Big Pine Flat Trail Ride - Photo/Video Slide Show

[mrlmd1]

There's a variety of hitch mounted bike carriers with ramps included for ~$120 or less on Ebay for carrying bikes up to 400 lbs. so that may work for you.

[BusyWeb]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

A small pick me up would work great with a decent ramp. Best for me was a trailer that was lower than a pick-up bed and less loading/unloading worries. A trailer also gives you the option of a small car or small truck. Of course you need somewhere to park the trailer at home too.
At one time I also had a carrier across the back of a full size Bronco to haul my KDX 200. Worked great and was made from scraps of whatever I had accummulating dust. My only expense was a couple lights on it because the bike blocked the Bronco tail lights. It also had a ramp so I never had to lift the bike up.

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

There's a variety of hitch mounted bike carriers with ramps included for ~$120 or less on Ebay for carrying bikes up to 400 lbs. so that may work for you.

Thanks for the information.
These are my analysis for the my options.
1. No cage (car nor turck) this time.
2. Buy used one for specifically to use bike transportation to the destination.

*. Small pickup truck
>> Advantage:
>>>> nothing else needed except ramp.
>>>> could go over highway speed for the longer trip, save some time
>>>> if hitch is installed on the truck, I could rent U-Haul motorcycle trailer only when I needed it. Also can buy a good/cheap carrier (not sure small pickup could handle bike weight ??)
>>>> Can use it as regularlily when the bike is out-of-order or whenever needed
>> Dis-Advantage:
>>>> Gas mileage (20 mpg) more than small sedan
>>>> little bit discomfort for highway riding

*. Small sedan (Cage):
>> Advantage:
>>>> Gas mileage, about 25 to 30 mpg
>>>> Comfort riding
>>>> Can use it as regularlily when the bike is out-of-order or whenever needed
>> Dis-Advantage:
>>>> Have to buy Hitch Kit
>>>> Have to buy Trailer or rent at the time I needed
>>>> could not go over 55 mph at the highway
>>>> Don't have space for trailer (or buy Trailer-In-A-Bag which is expensive but looks good)
>>>> could not use hitch-carrier at all

*. Bigger vehicle (SUV, 1/2 ton, Van)
>> Everyting looks same as small cage, but much less MPG
>> Can use Hitch Carrier for SURE, and nice highway riding without problems.

My best option is the small pick-up or small sedan with higher loading capabilities !!!
Anything that I have to consider more for my option ???

[ncff07]

If it were me looking I'd go for a small truck. Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 or the likes. They can handle ALOT of weight. At one time or another I've owned a chevy s10 with a 4.3 v6, a ford ranger with a 4.0, a chevy blazer with a 2.8 and a gmc s15 jimmy with a 4.3 and now i drive a blazer with a 4.3. The 4.3 is a strong motor, the jimmy had the 4.3 same motor as my s10 truck and we used to pull a dual axle race car trailer loaded with a dirt track car plus tools and race stuff. It can definately handle the weight of a bike. Plus with a small truck you would have it if you ever needed to haul something. The ranger i had, when i bought it a class 3 hitch was already installed on it. You may be able to find a nice used truck with one already on it. And if not most trucks have a place to install a ball on the bumper. And I think it was northern tool you can buy a small trailer kit you put together yourself for $200 that includes everything except the flooring you have to put thick plywood or something on it but it would work to haul a bike on easily.

EDIT: i went and found that small trailer. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...duct_7262_7262 They also sell motorcycle shocks too.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5524_200395524

[Water Warrior 2]

Busy, given your needs and space requirements I would suggest a Ranger or Mazda pickup. A 4 cylinder model or 3 liter V6 is quite economical and will easily haul your bike without effort.
I had: 96 4cylinder/r speed manual
02 3 liter auto extended cab
07 4 liter/ manual 4x4 is my present driver.

The Mazda is a clone of the Ranger with slight trim and styling changes. They are very satisfying for my needs both past and present.

[ncff07]

I dont know about now but at one time Ford did buy into and own alot of Mazda's stock which is why i think the mazda truck looks almost identical to the ford ranger now days. And your right about gas mileage. My blazer with the 4.3 gets about 20 mpg. If i remember right a Nissan has 2 spark plugs on each cylinder which makes it more efficient. My dad used to own one of those.

[BusyWeb]

Originally Posted by ncff07

If it were me looking I'd go for a small truck. Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 or the likes. They can handle ALOT of weight. And I think it was northern tool you can buy a small trailer kit you put together yourself for $200 that includes everything except the flooring you have to put thick plywood or something on it but it would work to haul a bike on easily.
EDIT: i went and found that small trailer. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...duct_7262_7262 They also sell motorcycle shocks too.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5524_200395524

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Busy, given your needs and space requirements I would suggest a Ranger or Mazda pickup. A 4 cylinder model or 3 liter V6 is quite economical and will easily haul your bike without effort.

Thanks for the information/advice to make my decision.
Tonight, I searched the craigslist all night... ha ha ha
And, the Ranger looks pretty good candidate for me.
Hopley, I could get some nicer one and searching....searching..
My street bike will be gone by the time when the truck comes in (sad, but no choice for me ^^)
Thanks again.

[Water Warrior 2]

Busy, I would give you my Ranger if the lotto ticket wins but I commited it to a local rider here. He really needs something newer and safer.

[BusyWeb]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Busy, I would give you my Ranger if the lotto ticket wins but I commited it to a local rider here. He really needs something newer and safer.

Ha ha ha, I hope you win a lotto in the next drawing.....
My biggest winning was $10 in my life just couple of weeks ago...
Thanks, and wish to good luck for you and for ME... ^^;

[Water Warrior 2]

Thank you Busy. The odds are millions to one but if you don't play you can't win.

[ncff07]

Apparently I made one heck of a typo, it was suppose to say Northern Tool had bike CHOCKS not shocks. opps.