Purchase And Carrying A 125cc Motor Scooter On A Motorhome.

[Frank McAuley]

It is my intention to purchase a suitable motorscooter and rack for my mhome.

May I please have advice and information on this subject from those who have "travelled this path"?

I have been looking at Honda and PGO 125cc's .

[rupert123]

Frank McAuley - 2010-04-02 10:07 PM

 

It is my intention to purchase a suitable motorscooter and rack for my mhome.

May I please have advice and information on this subject from those who have "travelled this path"?

I have been looking at Honda and PGO 125cc's .

 

I have carried a Honda 125 on a rear rack for two years now, what exactly are you looking for. I will not insult your intelligence by going on about weights, as some will do, but if you are looking for particular advice or information please ask.

[Frank McAuley]

Please treat me as a complete novice on this subject and be as comprehensive as possible - even down to the make etc of the bike. Perhaps it may help to state that my mhome is an AS Wilton and it has "adjustable" air suspension fitted from new.

Many thanks- all advice gratefully accepted!

[Clive]

Frank,

To be sure you need to do several things.

Firstly your choice of scooter is fine.

Just because you have air suspension on your van does not guarantee you have adequate payload or more specifically sufficient rear axle spare capacity.

 

You need to weigh the van in fully loaded condition axle by axle to determine what actually are the weights. You then need to do (or have done) the geometry and maths for the increase in rear axle loading ( and corresponding reduction in front axle loading) when the weight of the rack and bike (Published dry weight plus oil, fuel and clutter) are allowed for.

Get the company you have in mind to fit the rack to do these calculations formerly for you in writing. The rating plate for the vehicle will have the maximum axle loadings printed on it.

Once you have satisfied yourself that all is within the ratiings then go for it.

Take care and don,t forget that helmet.

 

C.

 

 

[bob b]

If you find that the m/bike & rack proposal exceeds your weight limit, you could consider a trailer. There are quite a few different m/cycle trailers on the market now. Some you can fold up and stow in the motorhome when on site.

One trailer which caught my eye was a model where the m/cycle is loaded on 'sideways'. This cuts down the length quite a lot.

I tow my motorbike in the UK and Europe and really don't encounter any problems at all. I have a rear camera and have had to reverse on rare occasions, but with the camera I find it a doodle.

Apart from the bike being good fun, I can explore the area with ease and also park the bike just about anywhere ! I'm off to Europe in June for a month and shall be taking the bike and trailer.

It's worth considering if the weight issue is a problem.

[rupert123]

Frank McAuley - 2010-04-02 11:52 PM

 

Please treat me as a complete novice on this subject and be as comprehensive as possible - even down to the make etc of the bike. Perhaps it may help to state that my mhome is an AS Wilton and it has "adjustable" air suspension fitted from new.

Many thanks- all advice gratefully accepted!

 

OK Frank, this is what I did. I assume you will know that you cannot overload your rear axle, as Clive states best to check before committing. If you go onto Watling engineering website, think that is; www.watling-towbars.co.uk, then their is a calculator. You will need several things to work it out including the current rear axle loading with van fully loaded, weight of towbar/rack and weight of scooter. Get these loadings and do the measurements needed then you can work out if you have the capacity. I have a small van, 6.0 mtrs and max. 3300kgs but by cutting what we carry to minimun easily got within our weights despite being advised we would struggle. Purchase the lightest scooter you can find, we have a 125 Honda ANF125 which weigh's 99kg dry, this bike also has full size wheels personally I hate the small one's. I next looked at the tow bar, if you have a full length chassis, as my Swift does, then this will be no problem, mine was made for us and fitted by Coastal Tow Bars in North Wales who also did the wiring. We bought a rack from Watling Engineering and this simply bolts to the four holes in the towbar where a tow ball would normally go. Making the scooter secure was the only really awkward bit as the racks are made 'one size fits all' but with a bit of fiddling around was pretty easy. I can load and unload the bike on my own with no problem and with a bit of practice it now takes about two minutes to unload and five to load and secure. Mine is secured with three rachet straps, two on the handlebars, these come with the rack, and one larger one over the saddle. I also have a couple of caravan 'breakaway' cables fixed from the towbar to each wheel as some extra security. I did consider a trailor but dismissed it, as I have said many times before if you want to tow do the sensible thing and buy a caravan. If you can do it go ahead, it is not a complete answer to getting around but as we stay mostly on campsites we can easily cover an area of around 30 miles from the site so it is pretty good. We also considered electric bikes and if you cannot fit the scooter these make an alternative but the scooter is better. We do not have air suspension but intend to get it fitted this year, not because the rear sags, but to help with the extra bit of sway we get when scooter is loaded. If you require any more information please ask.

[Brian Kirby]

rupert123 - 2010-04-03 11:34 AM .............. I next looked at the tow bar, if you have a full length chassis, as my Swift does, then this will be no problem, mine was made for us and fitted by Coastal Tow Bars in North Wales who also did the wiring. We bought a rack from Watling Engineering and this simply bolts to the four holes in the towbar where a tow ball would normally go. ...............

Just one little caution regarding this arrangement.  If you do a Rupert did, do check that both rack, and more importantly towbar, have been designed and constructed to take the weight of the scooter.

Few standard towbars are designed for a static downforce over 100kg, and the combined weight of the scooter plus rack will be far more than this.  Most towbars are designed primarily for specified tractive loads, which the scooter will not impart, with a plated downforce limit.  What they are not necessarily designed for is the torsional loads that 120+kg of rack plus scooter, with its relatively high centre of gravity, will impart, especially when cornering, driving off, braking etc.  It would therefore be very unwise just to buy a standard towbar, and bolt a standard scooter rack to it, before checking with the respective manufacturers that both can be paired and used in this way.

Loss of scooter plus rack from the back of your van could land you in all kinds of trouble!

[rupert123]

Brian has a point here but as I said I had a towbar especially made. Not sure how you would check the loading as towbars on vans do not have to be plated. Just have to tell them what you want and then take the makers word for it.

[bob b]

Of course, if anyone likes combining motorcycling with motorhoming and would prefer a large motorcycle, then as I've said a few times before, get a trailer.

Towing doesn't necessarily always mean a car/caravan combination Rupert.

[rupert123]

bob b - 2010-04-03 3:37 PM

 

Of course, if anyone likes combining motorcycling with motorhoming and would prefer a large motorcycle, then as I've said a few times before, get a trailer.

Towing doesn't necessarily always mean a car/caravan combination Rupert.

 

I agree Robert what I said is just my opinion. Personally I love big bikes but not for use with my van for reasons previously stated.

[Frank McAuley]

Hi Folks

Tyou for all the advice/info so far. I have a few queries :-

1.when taking the mhome to the w bridge (prepared for a trip) would it be in order to have the tanks empty as that is my preferred mode of travel;

2.will the fitting of the rack and scooter upset the handling of the veh or because I have air suspension fitted will this be acceptable;

3. would a scooter weighing 130 kg be regarded aqs excessive;

4. will the fitting of the rack and scooter be of interest to the Insurance Comp?

 

[rupert123]

Frank McAuley - 2010-04-05 2:46 PM

 

Hi Folks

Tyou for all the advice/info so far. I have a few queries :-

1.when taking the mhome to the w bridge (prepared for a trip) would it be in order to have the tanks empty as that is my preferred mode of travel;

2.will the fitting of the rack and scooter upset the handling of the veh or because I have air suspension fitted will this be acceptable;

3. would a scooter weighing 130 kg be regarded aqs excessive;

4. will the fitting of the rack and scooter be of interest to the Insurance Comp?

 

1) Yes, assume you mean water tanks.

2) Mine not much, it did feel a little differant, lighter on steering and a little more sway at the back. With the air rides I feel you will notice very little differance, I do not have air suspension.

3) I think this is on the limit but depends on your carrier/towbar setup and spare capacity on rear axle.

4) My insurance company were not interested but you should check.

[Mel B]

Just popping in for a quick shuftie so apologies if this has already been mentioned above but ... the leverage effect - the further back the bike/rack is from the rear axle the greater the load will be on the axle, not just the actual weight of the bike and rack. Also remember that as well as the bike and rack if you have a garage model you also need to check what the maximum recommended load you can put in there is (including all of your other chatels too which you store in there).

 

I'm sure someone on here can remember the calculation to apply to work out the figure for the leverage effect on loading ...

[peterjl]

Hi

 

I would echoe Bob re trailer - i use a "motolug" which

1) has an easly load system - its a one person job

2) it folds away so i store in a shed at bottom of garden at home

3) nose weight is 20 kgs so no axle load problems

 

Whatever you do have fun

 

Peter

[Clive]

Air rides actually detract from the maximum possible payload as their own weight must be allowed for.

 

One option if you don,t have sufficient payload is the single caster wheel trailer called the Hydra Trail from Easy Lifter.

http://www.easylifter.co.uk/hydra-trail.htm

 

Only about a third of the total weight rests on the tow hitch. Reversing is just as if you don,t have a trailer apart from the additional length.

 

Not cheap though but looked well made when io gave it the once over at the NEC.

 

[Frank McAuley]

Hi Clive

Thankyou for the info re Hydra-Trail. I have been in discussion with "Easylift" and it is hopeful that we will close a deal for two of these racks tomorrow.

Once again this site and its contributors have produced the goods!!

[BGD]

We've also recently bought a Honda ANF125i to go on a specialist scooter rack which I had fitted to the rear of our MH here in Spain. The rack has a rated max loading weight of 110 kgs.

 

At only 109 kgs it's a brilliant scooter, with (just) enough poke to carry two people around at up to about 50mph.

It's also a lot more stable than the small-wheeled scooters, as it has full size wheels. It also has a kickstart as well as electric start. And being the next generation on from the old Honda C90, is bulletproof.

 

I have bought and fitted a big windscreen for it from a Company called Puig....which is excellent too.

 

Well happy with it!

[Frank McAuley]

Hi Folks

Purchased Easylifter Hydra-Trail and also ordered a Honda 125 PS scooter. I'm now going to open a new thread on advice as to the use of a scooter with a mhome.Many thanks.

[Clive]

"I have bought and fitted a big windscreen" Sacrillage! It will take at least 10 MPH off the top speed and half your street cred!

 

Enjoy

 

C.

 

[Stewart Hendry]

Hi, As you have kindly contributed to a previous thread on the subject of trailers any chance that you could have a look at the question that I have just posted on similar subject. Many thanks, Stewart

[djchapple]

rupert123 - 2010-04-03 3:32 PM

 

Brian has a point here but as I said I had a towbar especially made. Not sure how you would check the loading as towbars on vans do not have to be plated. Just have to tell them what you want and then take the makers word for it.

 

How do you know that the back of the van is strong enough to carry the weight. Asking the man, who fitted it, if it is strong enough is like asking someone in the street if the banking regulation is adequate. They may well give you a reply but how do you know if it means anything.

 

Unless the people fitting the bar have the necessary technical skills (and most will not) to give a valid reply then their advice is worthless.

 

There is also the fact that unless you get it done properly and notify the insurers of the modifications than your insurance may well become invalid.

[djchapple]

Frank McAuley - 2010-04-06 8:43 PM

 

Hi Clive

Thankyou for the info re Hydra-Trail. I have been in discussion with "Easylift" and it is hopeful that we will close a deal for two of these racks tomorrow.

Once again this site and its contributors have produced the goods!!

 

The easy lift must itself be very heavy. The combined weight must be huge.

[rupert123]

djchapple - 2010-04-12 9:41 PM

 

rupert123 - 2010-04-03 3:32 PM

 

Brian has a point here but as I said I had a towbar especially made. Not sure how you would check the loading as towbars on vans do not have to be plated. Just have to tell them what you want and then take the makers word for it.

 

How do you know that the back of the van is strong enough to carry the weight. Asking the man, who fitted it, if it is strong enough is like asking someone in the street if the banking regulation is adequate. They may well give you a reply but how do you know if it means anything.

 

Unless the people fitting the bar have the necessary technical skills (and most will not) to give a valid reply then their advice is worthless.

 

There is also the fact that unless you get it done properly and notify the insurers of the modifications than your insurance may well become invalid.

 

Interesting but useless comments. First the back of the van does not take any weight, the chassis does. How do I know it is strong enough, the chassis that is, in my case both Swift and Fiat say it is. Now the tow bar, how do you suggest people find out that the people making the tow bar have the skills, I would like to know. How do you, in your words, get it done properly. It is not a fact that insurance will become invalid, suggest you check the insurance industries code of conduct. Sometimes you just have to accept that a company knows what they are doing or not get things done at all.

[BGD]

Clive - 2010-04-10 10:07 PM

 

"I have bought and fitted a big windscreen" Sacrillage! It will take at least 10 MPH off the top speed and half your street cred!

 

Enjoy

 

C.

 

Can't be taking a whole 10mph off the top speed Clive, as we can still (just about) make a form of forward progress....glacial, but forward nonetheless.

 

Street cred was ruined years ago by buying a..................... motorhome.......ahem.

[onecal]

The hydra trail looks good,,,,Would a second wheel give better balance and may allow larger bikes to be transported,

Looks a good idea, I too had a good look at it in the NEC, little worried about how stable it may be on one wheel, also solid carry frame may be better than the three piece ease of storage carry frame.

Anyone out there with experience of same,

Regards,

Brendan