Smallest suitable van
Discussion
Further to my previous thread "Son's broken down at IOM TT, it looks like I am going to have to pick him and the bike up from Liverpool dock tonight.
The bike cannot be fixed by the garage and he cannot find anyone to bring the bike back within a week.
So my question is: what is the smallest van that will definitely take a Tuono 660?
Thanks.
The bike cannot be fixed by the garage and he cannot find anyone to bring the bike back within a week.
So my question is: what is the smallest van that will definitely take a Tuono 660?
Thanks.
I'm sure you have already considered it but does he have any breakdown cover maybe through the main insurance or a bank account that he doesn't immediately remember.
Hiring a van with decent tie down points for a bike , the tiedowns themselves and a ramp are going to be a pain at short notice.
Hiring a van with decent tie down points for a bike , the tiedowns themselves and a ramp are going to be a pain at short notice.
Indeed, it should fit in a Transit connect.
A few years back on a rideout one of the other riders crashed his bike on a roundabout and broke the bottom yoke (and his collarbone).
He called a friend who came over in a transit connect which none of use thought the bike would fit in but it did and, being small could get away with just padding round it rather than tie downs.
The bike in question was a Ducati 749 so not a huge bike but likely similar to the Aprilia?
On another note, I got my Son's Gilera RCR50 into the back of a Ford Galaxy (old type with removable seats) but it did need the mirrors removing and was awkward to lift in without a ramp. Granted this was easier due to it being only a 50cc so light but being a 'trailie' style bike they're not particularly small and I did look/measure at the time and reckoned I could have got my 916 into the Galaxy if I removed the mirrors and screen.
Otherwise one of those square car/vans like a Berlingo or similar might work or, of course a trailer if you've got a car with a towbar.
A few years back on a rideout one of the other riders crashed his bike on a roundabout and broke the bottom yoke (and his collarbone).
He called a friend who came over in a transit connect which none of use thought the bike would fit in but it did and, being small could get away with just padding round it rather than tie downs.
The bike in question was a Ducati 749 so not a huge bike but likely similar to the Aprilia?
On another note, I got my Son's Gilera RCR50 into the back of a Ford Galaxy (old type with removable seats) but it did need the mirrors removing and was awkward to lift in without a ramp. Granted this was easier due to it being only a 50cc so light but being a 'trailie' style bike they're not particularly small and I did look/measure at the time and reckoned I could have got my 916 into the Galaxy if I removed the mirrors and screen.
Otherwise one of those square car/vans like a Berlingo or similar might work or, of course a trailer if you've got a car with a towbar.
I can get a naked FZ1 and a 650 Ninja into a short wheel base caddy and still have enough room for someone to sit in the passenger seat.
The only thing that is tight is the door height, have to lean the bike a bit to get the screen on the Ninja through the door opening but then there's loads of roof height inside
(One at a time, my ramps don't reach the roof rack)
Gratuitous what can I fit in my van pics..
Can do a 450 ktm but I wouldn't want to treat a nice bike like that
The only thing that is tight is the door height, have to lean the bike a bit to get the screen on the Ninja through the door opening but then there's loads of roof height inside
(One at a time, my ramps don't reach the roof rack)
Gratuitous what can I fit in my van pics..
Can do a 450 ktm but I wouldn't want to treat a nice bike like that
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Wednesday 3rd June 10:17
I'd be renting a full size Transit (or similar) from Enterprise (or similar). It's the simplest way in my mind, did it to get to trackdays all the time. Trailer is also a good shout.
In a pinch I got a bike in the back of my SWB Peugeot Partner, was a squeeze for sure. I folded the passenger seat to get it in straight but could have left it useable had I stuck the bike in at an angle.
In a pinch I got a bike in the back of my SWB Peugeot Partner, was a squeeze for sure. I folded the passenger seat to get it in straight but could have left it useable had I stuck the bike in at an angle.
marcella said:
Assuming a caddy maxi would be even better with the slightly larger load area? I'm interested in this too, as I have a tentbox and would be nice to put it on something like a caddy maxi that I can use as a small day van but still load the bike in when needed.
A Caddy maxi would have loads of room; I have a SWB Caddy and my Triumph Trident 660 just fits -
For me, no 1 choice would be a little bike trailer.
If I didn’t have a towbar I’d get a luton. You’ll be glad you did when the tail lift makes it easy, compared with struggling and swearing and trying to get random blokes to help you lift a motorbike into the back of a van.
If there are 4 of you, however, a chunky plank of wood through each wheel gives you 4 “handles” for lifting (it’s how they steal bikes with disklocks on).
Whatever you do, something with a decent bulkhead is needed. A couple of ratchet straps aren’t going to stop 180kg in a 70mph crash.
If I didn’t have a towbar I’d get a luton. You’ll be glad you did when the tail lift makes it easy, compared with struggling and swearing and trying to get random blokes to help you lift a motorbike into the back of a van.
If there are 4 of you, however, a chunky plank of wood through each wheel gives you 4 “handles” for lifting (it’s how they steal bikes with disklocks on).
Whatever you do, something with a decent bulkhead is needed. A couple of ratchet straps aren’t going to stop 180kg in a 70mph crash.
Thanks to all of you who replied offering your advice and suggestions on potential vans and trailers.
Here's the outcome:
My lad decided to come back a couple of days early due to the weather and borked bike, which meant I had six hours to get transport. He was going to ride the bike in limp mode to the ferry.
I tried half a dozen bike moving companies, none had any availability within a week. I then set about hiring a van; no small vans available at short notice so I settled for a SWB Vivaro. When it came to paying there was a problem with the companies address matching data base which meant they would not accept debit cards, only credit card, which I do not possess. They would not accept my wife's credit card as she would have to be the hirer and her physical driving licence is away at DVLA for age 70 renewal.
Bollux, start again.
More phone work revealed another reasonably local hire company that would take my debit card, so I hired their brand new VW Transporter and set off with a mate's ramps and tie-downs at 1630Tuesday. The drive up to Liverpool was uneventful apart from the inevitable delays on the M25 from Staines to the M40. I arrived at 2230.
We loaded up the bike and my son offered to do the drive back as he had slept on the ferry and I had arranged cover for him to be second driver. We had three quick breaks on the way home and arrived within 5 miles of destination just after 0400.
Half a mile from the Southwater roundabout, on the A24 southbound, two deer jumped the left side hedge immediately in front of us. My lad braked heavily, missed the first one, but the second landed directly in front of the nearside corner of the van and was thrown up the road. Result, one dead deer, smashed front corner and undertray, and coolant pissing out everywhere. (Airbags did not deploy!)
Double bollux.
Lad was understandably shaken, I cleared up the poor animal (big b
d, very heavy male), and we elected to drive about a mile up the road to the Bucks Barn garage an Macky D site to get off the road to a safe parking area. After speaking to the allocated recovery service we decided to get the bike off the van because they said they would take the vehicle and contents to a storage facility in Slough.
Recovery arrived about two hours later, during which time I had woken my wife up, got her to take me home so that I could get our spare car and follow my lad on the bike (in limp mode max speed 25) around the country lanes to home, so that we would not be a hazard on the A24. Arrived home about 0800 Wednesday.
Made sure the lad was feeling fit to drive to his place just down the road and sent him off to get some sleep and recover. I got a couple of hours kip and then we went to the hire company do all the paper work. I will be hit with a big insurance excess.
Triple bollux.
I will say that the hire company have been extremely helpful and understanding and when the whole situation has been resolved I will probably leave a recommendation for them here.
I'm off now to catch up on some sleep, so goodnight all. Oh, and my final thought: I wish I had bought my boy a good recovery service prior to his trip, it would have saved a huge amount of hassle and even money as well.
TLDR; It was a total fk up.
Here's the outcome:
My lad decided to come back a couple of days early due to the weather and borked bike, which meant I had six hours to get transport. He was going to ride the bike in limp mode to the ferry.
I tried half a dozen bike moving companies, none had any availability within a week. I then set about hiring a van; no small vans available at short notice so I settled for a SWB Vivaro. When it came to paying there was a problem with the companies address matching data base which meant they would not accept debit cards, only credit card, which I do not possess. They would not accept my wife's credit card as she would have to be the hirer and her physical driving licence is away at DVLA for age 70 renewal.
Bollux, start again.
More phone work revealed another reasonably local hire company that would take my debit card, so I hired their brand new VW Transporter and set off with a mate's ramps and tie-downs at 1630Tuesday. The drive up to Liverpool was uneventful apart from the inevitable delays on the M25 from Staines to the M40. I arrived at 2230.
We loaded up the bike and my son offered to do the drive back as he had slept on the ferry and I had arranged cover for him to be second driver. We had three quick breaks on the way home and arrived within 5 miles of destination just after 0400.
Half a mile from the Southwater roundabout, on the A24 southbound, two deer jumped the left side hedge immediately in front of us. My lad braked heavily, missed the first one, but the second landed directly in front of the nearside corner of the van and was thrown up the road. Result, one dead deer, smashed front corner and undertray, and coolant pissing out everywhere. (Airbags did not deploy!)
Double bollux.
Lad was understandably shaken, I cleared up the poor animal (big b
d, very heavy male), and we elected to drive about a mile up the road to the Bucks Barn garage an Macky D site to get off the road to a safe parking area. After speaking to the allocated recovery service we decided to get the bike off the van because they said they would take the vehicle and contents to a storage facility in Slough.Recovery arrived about two hours later, during which time I had woken my wife up, got her to take me home so that I could get our spare car and follow my lad on the bike (in limp mode max speed 25) around the country lanes to home, so that we would not be a hazard on the A24. Arrived home about 0800 Wednesday.
Made sure the lad was feeling fit to drive to his place just down the road and sent him off to get some sleep and recover. I got a couple of hours kip and then we went to the hire company do all the paper work. I will be hit with a big insurance excess.
Triple bollux.
I will say that the hire company have been extremely helpful and understanding and when the whole situation has been resolved I will probably leave a recommendation for them here.
I'm off now to catch up on some sleep, so goodnight all. Oh, and my final thought: I wish I had bought my boy a good recovery service prior to his trip, it would have saved a huge amount of hassle and even money as well.
TLDR; It was a total f
k up.Forums | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff