Motorbike or Scooter and what rack to use?

[zen1th]

Just about to start my bike licence at my grand old age of 55, and looking at ideas for additional transportation.

Just wondering if people prefer scooters or motorbikes, and the best way of transporting them. Is there such a thing as a dedicated motorbike rack for rear of MH, or would a small scooter that can fit in garage be best option?

The bike would have to be capable of carrying myself and my wife as a passenger, so not sure a teeny one would fit in the garage.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Vansflyer]

Has anyone got a 400cc Burgman? Wondering about quality, comfort.
The 300cc Aprilia has been great but after 11 years we could do with a more comfortable seat. I know its heavy but no big deal with 5600kgs rear axle weight.

I had one some years ago and it was lovely but very big and heavy on the scales. You couldn't feel the weight as it was low but still 210kg or so. It was the first bike I looked at to go in the vans garage but not a chance of it fitting in, too tall and long. Shame as I really wanted another one.

 

[barryd]

Down hill... a steep hill

Ah but it had to go up the "Struggle" From Ambleside first!! Albeit it slowly. In fact if you rewind that video half a minute or so from where I linked to above you can see it crawling up. That was the old 2012 bike the newer one we have now has a bit more lower down grunt. (Well if you can call it "Grunt" on a vision)

 

[zen1th]

Yeah the vision looks ok, but need something with a little more power to carry 2 people.

 

[zen1th]

We use a KTM Duke 390, 149kg dry. Had the Honda vision for years and am well rid of it now, far too slow 2 up bordering on dangerous.
The Duke is great and was only £3099 new in 2017
The van has a short overhang and is still well under weight.

View attachment 1032538

This could definitely be an option. Great reviews as well.

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[barryd]

Yeah the vision looks ok, but need something with a little more power to carry 2 people.

Whats your combined weight if you dont mind me asking? Im no lightweight by a long way but Mrs D is under eight stone and very slim so she fits perfect on the back of the Vision. As said our two have been over some of the highest passes in Europe albeit slowly going up and we generally do 5-6k two up most years. Did you work out your weights for a rear rack yet? Thats the crucial thing. To me its a compromise. I weighed my van the other day with the bike on and we are miles under the limit so in theory I could carry a bigger bike but I honestly don't want to. I did think about trailing the Vstrom 650XT for the odd trip but to be honest, I would rather have the little Honda with the motorhome. Just so much easier. If I were you I would get the weights, measurements and calculations do then see what that limits you to on a rack.

You can do a lot on a small scooter and they are great for storing stuff, shopping etc. Despite some comments on here I think they are an absolute hoot. You just have to get used to riding them pretty much flat out everywhere.

 

[zen1th]

Whats your combined weight if you dont mind me asking? Im no lightweight by a long way but Mrs D is under eight stone and very slim so she fits perfect on the back of the Vision. As said our two have been over some of the highest passes in Europe albeit slowly going up and we generally do 5-6k two up most years. Did you work out your weights for a rear rack yet? Thats the crucial thing. To me its a compromise. I weighed my van the other day with the bike on and we are miles under the limit so in theory I could carry a bigger bike but I honestly don't want to. I did think about trailing the Vstrom 650XT for the odd trip but to be honest, I would rather have the little Honda with the motorhome. Just so much easier. If I were you I would get the weights, measurements and calculations do then see what that limits you to on a rack.

You can do a lot on a small scooter and they are great for storing stuff, shopping etc. Despite some comments on here I think they are an absolute hoot. You just have to get used to riding them pretty much flat out everywhere.

Motorhome not yet purchased, but I have 2 or 3 contenders.
I’m in the process of getting my full bike licence.

My OCD means I need to have all the information available, regarding bikes, and trailers for it before I go ahead and make my purchase.

It will just be a small bike or scooter, to nip into local towns etc. Not looking for anything fancy. I’m 6 foot and my wife just an inch or so smaller, hence needing a little more oomph. If a small scooter will work, then even better both price and weight wise.

 

[bigtwin]

160Kg fully fuelled, 55 bhp, worth considering:

CCM Spitfire Maverick

Ian

 

[barryd]

Motorhome not yet purchased, but I have 2 or 3 contenders.
I’m in the process of getting my full bike licence.

My OCD means I need to have all the information available, regarding bikes, and trailers for it before I go ahead and make my purchase.

It will just be a small bike or scooter, to nip into local towns etc. Not looking for anything fancy. I’m 6 foot and my wife just an inch or so smaller, hence needing a little more oomph. If a small scooter will work, then even better both price and weight wise.

Yes you might find the Vision a bit tight then. Try one though. Or as already mentioned the Honda 125 SH Mode is a bit bigger and I think about 118kg. The standard SH 125 is a fair bit heavier around 136kg.

I bet you will find yourself going a lot further than the local shops though on any of them. Our bike does more miles on a five month trip than the van does

Good luck with the test and its good that you are being OCD about the weights etc. Its quite a journey though and a frustrating one at times. Least it was for me as I wanted a rear lounge van with enough payload to carry the bike. Literally like finding hens teeth.

 

[A S R]

I have a KTM 390 Duke I bought new. It lives quite happily in the garage of my tag axle Burstner Elegance. My bed is directly above it and I’ve never had any fumes etc from the bike. I may be selling the bike soon because I very rarely use it because I prefer to take my emtb with me now instead. It’s in superb condition and never seen any rain!

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[Richard n Ann]

160Kg fully fuelled, 55 bhp, worth considering:

CCM Spitfire Maverick

View attachment 1032895

Ian

OK if you've got 12 grand kicking about you don't want
Great bike though

 

[bigtwin]

OK if you've got 12 grand kicking about you don't want
Great bike though

The one I linked is up for £8k.

Ian

 

[Gringo2]

We have a Honda Forza 300 which weighs in around 195kg. Didnt even consider rack or tow bar mounted solution. Went for the Easylift Hydratrail. Great bit of kit. All weight is carried by the unit other than nose weight and because of the design does not need cause any reversing issues. 8000 miles so far, just general trailer wheel serving required. (Grease and adjust hub bearings).
Easy to load and very stable.

 

[zen1th]

We have a Honda Forza 300 which weighs in around 195kg. Didnt even consider rack or tow bar mounted solution. Went for the Easylift Hydratrail. Great bit of kit. All weight is carried by the unit other than nose weight and because of the design does not need cause any reversing issues. 8000 miles so far, just general trailer wheel serving required. (Grease and adjust hub bearings).
Easy to load and very stable.

That looks pretty good - like a mini trailer.

 

[zen1th]

Yes you might find the Vision a bit tight then. Try one though. Or as already mentioned the Honda 125 SH Mode is a bit bigger and I think about 118kg. The standard SH 125 is a fair bit heavier around 136kg.

I bet you will find yourself going a lot further than the local shops though on any of them. Our bike does more miles on a five month trip than the van does

Good luck with the test and its good that you are being OCD about the weights etc. Its quite a journey though and a frustrating one at times. Least it was for me as I wanted a rear lounge van with enough payload to carry the bike. Literally like finding hens teeth.

Thanks.

I’ve actually just bought a Honda CB125F. Just going to use it for a bit and get some road practice etc.

Don’t think it would carry two passengers very far, so will look at other models as soon as I get my full licence.

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[oldiesontour]

Don't get all this about 125 scooter not suitable 2 up we've used ours a few times now (30st combined weight) acceleration is fine as is pull up hill,and plenty quick enough

 

[barryd]

Don't get all this about 125 scooter not suitable 2 up we've used ours a few times now (30st combined weight) acceleration is fine as is pull up hill,and plenty quick enough

Our first motorhome bike in the Noughties wasn't even a 125. Peugeot Speedfight 100cc two stroke. Loved that little bike and it went all over Europe. This was taken half way up the Col du Tentes above Gavarnie in the Pyrenees when we literally ran out of road (early May I think) and it became a ski slope. It went really well that little bike and only 95kg.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Don't get all this about 125 scooter not suitable 2 up we've used ours a few times now (30st combined weight) acceleration is fine as is pull up hill,and plenty quick enough

The Honda Vision 110cc is only 8bhp. The SH125 is 12bhp.

Big gain for just 15cc difference, the reason is the 125 is water cooled and the engine revs up more.

 

[barryd]

The Honda Vision 110cc is only 8bhp. The SH125 is 12bhp.

Big gain for just 15cc difference, the reason is the 125 is water cooled and the engine revs up more.

I wonder if the SH Mode 125 has a slightly different motor to the SH 125 as its 11.7hp as apposed to 12.3hp on the heavier SH 125. New Vision is 8.6hp I believe but its over a third of its weight lighter than the SH 125. 100kg vs 136kg. The SH 125 Mode might well be the quickest out of the bunch as its almost the same HP as the standard SH but 18kg lighter.

 

[Mark1965]

Here is our Armatige detachable rack. Under the cover is our Vespa Primavera 125cc. It's a 2023 aircooled model weight is around 115kg. It goes well with us 2 up despite my 100kg frame and even better down hill ! We are just back from a quick trip to Alicante area as we are moving house this week. Its not kept on the back permanently but it sits nicely on the rack as we drive around.

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[zen1th]

Here is our Armatige detachable rack. Under the cover is our Vespa Primavera 125cc. It's a 2023 aircooled model weight is around 115kg. It goes well with us 2 up despite my 100kg frame and even better down hill ! We are just back from a quick trip to Alicante area as we are moving house this week. Its not kept on the back permanently but it sits nicely on the rack as we drive around.



View attachment 1033892

View attachment 1033894

That looks exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for.

Is that fitted to tow bar ball?

 

[Mark1965]

That looks exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for.

Is that fitted to tow bar ball?

Hi sorry for the late reply we are in the process of moving... Anyway.. no it goes into 2 receivers that bolt to the Chassis Rails. I had rear air suspension to help with the ride of the van.. Speak with Armatige at Leeds (FerryBridge) all fitted while you wait. I recommend them and I don't usually recommend anything..

 

[Richard n Ann]

That looks exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for.

Is that fitted to tow bar ball?

You don't want one that goes onto the towbar. They wobble about terribly or the one I saw in Peniscola did anyway.

 

[zen1th]

You don't want one that goes onto the towbar. They wobble about terribly or the one I saw in Peniscola did anyway.

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, one clamped onto the chassis looks the way to go.

 

[barryd]

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, one clamped onto the chassis looks the way to go.

Its the only way to go. As said Armitage Trailers are the experts.

A tow ball mounted rack unless it has other support is probably going to overload the nose weight of the tow ball. and be unstable. If you are going to do it, get a proper chassis mounted rack.

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[Gringo2]

That looks pretty good - like a mini trailer.

Yep exactly but without the hassle when reversing. Plus only adds 1.5m to length so you get away with no trailer on Shuttle. Just declare length.