Smaller moto vans

grunkster
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Rochester, MN, USA
6/2/2016 5:51am
I pulled the plug on the NV200 (warranty was up and didn't really trust the CVT...grabbed a leftover Ram Promaster City (2015 with the 5/100K warranty)...same size bikes roll right in and the van has 55 more HP and a 9speed trans...independent rear vs solid axle...thing feels like a friggin' SPORTS car compared to the NV!!
Trig331
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Denver, CO, USA
6/2/2016 6:27am
grunkster wrote:
I pulled the plug on the NV200 (warranty was up and didn't really trust the CVT...grabbed a leftover Ram Promaster City (2015 with the 5/100K warranty)...same...
I pulled the plug on the NV200 (warranty was up and didn't really trust the CVT...grabbed a leftover Ram Promaster City (2015 with the 5/100K warranty)...same size bikes roll right in and the van has 55 more HP and a 9speed trans...independent rear vs solid axle...thing feels like a friggin' SPORTS car compared to the NV!!
I assume you like it? I've been thinking about downsizing to a small van and the PMC is probably first on the list. Anything you don't like about it?
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
6/2/2016 6:50am
You can find these Dodge sprinters around the US. They are 118in wheel base and have high or low roofs. Just long enough to fit your bike with some room for gear in front. I've been converting mine to camper/moto rig the last few months. 25+ MPG, 5 cylinder Diesel.



#76
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GB
6/2/2016 7:46am
motokiwi wrote:
Most moto heads in New Zealand drive 3 litre Diesel Toyota Hiace vans. They put out about 135 Horsepower, you can easily fit 2 bikes in...
Most moto heads in New Zealand drive 3 litre Diesel Toyota Hiace vans.

They put out about 135 Horsepower, you can easily fit 2 bikes in the back, 3 at a push.

Most young guys will lower them a bit and put some rims on there.

They go good on our roads..

Here is an example from vital user Ashleymx:


I really like that, different too, well here in the U.K.anyway. Any more pics / info on it pls?.

I have a 2007 Ford Transit Short wheel base with a semi-high roof, its perfect for MX as big enough for standing up in but long enough even being a SWB for three bikes and all the gear inc Power washer too.

But I am about to change it, and do like that Toyota!, but would miss being able to stand/change in the Transit.
1

The Shop

grunkster
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Rochester, MN, USA
6/3/2016 10:18am
yes Trig331 I really like it! No negatives...only 600miles so far
6/3/2016 3:08pm
How much do these smaller set ups cost? At $30,000. I'd rather buy a used 1500 or 2500 Chevy van for $15,000. The other $15,000 will buy alot of gas.....30k for a new small one....eek. What are they running used?
Paid 10 grand for this chevy 1500 and it's only got 103,000 after 4 years of usage. 30 gallon tank gets me 530 miles roughly if I'm easy on it.


6/3/2016 3:10pm
Anyone get a bike into something smaller like an Astro? For you Euro guys, anyone using a Hi-Ace or one of those Ford Transits?
Is this sold in the states ?
pigpen203
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Lake Elsinore, CA, USA
6/3/2016 3:39pm
Is this sold in the states ?
yes it is this is the 2015 nissan nv200, chevy has the identical one called the city van i believe.
Wiznaz
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Location
Coconut Creek, FL, USA
12/19/2017 6:02pm
Any more updates on vans in the US market? Right now it looks like the only newer compact cargo vans able to carry a bike are the following:

Nissan NV200
Chevrolet City Express
Ram ProMaster City
Mercedes Metris

The extended wheelbase Ford Transit Connect is long enough but the cargo height is about 2" too short and would need to preload the forks.
Spooner
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Kansas City, MO, USA
12/19/2017 6:40pm
Wiznaz wrote:
Any more updates on vans in the US market? Right now it looks like the only newer compact cargo vans able to carry a bike are...
Any more updates on vans in the US market? Right now it looks like the only newer compact cargo vans able to carry a bike are the following:

Nissan NV200
Chevrolet City Express
Ram ProMaster City
Mercedes Metris

The extended wheelbase Ford Transit Connect is long enough but the cargo height is about 2" too short and would need to preload the forks.
I think you have them all. I have a 2015 Transit Connect and just use a hitch hauler for the bike.
Wiznaz
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12/19/2017 7:06pm
Spooner wrote:
I think you have them all. I have a 2015 Transit Connect and just use a hitch hauler for the bike.
Can you confirm the Transit Connect cargo height is too short? I went to each dealer and took measurements but have not tried with a bike.
Spooner
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12/19/2017 7:16pm
It is too short by about 4" IIRC. If I were say driving across the country I might find a way to stuff it inside but it would be a huge PITA to do regularly.
12/19/2017 7:34pm




We trucked all over Belgium, France and Holland back in 1982 in this little jewel. Carried two Hondas and a Maico racing Internationals. Never went over 55 so we stayed on the side roads, but that was good for sight seeing. Four of us made for a tight fit, so one person was always up top on the bunk. Paid $500 for it and sold it for 500 when we left. Your moto memories are the best.
1
12/19/2017 7:41pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/12/19/233061/s1200_7_26_2011_1_24_17_PM.jpg[/img] We trucked all over Belgium, France and Holland back in 1982 in this little jewel. Carried two Hondas and a Maico racing Internationals. Never went...




We trucked all over Belgium, France and Holland back in 1982 in this little jewel. Carried two Hondas and a Maico racing Internationals. Never went over 55 so we stayed on the side roads, but that was good for sight seeing. Four of us made for a tight fit, so one person was always up top on the bunk. Paid $500 for it and sold it for 500 when we left. Your moto memories are the best.
Dude, that is seriously cool. Sounds like a hell of a good time.
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Wiznaz
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12/19/2017 7:51pm
Spooner wrote:
It is too short by about 4" IIRC. If I were say driving across the country I might find a way to stuff it inside but...
It is too short by about 4" IIRC. If I were say driving across the country I might find a way to stuff it inside but it would be a huge PITA to do regularly.
That's a shame because I feel it's the best looking and performing option on the list.
Spooner
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12/19/2017 8:30pm
Yeah I absolutely love mine and have almost 100k miles on it now and it’s been flawless.
Badd127
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SE
12/20/2017 4:26am
I've been driving hi ace vans for my bike for the last 18 years, without a problem, the Toyota is very reliable. My first van was a long wheel based. And my current is swb. Definitely get a lwb if possible.





Wiznaz
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Coconut Creek, FL, USA
5/25/2018 10:04pm
I figured I would bump the thread with a photo of my Ram PMC motovan. It will fit a bike straight in so I see no problem fitting 2 bikes. Overall the van is awesome. It drives smooth and handles great. It's not very large but it will carry everything for a weekend trip and gets great MPG.

1
5/26/2018 1:06am
Wiznaz wrote:
I figured I would bump the thread with a photo of my Ram PMC motovan. It will fit a bike straight in so I see no...
I figured I would bump the thread with a photo of my Ram PMC motovan. It will fit a bike straight in so I see no problem fitting 2 bikes. Overall the van is awesome. It drives smooth and handles great. It's not very large but it will carry everything for a weekend trip and gets great MPG.

Do you have a picture with the bike inside ?
JBecker 72
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Eastern Panhandle, WV, USA
5/26/2018 4:57am
I’ve been thinking about getting a NV200 as commuter and Moto hauler for the short trips when I don’t need the Tundra. So the US version will fit 2 bikes? Would really love to see a pic of that.
Idp57
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Arlington Heights, IL, USA
5/26/2018 5:10am
+1 can you please show us more inside pictures .I guess you have to remove the rear seats or is its cargo only?
cody41
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Miami, FL, USA
5/26/2018 5:15am
If you buy a small van you will have buyer’s remorse that you did not get something bigger.
1
JBecker 72
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5/26/2018 8:17am
cody41 wrote:
If you buy a small van you will have buyer’s remorse that you did not get something bigger.
I have a full size pickup. What I don’t have is a small gas sipper that can take me to work. If it doubled as a moto hauler that’s a major bonus.
Wiznaz
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Coconut Creek, FL, USA
5/26/2018 9:55am
cody41 wrote:
If you buy a small van you will have buyer’s remorse that you did not get something bigger.
That's definitely not true. This van is the perfect for my needs. You cannot have a commercial vehicle where I live (HOA) and it can be driven and parked (garage) just like a car. If it's not a sports car, I have no interest in getting poor gas mileage. I get 28mpg on my 2.5hr drives to & from the track.

Here are some old photos I first took when I was trying different layouts. Don't mind the mess! I was also installing a sound system. This is what I learned:

I have the Passenger Van model (rear seats, headliner, power rear windows, rear carpet etc). If you want to fit 1 bike, you can fold 1/2 of the rear seat foward and fit the bike diagonally. If you want to fit straight, you must unbolt & remove 1/2 the rear seat. The rear seats are a 60/40 split so that will either leave you with 1 seat or 2 seats left in the back.

As for the carpet and headliner, you will have to ratchet strap the handlebar & front brake caliper to compress the bike about 2 inches to freely roll the bike in. I have since removed the headliner and the bike rolls in with no straps.

In the pics, you can see I did not move the bike tight to the corner but there's plenty of room to put the bike tighter against the wall and load up whatever else you need.

If you have the cargo model, you don't have to deal with rear seats, or headliner clearance.





These are some other member on the Van Owner's member page on FB that also use it to haul their bikes.

-eagle-
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ZW
8/6/2018 8:20am
Looks like chevy discontinued the city express but the nv200 is still available.
Anyone have a long term review of these things, or a few pictures of one loaded?
Wiznaz
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Coconut Creek, FL, USA
8/22/2018 5:37pm Edited Date/Time 8/22/2018 5:38pm
-eagle- wrote:
Looks like chevy discontinued the city express but the nv200 is still available. Anyone have a long term review of these things, or a few pictures...
Looks like chevy discontinued the city express but the nv200 is still available.
Anyone have a long term review of these things, or a few pictures of one loaded?
If you want a van that fits a bike and gets good MPG then you'll like it. But my experience was I did not consider the NV200 after test driving the Ford and Ram (Fiat). It does not feel in the same league. Having a small van with good MPG fitting your bike & gear is amazing though! My Ram PMC has been problem-free across the entire US while getting 30mpg at 70mph. I would consider a Mercedes Metris for the small bump in space but the "Mercedes tax" could be a deal breaker when it needs repair. If it's important, they get 3-4 less MPG and look more like a soccer mom van.
montesagold
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East, TN, USA
8/22/2018 9:16pm

Gonna help my buddy set up his promaster city... we are gonna build a bed that fold down from the wall and insulate everything, about the same room in here as the back of my e-350 has behind the wall
Wiznaz
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Coconut Creek, FL, USA
8/22/2018 9:53pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/08/22/282259/s1200_CC9E9ACE_8FE6_4233_9E8A_DF5EC6384C2C.jpg[/img] Gonna help my buddy set up his promaster city... we are gonna build a bed that fold down from the wall and insulate everything, about...

Gonna help my buddy set up his promaster city... we are gonna build a bed that fold down from the wall and insulate everything, about the same room in here as the back of my e-350 has behind the wall
Make a thread for your PMC build. I would like to exchange some ideas with you guys
grunkster
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442
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Rochester, MN, USA
8/23/2018 5:54am
Still loving my "silver streak" pmc with 25k now on the clock.. perfect little moto van for me..even holds my medium sized Australian shepherd in her crate plus bike plus gear
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Wiznaz
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Coconut Creek, FL, USA
8/26/2018 3:50am
Very rarely does sunshine line up with a weekend in the south Florida Summer

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