SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum - How do you get a bike into a van?

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- - How do you get a bike into a van? (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=118076)

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

I'd hope it's fake 'cause that'd definitely hurt in the morning!

Alex

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG1 (Post 1630641)

Just get the Mrs to drive the car

My Mrs cant drive as she doesnt have a licence. Otherwise that would be the winner!!!

Theres only going to be two of us. I dont know if trying to get it in a van is the most wisest idea. I can see it laying down on the floor with me underneath it.

Will explore the trailer route.

Cheers for the help comments so far :D

Ch00

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

When Suze was seriously ill, after I first bought her, Im Indoors asked one of my neighbours if they could go and pick her up in their van. Its quite a large van, with lots of head room. They didn't have anything to tie her down with, so he sat on her, in the back, all the way through HX in the dark(no windows!), round some pretty scary bends.
He said it was odd because even though he knew where he was going, he didn't if that makes sense!

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Have you thought how much it'd cost to hire the van for a week and add onto that the mileage and petrol? You can get one way rentals though.

Why not put the missus on a train and ride up yourself? If you're touring for a week surely you wont be going back to base every night in which case the van wouldn't help with space for stuff to take with you.

Where are you going anyway?
:)

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Quote:

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey (Post 1630820)

Where are you going anyway?
:)

Going up to Scotland. Going this Saturday with the Mrs and a couple of friends and a dog for a week in the car. Due to the fantastic roads I've always wanted to take a bike there. We normally stay about 10 miles West of Stirling.

Hope to get a bike there next spring!

As for costs looking at about £300 for a weeks van rental.
OR
Hire a large bike for the week and travelling from home rough cost £400
OR
Getting a tow bar and trailer and towing my bike there with the Mrs and her stuff. £300 ish

OR any combo of the above including planes trains and automobiles :smt026

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ch00 (Post 1630614)

I am looking to hire a van to move my bike 500 miles in order to use it for a weeks holiday touring about with the Mrs. Dont really want to ride there and back as we (she) wont be able to take what she needs.

How easy/hard is it to get a bike into the back of a van? Is it best to build a ramp to get it in?

I have looked at hiring a bike for the week but it looks like its going to end up a bit ££££.

I dont have a tow bar on my car but I dont know how much it would cost to hire a trailer. For info my Wee Strom is taller than a SV and must be heavier.

Cheers

Ch00

ive had my sv in my vw transporter twice (today being the second time) and my brothers yesterday.
as with my mx bikes, i ALWAYS reverse them in, which IS easy, ive even done it by myself. this way its much easier to get it out, and, for me and my van, the the stand is o nthe right side to hook bike down. i have a strap that goes from top of van side over bike back underneath to floor hook. make sure the bike is in gear.
i use scaffold plank like badger (?) suggested. the only problem ive ever had, was yesterday unloading brotheres bike, i think because back of van was slightly looking downhill, when i hit plank, it slipped off bumper! so, today,i just had soembody foot bottom of plank.

its easy, go for it!

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Not easy on your own. I fell off my SV while trying to ride it onto a trailer too, doh.

It is better with 2 or 3 strong lads around and lift it in the van

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx (Post 1630621)

Big plank , something like a scaffolding board , but be careful as it may be a bit slippery . Either that or lift the front end in with 2 mates on the front and one one the back to keep her steady , once front wheel is in , get one mate on the right side to hold back brake down whilst the rear mate jumps in the van to support the front , 2 side guys then move to the back and haul the rear end up and into the van . Good use of the brakes and support here will avoid a catastrophe .

That's all very well when you've got your mates to help you get it in there....but he'll be bug*ered when there's just him and the Mrs to get it out / back in again at the other end!

I'd vote for what someone else said - get her to train it up and ride up there.

Cheers,
Matt

Re: How do you get a bike into a van?

You can hire vans with fold out ramps in, very easy then.