| Author | Message | ||
     Spike |
Since I'm hoping to get to a few track days this year I'm in need of a vehicle to transport my XB12R. The obvious answer would be a truck, but I'm not really a big fan of trucks and I'd rather not take the hit in fuel mileage. The XB is light enough that I could get a trailer and tow the bike with just about any decent sized car, but then I'd have to deal with storing the trailer somewhere. I'm toying with the idea of getting a minivan that's big enough to hold the XB. The problem is finding out which minivans are big enough to allow the bike to fit inside. The XB is about 45" tall and about 80" in overall length. I could just head to carmax with a tape measure, but before wasting the salesman's time I figured I'd post here to see if anyone had gone through this already. Any suggestions? Mike L. '04 XB12R | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Why not just rent a trailer from Uhaul? They have regular dedicated motorcycle trailers & are cheap to rent. Dont need to worry about storing it & a lot easier than shoving your bike in a van. | ||
| Socoken |
just find a friend that has a truck or a trailer. i would hook you up if i was close enough, but you hafta, know some one that likes motorcycles enough to tag along. otherwise, minivans are nice to drive and get great mileage. to hell with what other people think of minivans. Ken | ||
| Evaddave |
I think most minivans are not tall enough to hold the XB. Maybe if you took the mirrors off (the bike, not the van). Maybe. We had a Mazda MPV for a while. I never put the XB in it, but it looked *really* close. I did put bicycles in it, and the trick was to lean the bike over to get past the narrower hatch opening. Once the bike was inside, then I could stand it up straight and strap it down. | ||
| BadS1 |
The bike will fit in a Honda Element.Seen pis of it done.I bought one as well.Haven't tried it yet but I know it will. | ||
| Duff24 |
shazam does it all the time in his chrysler/dodge caravan...that's all he's got!  | ||
| Gschuette |
Just get one of these. I get 21mpg on a regular basis and I have a fairly heavy foot. It can haul a bike as well.  | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Folding trailer from harbor freight will carry it and folds neatly into your side yard. Low cost too. I've got one. | ||
| Shazam |
chrysler/dodge won't fit an XBR. the lip in the back on the floor and the drop in the roof at the hatch prevent it..... I measured the inside floor to roof at the dealership, thought I was good to go....nope Lots of Tie downs already built in the floor! hauled the X1 in it multiple times. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I bought a trailer from a rental company. They had got new ones and were selling off there old inventory. Cost was less $100 and that included puting new wheels and bearings on it. Of course it is a butt ugly yellow color but I hope to change that this summer. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I have one of the Harbor Freight folding trailers. Takes up about 20 inches on the side of my garage when stored. Under $300. But you have to assemble it. (Message edited by buelliedan on February 25, 2005) | ||
| Aldaytona |
Gschuette. How do you like that Colorado? I need a new truck and have had 4 Rangers but now need a real 4 door.Is it a 4 or 5 cylinder? Al | ||
| Spike |
Shazam, How close was the dodge/chrysler? I'd be willing to yank the mirrors and/or the fairing if necessary. Actually, I think you could get away with lowering the whole front fairing by removing the two bolts that attach it to the frame. I read an article written by a bike thief that claimed they could fit two sport bikes in a certain generation dodge caravan. They were probably laying the bikes down to get them in, but if two will fit laying down then it seems like you could make one fit standing up. I actually like the Honda Element, but it looked like it was too short to hold a bike. I might have to look again. Also, I'm looking to buy used so the Element might be too new to find a deal. A mid-sized pickup with a smaller motor should get acceptable mileage, so they're still a consideration at this point, but it would have to be extended cab. Thanks for the suggestions. Mike L. | ||
| Ceejay |
I used to have a 02 dakota ext. cab with a 4.7 v8, got 20 mpg and was real fun to drive, fit my scooter in back and kids in the seats, wife next to me, nice trucks. cheap too could probably get one for around 10 | ||
| 12bolt |
I would like to see that pic of the 12r in the Element! I have a Honda Element and after doing the measurements I found That I would have to take off the front fairing to get it in. If anyone knows where that picture can be found I would like to see it! | ||
| Gschuette |
AlDaytona it's a five cylinder. I love it it tows and hauls stuff without bogging down. The interior is simple and easy to clean after a day of riding. I love the styling, I never get tired of looking at it. I just don't like the looks of the new Japanese trucks. They are just ugly in my book. If I had to to id all over again I would still buy the Colorado. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm very interested in the GMC version called the Canyon. If GM would sell it with the I-6 that comes in the Trailblazer, I'd be all over it. I never thought a midsize truck would suit me, but that Colorado/Canyon looks like it would fit my needs fine (with the bigger engine). | ||
| Ocbueller |
Spike, Check out a used Chevy Astro van. They have a kickass 4.3 V6, are relatively inexpensive, and I think are big enough to swallow a bike. They use a fiberglass leaf spring on the rear axle, tremendous capacity and they never sag. SteveH | ||
| Ocbueller |
Or you can buy my El Camino. SteveH | ||
| Flick |
My first track day, I rode the 9S out there early, had the few tools necessary in a backpack to remove the signals, headlights, license plate holder (2 screws), stuffed them in the backpack and hit the track. If you don't drop the bike, you won't need the trailer/truck...if you do drop it, probably someone at the track would give you and your bike a ride home (?). | ||
| Mbsween |
I recently got a 04 Dakota with the extended cab, I can't close the gate with the X1 in it, but it hauls the bike around fine. I think the bed length is 66". My friend got a 4 cyl colarado with the stick and we used that to take the bikes from Rochester, NY to the Riding the Ridge event in North carolina. You can see a pic here of the loaded truck. It ran pretty well considering there was 1000 lbs of bike in the bed. Definitely needed to downshift to pass, but other than that ran fine. Gas mileage was in the mid 20s if I remember correctly (Message edited by mbsween on February 27, 2005) | ||
| Loki |
I think I will post pics of the newly refurbished portable workshop/garage. Tomorrow that is.... | ||
| Loki |
Oops the pics had some minor problems..... like all kinds of ferret nose prints. Note to self, remind self to clean lense before taking pics | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Loki, ferret nose prints on the camera lens? my twisted mind conjures up all sorts of images! Do you keep them as pets or go rabbitting with them? A good friend had some a few years back, but his mates soon learned to be out when he called of an evening or on a weekend, as he usually needed help digging one out somewhere. | ||
| Loki |
Just pets. They both turn 1 yr old this month. Both Donner(Thunder) and Blitz{en}(Lightning) are becoming something of a handful. Very few obstacles get in thier way for very long now. Pics tomorrow of the trailer. |
