Vans!

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

Just what is was looking for - great response!! Just wondering - why no love for the Chevy or Dodge? I actually found a 7.3L diesel one locally but diesel is more expensive around here - plus there are only 2 biodiesel pumps in L.A. now and they want $4.25/gallon

Looks like it's the gas version for me - would a KTM 5## EXC-R fit right in without dropping the bars? I know, I know - more frigging questions. I figure the way to run this van is get someone to share the gas money on the weekends......

I think a chevy or Dodge would be fine too- seems like all of the full size vans are about the same size, same price, and get around the same mileage.

With my econoline, I can put my 525 inside fine, but it is a bit easier if I compress the forks with a strap before rolling it in. I also run a sub-mount damper, so the bars are higher than stock.

[garandman]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

Just what is was looking for - great response!! Just wondering - why no love for the Chevy or Dodge? I actually found a 7.3L diesel one locally but diesel is more expensive around here - plus there are only 2 biodiesel pumps in L.A. now and they want $4.25/gallon

Looks like it's the gas version for me - would a KTM 5## EXC-R fit right in without dropping the bars? I know, I know - more frigging questions. I figure the way to run this van is get someone to share the gas money on the weekends......

I've got pics of my V-Strom with windshield and mirrors removed in the back of a Chevy Express, but Smugmug is read-only at the moment. Stay tuned.

IIRC the load doors are 48" high and the ceiling 55".

The Ford Transit Connect has more headroom, but is too short for long bikes like the V-Strom. An SV650 fits right in.

[Robb Mc]

Originally Posted by spagthorpe

4x4 is going to hurt fuel mileage, so unless you really like taking the van into stupid places, probably not necessary. Personally I'd rather park the van and ride to the stupid places.

Hayduke just has 4x4 envy..

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by Robb McElroy

Hayduke just has 4x4 envy..

true

[garandman]

V-Strom in a Chevy Express with windshield and mirrors removed.

[Joz]

Then you guys probably aren't interested in my 2.5L turbo diesel Mazda Bongo camper van....

Remove the middle & rear bench seats (which converted into a HUGE bed) and I could stuff my 750cc Africa Twin in there! Oh, and with the pop-top I could sleep 2 in the loft with the bike below and get ~25 mpg. And I drove that thing like a sports car. Oh, and it was 4WD with a 6 speed automatic.









Of course to get the bike in I had to remove the fairing & the mirrors.
I can't find pictures of it right now, but I've actually hauled 3 bikes with that van - without a trailer! Two inside (CRM-250 & TS50) and a trials bike on a hitch carrier.

Ahhh, that was a great van! If we could only get stuff like that here in the US.

[Geek]

Joz: you should have disassembled it and shipped it back as "parts" with the Africa Twin

[Joz]

I pretty much gave that thing away. "Blew" the engine weeks before I left. Sold (gave) it to a buddy who later told me that all I did was strip the head bolt threads out of the block. He had it back on the road for about £250! Oh well. Might have had something to do with the way I drove it!

I should have been able to sell it for about £4000!

[Hayduke]

Sweet Van, Joz. Wish we had those here!

[Gummee!]

Y'all seen the new Nissan NV series of 'vans?'



EXCEPT for the part where there's no doghouse in the cabin. Oh, and the high roof version. They say that someone 6'3" can stand upright in the tall version. Lessee... that'll give me 7" of headroom!

M

[Hayduke]

not a van

[Hotspice]

Originally Posted by natedog39

$1,800

01 5.7 99,000 miles.

Damn, you stole that thing..

I poke around here regularly looking for the next toy.. http://www.floridachurchbus.com/ Mostly just window shopping though.

You could probably fab a plate that flips off the end of the ramp so you don't have to worry about the board slipping.

[TroySmith]

Yeah, i have to agree with Hayduke, that thing is not a van. It's a high-top Armada.

Which isn't to say it is not a cool rig. Definitely would be nice not to have the doghouse in the cabin, and it's probably quieter. But something is lost too.



LOVE LOVE LOVE the mazda. I saw your location was Colorado and as i was reading the post i was thinking how the hell did he have a rig like that in the US and is started getting my hopes up. Then they were dashed at the end of the post! 4,000 lbs isn't bad for an AWD diesel pop-top van! It'd top my list over a ford for what i need/want to do. (except i'd want a high-top rather than pop-top, but i'm sure that could be arranged)

[z@ch]

Well it's ugly enough to be a van!

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by Hotspice

Damn, you stole that thing..

I poke around here regularly looking for the next toy.. http://www.floridachurchbus.com/ Mostly just window shopping though.

You could probably fab a plate that flips off the end of the ramp so you don't have to worry about the board slipping.

That was $300 more than NY Bus Sales gave our district in trade for it too,,,,,which is they're policy if an employee wants to purchace a trade bus.

I do plan to make something permenant to ease loading the bike,,,I'll be sure to post pics when I do.