Mo-Tow Bike Carrier Review
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- G'day guys, a review of the Mo-Tow Bike Carrier that Angus recently purchased! Hope you enjoy :-) Cheers... Mark
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Mark Victor
PO BOX 2277
BENDIGO DC, VIC 3554
AUSTRALIA
I own a bike rack, similar to that. One suggestion is to modify the front wheel bracket, so it can be quickly removed. Then attach the ramp to the front end, so the bike can be started and walked off the rack in a forward motion. That is what I do. 👍🏻
Put the bike in gear then use the clutch as a brake. Same for loading, kill the engine and worry about taking it out of gear later.
I use these techniques unloading and loading heavy bikes on trailers by myself.
I have the same rack. I drove from Brisbane to the Flinders ranges and back with a Husky 701. No issues at all, fantastic. Zero movement it took some big hits, no issues.
Hello Mark, I have the same rack and the 4 through pins that he is parking the tyres on need to be removed They are for locking the bike to the rack not for parking the bike on. With them removed that allows the bike to sit in the rack more forward which will allow the ramp to be installed and removed with ease. Keen for a ride, Dave
Ha guy's, I reckon Angus would be better if the bike was in gear ! Then use the clutch as a brake.. to control the bike on the way down the ramp...
Far easier than pulling a trailer. Greatly appreciate the “how to”. Worth thinking about for our bike hauling needs. 🤔
The towball weight be way over the limit, not sure but I think I will stick with a trailer
Towball down weight when towing should be 10% of the weight of the trailer. The towball weight rating is usually around 10% of the vehicles towing capacity.
A motorbike weighing 150kg and a 20kg rack shouldn't exceed the towball weight of a ute which will usually have a towing capacity between 2000kg and 3500kg. Said towing capacity is usually limited more by engine than chassis. Take for example a v6 petrol navara has a towing capacity of 2000kg, the yd25 diesel has the same chassis and everything, but has a towing capacity of 2800kg.
Just a little hint , when taking bike off leave bike in gear and use clutch as brake 🤔 also to get the bike to move grab the rear tire and roll it back 😉 learnt THAT the HARD WAY 🤬😥
i made my rack and made it a little wider and a LOT STRONGER than needed but at the time i had 3 bikes DR650,BMW f650gs ,and TTR250 so made sure that the rack would take darn near any bike 🤣😂
love the video Mark 😁keep well and ride safe-ish 😉🍺
Mark, I have a similar rack that I’ve used a few times. It’s always nerve racking loading and unloading. One thing I do is put a heavy moving blanket over the bike when tying it down. It allows you to gently lean the bike against the vehicle so you can begin tying it down without having to steady it too. You can put the inside tie downs on then work the outside ones on without worrying about damaging the vehicle.
Absolutely appreciate that. Thank you fellas
I built my own rack to carry my Superdual on my Amarok Ute. It has a goose neck arrangement to lower the deck below tow bar tongue level which makes for easy loading/unloading. VicRoads advised that the overall width must not go beyond your car mirrors (just made it!). Lights and Aux number plate must be fitted if vehicles fittings are obscured. I needed both. For a single bike, its a real winner. A handy video lads, Good stuff!
Also, try tying the straps to the fork tubes above the bottom triple clamps.
Give you more triangulation and less wobble.
You make it hard for yourself. Suggestions:
-Take the wheel arch off so you can roll the bike off forward, take some of the pins out to create little dip areas for the wheels.
-Roll back with the brake or clutch slowly & keep it straight so it doesn’t drop off.
-Lean it gently against the canopy while you strap it. Or have a simple strap/clip to take the weight while you strap it.
-Use clips & tensioners on the footpegs instead of straps. Straps on the bars can be backups.
Apparently illegal in vic due to overhang off the rear of the car. depends which cop you get though I guess.
"Apparently"? Is it or isn't it? They are Vic based and been in business over a decade. I'd be surprised if they are illegal in Vic. Happy to be shown otherwise though. Do you have any sources?
angus buy a drop down tow hitch for about $100 it will lower it by about 10inches and the spike that goes in the hole just drill a hole in that and put a r clip though it than you dont have to muck about with the 2 bolts
Just a hint.
Drill a hole in that ramp pin and put a spring clip through it to lick it in place 🧷
Nice idea , I’ll do that to my trailer ramp . thanks
I would have bought one if you just did a commercial for it, but that showed the real work needed for one person and seems a bit much for one person. I own a truck to put one in the back if needed. But only did that once when I moved down here to Virginia two decades ago. The bike has been sold and I still own the truck. I felt I would rent a trailer from uhaul if I ever want to trailer a bike. 30 dollars a day. And no maintenence and insurance. Thank you for that demo! Helped me make a long term decision.
As an ex trucker, it never ceases to amaze me how people don’t know how to set up/ use ratchet type tie downs…!
Ingenious design. Would be hard for an old ,wimpy guy like me to handle alone ,though.
"That's not going anywhere".......Famous Last Words!
Looks fairly easy to make at home for much cheaper.. But the towbar bike carriers are very popular lately, back in our day we all put the bikes on bike trailers.
The average bloke would not even attempt to make that
When i had a ute used to look for lower spots to get the ute lower and sit ramp on higher ground making it easier to push on
I got one of these chinese carriers also, the version with the central vertical bar that locks down over the seat (once you compress the suspension enough) The ramp that came with mine is even shorter than this one, its a dismal joke but easy enough to remedy.. I have my doubts about the integrity of this product though, the steel is fairy light gauge and the welds in crucial areas leave something to be desired when you are trusting it to hold 150+ kg without fatiguing and failing under the stresses of driving, only used it once to haul a bike 4 hrs on the hwy and added about 4 ratchet straps as extra hold and hoped for the best that it didn't fall off the back at 100km/h
Maybe have the ramp slide out like a hire car trailer but not too sure how Angus is on the welder
That was really helpful, thank you!
Good review. Well done.
In case of rain, wet, or mud, recommend putting grip tape on the ramp running perpendicular. From experience, clutching up a ramp that steep without grip tape is an exercise in futility.
I looked at those but ended up going with the Ballards rack . The ballards have a big hook that you just put over the top of the bike to hold it while attaching your bike to the rack .
Angus is an international stud!
thanks a good idea; MoTow way to go! David....
I had one of the aluminium models for enduro bikes. It worked ok for a 450, but it didn’t have the front loop (I don’t think you need it anyway, since the front straps should be taking that load).
You will need an auxiliary plate, and probably lights since they are obscured by the bike.
You are pushing the limits with the weight of the 700 on these. Yes, they claim to carry 270kg, but there’s no way I’d put my 1290 on one. When you go over a bump in the road, the whole thing acts as a lever, and the g-force multiplier will be taking the load way over the rating for your tow hitch.
If you can find one or more buddies to share ownership of a trailer, and figure out where to park it, you’ll never go back.
Perhaps some Nutserts in the carry rack, combined with some short bolts might alleviate the potential problem of dropping a nut, or two into the dirt/mud etc. In relation to the front hoop which holds the front tyre, some thin (2mm) rubber might make the difference between having the tyre lugs locking on the bracket, and not. Just a couple of thoughts..... Love the videos!
I have the one from Aldi seems much better than this one and comes with lights
Good review. It showed the good and the could be betters. The price is certainly right. Having it fitted to a sedan it would be lower and easier. Thank for sharing.
get a piece of channel made up and bolt it in place of that silly wheel holder. problem fixed. the ramp grind a little bit off the end of that lug just enough so it still fits in. problem solved. good reveiw on these bike racks.
Could you not put it in gear when taking it off the rack and use the clutch as a brake as such. It looked like Angus had it mastered but the height made it hard for him to reach the front brake when it started to go? Lee (UK)
Yeah we actually figured that out after we finish shed filming! 👍
No lights or Rego plate on the rack, I'm sure you guys are ll over that 👍
Curious why guys are saying they are illegal in Victoria. I believe the overhang rules are the same nationwide. Ie. 60% of wheelbase or 3.7m from centre of rear axle ..
Bloody he’ll, I’m full of advice tonight.
Sorry boys, I’ve had some inspiration 😎🥃
if you tighten the turnbucle closest to the car all you have to do is pull the bike away from the car to put the other turnbuckle on. then it's secured and you can put the tie down on for extra safety and they should be tie downs not ratchet straps.
if you really wanted it to be quick,easy and secure use bike binderz instead of the turnbuckles so much less stuffing around to load/unload and no need for tying straps to turnbuckles.
You need proper bike tie downs that you can just pull down and not ratchet. Much quicker and safer . Also a piece of foam for your handlebar. I just lean my ktm690 against the window with a piece of foam. Then that gives me time to sort out my straps etc. finally always park where you can get your ramp less steep or have your car in a low part of the track and put your ramp across to the higher sides of the track. I’m only 5’5” and weigh 65kg and can load my 690 easily by myself, just have to plan it a bit.
instead of bolting down the ramp each time drill the pin on the ramp and use a R clip an washer to hold the ramp in place no need for bolt/nuts and a tool kit
I just bought the 180kg mo-tow 1900mm and the welding quality is absolute trash, think ill be returning it back
i was looking at one of these systems for my car and roadbike.. but my bikes to damn heavy for the cars ball weight :P
Yeah my Jeep only has 150kg ball weight.
@@BikerBits yeah I have 260kg ... but my bike alone is 250, plus the carrier .... well over ... damn fat bloody zx14r 🤣
That is a great idea, would be good for me, BUT, and it is a big BUT, it comes down to your tow ball weight, (TBW). I have a Himilayan, and as it is now it weighs in at 205kg, with accessories, but my tow ball weight allowance on the car is only 140kg, so I could not legally put the bike on that rack onto my cars towbar. Also it hasn't got lights and an auxillary number plate, which is required in NSW. I have a similar rack for my touring pushbike, and it required lights and another number plate. Great idea otherwise.
Pretty damn good for the price !
You change the flat bar to a round bar so the front wheel doesn't get stuck.
My big question, how much weight can the tow hitch and the rear end of the vehicle actually carry. How many Kms will the vehicle cover until it banana bends as that type of vehicle tends to do with heavy caravans?
I am a genius; and I recommend lock nuts on the turnbuckles instead of tie down straps. 🤪
Are the slide in pegs near the front tyre on the bottom not so you can pull them out to release the front tyre from the front metal bracket perhaps by letting it drop slightly?
Not sure, will have to check
Can I use it for super sports bike like a r7?
Great video. What's the legalities in Vic re blocking the vehicle lights and rego plate from view? I have seen there is a light and plate holder option for the rack. Also what might be easier would be using Cam Buckle straps instead of ratchet.
Yeah you would need to address the lights and number plate issue!
Why didn't Archie put it in gear and use clutch as a break 🎉😊
Get a dual sport and pay one rego!
I modded mine by adding tail / brake and indicators to it.
Nice! 👍
This is why I ride my bike. No trailers, racks or towing.
good for you, but in the REAL world, someone with a 250 or 450cc is NOT going to ride 4+ hours on the highway to "get" to their ride destination....especially with aggressive Knobby tires...the tarmac would eat them up fast, and it's flat out Stupid and dangerous. Trailer is the only way.
Looks fun. Lol. Buy ya self some proper motorbike tie-down straps. Way easier.
You need a third number plate.
Folding trailer
They are actually illegal in Victoria.
Imagine my surprise…. Why does that crazy state make up its own laws ? 🤯
As the number plate is blocked it’s illegal. You need to get an accessory number plate such as a bike plate like for carrying push bikes.
ok Karen, you're probably the scumbag that calls the cops on your neighbors because he's drinking a beer while mowing his lawn.
Falk saver archie
I’ve got a mo tow, have used it to carry a 250f motocross bike and the 50mm box steel has slightly bent over time. They are dogshit Chinese stuff. Get a rack n roll from day dot!
Cheese and rice what a f around. In the spirit of adventure..Just ride the bike Angus.
Looks terrible 👎🏻👎🏻