Modern Mini Truck

suzukiread240
Posts
63
Joined
4/28/2016
Location
Saint George, UT US
10/29/2019 12:39pm Edited Date/Time 10/31/2019 6:24pm
On Main Event Moto this week a guy commented that the sport needs mini trucks again to help lower the prices of getting to the races. Like cheap Ford Rangers, Nissan Hardbodies, or 2wd basemodel Toyota's.

This got me thinking, would the moto community would actually buy these vehicles if they were in production? Now I know most of these trucks are still around but what if you could buy one new off the showroom for 20k or less? These would be pretty bare bones bike haulers. They would do the freeway speed limit and not much more. Would this be something y'all would want or are we past that and on to moto vans and tundra's for hauling our bikes.

I would like to see one with a 4 cylinder, manual trans, single cab, 2 wheel drive, and a 6.5 - 7 foot bed so that I didn't have to turn bike upside down and backwards to load it. The interior could be super minimalist with a bench seat, rubber flooring, am/fm single din radio, crank windows, and manual door locks.

I may be way off base and an outlier, but I just got a 93 GMC Sonoma to run around in because it is so bare bones.
Poll

Mini Trucks

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Johnny Depp
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6438
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX US
10/29/2019 12:49pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 12:51pm
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes a few mini trucks.

* A Unibody chassis similar to a crossover SUV with FWD/AWD and Hybrid capability.
* 4 & 6 cylinder options with modern automatics
* 2k and under towing ability, 1/4 ton ratings.
* Regular cabs with modest behind seat storage and longer beds, and 4 doors which require the tailgate down for a bike
* MSRP's starting in the low 20's.Transaction prices in the $18's.
4
2
suzukiread240
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63
Joined
4/28/2016
Location
Saint George, UT US
10/29/2019 12:51pm
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes...
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes a few mini trucks.

* A Unibody chassis similar to a crossover SUV with FWD/AWD and Hybrid capability.
* 4 & 6 cylinder options with modern automatics
* 2k and under towing ability, 1/4 ton ratings.
* Regular cabs with modest behind seat storage and longer beds, and 4 doors which require the tailgate down for a bike
* MSRP's starting in the low 20's.Transaction prices in the $18's.
I like the ideas, not really a path I had thought of. It reminds of the Honda Ridgeline for way less money. Not doggin the ridgeline either. I think that could be a sick bike hauler with the trunk space and stuff
1
colintrax
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Taylorsville, GA US
Fantasy
2302nd
10/29/2019 12:53pm
Cheap mini trucks exist, they're just bigger. But you can pick up base model colorados for $20K, base model frontiers for $16K, base model rangers and tacomas for $23K.
Oh, and you don't need a pickup truck. A cheap 3 rail trailer and a honda civic is all you need to get to the track. In many ways, a fuel efficient car and a small trailer is better than a truck.
9

The Shop

fatpurplepanda
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271
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Location
Minneapolis, MN US
Fantasy
2798th
10/29/2019 1:23pm
I like my current Tacoma TRD Sport. A little spendy, but its everything I need in a truck for moto..and it looks badass
1
1
mauidex
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9/12/2011
Location
Haiku, HI US
10/29/2019 1:29pm
Fuk the truck. Industry needs decent starter bike that ain’t 8 or 10 grand!!!’
10/29/2019 1:30pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 2:10pm
mauidex wrote:
Fuk the truck. Industry needs decent starter bike that ain’t 8 or 10 grand!!!’
RMZ250. $6300 sticker brand new after factory rebates, and dealers have significantly more steeply discounted old stock available.
6
zippytech
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Location
Bethesda, OH US
10/29/2019 1:53pm
I would love one,, I have an old Toyota 2 wheel drive, stick shift from the 80's that's a blast to drive, I haul water around my track and love the rubber mat floors.. Simpler the better.
1
mxtech1
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1954
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7/21/2011
Location
Galesburg, IL US
10/29/2019 2:26pm
Bro

You can't even moto unless you have decked out, lifted, diesel
4
Falcon
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10041
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Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
765th
10/29/2019 2:44pm
I have a 2013 Tacoma with access cab, 4 cylinders and a 5 speed manual. It was in the low $20k range brand new. It's kind of a squeeze, but I've had a YZ250, RM85, TTR110 AND 50SX in the bed all at the same time.
rosebud441
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1766
Joined
1/25/2012
Location
Bellingham, WA US
10/29/2019 2:46pm
what a novel idea.. $1200 truck and a $2500 bike

mikec265
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1669
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10/19/2015
Location
Edinboro, PA US
10/29/2019 3:46pm
I wish I had a picture of my old POS $250 1990 Sonoma with a brand new 2006 RMZ450 in the back. I wouldn't buy one unless they were comfortable for people over 6ft tall, but I like the idea.
zippytech
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1119
Joined
9/8/2018
Location
Bethesda, OH US
10/29/2019 3:47pm
rosebud441 wrote:
what a novel idea.. $1200 truck and a $2500 bike [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/10/29/381858/s1200_20170702_183254_resized_1.jpg[/img]
what a novel idea.. $1200 truck and a $2500 bike

That is the perfect setup , that is what riding was setup for.
sumdood
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5450
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3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1333rd
10/29/2019 4:07pm
Deja vu post. But here you go. Bring these back and I'll buy 2 tommorrw.

3/4 ton
7' bed
narrow
low
4 cylinder diesel
5 spd manual
a/c
roll up windows
30 + mpg all day long, fully loaded without trying
40 mpg empty



VetMX.com
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611
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5/28/2018
Location
Magnolia, TX US
10/29/2019 4:12pm
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes...
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes a few mini trucks.

* A Unibody chassis similar to a crossover SUV with FWD/AWD and Hybrid capability.
* 4 & 6 cylinder options with modern automatics
* 2k and under towing ability, 1/4 ton ratings.
* Regular cabs with modest behind seat storage and longer beds, and 4 doors which require the tailgate down for a bike
* MSRP's starting in the low 20's.Transaction prices in the $18's.
I like the ideas, not really a path I had thought of. It reminds of the Honda Ridgeline for way less money. Not doggin the ridgeline...
I like the ideas, not really a path I had thought of. It reminds of the Honda Ridgeline for way less money. Not doggin the ridgeline either. I think that could be a sick bike hauler with the trunk space and stuff
Love my Ridgeline since 2005 and keeping your gear and tools locked up under the bed in this 4 wheel drive, independent suspension quad is cool. It holds 2 bikes with no problem.
3
RY9MX
Posts
91
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10/24/2013
Location
Miami, FL US
10/29/2019 4:44pm
In March I bought a new single cab short bed f150 for a work truck. It’s an xl, but it has all the power options, tow hitch, sinc, etc and the package with painted bumpers so it looks pretty good. It stickerd at 32k and I got it for 23k our the door. I also have a 2018 f250 crew cab. I end up taking my little truck everywhere unless my kids come. It’s fast, gets great mileage and much nicer to drive, and being a f150(not a mini truck), it fits me easily with room to spare.
1
10/29/2019 4:53pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 5:02pm
You have to make sacrifices or earn more money if affording to go to the track is the problem. People dont NEED a brand new pickup truck and a brand new dirtbike to enjoy the sport. They CHOOSE to have those things, most often on credit because they can't really afford it and are making poor decisions.

No one gives a shit if you show up at the track hauling your bike in a brand new Ford Raptor or a rusty 1982 Chevy C-10.... and if you think it matters, that's half of your problem. The problem isn't what new vehicle options are available, its that some people refuse to make sacrifices necessary to participate in our sport without getting themselves into financial trouble. I drive a 2000 Ford Ranger 4cyl 5 speed for crying out loud. I can afford much better than it but there is no need. It suits its primary purpose perfectly; getting me and my bikes + gear to the track reliably.

I never make fun of guys showing up at the track with older bikes in older vehicles. They're doing what's necessary to enjoy their sport. Their level of enjoyment and lap times are likely exactly the same vs having a brand new truck and brand new bike.
1
Bultaco
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1724
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1/20/2014
Location
Planet, VT US
10/29/2019 4:54pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 4:55pm
sumdood wrote:
Deja vu post. But here you go. Bring these back and I'll buy 2 tommorrw. 3/4 ton 7' bed narrow low 4 cylinder diesel 5 spd...
Deja vu post. But here you go. Bring these back and I'll buy 2 tommorrw.

3/4 ton
7' bed
narrow
low
4 cylinder diesel
5 spd manual
a/c
roll up windows
30 + mpg all day long, fully loaded without trying
40 mpg empty



I had one in the early 80’s. Went to most of the Blackjack enduros and Tulsa Trailrider scrambles in that thing. I sold it to my dad who drove a bunch more years. He sold it to my brother who then drove it a bunch more years. Good little functional pickup.
2
yak651
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6642
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
Appleton, WI US
Fantasy
168th
10/29/2019 5:47pm
When the Chevy Colorado came out, I thought that's a nice looking truck, probably get good gas mileage and be a decent price. Pulled in a dealer lot to take a look. Mileage was same as full size truck and the price was also basically the same. No way I would buy one of those!
3
crusher773
Posts
1749
Joined
12/23/2009
Location
Coweta, OK US
10/29/2019 5:58pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 6:50pm
I've been looking at S10s for about a month that thing was perfect. I just don't always need the big truck. S10 V6 5 speed would pull my little trailer just fine too.
Johnny Depp
Posts
6438
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX US
10/29/2019 6:12pm
You have to make sacrifices or earn more money if affording to go to the track is the problem. People dont NEED a brand new pickup...
You have to make sacrifices or earn more money if affording to go to the track is the problem. People dont NEED a brand new pickup truck and a brand new dirtbike to enjoy the sport. They CHOOSE to have those things, most often on credit because they can't really afford it and are making poor decisions.

No one gives a shit if you show up at the track hauling your bike in a brand new Ford Raptor or a rusty 1982 Chevy C-10.... and if you think it matters, that's half of your problem. The problem isn't what new vehicle options are available, its that some people refuse to make sacrifices necessary to participate in our sport without getting themselves into financial trouble. I drive a 2000 Ford Ranger 4cyl 5 speed for crying out loud. I can afford much better than it but there is no need. It suits its primary purpose perfectly; getting me and my bikes + gear to the track reliably.

I never make fun of guys showing up at the track with older bikes in older vehicles. They're doing what's necessary to enjoy their sport. Their level of enjoyment and lap times are likely exactly the same vs having a brand new truck and brand new bike.
You Mad Bro? If someone hadn't purchased that Ranger brand new it wouldn't have been in the market for you to buy. All vehicles start somewhere. There are those that can afford a bigger nicer truck, but like you prefer a just enough, easy on the wallet truck brand new with warranty. This gives them more choices. let's face it you could shove an Alta in a Focus Hatchback and not exceed gvwr. Not sure I'd want to with an ICE.
428
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18
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4/29/2019
Location
CA
10/29/2019 6:29pm
I have a 2017 Frontier crew cab with 6 ft box. I get 3 bikes, gear bag,stands and gas can in the back with the tail gate up. 1 big bike a KX85 and a CRF50 are the bikes.
Zacka 161
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1048
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Mount Waverley, VIC AU
Fantasy
1856th
10/29/2019 6:38pm
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes...
Let me offer a different path to the same destination, which is a bit more like what you would see from today's industry who already makes a few mini trucks.

* A Unibody chassis similar to a crossover SUV with FWD/AWD and Hybrid capability.
* 4 & 6 cylinder options with modern automatics
* 2k and under towing ability, 1/4 ton ratings.
* Regular cabs with modest behind seat storage and longer beds, and 4 doors which require the tailgate down for a bike
* MSRP's starting in the low 20's.Transaction prices in the $18's.
These are the highest selling vehicles in Australia and there’s bulk options from low cost Mitsubishi Tritons to top of the range Toyota, VW and Mercedes
2
yz133rider
Posts
4454
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8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA US
10/29/2019 6:48pm
You have to make sacrifices or earn more money if affording to go to the track is the problem. People dont NEED a brand new pickup...
You have to make sacrifices or earn more money if affording to go to the track is the problem. People dont NEED a brand new pickup truck and a brand new dirtbike to enjoy the sport. They CHOOSE to have those things, most often on credit because they can't really afford it and are making poor decisions.

No one gives a shit if you show up at the track hauling your bike in a brand new Ford Raptor or a rusty 1982 Chevy C-10.... and if you think it matters, that's half of your problem. The problem isn't what new vehicle options are available, its that some people refuse to make sacrifices necessary to participate in our sport without getting themselves into financial trouble. I drive a 2000 Ford Ranger 4cyl 5 speed for crying out loud. I can afford much better than it but there is no need. It suits its primary purpose perfectly; getting me and my bikes + gear to the track reliably.

I never make fun of guys showing up at the track with older bikes in older vehicles. They're doing what's necessary to enjoy their sport. Their level of enjoyment and lap times are likely exactly the same vs having a brand new truck and brand new bike.
You Mad Bro? If someone hadn't purchased that Ranger brand new it wouldn't have been in the market for you to buy. All vehicles start somewhere...
You Mad Bro? If someone hadn't purchased that Ranger brand new it wouldn't have been in the market for you to buy. All vehicles start somewhere. There are those that can afford a bigger nicer truck, but like you prefer a just enough, easy on the wallet truck brand new with warranty. This gives them more choices. let's face it you could shove an Alta in a Focus Hatchback and not exceed gvwr. Not sure I'd want to with an ICE.
Theycallmeebryan was spot on with his post. He wasnt saying buying new is always a mistake, just a ton of people put themselves in terrible financial positions when there are much better alternatives to go about it.

Some can afford new, some cant. Some dont accept that reality, do it anyway, and then cant afford fuel to go riding... But at least they have a new truck and a new bike they cant afford to use.
1
colintrax
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4704
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Location
Taylorsville, GA US
Fantasy
2302nd
10/29/2019 6:58pm
yak651 wrote:
When the Chevy Colorado came out, I thought that's a nice looking truck, probably get good gas mileage and be a decent price. Pulled in a...
When the Chevy Colorado came out, I thought that's a nice looking truck, probably get good gas mileage and be a decent price. Pulled in a dealer lot to take a look. Mileage was same as full size truck and the price was also basically the same. No way I would buy one of those!
Counter as a chevy colorado owner. EPA numbers don't mean anything. I average 26-28mpg. No gasoline full size hits that, and the diesels are way more expensive. Modern chevy 1500 I average ~20mpg. That's around a 30% improvement. I like saving 30% on my gas expense. The midsize trucks do feel expensive. Still, dollar for dollar, you get more luxury stuff with the midsize trucks. A base colorado has power windows, a base 1500 has manual windows. And so on.
Harv379
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UT US
Fantasy
1959th
10/29/2019 7:02pm
mauidex wrote:
Fuk the truck. Industry needs decent starter bike that ain’t 8 or 10 grand!!!’
RMZ250. $6300 sticker brand new after factory rebates, and dealers have significantly more steeply discounted old stock available.
Agreed. It's not the price of bikes that is the problem. A good friend of mine has managed one of the top 20 Specialized dealers in the country for over 10 years. Mountain bikes sales are better than ever and they are the same price as dirt bikes or more (S-Works are 8-12K and sell well). Whats the catch? These guys can ride from their house, and the city they live in is dumping big money into building more trails every year, & so are the neighboring cities. The high schools have MTB teams now... I have about 200 miles of MTB trails within a 15 mile radius of me, but not 1 'public' place I can ride my dirt bike with out making a full day of it. When I was growing up, we could ride moto's most places that are now MTB only. You don't see dirt bikes as often. It's not a surprise really.
2
lostboy819
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11493
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Somewhere, CO US
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1568th
10/29/2019 7:04pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 8:07pm
I have a 99 tacoma, 2 Chevy S10s and a new Ram 1500 and not one has ever had a bike in the back. When I ride the bikes go in my van,its the only way to go. But there was a time that I carted two bikes around the country in the back of a 1970 Chevy LUV.
1
VicDaMoan03
Posts
598
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Location
Los Lunas, NM US
10/29/2019 7:09pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2019 7:41pm
Nissan Frontier is dated, small, and cheap (or cheaper compared to the competition) if buying new. Good value and should be super reliable.
2
yz133rider
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Location
Avondale, PA US
10/29/2019 7:18pm
Nissan Frontier is dated, small, and cheap (or cheaper compared to the competition) if buying new. Good value and should be super reliable.
Check ebay for them. 1 year old with 10k miles they drop massively in value. Bargain at those prices. I went with a honda after test drive but if i was pressed on budget more the nissan was a much better deal for sure.
1

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