is a race van 'full retard'?
- Thread starter lplonske
- Start date
Cargo van all the way. If you got the coin, dodge sprinter FTW. 25MPG and a ton of room, can't beat it. I did the cargo van for a couple years and still use one on occasion when I'm traveling light. Hate the trailers. Plus you don't take it in the ass when you go through all the tolls!
Wawazat
New Member
I know plenty of sportbike freestyle riders that prefer vans. I've seen one couple that rides tandem take their bikes around in an ambulance. It's a much better alternative than my truck... It works for me, but I would like something more in the future.
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Sent from my HTC Evo using Tapatalk
Andrei
New Member
We have a Dodge Sprinter at work and there is an amazing amount of room inside this thing. There is about 15' of clear space front to back just in the cargo area. I could easily fit 4 bikes in there. With a little ingenuity I'm sure the space could be transformed into a nice living area when at the track. When I go to downsize, I might just see what I can find to replace the trailer.
noobinacan
Member
monoblock calipers...shoulda let me have em.
I've thought about it myself...but IMO, is only good for one bike + gear.
or two bike setup gonna be a tight fit but doable.
But like trailers are big here, Vans are big in Europe/ UK.
in the end, I think its a personal preference thing, gotta do what works for you.
or
http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/
I've thought about it myself...but IMO, is only good for one bike + gear.
or two bike setup gonna be a tight fit but doable.
But like trailers are big here, Vans are big in Europe/ UK.
in the end, I think its a personal preference thing, gotta do what works for you.
or
http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/
some guy #2
Member
Those sprinters are nice, toy haulers are even nicer. The only think I can see not liking about vans are the fumes from the bike. Unless you sealed the front really well and vented the back the smell would be a little much I think. The lack of tolls and gas mileage would be a huge plus over a trailer.
crewnutz
Member
I used a van for 2 years and my buddy has a van now that we use
I had a 1992 Ford E350 extended version. I got it for $350 off Ebay, put about $500 into it and it lasted me a full 1.5 years of racing/trackdays. I am not even sure why I sold it. It ran great, just needed new tie rods when I sold it.
vans are the best way to go. If you get a Ford E-series that is the extended version you can EASILY fit 2 bikes and everything you would need for a weekend of trackdays or racing
a Sprinter would allow you even more room but they are much pricier
for us poor types the van is the way to go
and even if you decided you wanted a trailer eventually then your van can pull the trailer too! pickup trucks are about the most worthless things for trackduty IMO. I actually think theyre worthless for a lot of things except pulling a 5th wheel. you cant lock stuff inside or sleep in the back. everyone in Europe uses vans to go racing, pickups are damn near non-existent
IMHO of course
I had a 1992 Ford E350 extended version. I got it for $350 off Ebay, put about $500 into it and it lasted me a full 1.5 years of racing/trackdays. I am not even sure why I sold it. It ran great, just needed new tie rods when I sold it.
vans are the best way to go. If you get a Ford E-series that is the extended version you can EASILY fit 2 bikes and everything you would need for a weekend of trackdays or racing
a Sprinter would allow you even more room but they are much pricier
for us poor types the van is the way to go
and even if you decided you wanted a trailer eventually then your van can pull the trailer too! pickup trucks are about the most worthless things for trackduty IMO. I actually think theyre worthless for a lot of things except pulling a 5th wheel. you cant lock stuff inside or sleep in the back. everyone in Europe uses vans to go racing, pickups are damn near non-existent
IMHO of course
Bubba Zanetti
Member
I am a fan of the van too. Although I still need a trailer as the mini-van doesnt have enough room to fit a full sized bike, the TZ125 fits perfect and I can stuff all my other items in too. I save on tolls, as others have said, and the security is nice.
BZ
BZ
dbarufaldi
Member
Has anyone driven the new Nissan full size van? Impressions?
some guy #2
Member
I don't think the Ford Transits will carry a full size bike safely or comfortably.
fitz
New Member
I don't see why it woundn't, granted 136hp isn't much but you only need to haul your bike and some gear. My R6, gear, a few tools can't be much more than 500lbs, which is about 2-3 guys depending who you are riding with.
It does say it has a max payload of 1600lbs.
Starting at 21,800 I'd give it a shot.
fitz
dbarufaldi
Member
Shame they didn't import that thing with the diesel...much more compelling to me if you can get a diesel stick in it...fitz;216675 wrote: I don't see why it woundn't, granted 136hp isn't much but you only need to haul your bike and some gear. My R6, gear, a few tools can't be much more than 500lbs, which is about 2-3 guys depending who you are riding with.
It does say it has a max payload of 1600lbs.
Starting at 21,800 I'd give it a shot.
fitz
Dan B
j_fuggin_t
Member
AMEN to that, i've thought about a sprinter myself, you can sleep in the bish, get an overhead a/c and even generators, with our toll prices going up i'm going to have to strongly consider it, just for me to go to blackhawk with the trailer its over $30 in just tolls :banghead:
only downside to a van is loading at the end of a day when your just exhausted, but we're lucky enough to be able to find help typically.
eE jeremy
New Member
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Sprinter-2500-Sprinter-Mobile-Medical-Office-RV-Camper-Mercedes-Diesel-Dodge-Generator-AC-Heat-/230676754381?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35b567efcd
already has AC and generator, just rip out the medical shit and you're good to go!
already has AC and generator, just rip out the medical shit and you're good to go!
some guy #2
Member
I meant length wise, not weight. I think the transit's for the USA are not long enough to get a full size bike into reliably. I believe Europe has the extended version which would give you enough room.fitz;216675 wrote: I don't see why it woundn't, granted 136hp isn't much but you only need to haul your bike and some gear. My R6, gear, a few tools can't be much more than 500lbs, which is about 2-3 guys depending who you are riding with.
It does say it has a max payload of 1600lbs.
Starting at 21,800 I'd give it a shot.
fitz