I’m looking at a Transit Connect L2 (longer wheelbase) as an option to go halves with a mate, but it has to be able to get 2 bikes in, and a few bits of kit (not generators etc) just ramps and riding gear. Has anyone got one? The dimensions look tight, 16cm height available over the bike and length wise looks like it will clear a bike by about 15cm so snug! Anyone got one and does similar? I could get a transit SWB But ideally want something as small as possible that I can use ‘slightly’ more as a car, ie drive to work in etc. Also a 1.6TDCI option while probably gutless with two bikes in would be cheaper to run most other times.
I got connects for the guys at work. If honest I reckon you’d get one bike in but it would be tight as anything. it may well be doable, I’ve seen some amazing feats at trackdays and race weekends over the years haha but honestly I’d consider a medium sized van instead personally. It’s not just length you may find is an issue, I reckon the screen might need to come out every time depending. Swb no chance unless you remove the bulkhead and it would still need to go in wonky.
I think you are right. I had a look at the various years and looks like the older models only have a load length of 1950mm even the longer ones, and wouldn’t want to remove the bulkhead with 450KG of bikes in the back. Plus daily usability and comfort. I guess that means SWB Tranny, which is a shame but even loaded up we’ve managed to fill them with crap
I’ve seen a VW Caddy Max take 2 track day bikes but it’s a tight squeeze, you might be better with a mid sized van like a Nissan NV 200 a little larger than a Connect but notso big as a Vito, Vivaro or Transit. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-N...323357?hash=item59610ce11d:g:QbAAAOSwtYNf6zad
I bought one brand new and hated it. It was a pain to load with just one bike so I got rid after a year and went back to a Transit custom.
a quick look suggests the load length is similar on the NV200 unless there is a longer wheelbase version, will have a decent look. Not against it though, likely to be cheaper than a transit. VW are too much money I think unless I go really big and half convert one so we can sleep in it but then it’s £20k
My dad has recently bought a used vito to put bikes in as he's to old and some companies won't hire to him, he's 73 . It surprised me how much room a bike takes up. A good 7 ft in length is needed, it's a bit of a pain to crawl around on your knees to strap it down but he didn't want anything bigger .
my dad had a Vito also, a 2003, but I’ll be honest it’s lowest on my list because it was constantly broken, central locking, alarm, all stupid electrical issues then later on bushings, bearings, turbo pipes and just constant issues. I realise they get a hard life but the electrical issues were constant, and seems to be a thing with Mercedes vans. Also the later one is rear wheel drive so I’m sure you give up load room for that (it’s based on a e class chassis, or at least was)
I have a 2012 Vito 113 RWD a facelift model LWB will easily swallow 2 Motorcycles, the later 111 are FWD though the 114 and above are RWD. I’ve driven 168k Miles now with no electrical issues other than the fan motor everything else has been faultless, it’ll be time to move it on as I need a newer van for work and it’s frowned on to have an old van. RWD can be a pain on slippery surfaces spit on a blade of grass and it gets stuck, a few times I’ve had to de flare the tyres to get moving .......
