Best vehicle to cart a race bike

**Skunk** · 3rd October 2006, 19:15

Originally Posted by k14

Yeah only major concern is having a crash in it, be very dodgy if that was the case. Something I don't really want to think about actually.
Probably look at upgrading to a later model (mid 90's) hiace in the next year or so. Just for a bit more comfort and also better crash protection.

The ones to get are the Y chassis Hiaces. The chassis frame splits into a Y shape forward of the front axle. Don't remember if it was 90 or 92 that came in.

**Expert** · 3rd October 2006, 19:26

All these modes of transport have pros and cons, trailer needs to be woffed, stored and speed limit issues. Utes are good but insecure.
I had a bike rack for the back of my car in the uk and it was great, in fact i'm gonna make one to go on my car now, they are so handy, no storage or woffo issues, you can drive fast and you can have the comfort of your car for the 99.999999% of the time you are not transporting a bike. None of this going slow in clumsy old vans and thirsty utes. Use some common sence when strapping it on and there are no problems.

**redbaron36** · 3rd October 2006, 19:36

Originally Posted by inlinefour

I dont race because of being a shift worker and not being able to commit to the challenge time wise. However in time that may change. I reciently brought a new hiace van and have it set up for transporting bikes and keeping them secure. Bloody marvelous. Prior to that I was relying on hiring a trailer from the local BP and dragging it behind my old hilux surf with the bike on the back. Now that was a crap situation, the bike would get wet/marked/filthy and run the risk IMO of getting damaged as it was out in the open. However I have transported my current MX bike in the van several times now, convient, hassle free and I put a tarp down and it keeps everything pretty clean. At one stage I was blatting along a localish beach minding my own business and I guess one of "not in my back yard" brigade complained. After packing the bike back in the van and closing the doors I was asked if I'd seen a hoon blatting around on a bike. Its got tinted windows and I guess they did not see what was inside. I replied yea I saw it and asked what was wrong with it. They bleated about it, from a narcisistic point of view. I told them that its probably because of gumpy old farts like themselves that there is no where for young uns to ride their dirt bikes anymore locally. The conversation pretty much ended there. Also I can pump my double matteress up in the back and go camping. I honestly cannot see myself owning anything but a van in future as far as cages go. Provided that you can cope with the fact that it does not handle like a conventional cage, its all sweet. I have a ramp in the back, tarp layed down and tie downs allready. Should anyone need help in the naki, provided I'm not working, I'm happy to help a fellow biker...

Sounds like a good setup you have there, pity about the vans being so expensive though.

**Kyle** · 7th October 2006, 14:53

I voted "other" The best vehicle is a truck (looking at the pro racer teams, a semi truck and covered trailer, with a fully eqipped workshop and sleeping areas.) But really, a small truck is good. We use a 2.5 tonne open-back truck and its excellent, can fit five bikes easy and all our gear on the tray, drinks diesel so is fairly cheap to run, and above all, the boss pays for the gas, hooray for sponsers!

**Tim 39** · 18th October 2006, 17:28

I am looking at getting a hiace for nationals, how economical are the 2.4 petrol ones? compared to other van's

**Toast** · 19th October 2006, 10:19

Originally Posted by Tim 39

I am looking at getting a hiace for nationals, how economical are the 2.4 petrol ones? compared to other van's

I’m picking up a 2.0 petrol injected one tomorrow, so will let you know how that is on the gas. I imagine that a 2.4 petrol would be no less economical, due to being less stressed during a trip (may even get better economy).

**kickingzebra** · 19th October 2006, 10:21

The old ones are a bit thirsty, sorry can't give exact details, been too long, but they are good on power. Go the mighty diesel if you can.

**texmo** · 19th October 2006, 10:52

Originally Posted by Toast

I’m picking up a 2.0 petrol injected one tomorrow, so will let you know how that is on the gas. I imagine that a 2.4 petrol would be no less economical, due to being less stressed during a trip (may even get better economy).

Congrats on the new van bro. what is it exactly?

**The_Dover** · 19th October 2006, 10:56

Originally Posted by texmo

Congrats on the new van bro. what is it exactly?

it's like a car, sort of. but bigger and box shaped. the engine goes up the front and it has a wheel at each corner. some have windows, some don't and some have lots of seats in them. they have lots of space for motorbieks and if you're a dirty boy, a mattress too.

**texmo** · 19th October 2006, 10:59

Originally Posted by The_Dover

it's like a car, sort of. but bigger and box shaped. the engine goes up the front and it has a wheel at each corner. some have windows, some don't and some have lots of seats in them. they have lots of space for motorbieks and if you're a dirty boy, a mattress too.

you should see my van, its teh bizz.

**Toast** · 19th October 2006, 11:40

Originally Posted by texmo

Congrats on the new van bro. what is it exactly?

Cheer dude.

It's a Toyota Hiace, 94, 2.0 petrol, injected, long wheel. base. Not a minta, but it's in really decent nick mechanically (had it inspected).

The price seemed good compared to what else was around, I think because no one else could be arsed going down to Pokeno to buy it.

**texmo** · 19th October 2006, 11:50

Originally Posted by Toast

Cheer dude.

It's a Toyota Hiace, 94, 2.0 petrol, injected, long wheel. base. Not a minta, but it's in really decent nick mechanically (had it inspected).

The price seemed good compared to what else was around, I think because no one else could be arsed going down to Pokeno to buy it.

mint dude, how many kms?

**Toast** · 19th October 2006, 11:58

Originally Posted by texmo

mint dude, how many kms?

200 thou'. Seems alright to me for a commercial. Compression checked, all perfect, gearbox solid and smooth, should give trouble free miles...fingers crossed.