Which MPVs/People carriers can fit in a bike?

[Tim in Belgium]

So which MPVs/people carriers can fit a (sports) bike in the back without any thing having to come off the sports bike?

Does anyone have any direct experience?

[Tim in Belgium]

Has anyone done this?

[andrewsmith]

Smallest comfortably is a Vito.
Is worth checking if thinking about it

[Dunn-y]

The thread title is a little misleading. ;)

[Tim in Belgium]

I've heard rumours that a Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra can fit one in - anyone able to confirm this?

[andrewsmith]

Like this???

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=206323

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj243/Andy_B_photos/PICT1166.jpg

[Tim in Belgium]

Hmm, looks a bit tight....

[hardhat_harry]

Seen a Galaxy with a bike in (fully built up) at a couple of trackdays.

[Tim in Belgium]

Cheers Harry.

[m`baubz]

i know a bloke who used one of them chrysler voyager things.

[Tim in Belgium]

Did it fit in easily? what was the bike?

[m`baubz]

zx6rr, if memory serves. the voyager might have been the longer wheelbase model.

[maxinc]

We used a Toyota Previa which was surprisingly spacious and comfortable for 3 blokes and 1 SV. A bit on the ugly side but did the job just fine.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/542/img0806c.jpg
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/6044/img0809u.jpg

[arenalife]

I've had a few bikes in a Fiat Multipla just by taking the mirrors off, and can still seat 4 persons + luggage.

I mean several bikes at different times, not at the same time!

[Tim in Belgium]

We used a Toyota Previa which was surprisingly spacious and comfortable for 3 blokes and 1 SV. A bit on the ugly side but did the job just fine.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/542/img0806c.jpg
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/6044/img0809u.jpg

It looks like you had to take the screen off, or was it already missing?

It's just I want something I can put a bike in and out of without putting bits on and off to maximise track/'Ring time.

-Arena life could you leave the mirrors on if you weren't also transporting people?

[maxinc]

It looks like you had to take the screen off, or was it already missing?

Will probably go in with a standard screen. I have the Vario Touring screen which was about an inch too tall and didn't wanted to force it in.

Good thing about this car was that id had plenty of anchor points do the bike was very secure indeed. Also very economical on fuel, considering the load.

[Tim in Belgium]

Thanks for that, now how does an 04-06 R1 compare height wise to a pointy SV ......?

[Tim in Belgium]

Als0 has anyone seen one in a Citroen Synergie/old peugeot 807?

[fizzwheel]

Als0 has anyone seen one in a Citroen Synergie/old peugeot 807?

No, but a bloke at work has an 807 is mahoosive, if you can get one in a Previa you'll definately get it in an 807 as its taller and wider.

Any particular reason for an MPV would it just be easier to buy a van ? Or do you want something thats more dual purpose than a van is i.e. more car like ?

[Tim in Belgium]

MPV insurance is cheaper.

MPVs have more speed.

MPVs are cheaper than vans for cross channel ferry rates by a lot.

MPVs are just as, if not cheaper than a TD van of a similar power.

And vaguely more liveable on a day to day basis.

Any chance you could cheekily measure the height of the load bay on the 807 at work? ;)

[fizzwheel]

I'll see what I can do. he doesn't always bring it in so might be a few days before I can get at it

[Tim in Belgium]

No rush, I have to sell at least my Skoda Estate and BMW Estate before purchasing!

[fizzwheel]

He brought it in today, but I didnt have a tape measure and its a C8 not an 807 a 53 plate one, but IIRC theres not hell of a difference between an 807 and a C8. The owner is also a biker so we had a bit of a chat about whether we'd get my GSXR in the back and we both reckon it would fit, but it would be a squeeze height wise you'll probably be folding the mirrors in and taking the screen off to get it in. It is wide though, it was parked next to a newish VW Transporter Bus its as long as that is, not quite as tall but its wider. The load height to the boot lip doesnt look to high its certainly lower than a transit is. Its definately bigger than a Previa that somebody else was refering to above.

His is a diesel he said its heavy on juice, around the 28 to the gallon mark around town but gives more a run.

HTH

[Tim in Belgium]

Thanks for that, I think the previous generation Ulysse/807 is higher still as it's more van like. I need to do some more investigations. Like buy a bike and ride it to test drives!

I really want to keep the screen on as that can be a 10-20 minute faff otherwise, especially on refitting depending if the bungs are playing ball and if it lines up nicely.

[fizzwheel]

I guess it depends what you buy next,

I reckon it would be easier with a K6 onwards GSXR as they are a bit smaller than mine is, something like Liz's Ducati would go straight in as its so tiny and the screen is quite flat on it as well.

[mattSV]

Biggest challenge is with the height - if it is a squeeze fitting it through the tailgate, there is usually a couple more inches height available once inside.

Perhaps compress the suspension with ratchet straps to get it in (no worse than on a trailer)?

I had a couple of Citroen Synergies (same as the older Ulysses/806). Good wagons, seats are a bit heavy lifting in and out, and both of mine had issues with the engine management light (HDi) coming on intermittently.

My mate owns a Peugeot dealership so if I get the chance to nip in their over the weekend, I'll get some measurements for you if they have one in stock

[Tim in Belgium]

We used a Toyota Previa which was surprisingly spacious and comfortable for 3 blokes and 1 SV. A bit on the ugly side but did the job just fine.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/542/img0806c.jpg
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/6044/img0809u.jpg

Did the bike go in through the back door or the sliding door? - These look quite cheap on ebay....

[mikerj]

Thanks for that, I think the previous generation Ulysse/807 is higher still as it's more van like. I need to do some more investigations. Like buy a bike and ride it to test drives!


The Peugeot 807 has a terrible reliability record. If you want to spend maximum time on the track, you need to get there first.

[maxinc]

Did the bike go in through the back door or the sliding door? - These look quite cheap on ebay....

Back door with 1 person inside and 2 pulling the bike up :)

[Tim in Belgium]

The Peugeot 807 has a terrible reliability record. If you want to spend maximum time on the track, you need to get there first.

Is that the new one, or the older 806, or both!!

[Tim in Belgium]

Max - thanks for the above.

[fizzwheel]

Tim - I don't know if it effects the Previa but the Jap import Emina Lucida's with the diesel engines in have a reputation of cracking cylinder heads that is well deserved. If the Diesel previa uses the same engine, might be wise to avoid diesels...

[maviczap]

Think the Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda tin top is pretty tall, taller than most MPV's and with removable seats.

I've got a campervan version with the roof tent, go for a lot more than the tin tops.

Same problem with the Mazda cylinderhead, but most of this is down to blown head gaskets, and not stopping the engine in time. Its a combination of cast iron & aluminium which causes the head gaskets to go.

All sensible owners fit a coolant alarm to the header tank. But if looked after they can clock mega miles and cost a lot less than the VW t3 or t4

They're all imports from Japan, but parts are easy enough to find & the owners club is good
http://images03.olx.co.uk/ui/11/72/18/1311065311_229746418_5-Mazda-Bongo-TintopFord-Freeda-8seater-MPV-LPG-converted-England.jpg

[Tim in Belgium]

What speed will they cruise at on the motorway and what mpg do you get?

[maviczap]

Happily cruise at 70 if its not too tired. I've been passed by one on the motorway and it was doing 80 no problem. But then they start drinking fuel.

MPG? About 32mpg at 60mph, but avg is about 25mpg

There's sevral versions, most are automatic 4 wheel drive, but I've got a rarer 4x4 manual transmission.

They can be converted to 2 wheel drive fairly easily, which makes they less thirsty and because its an older design engine then it can run on veg oil.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/faqs.htm

[Tim in Belgium]

Anymore info on cheap MPVs that would squeeze in a bike would be appreciated :thumbsup:

I've even heard of bikes fitting in Berlingos etc..!

[m`baubz]

i've recently heard of an r6 being transported to trackdays in a skoda roomster.

[_Stretchie_]

Vito definitley, Talan from the Bike Experience uses a Vito.

I'm pretty sure that the big fella over at JHS has a Vito, not sure if it's long wheelbase but his got my BlackBird in it comfortably

[Tim in Belgium]

Any more info on bikes in Multiplas?