a product designer and manufacturer.

Maybe for safety reasons alone no one has designed anything like this.

[einsign]

Turbofocus said:

Maybe for safety reasons alone no one has designed anything like this.

You could well be correct but it doesn't stop us talking about it as a concept. You might also be surprised at the things people think cannot be done but with passion and determination eventually can be.

[blugnu]

einsign said:

Turbofocus said:

Maybe for safety reasons alone no one has designed anything like this.

You could well be correct but it doesn't stop us talking about it as a concept. You might also be surprised at the things people think cannot be done but with passion and determination eventually can be.

I don't doubt you could make a system that could get a motorbike on to the roof of a vehicle and off it again.

I don't think you can make a system that would make that in any way viable on an average, everyday car such as a Mondeo.

[Drek]

LoonR1 said:

I'll have that if you don't mind.

[ram7577]

LoonR1 said:

1. The roof would collapse
2. The ratchet straps would destroy the car
3. The car would probably tip over at the first corner
4. How would you get it off?
5. How woul you get it back on again when you've not got the winch
6. Plod would have a field day if they saw you
7. Your insurance would probably be invalid

Enough?

Most points you make are bks. Other than that spot on.

[LeftmostAardvark]

The other issue is usability - most motocross riders take a van. Reason: living / changing / sleeping space and all the extras that come with the bike. From memory:

Jet wash
Huge barrel of water to feed jet wash
Bike stand
Tools, more tools and even more tools
Space for very mucky boots and other kit
Jerry cans
Spare tyres / wheels
A fair few people take more than one bike - spare bike or more tha one person
Living kit (camp bed or similar), most places need early starts, so they go up the night before.

The cost of a cheap van is usually no more than a complicated roof rack, and lots of people buy the van as a day-to-day vehicle as well, preferring the slight inconvenience during the week.

As mentioned before, there are towbar mounted systems, but that's like taking a baguette to a gun fight - pit bragging rights are important too.

[Fleegle]

I think its a totally ish idea

[bass gt3]

einsign said:

Thanks, do you know who I am or what I do?

I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark and guess that you're not any form of mechanical or structural engineer not anyone who has the slightest grasp of the laws of physics....

einsign said:

Not one of the comments above gives any reasons or detail as to why it cannot be done?

So lets think about this seriously for a moment.

Consider the height of an average car at 1.8 mtrs from ground level including the 'rack' you wish to put the bike on. Now work out the length of the ramp you'd need to get the bike up there using basic trigonometry. You'll see that you will need a ramp of around 4.5 to 5.5 meters in length.
Now think about designing a collapsible ramp that can take a 120kg load at it's mid point but can be disassembled and carried in the car.
Then consider the winch mecanism you propose to use. Fine, there electric off road winches that will do the job, but ho will you get the bike up there? Will you walk along side the bike holding it upright while controlling the winch? Great idea, but now you need a ramp wide enough for the bike and you. Or are you just going to clamberup onto the car?? Sounds a tricky proposition...

Now consider the weight of a 120kg bike PLUS the weight of the rack to carry it on the roof of the car.

1. Will the car be rated/certified to take such a load on the roof, circa 140-160kgs?? Very unlikey. Not to mention that if you exceed the manufacturers stated limits for towing ot=r roof loading, you're effectively breaking the law. Just a small point to consider.

2. How will the rack attach to the roof of the car? Via the roof gutters?? Do you think that they will take the shear and torsional forces exerted on the mounting points whilst the car is in motion? Think about this one!! Really think hard...

Now consider the effect on the cars Centre of Gravity and therefore its handling and stability with a 120kg weight mounted so high above it. It would make the car fundamentally unstable and likely to loose control, especially in the case of an emergency manoever.

So, if you really, really think hard and long about it, there might just be reasons as listed above as to why it can't be done legally. If you think about it. For just a moment.
What truly amazes me is that you had to have this spelt out for you. And for someon who professes to be a Product Designer and Manufacturer, what is it you Product Design and Manufactuer?? Tissue Paper???

einsign said:

You could well be correct but it doesn't stop us talking about it as a concept. You might also be surprised at the things people think cannot be done but with passion and determination eventually can be.

I agree in principle, but this ain't one of 'em Tonto...

Edited by bass gt3 on Sunday 9th June 10:38

[Fleegle]

I agree with Bass

Stick to Printing

[bass gt3]

Fleegle said:

I agree with Bass

Stick to Printing

Thanks T

[3DP]

einsign said:

Thanks, do you know who I am or what I do?

My guess is marketing...

[bass gt3]

3DP said:

My guess is marketing...

Myiniial response was going to be 'Animal, Mineral or Vegetable!!

[Hooli]

3DP said:

einsign said:

Thanks, do you know who I am or what I do?

My guess is marketing...

I'm going for basket weaving.

[defblade]

einsign said:

Does something like this actually exist, if not why not?

Yes, it does exist.

You've just posted a picture of it existing.

The only good answer on this thread so far has been "Not sure if serious"... so long as it was for the reason above

[IforB]

einsign said:

You could well be correct but it doesn't stop us talking about it as a concept. You might also be surprised at the things people think cannot be done but with passion and determination eventually can be.

In this situation, the problem is moving a bike from one place to another without riding it. This problem has already been successfully solved by various methods that don't have the inherent problems that this one does.

So by default, it's a crap concept as well as a stupid idea.

[VidalBaboon]

There is a more important question to fitting a bike on the roof of a car- will the car wheelie?

[Simes205]

I simply cannot believe it!

This may save you..............very minimal but avoids any soert of hernia or roof collapse or car toppling over on a bend if the first two don't happen.

[LoonR1]

ram7577 said:

LoonR1 said:

1. The roof would collapse
2. The ratchet straps would destroy the car
3. The car would probably tip over at the first corner
4. How would you get it off?
5. How woul you get it back on again when you've not got the winch
6. Plod would have a field day if they saw you
7. Your insurance would probably be invalid

Enough?

Most points you make are bks. Other than that spot on.

Go on then, point out which ones are bks.

1. It won't take much for that to give way, if thre's the slightest dent in it with the weight of a bike and holding contraption, being pulled down onto it.

2. Where would you rathchet it to, that won't mess up the car?

3. The car would be very unstable and the suspension being heavily compressed.

4. Well?

5. Ditto. I can;t see the winch contraption fitting in the car for loading and unloading

6. Over weight? Unsafe load?

7. I'm fairly happy that this is highly likely.