Track Bike Transportation. * Following on from my thread about my new purchase. Missed it? Read here if you wish? http://1000rr.co.uk/other-bikes/10069.htm Not having a road legal bike for the track *makes getting to and from the circuit makes it a little harder than normal.* I've been dredging the *weekly adds to see what I can come up with.* Basically there's only two options available? Option 1 I looked at a transit van as a possibility, however having two cars in the family already I could not justify the extra cost of running one what with the extra insurance and road tax servicing etc.* Option 1A Perhaps I could have hired a van For the days I intended to go tracking, but IMO that's just dead money that you won't see back.* Option 2 Buy/build a trailer.* Probably the cheaper option? It has it's downfalls i know, the bikes out in full view whilst out on the road, what ever the weather is out there it's battering against the bike. But I have a tarpaulin to cover over. ** Folk have issues with the trailer route, they feel with it being on display, any of our thieving scum that walk this earth will think its ok to take it off my hands at any given chance.* Like with anything nowadays, you can only go so far, if some one wants it, they will get it. Come what may.* Anyway, *the upshot is, I've gone for the trailer option, it suits my needs for now, I managed to do a deal with a guy from Bradford today and going over this Sunday to collect.* A little bit of paint will go a long way, and my work colleagues are quite handy striking a weld should I need any additions.* So here's the trailer Going to have to lose the Yamaha Decal off the back As said, a bit of a spruce and clean up with a lick of paint, I reckon the jobs on the up. Already weighing up filling in with 5 bar chequer plate, as a better ease of access, and a couple of handy sized boxes that will be removable for tyre warmers and other bits. So there you have it, just thought I'd update.* Thanks for popping by
Well looks like you are dropping into the money pit Gazza .I have been following your thread and kind comments from the boys and noted the must have tyre warmer s must have a spare set of wheels must change oil every two minutes ect .i did buy a track bike once which I will put up a photo but it never happened due to the projected cost of having two motors with all the tricklets one must have to go tracking .Whilst it does appeal to me and I can afford it I just can't justify the ongoing expense and for me "My thoughts only" I would rather have a 1098 with goodies galore and take my chances .Am I being controversial ?
Good work Gary! You don't hang around mate. This is my dilemma at the mo, and tbh you've done the right thing, apart from blowing up hiring the van was a pain in the arse, picking up and dropping off around my work (totally unsociable long commuting hours) was a ball ache and having to load EVERYTHING in and out is a pain in the arse. Don't own a car and need 4 wheels so was thinking I'd get a van to do both, prob is I want a vw really and they are sooo much dough which lead me to trailer / estate option. But like you I want storage... So for me it's either a van or box trailer. Saw some pretty cool set ups at donny last week so will have a think!! Box trailers are big buck though. It's a tough choice!
Not controversial at all Giv, I agree, setting up from fresh soon looks like it could drain the funds, not everything listed is a must have, I've got the bike, and now I can shift it, both of which would sell tomorrow should i need too, oil and fuel is only normal running, if I'm using one, I won't be on the other, if I get four outings on the tracker a year I'll be happy, Jimbo, I'd have loved a van but I couldn't justify it, box trailers are good, but I'm bitched with storage, and as you say, bloody expensive. £200 a year to store it then having to travel to fetch it each time. Good comments guys. Thank you.
I don't know much about trailers well in fact that's a lie... I know nothing about trailers however that looks like a good bit of kit mate
This is only my opinion , but its a van for me , Open the doors bike in strapped down , fuel , wheels and other bits , And if you do a two day track you've got somewhere to sleep also , When its in the van nobody really knows what your carrying , ( and I prefer that ) , vw is a great van firebloke has just bought one and looks good ,
I can vouch its a good van Barney, put my bike in there with no problems. We're hoping we could fit two in it? But that's for another story another time. If I could have persuaded Gill to swap her 500 for a transit I would have been in heaven. Sadly when I mentioned she could go round the streets collecting scrap metal she refused point blank
Till I found a local van hire place like Jimbo I had to use a place near work and it was a pain, plus having to get it back within 24 hours That said getting a 62 plate VW transporter for £45 for a day is a bargain for the small number of days I do - plus I am often able to use my mates 2 bike trailer if he is doing a TD. I get a company car and my current one goes off lease in September so little point in spending the cash putting a tow bar on it
Saw that one on eBay Jimbo. Mint ain't it. Al, I guess I'm only utilising what I have, I got the towbar for the wobble box so no extra to pay there. The trailer I've got, could easily convert to pull two bikes should I need too, I looked into the van hire, and like yourself, difficult to get within the 24 hour hire, and found I'd be paying for two days rather than the one. Good comments guys. Love to see us all chewing the fat on a Friday evening. That's what we're all here for
Well, funny you should mention it Barney. I was wondering if Stobbarts would miss a lorry every now and then
i have the best of both worlds,a large twin axle box trailer for the single away days,and a LWB converted camper with garage space in the rear for the bikes for longer trips,although i've not used the van for over 12 months now,it's very handy to have. track riding is very addictitve,and can be as cheap or as expensive as you like,warmers,stands and general t/day items can be had for a few hundred quid in total,especially if you look on other forums,loads of bargains to be had,but like most things,if you want the best bling then it will get silly. for me it beats road riding hands down,thats not to say i dont enjoy road riding,but the thrill of pushing your bike as hard as you dare in a safe enviroment (to you and others) is awesome.
Got a customer who has a Seat alhambra, he has the 04 plate one and he uses it for the grandkids and his classic race bike.He says its perfect for anything cos it is like a car with economy, toll booths and local tip barriers are car like and its comfortable.Best of several worlds.Galaxy and Sharan also the same.
Well summed up scooby. Thank you. look forwards to meeting you on the track some day soon Oh hang on, some fcukers parked their van on the page ^^^^
Sorry, couldn't help myself! I'm just so chuffed with it. On a serious note though, I looked at the options and if it wasn't for the fact that I can also use the van for work I think I'd have gone with the van hire option/borrowing a mates van. For the amount of times you're likely to do a trackday in a year it seems the most sensible option especially if you have nowhere to store a trailer as I haven't. And7rpt came up with a negative for his trailer in that his bike got covered with salt kicked up from the car. You could always strike a deal with a van hire company if you promise to hire at least four times in a year and have it back early morning so he can hire it out again for a full day.
