Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Buying a Van

[rockhopper]

I'm not sure what make my trailer is, its on semi permanent loan from my neighbour. It'll take 3 crossers but only one road bike. Its got checker plate decking so you can push the bike up then put the side stand down while you strap it on.

[Jon]

Originally posted by desmojen

Yeah, my last one was a pain in the tits as well, cost us a fortune! However, they drive so much nicer than transits, even the new ones, and they are faster too!

Yes they are faster Jen, but at least the doors don't fall off

[TP]

I bought a transit and I got the insurance very cheap with a company that specialise in motorcycle transporter insurance.
Mileage limit is 5k per year but very cheap, also no commuting in it.

£280 a year for me - 29 years old.

If you want to know who it is let me know.

I just felt the transit suited my needs better overall, bearing in mind that I can't take the car without leaving Ange and the kids stranded - a huge con for the trailer option.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by TP]

[Redruth]

Cheers Tony. Insurance is a necessary evil. I have to say I don't let that sway me too much when choosing a vehicle. If I did, I'd never have bought a Ducati in the first place!

But I'm definitely going for the VW badge now. A Transporter, the dark red, went past me when I was walking the dog this evening and they're quiet, not like a transit. Once again, it's a thing that's fixed in my head and will take some serious negatives to shift it in favour of something else.

Mind you, this time last year I was feeling like that about 'winibego' style vans and didn't end up getting one - mainly lack of funds though, not lack of determination.

[ali]

For the love of God Ruthie don't bloody ride yer bike up the ramp!!! By all means use the engine to run it up, but not while sitting on it! Less 'mind your head', more 'mind your entire body'.....

I must admit I've never had any probs loading a van alone as long as you've got a couple of bits of foam handy and a decent ramp/plank.

I'm also running the van/car debate around my head at the mo. I know all reasonable thought points to a used Ford Focus/Audi A4 or similar, but I can't get it out of my head how much I want a van!

Time (and the bank manager) will tell....

Ali

[MARTIN H]

I have a Citreon Dispatch Hdi that I bought a couple of years ago for work and general carting of all types of junk about. Its a great thing and very useful indeed and I dont think I could be without it now. It drives like a car does loads of miles to the gallon and will cruise at 90mph all day. I used to do the trailer thing but got sick of it especially when the weather was bad. Its not the biggest of vans but I used to easily get my 996 in and can now get the Multistrada in without too much trouble.

More often than not if I have to nip out I jump in the van and not my lovely Jaguar XJR (Supercharged 390 bhp!) I have found myself wondering whether to get rid of the jag and buy a nicer van and another Ducati to go with the Multistrada!

As for insurance I was quite shocked at the time as I could not add the van to my existing policy and had to start afresh with Zero no claims bonus. I tried a load of insurers who all wanted an arm and a leg until a friend of a friend told me to go to NFU (National Farmers Union) who were by far the cheapest. I think they give you 1 years NCB to start with.

[ali]

Originally posted by MARTIN H
I have a Citreon Dispatch Hdi

We looked at a Dispatch today but couldn't work out if you could get one bike in, let alone two...

I measured my 900SL when I got home and it looks like it'll go in (202cm long with the bars on full lock).

Cheers,

Ali

[bolds]

My brother has a Vauxhall vivaro (same as renault/nissan) and it is brilliant to drive ,just like a car and quieter than my company car as well

[MARTIN H]

I ended up with the bike in a diagonal fashion in the dispatch with the handlebars on full lock. It seemed to be the easiest way to have the bike to strap down securely. One of my mates got a Vivaro 18 months ago and had done 70k miles in it and still loves it. I am considering one myself as I cannot get a 7 foot pool table in the Dispatch without having to tie the back doors to. The Vivaro just swallows the same table easily.

I Rent fruit machines, pool tables, juke boxes etc to pubs and clubs in case you are wondering why the pool table thing is a factor to me!

Martin

[Jon]

Originally posted by Fordie

Explain please why one of our BHC personel is being assisted in this way Jon 4D

Her hands were full of course:P