Motorcycle rack?

[Automobilist]

For the trips we're not towing our enclosed trailer filled with race car or dual-sport bikes, I'm thinking of a hitch mount bike rack. What are experiences using these? Likely bikes to haul would be either a KTM450, or Kawasaki KLX250. Both weigh about 290#.


Winnebago Journey 36DL

[Rich and Cork]

I use one like this for my KTM 450

UltimateMXHauler

They load and unload very nicely. Mine is actually a Moto Jack Rack, but they appear to be out of business; so if looking for used, that would be one to try to find.

[Larry & Rita]

My DW and I were just talking last night aboout buying two small motor bikes, and hauling them on our MH, rather than buying a Toad and tow bar.
I am going to watch this thread.
It's crazy this would come up the next day.
Thanks
Larry

[Jimmyzw22]

I have and use the Moto Jack as stated above and it has worked great.

[bruceh]

I got a cheap one at Harbor Freight, works well enough for one bike.

[bluepill]

I use a steel carrier for my WR250. I Don't trust aluminum, as I have seen it rip with no warning, where steel will bend a lot first. I found it online, paid $250 freight prepaid a few years back. It uses a large bolt rather than a pin to secure it to the receiver, so it doesn't rock. It's rated at 300 pounds, but I consider it over built. Has a simple ramp to load with, which works fine for a light bike.

[bluepill]

Originally Posted by Larry & Rita

My DW and I were just talking last night aboout buying two small motor bikes, and hauling them on our MH, rather than buying a Toad and tow bar.
I am going to watch this thread.
It's crazy this would come up the next day.
Thanks
Larry

Just to mention carrier options for two bikes. There are double channel carriers which would be OK for 2 bikes under about 250 pounds each, but only on a MH. On a car, it would be too much leverage and stick too far back. You also have the option of one in front and one in back, but that would be more expensive and the front bike would be exposed to road debris.

Rear engine scooters are a problem to carry because they are rear heavy. Small Dual Sport cycles would be a good bet, IMO.

2 good forums for D/S motorcycles are ADVRider and ThumperTalk.

[Yaj]

I built these for our bikes! The rear one is strong enough to pull our 22ft cruiser boat!
I set up 3 receiver hitches on each end of our MH, any thing I make can fit on either end, or they come off easily and look real clean.

[Rich and Cork]

On a previous motorhome I welded two receiver tubes at the ends of the frame mounted hitch and used those as the starter for a two bike system. So it had two 2x2 tubes coming out of the two 2 1/2 receivers and then two channels across those. I then bolted them together and loaded up.

[bluepill]

Really nice fab, Yaj. I'm liking the rear set-up especially. If you could post some more detailed photos, it would be appreciated.

I also like your carport. Is it custom or pre-engineered?

Thanks

Lenny

[Automobilist]

I think the triple receiver method would be the best. I don't like the thought of a bike or two bouncing around back there on one of the single mount racks. Too much torque on one welded joint... We'll probably use our KTM450 & KLX250 dual sport bikes, but anyone have one of those cool MadAss 150 bikes?

[Yaj]

Here is the back side of the front rack, looking at it from just in front of the right front tire. It's u-bolted to the push frame and u-bolted to the generator mount in the center, and attached to the frame rails on the sides.

Here are 2 pictures of the rear rack, the turn buckles attach to a bolt that goes through the bumper and then continues forward and up to a conection place way up by the bed.

This picture shows some of the additional attachment points under the radiator. I threw lots of extra steel at it!

I know, it needs more paint.

Here is the MH Port. I just told them (American Steel Co. I think) how long, wide and tall I wanted it, and much cheeper than I could have done it myself there it was!!!

It really turned out nice. I put full hook ups including cable tv on the side of the house right next to the MH's hook ups! We call it Fort Wilderness North!

[Triker56]

For Rear Lifts have your front & rear axle weighted when loaded for travel.
Then you can add on the extra weight of a lift by below.
Measure the distance from the center of rear axle to the center of the weight(Lift).
Divide that number by the RV’s wheelbase.
Multiply the result by 100 to get percent.
That percent of the load is added to the load and becomes the total load added to the rear axle.
That percent of the load is subtracted from the front axle weight and unloads the front axle by that amount.

800 lb bike, Lift 100 lb=900 lb
Center axle to rear 120” wheelbase 240”
120 divide by 240=0.50 X 100= 50%
Weight is 1350 lb added to rear axle
Front axle will be 450 lbs lighter

[Downsizer]

We have a Kymco 250 Scooter that we haul behind our DP with a VERSAHAUL lift system on it.... works very well and simple to load on and off.