Anyone used a VW Caddy or similar to move a bike?

[monkey]

I'm collecting an SV650S soon in a VW Caddy.

Has anyone moved a bike in a similar sized van and what had to be removed (if anything)?

Any other tips?

I've moved bikes before so know how to strap one down but the current thinking is we'll need a wheel poking out the back doors or will have to remove a wheel so the bike's squatting on the swingarm.

Any ideas will be appreciated unless they're stuuuuupid ideas in which case I'll get Dave Preston to stalk you.

[hannakournikova]

I once moved my cbr400 in a toyota previa.

And a project nc30 in a mondeo estate. Another got moved in the back of a fiesta.

Maybe run a sleeper board in the back of the van so both wheels are on it that strap it?

Why can't it e ridden? Is it a project? If so I'm sure it doesn't have to a precise operation!?

[robh539]

I'm collecting an SV650S soon in a VW Caddy.

Has anyone moved a bike in a similar sized van and what had to be removed (if anything)?

Any other tips?

I've moved bikes before so know how to strap one down but the current thinking is we'll need a wheel poking out the back doors or will have to remove a wheel so the bike's squatting on the swingarm.

Any ideas will be appreciated unless they're stuuuuupid ideas in which case I'll get Dave Preston to stalk you.


Interesting point, we have a caddy at work never tried, but thought about borrowing for bike moving at weekends.

It maybe close fit but looking at load space, front in first and corner to corner may just fit without back doors open (sniggers) and still able to get to strap points.

Daves not scary ;)

[monkey]

Yes Hanna it's a non-runner which will eventually be a shared trackbike (YIPPPEEE!!!).

Apparently an SV can be laid down ok once the tank's been removed. It doesn't have to be precise but the good road fairings will be coming off for storage. Maybe we'll just remove all fairings and tank before throwing it in the van.

Whatever we do I'll post a pic or two for future search purposes Rob.

[Paul the 6th]

not a vw caddy but this is how I strapped mine down in the back of a renault master. Get the bike on its side stand, then strap it down so it's pinned down and can't rock off the stand... I also straps the handle bars forwards so the front wheel was pushed hard against the bulkhead, this stopped it rolling back and forth :) hth

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/TNkigIlQm-I/AAAAAAAAELE/1SLESSfzg9I/s800/photo.JPG

[The Guru]

Abba stand and 2x ratchet straps. One strap at front over yoke/head of frame and one on rear grab handle.

300 mile journey and it was rock solid.

Was in a transit.. but gives you an idea for keeping it upright and using all available space.
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww103/The_Guru/Project%2029/IMG00015-20100914-1509.jpg

[454697819]

zip tie the front brake too..

[monkey]

Thanks for your replies fellas but as already stated I've moved bikes in vans before no problem. The main thing about this move is that it isn't a big van.

[Bedhead]

Maybe run a sleeper board in the back of the van so both wheels are on it that strap it?

Which is exactly what I did with a GSXR1100 and Renault extra, but it was a bloody long bit of timber and the bike was sticking out the back doors. Needed about half a dozen ratchet straps before it was solid enough to chance driving it.

If you have only got a Caddy and it's a one off, you'll be ok, but it's impractical to do it often and I'm not sure of the legalities of having the doors open.

[Lozzo]

I had to take the handlebars, forks and front wheel out of a Yamaha SR250 to get it in the back of a VW Golf, then drove it from Reading to Bedford. Another time I got two complete Suzuki TS50Xs in semi built up state in the back of a 1995 Nissan Micra and drove them back to Bedford from Bicester at night - the headlights were acting like wartime searchlights.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2235832700_7201d2efa5_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2235832842_4508bd54e8_z.jpg

When I picked up another SR250 (the one Plowsie bought off me) from a bloke in Stowmarket I managed to get it virtually all built up in the boot of my old Ford Maverick 4x4. All I had to remove was the front wheel.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2985487126_2c8bfdd748_z.jpg

[monkey]

Nice one Lozzo. That's given me a little more confidence that we won't have to dismantle the whole bike.

[Ricerocket]

I had to take the handlebars, forks and front wheel out of a Yamaha SR250 to get it in the back of a VW Golf, then drove it from Reading to Bedford. Another time I got two complete Suzuki TS50Xs in semi built up state in the back of a 1995 Nissan Micra and drove them back to Bedford from Bicester at night - the headlights were acting like wartime searchlights.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2235832700_7201d2efa5_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2235832842_4508bd54e8_z.jpg

When I picked up another SR250 (the one Plowsie bought off me) from a bloke in Stowmarket I managed to get it virtually all built up in the boot of my old Ford Maverick 4x4. All I had to remove was the front wheel.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2985487126_2c8bfdd748_z.jpg


You must be some man to pack a bag for a holiday! :)

[monkey]

DOH! The boss lady says I can't use the van. Never mind.

Lozzo is that Micra left hand drive? It looks like the drivers seat is tilted forward in the first pic.

[squirrel_hunter]

Such bad news you had to deliver it twice... How you going to pick the bike up then?

But I am actually interested in the answer to the original question of can you get a bike in the back of a VW Caddy? Or what is the smallest practical van you can get and assembled SV in with the back doors shut?

[andrewsmith]

Monkey strip out the front passenger seat and run a scaff board.

SH the smallest practical would be a SWB transit or Iveco

[monkey]

He he. I also called Lozzo Kizzy! We're hiring a transit which isn't such bad news as we have to move another first.

I'm interested too. Davies reckons he's seen a bike in a Berlingo but I think he must've been smoking something. From my measurements the SV definately wouldn't go in the Caddy in one piece with the doors shut.

[Ricerocket]

He he. I also called Lozzo Kizzy! We're hiring a transit which isn't such bad news as we have to move another first.

I'm interested too. Davies reckons he's seen a bike in a Berlingo but I think he must've been smoking something. From my measurements the SV definately wouldn't go in the Caddy in one piece with the doors shut.

Out of interest what year caddy are you talking about?

[squirrel_hunter]

Monkey strip out the front passenger seat and run a scaff board.

SH the smallest practical would be a SWB transit or Iveco

The problem is a Transit stands out when parked next to ordinary cars like a Focus or a Polo. For that reason I'm looking for something smaller, and there is a reason for this requirement. Also keeping the passenger seat and bulkhead is required as the contents of the hold must remain out of site as a bike might remain in the back of the van over night. A LWB Caddy or similar may still meet the requirements as it should be about the same size as an estate car, if one exists?

[Ricerocket]

The problem is a Transit stands out when parked next to ordinary cars like a Focus or a Polo. For that reason I'm looking for something smaller, and there is a reason for this requirement. Also keeping the passenger seat and bulkhead is required as the contents of the hold must remain out of site as a bike might remain in the back of the van over night. A LWB Caddy or similar may still meet the requirements as it should be about the same size as an estate car, if one exists?


Caddy maxi

http://www.businessvans.co.uk/roadtests.asp?id=212

[Lozzo]

DOH! The boss lady says I can't use the van. Never mind.

Lozzo is that Micra left hand drive? It looks like the drivers seat is tilted forward in the first pic.

No, it was a standard RHD car but I tilted the seat forward to get a pic of the bikes sitting right next to the driver. The passenger seat was tipped as far forward as it would go to allow the back ends of both bikes in, and a few boxes of stuff filled the front footwell too. I had to drive sort of sitting a bit sideways because my shoulder was right up against the nearest bike and couldn't use the handbrake so I parked it in 1st gear overnight til I'd unloaded it all.

That was the best free car I ever got.

[Lozzo]

He he. I also called Lozzo Kizzy! We're hiring a transit which isn't such bad news as we have to move another first.

I'm interested too. Davies reckons he's seen a bike in a Berlingo but I think he must've been smoking something. From my measurements the SV definately wouldn't go in the Caddy in one piece with the doors shut.

My Kawasaki KR-1 used to fit corner to corner in a Vauxhall Combo van (old shape) if I removed the top fairing and number plate. That bike was so unreliable I always used to turn my van round on the drive and put a loading ramp in the back so my ex could drive straight out to come and do breakdown recovery whenever I went out for a ride on it - she couldn't reverse the van up our drive.

[monkey]

Out of interest what year caddy are you talking about?

'09

[monkey]

Caddy maxi

http://www.businessvans.co.uk/roadtests.asp?id=212

Still a bit pricey though as they're only a couple of years old.

[Ricerocket]

Still a bit pricey though as they're only a couple of years old.

2007/2008 I think they came out. Best small van on the road

[dirtydog]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/2235832700_7201d2efa5_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2235832842_4508bd54e8_z.jpg



They fitted much easier in my car ;)



SH the smallest practical would be a SWB transit or Iveco

Nah you can use a smaller van than a SWB Transit. I used to have a 1996 Peugeot Expert van which at somepoint has had pointy and curvy SVs and a Raptor 1000 in the back (although obviously not all at the same time) and they fit in with loads of room to spare.

One just like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peugeot-Expert-Van-/110690915535?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item19c5b154cf

theyre pretty cheap to buy now, better on fuel than an older (upto 2000) transit, a fair bit quicker and a fair bit quieter

[monkey]

(But they're French!)

I used to have one as a company vehicle and loved it but was advised against buying one because of repairs and maintenance.

[andrewsmith]

Nah you can use a smaller an than a SWB Transit. I used to have a 1996 Peugeot Expert van which at somepoint has had pointy and curvy SVs and a Raptor 1000 in the back (although obviously not all at the same time) and they fit in with loads of room to spare.

One just like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peugeot-Expert-Van-/110690915535?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item19c5b154cf

theyre pretty cheap to buy now, better on fuel than an older (upto 2000) transit, a fair bit quicker and a fair bit quieter

DD had my race paddock head on.
Being honest, I've had 2 armchairs in the back of a Transit Connect or 40 archive boxes (which was good fun when one came forward when a reversed up a 1:4 ramp)

[squirrel_hunter]

Cheers DD, very interesting...

Any other suggestions on other suitable vans?

And anybody know if its possible to insure a van and a car on the same policy?

[dirtydog]

(But they're French!)

I used to have one as a company vehicle and loved it but was advised against buying one because of repairs and maintenance.

French or Italian I suppose as the citreon dispatch and fiat scudo are the same. The parts aren't that more expensive than any other vehicle I reckon especially if you get pattern parts.

Cheers DD, very interesting...

Any other suggestions on other suitable vans?

And anybody know if its possible to insure a van and a car on the same policy?

I reckon you'd be very hard pushed to get a van and car insured on one policy what you could do though is buy one of the ones that's set up as a people carrier with seats and windows in the back as that's then technically a car. Just rip out the rear seats and black the windows out so no one can see in.

[dirtydog]

Here you go SH. I reckon this would be classed as a car/mpv
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peugeot-Expert-1-9TD-Crew-Van-76k-Ex-police-/180671059167?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item2a10d594df#ht_1886wt_187

[squirrel_hunter]

You've just given me an idea about a people carrier, something like and Espace. Rip the seats out and a van has I, they look pretty cheap as well. Not sure about loading and height, defiantly got the length though. And it's not going to look out of place in a car park, just wouldn't be able to keep it loaded over night very well. Might see about getting insured on one...

[dirtydog]

The problem with a proper people carrier is the floor as it's higher than a van floor. Used to have a galaxy and measured to see if the SV would fit in, would need to take at least the mirrors and screen off maybe even the front fairing.

[squirrel_hunter]

That I was afraid of. Would work for shifting stuff though. All I need a van for is occasionally shifting bikes around and helping out with some moving things. So I'm after something cheep as its not really going to be used much and can be hidden out of the way in the works car park so needs to look civilian.

[dirtydog]

If it's just mainly for shifting stuff about then a people carrier like and espace/galaxy would suit you but throw the occasionally needing to move a bike kind of kicks it up a bit.
I suppose what you could do is get a people carrier/estate/4x4 car with a towbar and then get one of those fold up bike trailers. Then just leave it in the car boot for whenever you need it.

I just happen to be selling my mondeo diesel estate which has a towbar fitted ;-)

[monkey]

I've been looking at wheelchair cars or vans. The ones with a lift wouldn't work but you may get an old one with a ramp that's long enough.

[dirtydog]

I've been looking at wheelchair cars or vans. The ones with a lift wouldn't work but you may get an old one with a ramp that's long enough.

I think there are a fair few ford courier wheelchair conversions about. They generally have a ramp instead of a lift. Size might be an issue though, would need to measure one to make sure a bike would actually fit. Downside of course is it's based on a fiesta so won't exactly be quick

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=87423959519&itemId=180672408976

[squirrel_hunter]

Got access to a vehicle with a tow bar and access to a trailer. But trailers get in the way and make turning and reversing more interesting than I'd want, and after being involved in a couple of accident where people have driven into the trailer for no reason at all I'd prefer to keep it simple and all contained in the one vehicle.

[dirtydog]

Then you'll definitely need a van. As I said you could put some windows in the side of it and insure it as a car/people carrier. Probably easier to buy an expert/dispatch/scudo like I linked to earlier as it already has seats whereas if you get a van then you may have to fit some seats only to take them out again. As it has been known for insurance companies to ask for pictures and an engineers report on seats you've fitted yourself

[daved407]

Ive seen a GSXR 750 in the back of an old Rover but it was a crashed bike.

When my wife's RGV stopped playing miles from home we squeezed it in an escort van by taking upper fairing off.

[daved407]

Trailers serve a purpose but towing ability and speed limits make a van a far better solution. And when you get to the location sleeping in the van is comfier than a trailer.

[tigersaw]

I looked at getting a Citroen Synergie for moving my trail bike about. I was going to muller one of the seats so that it becomes a clippie onto the floor wheel holder. I had it all worked out, but eventually the (un)economics of a second vehicle didn't stack up.