Best van for the job.

[adam277]

What's the best van for £500-2000 for transporting motorcycles?

I'm not fussed if its old and rusty as I can use it to practice welding.
The main thing for me is it has to have a good engine as I've had bad experiences with the newer transits and its probably why all the cheap vans on ebay are transits.
All the guys that drives motorbikes I know have a old beat up van they use to transport bikes. So I thought why not get one.

I would of liked a mercedes vito but I may get a R1200GS at some point and there is no way it would fit in.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[MarJay]

You've answered your own question. Consider anything that is in decent condition for the money.

I'd wager you'd find it difficult to find a van with less than 100k miles for under about £3k. I know, I tried it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[adam277]

[recman]

[Polarbear]

I had an old Vauxhall Vivaro. It was a rusty pile of shite and I hated it.

I looked at other vans when I first started my boat business but nothing seemed worth while for the stupid prices asked for a tin box on wheels.

In the end I found my C Max did everything I wanted 99% of the time, which is of no help to you.
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[stevo as b4]

Ask Binge, he's very clued up on vans and whats good bad on them etc.

Personally I'd get an old van with decent bodywork that's not likely to need any serious work or welding for its next MOT.
Better still if said van has a mechanical fuel injected diesel engine, as they are solid and reliable or at least have far less to go wrong, if you keep it running with clean filters in the fuel system.

I'd also consider a petrol van, as if you find a nice old (not classic tax applicable ) van with a petrol engine they are usually dirt cheap as nobody wants them for a business vehicle.

[recman]

[WD Forte]

Ducatos are FWD and have a low bed height which make loading bikes easier
I now I got mine recovered in one years ago

Whether they're any good or not is unknowm to me
I did have an LDV convoy LWB High roof for a while
they can (or could) be found cheap

Loads of room in those, take two bikes no bother
Transit 2.5 turbo DI engine and gearbox capable of big miles
if serviced properly
but quite basic, slow and god awful noisy at motorway speeds

How about a good car and trailer instead?
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[almostthere]

Renault Master plenty of space reliable and cheap as chips
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[adam277]

[recman]

[ScottT]

I have a Peugeot Expert (ex police van), my ZX6 fits in ok, or i can fit a couple of my old British bikes in it. Doubt you'll get a GS in it though.
2.0lt Diesel, i got it with 93k for £800 a few months ago, it seems ok.

[Shaft]

[Polarbear]

[cb1rocket]

I drive a beat up transit that's more than capable, its front wheel drive too so good on fuel. its a 2003 TDDI 2.0 engine model on a 85ps power output. Its a semi hi top SWB and i have easily got a R1200GS in there once. You may have to take the top box off if it stupidly big size
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[Chuffin Nora]

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c9/03/f8/c903f8ff2e6341fb73acc7006f8ce99f--yamaha-bikes-bike-ideas.jpg
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[suburban myth]

[andym]

[u33db]

My dad has a 2.0 57/08 plate Peugeot expert (later style, not the REALLY old experts) that we use to shift bikes about.

Mainly older bikes like GT750, VF750 etc (i.e. stuff that would dwarf a modern sports bike) so has the height and length to cover most things thesedays

Its relaible as those engines are used in everything (vans, fords, citroens etc) but occassionally gets an "anti pollution warning" when hammered then drops into limp mode with max of 2/3k rpm...god knows why as its seems near impossisble to find the fault, and its fine once reset with a code reader!

You'd get one of them for well under 3k, probably well under 2k depending on mileage.

[secretagentmo...]

Bedford Rascal......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mickhuett/8728952533

[-]

I'd go for a T4 Transporter. The 2.5 tdi, 102ps was used for years by the AA for good reason.

They will rot, but are mechanically one of the last well built VW's. Parts and panel supply are cheap and freely available and you'll get as much help as you want from VeeDub forums and groups.

My mate bought one with a basic campervan conversion for £3200 earlier this year, with new wheels, tyres, stainless exhaust, power steering pump, water pump and cambelt just done. A basic panel van will be cheaper and due to the VW scene, they will not go down in value now if kept usable.
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TZR250 2MA road, TZR250 1KT road, TZR250 2MA race, TDR250, YZF-750R Boost colours.
Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[adam277]

Ye they are a little small though and pricey.
I might just get a Vito after all they seem like the same van just not as pricey.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[-]

[recman]

[Polarbear]

How come there are so many vans common with different manufacturers? Do they share factories or something?
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