Motorbike transport options for t6.1 (ideally removable towbar)

borat

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Has anyone found a good solution for transporting a motorbike on a towbar mounted rack? I have a removable swan neck towbar. From a search it seems there are adapters for this that work with the cheaper racks but you have to lift the bike on. Anyone have other suggestions? This would be for a ktm enduro (about 100kg)

Thanks
 
100kg will be too heavy for most towbars I think.
An expensive solution is the Cate Carrier by Reimo.
 
At 100kg I'm thinking either inside your van or on a trailer are going to be your 2 options.

A search of the forum brings up:-



Bed Beside Motorbike - Anyone?

New Tie Down Points

Loading Ramp/motorbike Ramp

T6 for transporting motorcycle & road trips
 
I have the tow trust towbar below. The spec says 120kg vertical weight. The bike rack I think is about 12kg so that plus the bike it should be in tolerance dry shouldn’t it? I’ve seen a few other threads on here about using the Dave cooper racks with a bak-rak adapter. Anyone using this with the same towbar?
Trailer isn’t an option for me just don’t have the storage space and it’s a camper so inside not an option.

 
The spec says 120kg vertical weight.
OK fair enough - I assumed incorrectly they were 100kg nose weight!

You should be good then I guess if all the other figures are correct. I have no experience with motorbikes as I don't have one, but pedal-powered versions I have a plenty and have trailer, bike rack & internal storage options!
 
not sure it is just about weight carrying capacity of the tow hitch but also the affect hanging 100kg + off the back of the van and the potential for this to affect the front end weight and steering. Air suspension might make a difference but when I spoke to Dave Cooper re transporting a Vespa GTS 300 (150kg) on a towbar mount they said defo not as would adversely affect the front end, strength was not really an issue. My conclusion was that it was doable but would need to look at a lightweight bike. I am sure Dave Cooper would be able to advise they seemed to know their stuff. I have seen many using tow mounts, whether they are doing so safely is another matter but I do like the idea
 
Yep am in touch with Dave. Seems it’s doable. The suspension has had the CRS treatment so will also check with them.
 
not sure it is just about weight carrying capacity of the tow hitch but also the affect hanging 100kg + off the back of the van and the potential for this to affect the front end weight and steering. Air suspension might make a difference but when I spoke to Dave Cooper re transporting a Vespa GTS 300 (150kg) on a towbar mount they said defo not as would adversely affect the front end, strength was not really an issue. My conclusion was that it was doable but would need to look at a lightweight bike. I am sure Dave Cooper would be able to advise they seemed to know their stuff. I have seen many using tow mounts, whether they are doing so safely is another matter but I do like the idea
I agree, air suspension might be the best option because it would always adjust and keep the vehicle stable and would adjust to the load and when taken off also. Unlike a stiffer normal spring that would always be more of a compromise. The handling may not be safe, 100 + KG hanging off the rear might make things interesting.

Perhaps a light Trials Bike might be a suitable contender for that weight. A platform would be a better chose or a small trailer. I would be very concerned and doubt that I would attempt to carry a motorcycle on the rear hitch. Perhaps in the USA where things are beefier. The thoughts of something giving way and injuring someone and the following consequences would be a great concern. Also what about the overall length of the bike. Would it fit in or overlap the vehicle width? Would it obscure rear lighting and numberplate? Insurance, what would they think?

If a hitch manufacturer was approached and agreed to certificate such a thing, then, that might be different matter.
 
I've tried MX and Trials bikes on the back of a towbar rack but to be honest even they are a bit too long and risk getting caught by other road users as they stick out a bit. That and the chance of the bars smashing the rear window plus the effort to lift it on is a pain. I am also worried about security and someone running into the back of me so instead I fitted a California bench on rails and slide that forward before loading my bikes in the back.
I have a trailer too but never use it as the back of the van is safer, more secure and quicker.

Mat
 
Hmm yeah unfortunately back of camper not an option. If I can find a very compact trailer will do that but even the folding ones seem huge
 
My van is a camper too and I can fit any bike in with the rear seat in the forward position and the multi board folded up. Mine is LWB though.

Mat
 
not sure it is just about weight carrying capacity of the tow hitch but also the affect hanging 100kg + off the back of the van and the potential for this to affect the front end weight and steering. Air suspension might make a difference but when I spoke to Dave Cooper re transporting a Vespa GTS 300 (150kg) on a towbar mount they said defo not as would adversely affect the front end, strength was not really an issue. My conclusion was that it was doable but would need to look at a lightweight bike. I am sure Dave Cooper would be able to advise they seemed to know their stuff. I have seen many using tow mounts, whether they are doing so safely is another matter but I do like the idea
I’ve carried a 1995 750 Africa Twin in the Cate Carrier behind my van and my biggest worry was it crashing into the tailgate is I had to brake too hard. I do have air suspension, but the Africa Twin was just about on the limit of the TÜV approved 250kg weight limit on a T6. I did drive with more care, but I did not notice any detrimental handing impact. I now have a Triumph 400X instead and while that is comfortably below the weight limit, it is also easily above 100kg.
IMG_1046.jpeg
Note that the suspension is aired out in the photo, to aid pushing it up the loading ramp on my own.
 
Hmm yeah unfortunately back of camper not an option. If I can find a very compact trailer will do that but even the folding ones seem huge
I have an Armitage Transverse trailer that is compact and stores upright, so takes up very little room in my Asgard shed. It's about 9 years old, but only used a handful of times (make me an offer and you could have it ;)).

The only problem I found with it was that reversing was tricky due to the A-frame being so short.

(Stock photo)
1732894444930.png
 
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Motolug have an end of season sale on at the moment. They do a single bike trailer that folds up so small it fits in the boot of most cars. The way it raises at the hitch end to load is pretty nice too.
Cheaper than Armitage but they are transverse if total vehicle length is an issue.
 
I’ve carried a 1995 750 Africa Twin in the Cate Carrier behind my van and my biggest worry was it crashing into the tailgate is I had to brake too hard. I do have air suspension, but the Africa Twin was just about on the limit of the TÜV approved 250kg weight limit on a T6. I did drive with more care, but I did not notice any detrimental handing impact. I now have a Triumph 400X instead and while that is comfortably below the weight limit, it is also easily above 100kg.
View attachment 266890
Note that the suspension is aired out in the photo, to aid pushing it up the loading ramp on my own.
I think that a bike that size on a USA Camper would probably be nothing because they can be so huge but a T6, A small braked trailer would be safer bet and just initially plan routes until used to it like a farmer.. Some of them can do all sorts with trailers, reversing the into strange small spaces with out even a care. Probably because they have been doing it in the yard since 6yeas old.
 
I had a Dave Cooper rack on the back of my Hymer to carry a race bike or small Honda, both being under 110 kg. First thing was to get the van weighed, front axle, rear axle and total weight without the bike but half full fuel and water tanks. Then repeated with the bike on. With the bike the rear axle was only 50kg under permitted weight, front axle being much lighter owing to the lever effect. Many motorhomes being overweight on the rear axle because of overloaded garage spaces , some being forced to leave stuff after a roadside weight check. Watch some motorhomes getting stuck on wet grass as there is insufficient weight on the front axle!
 
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