Best Bike for a Motorhome?

[Ivory55]

If touring along way from home and in different places would you want to much shiney stuff on display, something less attractive might be a good shout. No point looking for bother.

 

[scotzsue]

We used a 690Duke fitted in the garage of our last Motorhome. Now have a 790, it also fitted but we ave changed vans and it is now on an easy lifter.

 

[peterc10]

If touring along way from home and in different places would you want to much shiney stuff on display, something less attractive might be a good shout. No point looking for bother.

Hidden away in the motorhome garage and only comes out when we use it.

 

[Ivory55]

Hidden away in the motorhome garage and only comes out when we use it.

Sorry didn’t mean you, the other poster was on about going to Asia

 

[nicholsong]

Welcome

Can I just ask what motorcycle licence you have - it could have a bearing on what's suitable and also, for motorhome whether you have a C1?

And for a bit of fun how about a Suzuki GSX-R 1000R over 200bhp and loads of fun and easy to fit in the MH

View attachment 461283

"Easily fit in a MH" my foot.

It is supposed to be in the garage!

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[Bigbass]

I quite agree. Our cheap folding electric bikes cost us over £1500. I bought my Suzuki Address as a 5 month old ex-demonstrator with 110 miles on the clock. It cost a fiver short of £1400 including a new top box and VED. Fully comp insurance for the year is around £90 and VED is £20.

Yes thats the long and short of it. We are using full spec mountain ebikes that go anywhere, 40 mile range and you need a hook up to recharge, park the van for 3days and cycle and move on. Works for us at the moment, post lock down of course.

 

[Shaun929]

No problem Shaun, happy to help..
I was originally going to have a Malibu and it would fit in that garage, same size as the Carthago I believe. However they do vary in height depending on single beds or double bed fitment.
Carthago quote this for our 149LE.

"Rear garage interior height
1200 mm
Rear garage door width / height Passenger side
1050/1140 mm"
See attached a picture of the height of the bike showing room to spare. Mirrors have been removed and replaced with bar end jobbies which fit in not problem. In or out of the van in about 3 mins, job done with no messing about.
Be aware of your rear axle loading, we got close to the 2500kg limit with "everything" in the van so had rear air fitted / new tyres and up-plate to 4800kg with 2700kg available now on the rear axle.

View attachment 461437

Thanks for that. Mine is the i500 Malibu with the double bed so the garage is smaller in height. Mine is on the 2500kg rear axle so maybe would have to look at that, but it does look like it will fit.
cheers.
shaun

 

[Vansflyer]

Thanks for that. Mine is the i500 Malibu with the double bed so the garage is smaller in height. Mine is on the 2500kg rear axle so maybe would have to look at that, but it does look like it will fit.
cheers.
shaun

No Bother. Not sure how heavy the I500 is compared to the C-Tourer? We tend to travel "heavy" if heading off for a long trip like last winter. Full water 150l, Full fuel, gas, clothes for all weathers, KTM, 2 x helmets and Motorcycle gear + 2 x bikes etc etc and at that point we were close to the 2500 on the rear. I got the van weighed prior to purchase and worked the rest out on a spreadsheet to give me an idea, the spreadsheet was more pessimistic than me and we were under what it said we would be. Rear air is 2k ish + 2 new tyres and the paperwork cost, then BOSH you have loads of spare left ;-)

 

[Notnefmail]

Many thanks All

It looks like the 3 most popular options are:

1) Ktm Duke 390/790
2) Grom
3) e-bike(s)

 

[Richard n Ann]

I really like the Honda CB650R but it's a lot heavier.
Something to consider is the under seat storage on a scooter, it's extremely handy for shopping even with the back box. Personally if I was buying again I'd go for the SH125i

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[Wikky]

We have a Suzuki GSR600 and a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter. I prefer the motorbike but the scooter is easier to get on as a pillion passenger and has a lot more storage. We store helmets and clothing under the scooter seat and in a back box so we don't have to carry it around. The scooter is easy to ride as the weight is low down and can do at least motorway speeds 2 up.

 

[Vansflyer]

We have a Suzuki GSR600 and a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter. I prefer the motorbike but the scooter is easier to get on as a pillion passenger and has a lot more storage. We store helmets and clothing under the scooter seat and in a back box so we don't have to carry it around. The scooter is easy to ride as the weight is low down and can do at least motorway speeds 2 up.

I had a Bergman 400 a few years ago and loved it, so practical for getting around. I looked at one for the van but the weight was too much for our payload balance at 215kg. How do you carry yours?

 

[Wikky]

I had a Bergman 400 a few years ago and loved it, so practical for getting around. I looked at one for the van but the weight was too much for our payload balance at 215kg. How do you carry yours?

It's on an Armitage side loading trailer modified with a manual winch.

 

[jongood]

My Duke 390. Fantastic bike, I'm on it all summer

Ann prefers the scooter though so only took it away once

View attachment 461388

Thats surely got to be over weight on the rear axle?

 

[jongood]

We travel with a Tiger 800 or Yamaha Xmax on a trailer so probably not what you want.

Anyway, someone on here will have just what info you need.

can I ask how tall your Xmax is when its sat on the wheels? and does the screen come off? We ve currently got a 300cc Aprilia Sport City which was the largest scooter I could get into the previous Arto but now looking for something with a longer seat? Ive got 1282mm height.

Thanks
Jon

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[Vansflyer]

It's on an Armitage side loading trailer modified with a manual winch.

Got it, thank you.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thats surely got to be over weight on the rear axle?

Maybe, never weighed it. It is only a short overhang though.

 

[XxAnthxX]

Maybe, never weighed it. It is only a short overhang though.

It’ll be fine....with helium in the tyres and a few birthday balloons attached.

 

[A S R]

390 Duke all day long! Small, lightweigh, very pokey, comfy and blooming good fun!

 

[stevewagner]

My Duke 390. Fantastic bike, I'm on it all summer

Ann prefers the scooter though so only took it away once

View attachment 461388

Hi there - can you tell me the height from the ground to the to the top of the speedo? Trying to see if it will fit in my garage - thanks.

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[Vansflyer]

Just found this for someone else. It fits in my C-Tourer no problem.

 

[A S R]

The 790 is a lot heavier than a 390. The 390 is still very good 2 up.
The Grom is a good bike if solo but gutless with a passenger. There’s not enough grunt to get you out of trouble.

 

[Vansflyer]

The 790 is a lot heavier than a 390. The 390 is still very good 2 up.
The Grom is a good bike if solo but gutless with a passenger. There’s not enough grunt to get you out of trouble.

About an extra 25kg at my best guess for the 790 but an extra 63 bhp... oh my ;-)

 

[A S R]

About an extra 25kg at my best guess for the 790 but an extra 63 bhp... oh my ;-)

True but if you’re tight on payload it may be a compromise. Trailered then superb.

 

[Vipar]

I’m not allowed a m/bike. She wants me to live

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[Taran_Las]

Honda CB300R

 

[Richard n Ann]

The Duke 790 is now discontinued but the 890 euro 5 replaces it and it's lighter

 

[Richard n Ann]

The Duke 790 is now discontinued but the 890 euro 5 replaces it and it's lighter

Problem is they want 10 grand for it which is absurd. The Honda CB650R is only 7 and that is Honda quality and reliability 203kg though.

 

[A S R]

I’ll keep saying it..... 390 Duke! Pocket sized cheap fun!

 

[Vansflyer]

I’ll keep saying it..... 390 Duke! Pocket sized cheap fun!

Yep, I agree 100%. Small enough for the garage, big enough for two I can't fit panniers on the incoming 790 so I might just keep the 390 for the van. Big smiles per miles.

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