Anyone haul a motorcycle inside their cargo van?

[vagari]

I have a small 250 on/off road motorcycle I want to take with me when I get a van. I have been thinking to use a hitch carrier on the back of the van to carry it. Then I got to thinking about someone stealing or damaging it and was wondering about carrying it inside. I guess a motorcycle on the back would eliminate the stealth factor as well. <br><br>Anyone hauling a motorcycle inside? What are your thoughts? Wasting too much precious space inside? It would take up 6ft long by 2-3ft wide. I was thinking bed on one side and motorcycle on the other in the back of a van.<br><br>

 

[Guest]

I would put the bike in there and sleep in there and see how you like it. To me it would be crowded.

 

[Stillwater]

I've carried a motorscooter inside but never a motorcycle I owned. Even the scooter, I had difficulty maneuvering it due to vertical clearances. My motorcycle is 600 lbs and the scooter was less than 200. No way in heck I would attempt to move the motorcycle around without behind able to stand fully erect next to it. I've known folks who brought their bike inside the house to work on it in the winter... unmarried guys. LOL. If we're talking a 250 dual, then we're clearly talking carb(s) and not EFI.<em> [EDIT: and clearly I was wrong. LOL]&nbsp;</em> You're gonna get a pretty good gas smell, no? <br><br>Try it and see if you like it. The only way I would do it is if I could wall away the area for the bike from the sleeping area.

 

[vagari]

I have a Yamaha WR250R that is fuel injected so no smell. It weights 295lbs with a full tank of gas.<br><br>Although now that I think about it, having anything with gas in a van where I may need to heat or cook with propane would be stupid.<br><br>Never mind this question. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>Outside it stays. Just have to secure it well.

 

[Stillwater]

FI? Really?! Man, I never would have thought it with a 250 dual sport but then again my bikes have all been older. My bike now has four carbs and is a stinky sonuvagun when I shut it off (or start it.)

 

[Ballenxj]

Have you considered an enclosed trailer to keep the bike in? You could also store a few of your bigger items in there with it. <br>I'm looking into the possibilities of having a trailer as well. In fact, I started a thread about that here. <br>https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Towing-a-Trailer-behind-Your-Van-6133483 <br>-Bruce

 

[Nemo]

I have a box truck, and carry my street cruiser inside <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> &nbsp;gas smell has never been an issue, but I am also not even close to airtight! &nbsp;and when I'm parked out of town, usually one of the barn doors in back is open all day, so lots of fresh air <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>but even with an overlarge box truck, it sucks up alot of space and I'm just waiting to build myself up enough to sell it.. just isnt needed for me.<br><br>

I have a small 250 on/off road motorcycle I want to take with me when I get a van. I have been thinking to use a hitch carrier on the back of the van to carry it. Then I got to thinking about someone stealing or damaging it and was wondering about carrying it inside. I guess a motorcycle on the back would eliminate the stealth factor as well. <br><br>Anyone hauling a motorcycle inside? What are your thoughts? Wasting too much precious space inside? It would take up 6ft long by 2-3ft wide. I was thinking bed on one side and motorcycle on the other in the back of a van.<br><br>

 

[bpeck]

I DREAM of having a WR250 to put on the back of my van. &nbsp;Ughh that bike looks like so much fun!

 

[vagari]

It's a blast. Good power/suspension for a 250. Fairly light. I wanted a bike I could pick up if it fell on me as I usually ride alone

 

[StainedGlassGuy]

I have hauled a 2004, 1450cc Harley Night Train inside my 1998, Ford, 350 Cargo Van. Now, having said that ...<br><br>It does fit, but getting it inside took 4 guys (been easier with 6) and a lot of cargo straps. <br><br>First problem was the ramp and the weight of the bike. Could not ride it up the ramp and into the van. The roof was just high enough for the bike to fit without a rider. We had to push it up and through while supporting it to keep it from falling over. Eventually we did get it inside, strapped it down using lots of anchors that have been added to the floor. However, the hardest part was getting it out. Let's just say that this experience was one of those that we all have done at one time or another where afterwards we say, I will never ever do anything like that again. EVER.<br><br>What I was trying to save in dollars because I was too cheap to go rent a pull behind cart, I lost in sweat, labor, and mental anguish.<br><br>Sure glad it worked out, but never again.

 

[Terry]

I have a sportster and am looking to get an enclosed trailer to carry it around in. Don't know how much traveling I'll get to do but I like riding it and would like to have it with me when I am able to get away for awhile.

 

[Ballenxj]

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that a small enclosed trailer is the way to go. Not only keeps the bike secure, but also would work as a mini shop if you had to work on it. <br>-Bruce

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think it depends on the type of van and how you build it out.&nbsp; Ive seen a sprinter van with a garage in the back area.&nbsp; Since it was a high top, on the inside he put a bunk on top of the 'garage' but you could probably just put one in front (he has a bench seat that converts to a bed up there i think anyway), probably wouldn't work in a shorty.&nbsp; This guy is obviously pro tho, he put a shower/toilet next to the garage, kitchen, everything in there <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/redface.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>You can see what i mean at 1:30 or so.&nbsp; He put 2 bikes in this one so you can probably go smaller in a smaller van.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[user 423]

If you get an extended length van, that's an extra 2 feet or more of space for a bike. I've traveled with a small trail bike carried inside but before I loaded it I removed the gas tank and ran all the gas out of the carb to limit fumes. The tank was carried in an old cooler that rode on my cargo carrier with the generator. You could wall off one side of the van at the back to maintain stealth.&nbsp; If you're not going to use the bike frequently, then this would be OK. I usually stayed in an area for a week or two and took the bike exploring on fire roads and trails or down to Niland from Slab City.

 

[offroad]

Put my 1300 CC Honda VTX in the uhaul, and strapped it in the center, afetr turning it around to point out.&nbsp; worked for for 1000 mile trip.&nbsp; straps all held tight.

 

[Bodhi]

I have not said it out loud yet... but I did write it down in my journal/blog thing...&nbsp; I don't see how keeping my bikes ('81 GS1000, '85 Kawasaki Ltd 1100 and two '82 450T Hawks) would be feasible while living in my truck/camper/trailer rig.&nbsp; Wait!&nbsp; Add "easily" in there... I have not given up yet.<br><br>Good luck... be careful... live the life you love!&nbsp; If that means sniffin' gas in a cramped conversion van...&nbsp; RIGHT ON!&nbsp; You have my respect for it, and a little envy.<br><br>Bodhi