Motorbike rack for 90 Defender
Discussion
What sort of bike are you looking to carry? The rear-mounted, transverse jobbies are only really capable of carrying a trials/enduro/MX type bike. IIRC they are rated to 150kg but that *should* be considered alongside your towbar noseweight rating.
I have a Dave Cooper rack which I use on my D90 and on my L322, to carry a WR450. Dave Cooper will sell you an extended bracket for 4x4s to get around the rear-mounted tyre issue. They work well, but don't listen to the man himself when he tells you what tie-downs you (don't) need, not unless you want to end up dragging your bike along the road behind you! Ask me how I know...
I have a Dave Cooper rack which I use on my D90 and on my L322, to carry a WR450. Dave Cooper will sell you an extended bracket for 4x4s to get around the rear-mounted tyre issue. They work well, but don't listen to the man himself when he tells you what tie-downs you (don't) need, not unless you want to end up dragging your bike along the road behind you! Ask me how I know...
Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 4th August 10:05
I've looked into this as well and decided to go for a towbar and trailer. The vehicle will not be able to carry a full weight bike hanging off its rear. Its just too much weight for the car frame to handle
BEFORE anyone slates me on this. I'm not an engineer. I'm not a pro. I don't know the terminology used and what certain things are called.
I DID however, do alot of searching and also calling steel engineering firms and towbar companies to come to an arrangement.
I was looking at this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RV-Tow-Bar-4-Receiver-Dr...
then building a frame with a 4" hook up. In theory this would have been fine BUT the issue is with the towing vehicle. I have a 2015 Vivaro van and even that could not take the weight hanging off the rear.
The other option is this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lightweight-Portable-Motor...
This is fine as a lot of the weight is still on the road but, (and I've asked around with various different answers and no definitive correct answer) with the back wheel turning and the motor not running, does the lack of oil circulation affect the running of the output shaft as it is spinning due to the wheel turning but isn't getting oil pumped around.
I'm still curious on that answer.
The one thing the original engineering company that I spoke to said that this method was ok if you can strap the bike down correctly.
Most people strap the handle bars down really tight ( and you should have the bike correctly tied down) but this meant that there is no suspension travel and as the ties are strapped down at a slight angle, when you go over a speed bump or hill crest, there is potential that the (very rigid bike) will lift its back wheel due to the straps. This puts tremendous strain on both vehicles. The chap from the engineering company was speaking from personal experience where a clients rack or something else snapped just coming off a hill crest.
There are collapsible trailers if your budget allows BUT as they are bolts and things remember that over alot of time and use the locating holes will get a little larger and the trailer will get a bit more wobbly over time.
Also, Dave cooper trailers were really helpful. I like to carry 2 full sized bikes so I opted for the 500kg trailer. I was originally going for the 8" wheel trailers on Ebay (all 2nd hand) but didn't realise that that sized wheel trailer is a 350kg limit. The 10" wheel trailers are 500kg.
I almost got caught out.
one last thing. If you get a trailer and have to store it on its side due to lack f space then put a rain cover on the wheels as the rain collects and ruins the bearings.
I hope this helps you to make an informed decision.
BEFORE anyone slates me on this. I'm not an engineer. I'm not a pro. I don't know the terminology used and what certain things are called.
I DID however, do alot of searching and also calling steel engineering firms and towbar companies to come to an arrangement.
I was looking at this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RV-Tow-Bar-4-Receiver-Dr...
then building a frame with a 4" hook up. In theory this would have been fine BUT the issue is with the towing vehicle. I have a 2015 Vivaro van and even that could not take the weight hanging off the rear.
The other option is this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lightweight-Portable-Motor...
This is fine as a lot of the weight is still on the road but, (and I've asked around with various different answers and no definitive correct answer) with the back wheel turning and the motor not running, does the lack of oil circulation affect the running of the output shaft as it is spinning due to the wheel turning but isn't getting oil pumped around.
I'm still curious on that answer.
The one thing the original engineering company that I spoke to said that this method was ok if you can strap the bike down correctly.
Most people strap the handle bars down really tight ( and you should have the bike correctly tied down) but this meant that there is no suspension travel and as the ties are strapped down at a slight angle, when you go over a speed bump or hill crest, there is potential that the (very rigid bike) will lift its back wheel due to the straps. This puts tremendous strain on both vehicles. The chap from the engineering company was speaking from personal experience where a clients rack or something else snapped just coming off a hill crest.
There are collapsible trailers if your budget allows BUT as they are bolts and things remember that over alot of time and use the locating holes will get a little larger and the trailer will get a bit more wobbly over time.
Also, Dave cooper trailers were really helpful. I like to carry 2 full sized bikes so I opted for the 500kg trailer. I was originally going for the 8" wheel trailers on Ebay (all 2nd hand) but didn't realise that that sized wheel trailer is a 350kg limit. The 10" wheel trailers are 500kg.
I almost got caught out.
one last thing. If you get a trailer and have to store it on its side due to lack f space then put a rain cover on the wheels as the rain collects and ruins the bearings.
I hope this helps you to make an informed decision.
Thanks for ALL the replies 
The bike is an MSZ125 (105kg). Light for a bike, but I don't fancy having to haul it in and out of a cradle. Looking for a ramp/tilt/hydraulic answer if poss. I'm not a fan of trailers tbh. I'll use them where necessary but would prefer to get a good rack mount. Might have to see if someone will custom make one for me.
The bike is an MSZ125 (105kg). Light for a bike, but I don't fancy having to haul it in and out of a cradle. Looking for a ramp/tilt/hydraulic answer if poss. I'm not a fan of trailers tbh. I'll use them where necessary but would prefer to get a good rack mount. Might have to see if someone will custom make one for me.
aah ok. should be ok then.
this is still a trailer though
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=side+loading+mot...B8XAbawXnXayA7rmt_fGT29LhZ0%3D&ved=0CCoQyjdqFQoTCNay19-nj8cCFafAcgodNpUACg&ei=KqDAVdb1M6eBywO2qoJQ#imgrc=qeVyfQFHKKjzdM%3A&usg=B8XAbawXnXayA7rmt_fGT29LhZ0%3D
this is still a trailer though
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=side+loading+mot...B8XAbawXnXayA7rmt_fGT29LhZ0%3D&ved=0CCoQyjdqFQoTCNay19-nj8cCFafAcgodNpUACg&ei=KqDAVdb1M6eBywO2qoJQ#imgrc=qeVyfQFHKKjzdM%3A&usg=B8XAbawXnXayA7rmt_fGT29LhZ0%3D
also dave cooper but possibly what you want due to the added ramp? (check weight)
http://www.davecooper.co.uk/bike-racks/scooter-cyc...
http://www.davecooper.co.uk/bike-racks/scooter-cyc...
I've looked at similar to haul my enduro bike around. I have a great trailer but it can be a PITA when leaving it somewhere.
A quick search shows this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MO-TOW-Motorcycle-towbar...
but this looks interesting also
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-scooter-rack-...
A quick search shows this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MO-TOW-Motorcycle-towbar...
but this looks interesting also
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-scooter-rack-...
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