Carcoon Veloce used with motorbikes...

[NITO]

Good afternoon all,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with using a Carcoon Veloce to store multiple bikes.

I've been able to find very little on the web for this. The Carcoon Veloce uses a frame so remains 'erect' shall we say, even when open, unlike a bubble which would just collapse. They come in different lengths, but the width is 2.3m which is within the length of a typical bike, it would be tight for a bike with a paddock stand I believe.

These are the only images I could find online of such a setup, it's hard to tell from the angle just how tight this GSXR sits in there...





I'm conscious that the bike would need to trample the frame somewhat to get in from what would be the side aperture of this car orientated enclosure. You could feed in the end bike through the front of the enclosure but if you had multiple bikes lined up side by side as per orientation in the pic, it's the side access you'd be using...

I'm considering the 5.38m length one which I hope would house 5 bikes comfortably. Once inflated the dimensions should increase slightly. Also has anyone ever placed a laminate floor or similar on the deck, which might help manoeuvring, preventing any tearing and the trampling off the frame at the base of the side opening.

Any thoughts, opinions please?

Cheers
Nito

[Krikkit]

Sounds like a good plan to me - I'd put some cow matting down on the base to protect it.

From the look of the frame you might be able to take the longer run along the bottom for the "side" out temporarily while you get the bikes in to save the frame, but again a bit of carpet or similar would help cushion it if not.

[NITO]

Krikkit said:

Sounds like a good plan to me - I'd put some cow matting down on the base to protect it.

From the look of the frame you might be able to take the longer run along the bottom for the "side" out temporarily while you get the bikes in to save the frame, but again a bit of carpet or similar would help cushion it if not.

We had some spare heavy duty matting at work a while back that would have been better than the cow matting but it's a bit agricultural for me, trying to make it look a bit more upmarket to 'display' the bikes in their little bubble

Good idea with the frame bar, I like that idea, depending how it all fits together of course, nice one!

Cheers
Nito

[Krikkit]

Maybe some Mototiles or the similar plastic clip-together garage tiles? Be easier to assemble than laminate, can cut to fit the exact size, but strong enough for side/paddock stands.

[NITO]

Garage tiles may well be the kiddy. I have some wood laminate left over from some other works which it would have been nice to use up but it wouldn't be enough to do the whole thing so would have needed more anyway, not sure what would end up cheaper, might try and get some sample tiles and see what they're like.

I'll be sure to update the thread if I do go with one of these!

Thanks,
Nito

ps. maybe even carpet tiles on a ply backing...
https://www.carpettilesnextday.co.uk/blog/garage-c...

or something like these...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Interlocking-Protective-F...

Edited by NITO on Wednesday 10th February 20:30

[crofty1984]

NITO said:

Garage tiles my well be the kiddy. I have some wood laminate left over from some other works which it would have been nice to use up but it wouldn't be enough to do the whole thing so would have needed more anyway, not sure what would end up cheaper, might try and get some sample tiles and see what they're like.

I'll be sure to update the thread if I do go with one of these!

Thanks,
Nito

ps. maybe even carpet tiles on a ply backing...
https://www.carpettilesnextday.co.uk/blog/garage-c...

or something like these...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Interlocking-Protective-F...

Edited by NITO on Wednesday 10th February 19:05

Kiddies clip-together play mat matting looks about the same, only is much much cheaper.

[NITO]

crofty1984 said:

Kiddies clip-together play mat matting looks about the same, only is much much cheaper.

Thanks, I have some of that from when my kids were little, but the lightweight foam stuff moves about really easily and paddock stands/side stands may struggle a bit with it. Perhaps when locked in a big grid with the weight of other bikes on it, it maybe more secure.

Thanks for the suggestion, may well give that a try.
Nito

[Krikkit]

Carpet on ply might be ok from the top surface, but I'd say it might be too sharp underneath, last thing you want to do is drop a corner of a board and rip a hole in the carcoon...

Let us know how it goes though, be interesting to see it all set up

[airsafari87]

Are these the same ones that James Hillier is involved with somehow?

I've seen the ones that he is behind at the bikeshow before and they looked to be a decent bit of kit.

One other option for protecting the frame at the bottom would be that rubber cable protection that you can get. It has a recess cut in to the bottom of it to sit cables in and would be spot on for this application too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FB9IC3Q/ref=cm_sw_r...

[NITO]

Thank you,

Yes that is also a good approach. At the moment I'm a bit stuck on whether the 2.3m width is going to be quite enough. Most bubbles are about 2.6.

The Hillier ones are called 'Vehicledome', they are inflatable single bike domes with no frame. They do look smart, there was a nice RD500 in one at the bike show year before last!

Cheers
Nito

[Jonny TVR]

I use 4 veloce carcoons .. 3 for cars and one for push bikes etc.

Carcoon custom made one for me to a specific length. I wonder whether they could also make one for you to a specific width and incorporate some unique features like a lower zip line on one side so that the bikes can get over it without pulling on the material. Why not ask them

[Krikkit]

Jonny TVR said:

Carcoon custom made one for me to a specific length. I wonder whether they could also make one for you to a specific width and incorporate some unique features like a lower zip line on one side so that the bikes can get over it without pulling on the material. Why not ask them

That's a really good suggestion - I thought they were some huge company based in the US, but it looks like they're only a handful of folks working in Salford... Also surprising the range of ones they do too.

[NITO]

Thanks Jonny,

Good idea, I have spoken a couple of times to Joyce so may see if they can. I know they can do custom heights and lengths.

I shall report back with any news,

Cheers
Nito

[Jonny TVR]