Bike in a Van

[duncanpage]

My girlfriend said she likes riding on the bike but wouldn't be able to make it to Scotland/The Lake District/Cornwall so askedif we could pop it in the back of the van along with the luggage and use it once we've arrived.

Has anyone else done this?

I have a Peugeot Expert 2.0HDI and a 2010 ZX6R.

I was planning to use:

A ramp:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320584853228&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A front wheel stand:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-PADDOCK-FRONT-WHEEL-CHOCK-LOCK-STAND-STAY-/310228981040?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item483b169530

I have a rear paddock stand but its the standard kind with the wheels & bobbins hooks, would this be safe in the back of a van if I used a ratched strap on each side of the bikes frame?

[shotgun]

I took a Bandit 1200 to Spain in the back of a Tranny van. Didn't actually use the stand as it snuggled nicely between a load of other stuff and a few ratchet straps kept it in place. Rode it off using a scaffold plank I found near the flat in Spain and we all lived to tell the tale.

[G]

Just a few times .
(Ok, always for racing, practice days etc, or just because the bike happens to still be in the van from the last one.)

I wouldn't use a stand - the ratchet straps will keep the bike steady when ratcheted down.

That ramp looks ok.

[Gazz]

Had a bike in the back of a van a few times.

Here is a wee tip for you:


Put a cable tie on the front brake lever to give extra security (I never done this the first couple of times) - but someone told me about it and it works wonders.

[Paxovasa]

Alot of people who do track days, stick the bike and all there gear in the back of a van.

So why not
____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Grazoid]

Kind of destroys the whole process of bike touring for me.

But then again I am a journey meaning more than just arriving at the destination sort of guy.

Answer to this one is actually quite cheap and simple old chap.... dump her, that way you will only have to buy booze and fuel for one person and one vehicle
____________________
Gaffer Tape is like The Force.

It has a dark side and a light side and holds the Universe together!

[cdo1uk]

I pick up bikes all the time in my work, so let me say its easy and safe if you have the right tools. Safe is what you want when your carting about your pride and joy. i have a Vauxhall movano and use an over sized ramp (bigger than the normal motorx type)and roll the bike straight in. once in the van i have a Bike grab, the front wheel sits tight in it so its not going to go anywhere. Make sure its as far forward as you can so it wont move under breaking. then using good qulity ratchet straps, 4 in total, i use two to hold down the handle bars, as directly down as you can to pull the front into the bike grab chock thingy. once your happy with this, i use two more straps pulling down again from the rear foot pegs or grab handles. once happy the bike shouldnt move at all...

good luck oh and dont put it in alone first.

[Phoenix]

I used to have to do it as a job too and the only specific extras I had other than ratchet straps was a handlebar strap (it loops over the bars and provides to loops to ratchet from), it's not necessary, you can just loop the ratchet strap ends around the bottom yoke or the bars if there's space on the clipons or flat bars is easier. Cable tie the brake, only gently, as suggested and make sure the front straps pull forwards and back straps pull back preferably, it won't go anywhere.

I had a Citroen Despatch for a while and actually measured it to see if my bike would go in the back, it was GSX-R750 SRAD and it appeared to be very slightly too long and the heigh of it meant it'd be difficult to stand over it to actually get it into the van. It'll be a tight squeeze but it'll probably go in, a larger van is much easier though.