Bikes should be driven free and wild, with no restrictions on where they can go. But there are some cases when you need to transport your motorcycle by another means of transportation. Whether you’re just a casual motorcycle rider or an adventurer, there are several ways to transport your bike with you. The best one is with the help of a motorcycle carrier.
A reliable carrier is a must for every bike owner. Whether it’s for hauling your bike to a faraway place or a simple weekend ride, motorcycle carriers take the hassle out of bike transportation.
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Keeping Your Bike Safe and Secure
Loading your motorcycle onto a pickup truck or trailer is harder than it looks. The many different motorbike carriers on the market present one of the easiest and safest ways to transport your bike and can make the whole process a breeze. With just a few seconds of setup, the carrier connects to your vehicle’s hitching system. The main support is typically made from a sturdy steel frame, featuring an anti-tilt bracket for extra rigidity and freedom from side-to-side movement. For maximum security, you need four tie-downs. The bike is ready to hit the road when placed on the back of your vehicle with a motorcycle bike rack.
source: pinterest.com
Durable Investment
A motorcycle carrier rack will last as long as your motorcycle. A well-designed carrier rack won’t even rust, it will simply get replaced with a newer version when the old one gets worn out or moved to another vehicle. And when it does go bad, you can replace just the part that’s broken without replacing the entire unit.
Installing a motorcycle carrier rack onto your car is a simple process that you can do yourself with very few tools. You can usually do it in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months for something like an aftermarket seat conversion kit or bumper bar (where parts and installation would require the services of a professional mechanic).
Easy to Use
There is a range of motorcycle carriers available on the market. If your carrier is compatible with your vehicle, you shouldn’t go through too much hassle installing it. Always make sure that the model you choose is easy to assemble, comes with clear instructions, and can be used for a variety of different bikes. It should be not only sturdy and durable but also practical. A good carrier allows you to just walk your bike up the ramp and use the tie-down points. It should be a piece of cake!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle Carrier
Materials
Some motorbike carriers are made from steel, while others are made from aluminium. Aluminium carriers tend to be lighter and easier to carry, but they are also quite noisy. Steel carriers are heavier, but they are also more durable and sturdier. The best option is to buy a motorcycle carrier that is made mostly of tube steel, with aluminium for the carrier and the ramp. This way, you have both a strong and durable carrier, that is also light and easy to move.
Capacity
A single motorbike carrier can carry a maximum of 180 to 270 kg depending on the model, but some high-end models can carry even more weight than that. Steel constructed models can bear greater loads than aluminium ones.
Vehicle Compatibility
Hitch receivers are grouped into one of five classes, based on vehicle type and load capacity. A class 1 receiver has a tongue capacity of around 140 kg, which makes it suitable for sedans, SUVs, sub-compact vehicles, vans, and trucks. Class 4 and 5 receivers have a tongue capacity of 1200 kg, but they can be used only with full-size pickup trucks. Class 2 hitches work with cars, crossovers, minivans and multipurpose vehicles (MPVs).
Bike Weight
If you are looking to purchase a motorcycle carrier, first consider the weight of your bike. If your bike is smaller and light-weight, a motorcycle carrier with a 180 kg capacity should be adequate. Heaver motorcycles require steel frame carriers with a bigger capacity (270 kg or more).
source: pinterest.com
A Few Other Ways to Move Your Motorcycle
One of the best ways to transport a motorcycle is by using a motorcycle carrier. However, there are a few different options for transporting your bike. Here’s a comparison of some of the most popular choices.
Rack and Pinion
The rack and pinion system uses heavy-duty racks, which can be specified in your automobile depending on whether it is a convertible or hardtop. These systems are usually mounted on the trunk floor, but some models allow them to mount on the roof. The rack and pinion carriers have been around since the 1960s and have become one of the most popular ways to transport motorcycles to mechanics or other desired places.
Lift Stands
Lift stands are very similar to rack and pinion carriers, but lift stands use specially made stands that allow you to easily lift your bike off the ground without having to remove it from the vehicle. They also have hooks underneath, so if you want to hook up your bike to a trailer or tow vehicle you can easily do so without having to remove it from its stand. Lift stands are perhaps one of the best ways to transport your motorcycle, especially if you plan on keeping your vehicle for a long period of time (i.e., more than one month).
Tow Bars
A tow bar is a two-pronged system that attaches a vehicle to another vehicle. The first prong usually hooks up to the hitch of a truck so that the tow bar can be threaded into the hitch and pulled out at will. The second prong is used for attaching the trailer, another bike carrier, or any other vehicle you want to tow behind your motorcycle.
The main disadvantage of this style of bike transport is that it takes up a lot of space or hardware on your motorcycle. Most vehicles have a hitch system that is only 3 inches wide; this means that the car will sit about three inches below your seat when you are driving it.
To Sum Up
Motorcycle carriers are an important car accessory for any motorcyclist. Motorcycle carriers are a convenient and safe way to move your bike from A to B. It eliminates the hassle of taking your bike through crowded public transport or trying to squeeze it into a car. Consider how you’re going to use your carrier before making a purchase as this will help you decide which type is best for you. Whether you love or hate your carrier, there’s one thing we can all agree on: they make moving bikes easier.