Bikes on a ute?

[Trudes]

We're thinking about flicking off our car and buying a Holden Ute to cart our bikes to trackdays on the back of. But before we look too seriously I need to know if we can actually fit the bikes on the back.
Does anyone here do this or seen two bikes on the back of a Ute? Thanks.

[TonyB]

Dunno about the two bikes thing, but utes tend to be quite a bit more expensive than a car with equivalent age/ks/year/spec. You might be better off buying a trailer.

[Trudes]

Thanks, that's the other idea that we're weighing up also, just the hubby doesn't like the idea of the bikes on a trailer (Don't ask me, it's his precious or something!)

[325rocket]

i was going to take mine up to taupo on the ute but its just to high to get the bugger on / off without risking dropping it. If I had a ramp big enough to get it on safely it (the ramp) was to long to fit on the ute tray.
Ive got a pretty dodgy back so I need this sort of stuff to be easy but I guess if your in a position to muscle the bikes on it could be ok.
Take a test drive to your house and try before you buy.

[TonyB]

The other thing to consider- how many times a year do you do a track day?

[skelstar]

Talk to Drew, Trudi. He had the two Duc's on the back of his ute.

[necrolyte]

I dunno about road bikes, but i used to fit 3 dirt bikes on the back of a rodeo ute (holden crap) was a squeese with 3. I reckon you could fit 2 road bikes on a good sized ute comfortably.

[Her_C4]

We're thinking about flicking off our car and buying a Holden Ute to cart our bikes to trackdays on the back of. But before we look too seriously I need to know if we can actually fit the bikes on the back.
Does anyone here do this or seen two bikes on the back of a Ute? Thanks.

Yep definitely. The Blue Wing Honda Ute fitted two bikes easy peasy, Both the race bike and Patrick travelled many a fair mile up and down the country. The model was a 2004 'S' .

We also managed to fit in the ezyup, clothes, food, race gear, spare wheels and tyres and all the tools!!

[Trudes]

The other thing to consider- how many times a year do you do a track day?

Probably more if we didn't have to ride to and from each one, and between the two of us it's probably cheaper on gas. It would be our only vehicle aside from the two bikes, so need to get something we'd be happy with (hence we don't really want to get a severely uncool Van of death).
Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate the help, ideas and feed back, already a few things to consider!:sunny:
What kind of Ute does Drew have Skels?

[Trudes]

Yep definitely. The Blue Wing Honda Ute fitted two bikes easy peasy, Both the race bike and Patrick travelled many a fair mile up and down the country. The model was a 2004 'S' .

Awesome!! Many thanks!:niceone:

[El Dopa]

I've been thinking about something very similar. Buy a ute, or buy a trailer?

Couple of things to consider, if you haven't already.

1) A trailer has the advantage over a ute that the load bed is much lower. This makes loading/unloading bikes from a trailer much easier than loading/unloading from a ute. Most ramps are designed (lengthwise) for trailers, not utes.

2) A ute has the advantage over a trailer that it is easy to reverse, and easy to park up around town in a parking bay, if you stop en route for coffee or whatever.

3) You might also want to consider a race van - HiAce or something similar. Higher bed than a trailer, but lower than a ute. Most trailer ramps work ok on a van

Personally, I'd take a trailer, because of the loading/unloading thing.

[TonyB]

It would be our only vehicle aside from the two bikes, so need to get something we'd be happy with (hence we don't really want to get a severely uncool Van of death).
No van of death? You don't know what your missing! Mine will do 10m compression lockups in the rain, you can get the inside back wheel spinning up or completely off the ground without much effort when cornering. The bikes stay dry and safe(ish). And when the farken head gasket blows, it'll cost you more than the van of death is worth to fix it:(.... yeah, you should buy a ute

[Her_C4]

We have used both utes and trailers and wonder whether or not it may more beneficial in getting a van to transport the bikes because we have found that:

1. Ferry crossings are much cheaper without a trailer

2. Motels often don't have room for a trailer and they are easy to pick up and pop onto another vehicle unless you are able to 'park it in'

3. Stopping on trips (coffees meals etc) involves taking off the important things on the back of the tray / trailer and popping them in the cab of the ute, as often you are unable to keep it in sight.

4. If it rains ALL your gear gets wet and (trust me on this one), there is nothing more gnarly than trying to dry out your change of clothes before you can put them on....

5. The height of ute trays is actually higher than both trailers and vans, and can make loading a bit of an issue (especially with two bikes).

6. You cannot stack the gear as high in a ute as you can in a van - in a van you can stack to the roof.

7. Most vans will fit much more than you can fit into a large sized ute.

8. A trailer can use twice as much fuel due to the extra weight

9. V6 petrol usage / costs are high - V8's are (obviously) higher

On the other side of the coin, if you are using the chosen vehicle as the sole 4 wheels (ie for everyday use) then a ute is FAR more practical than a van.

AND last but not least - a holden ute is (IMO) much 'cooler' looking than a van:lol::lol:

[scumdog]

If I was doing a bit of racing etc I'd go for a van - a lot of the reason are already listed.

Plus when it's wet at the track it give you a dry work area.

[dino3310]

we use my mates crewman to carry 2 motox bikes to and fro

[raster]

One thing to remember with a van, we had problems with smell of petrol inside, I don't know weather I should not have filled the bikes right up before travel or not. Make sure the gas can is sealed.

How to other people get on with this or just ignore it. :D

[inlinefour]

Thanks, that's the other idea that we're weighing up also, just the hubby doesn't like the idea of the bikes on a trailer (Don't ask me, it's his precious or something!)

Had one awhile back and with a bit of mucking around fitting two bikes in was possible, but ackward. The one bonus to the van was it had tinted windows, alarmed and had plenty of room for any gear that needed to be taken. The Hiace might be a bit small for your needs but the Transit would be a good idea. Hope you get it sussed soon and does not cost a bucket load.


One thing to remember with a van, we had problems with smell of petrol inside, I don't know weather I should not have filled the bikes right up before travel or not. Make sure the gas can is sealed.

How to other people get on with this or just ignore it. :D

A good quality fuel container tended to be no problem provided it was done up well and was securely stowed. Some of the older bikes tended to loose a bit of fuel out the carb(s) when going around a courner a bit quick though.

[ArcherWC]

ZX6 and CBR1000 on the ute

[Kendog]

Thanks for all the posts people, very helpful so far :2thumbsup

[Clivoris]

VAN. No contest. It stops being uncool as soon as it becomes bike transport.

[ArcherWC]

i use a full covered race trailer, EVERYTHING go's into it and then gets locked up and locked to the car. Maybe a bit of a pain for towing, but it definatly makes life easy at both ends of the trip.

[Kickaha]

I use a Toyota Double cab ute, two bikes on the back and the gear goes in the back seat, it's been everywhere from Invercargill to Taupo

Given the choice though I'd go for a LWB high roof van

[Timber020]

I have done trailers, utes, trucks and vans.

All 3 options work, but the van is so damn practical if your taking the boat alot. Get a tarp, chain and cover the bikes and you can sleep inside the van.

Theres this strange male attraction towards utes, it cant be helped.

[Skunk]

I have a low bike trailer. A mate uses a ute. We also have the van.

If it's security you're worried about - go the van. Damn practical too.
If it's safe, easy loading - go the trailer.
If you want to compromise both get the ute. Harder to load and easy for people interfere with the bikes.

My opinion.

[MotoGirl]

We take dad's Mitsi van (2.5L turbo diesel) and load the bike into the back of it - this is the one you would've seen at Manfield last week.

It's really handy because we can not only load the bike and our gear into it, but we can take extra stuff like seats and the picnic basket. Dad's just bought himself an SS ute but we'll continue to use his van because it's more secure, stuff can't get wet, and it's easier to load and unload.

That round trip to Manfield cost us $80 in diesel so it's pretty economical really. When we're not carting bikes around it, it's got a back seat so we can carry up to six people.

[MotoGirl]

One thing to remember with a van, we had problems with smell of petrol inside, I don't know weather I should not have filled the bikes right up before travel or not. Make sure the gas can is sealed.

How to other people get on with this or just ignore it. :D

We move our bikes around with an empty tank and fill them up when we get there. It always looks funny parking close to the petrol pump with the hose inside the van!

[FROSTY]

Over the years Ive used all 3 options.
My opinion is by far the van is the best answer
I would prefer a metal sided van given my time again.

[Toaster]

Havent read ALL the replies, but you also haver to remember trailers need WOF and rego. Also another cost, esp. if it doesn't get much use.

As for ute... depends on the length of the bikes vs the tray, they differ so much (at least between the cruiser size and sportsbike size).

[Drew]

I've got a ute and a van, (at least my business does), and I think the van is the better option. My ute is a double cab but is still tight to get all the gear and stuff ya dont wanna get wet in the back seat.

Van gets my vote, only reason I've been using the ute so much is the work logistics of leaving the tools on the back of it for my business partner to use.

[steveb64]

I use a trailer, as I'm usually on my own, so the loading's easy - have a length of 300x50 plank, and the trailers a low one...

One thing to watch for if you go the trailer way - get one that's long enough! Ours (pic below) is a 7'x5' (2.1x1.5 - contractors size), and the tailgate can be closed with any of my roadbikes on it... no probs. A 6'x4' will be too short...

The big hassle with having a trailer, is if you want to go down the South Island... the ferry rates go up pretty fast, with the trailer on.:pinch:

Utes work OK too - pic attached is a mates Toyota, pre leaving for Taupo. There's bank in the pit area, where the thing could be backed up to, then bikes wheeled over a plank, on & off. Trouble is, you need something similar at home as well...

[Fatjim]

This would be ideal.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/photos/a-124987486/p-53239033/k-401408.htm

[The Pastor]

i'd go for a van, much much much much..... you get the idea.... better.

[skelstar]

Drew has a early 90's (?) L200 ute.

[Trudes]

This would be ideal.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/photos/a-124987486/p-53239033/k-401408.htm

Wouldn't it just!!!!

Thanks for all the really helpful replies everyone.
We're thinking we'll get a tow bar put on our car (or maybe a new, gruntier car) and hire or borrow a trailer for the trips to the track. The van really is the best idea, but it would be our only vehicle other than the bikes and we don't really go to enough trackdays to warrant all that uncoolness.:lol:

[Sanx]

This would be ideal.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/photos/a-124987486/p-53239033/k-401408.htm

Not enough room to swing a kitten in there. This is what you need:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Trucks/Other/photos/a-122157097/p-51065529.htm

[98tls]

Wouldn't it just!!!!

Thanks for all the really helpful replies everyone.
We're thinking we'll get a tow bar put on our car (or maybe a new, gruntier car) and hire or borrow a trailer for the trips to the track. The van really is the best idea, but it would be our only vehicle other than the bikes and we don't really go to enough trackdays to warrant all that uncoolness.:lol: Hey mrs k if you end up getting a ute and are worried about "uncoolness" then get a Ford,there so cool the All Blacks had to give theres back.:2thumbsup

[Skunk]

The van really is the best idea, but it would be our only vehicle other than the bikes and we don't really go to enough trackdays to warrant all that uncoolness.:lol:
Watch it girl or I won't lend you our trailer...

[Kendog]

I was thinking this may be another option
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43852&d=1160717402

[NighthawkNZ]

We're thinking about flicking off our car and buying a Holden Ute to cart our bikes to trackdays on the back of. But before we look too seriously I need to know if we can actually fit the bikes on the back.
Does anyone here do this or seen two bikes on the back of a Ute? Thanks.

Well I have seen it done here with one bike don't know aboput two bikes... depends on size I suppose... would it not be better easier and cheaper to get a trailer that can hold two, then modify it with wheel tracks and decent tie done points?

[Drew]

I was thinking this may be another option
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43852&d=1160717402

From memory, you guys car is even smaller than that there carolla, where would Misses Kendog sit? You caould make her sit on the bike for the trip I guess, get her geared up and she can get the riding feel without wasting the gas:crazy:

[skelstar]

...and she can get the riding feel without wasting the gas:crazy:
...and she might corner faster too :bleh:

[et al]

Have been through the Trailer vs Ute vs Van dilema myself and ended up choosing a LWB Van, and have not regretted it. My advice to you guys (since it seems like you don't like the idea of a Van) would be first up to go for seeing how a trailer works out for you. If you find towing the trailer is a hassle and want to consider a Ute, have a good think about all the ancillary stuff you have taken (or would like to take) to track days and whether you could have all that stuff adequately stored/secured in a Ute. Also if the Ute is going to be your only four wheeled vehicle then consider how that would work out for things like shopping trips and situations where you need to take an extra couple of people.

[Trudes]

From memory, you guys car is even smaller than that there carolla, where would Misses Kendog sit? You caould make her sit on the bike for the trip I guess, get her geared up and she can get the riding feel without wasting the gas:crazy:
I can see me doing that too, all geared up, sitting on the bike on the back and going "Vroom vroom" at the lights.

...and she might corner faster too :bleh:

Cheeky shit!!:weep:

[Drew]

...and she might corner faster too :bleh:

She didn't go do a deal for a sportsbike to make up for her riding:2guns::dodge:

[skelstar]

Touché touché ...

[Kendog]

...and she might corner faster too :bleh:
If I am driving, probably not :doh:

She didn't go do a deal for a sportsbike to make up for her riding:2guns::dodge:
That was me that did that, lol.