Forum

[p]

A tow ball rack would be over-stretched to carry bike; but more than capable of bearing the front wheel weight.... wonder if our friends at Bak-Rac would be able to come up with something?

[p]

I just emailed bak rac to ask.... but then I got thinking! If front wheel removed, perhaps forks would then fit onto a "dummy" front axle suitably fixed to rear of car; is this too simple to be viable?

[Dennis C]

The front axle is designed to support the front of the bike when being ridden and will mostly only have a vertical force applied, Not sure how well it would cope with the side forces applied such as when cornering and bouncing down a bumpy road with the weight of the bike twisting it.

[hagis]

There is a motorcycle towing dolly used in VGC on e bay for £90 or make me an offer, if you have a need for one then this seems to be very reasonable to transport your pride and joy.

[jefrs]

Just to be perfectly clear, there is no tow ball motorcycle or scooter rack out there that can carry more than 120kg.



The means we cannot carry an Enfield on a tow ball rack.



In any case the nose weight of an Antara is only 80kg, which although capable of towing 1750kg, won't support a bike back.

Otherwise the Antara is an almost ideal tow machine, in stock form (mine's well tweaked) 184PS, 400Nm, intelligent 4x4, hill decent, self-levelling sus, short rear overhang, CBC, EPS, etc etc, and Trailer Stability Program.



I don't like the dolly idea, certainly not for 500 miles each way.



And fitting a tow ball to the Antara will cost £420, which kinda rules out the towing idea.

A bike transporter will work out cheaper even before adding on cost of trailer.



Any views on bike transportation services?

[papasmurf]

[jefrs]

Nice! - but max permissible roof load of Antara is 100kg and we've already got a Thule box up there

[PeteF]

If someone want £420 to fit a towbar you're going to the wrong place.
There is the point that, if you buy a trailer then you have it for future use.

[papasmurf]

£420 does seem a very dear price, having had a look around the internet.

[jefrs]

That £420 is to fit a removable Antara tow bar to the Antara c/w labour. It's a special fit that goes up and around the rear bumper. I learnt long ago not to go to Bogit and Bend for these things, the right part fits and works right first time, plus it's safe.



And it's not going to happen at that price. I've never needed a trailer and I've got nowhere to store one.



Any views on bike transport services?