Mototote

[kramnosnip]

Hey all, has anyone had any experience with the "mototote" cycle carrier. It fastens to the trailor hitch of your vehicle. It has no wheels and carries the bike perpendicular to the van/truck or whatever. See the website and let me know what you think. I might get one.



www.mototote.com


Mark

[vdlcinc]

Looks interesting... but for $479 for the Sport model... I can get a lot more uses from the trailer I bought for $500... although storing the trailer is a PITA...

I know I screwed up the first time I tied my bike down... it landed on the rail of my trailer... several small scratches were the result... just make sure if you use this thing you tie it down good... if it falls over, your bike smacks the ground at whatever speed your traveling... and then you have to hope the bozo behind you wasn't tailgating...

If you get one (or if anyone else has one) I would be interested in hearing how it works out...

[lowedaph]

I own a similar type carrier (I don’t recall the manufacture, it may be a Mototote circa 2000). It successfully transported my Speed Triple 2,000 miles cross country, but there were issues:

The carrier was a little strained to hold the 450 lbs bike.

I was within the tongue weight limit of my SUV hitch, but there was a noticeable loss of suspension clearance. Someone at the factory explained to me the fulcrum effect means that further out the weight is carried, the greater it is felt on the vehicle (500 lbs directly at the hitch exerts less force than 500 lbs held 2ft from the hitch). On my SUV, clearance of the rear wheel dictated a relatively large distance.

My carrier had a channel that barely accommodated the 190 rear tire.

My carrier had a crank that was lowered to load the bike, then raised. Theoretically more convenient than a ramp, but the mechanism was temperamental.

Once loaded and on the road, everything was fine. There was no noticeable drag (even though the bike extended a bit past the vehicle), acceleration, maneuvering, etc. were as if the bike wasn't there. And of course there were no registration tag issues like there would be on a trailer.

It looks like the Mototote you’re considering is better designed than mine was, so you won't have the same problems I encountered. If I were to do it again, I probably would buy a trailer. It’s more versatile, though a hassle to drive, and a hassle to store when not in use.

If this is for a one time move, you might consider buying a trailer and selling it when you get to the other end. Another option is to have the bike shipped (in subsequent move, I had my bike shipped CA to Keys for about $500). If you're looking for occasional local use, UHaul has a utility trailer with a drive-up ramp that rents for about $20/day.

Good Luck!

Daphne

[unummyu]

Mark,
I was thinking about one of those too. I have a utility trailer but think it would be much easier transporting the bike with one of these. I drive a dually so the weight is no problem for me. I too would like to hear from some more people that use these before I buy one. Maybe the topic should be posted in the workshop forum for more replies?

John

[bikesdp]

When I moved from FL to CO, I bought a galvanized, single bike trailer from Continental for about $500. It has a loading ramp and since it sits so low to the ground, it's quite easy to load and unload solo. It weighs only 200# and can haul up to a 900# bike and my Maxima's Class I receiver has no problem supporting what little tongue weight there is. The tires are 8.5" and I can inflate them to 60 psi with a bicycle pump, which is pretty funny, if you think about it. It takes up relatively little room in the garage and has come in very handy so many times now in the two years I've had it. If your bike won't run, it's just as difficult to get it to the dealer if he's 10 miles or 50 miles away if you don't have a pickup or trailer. The convenience of having your own trailer is well worth it. Of course, if you have a dually pickup, you're going to need to get a receiver that has about a 1' drop and you'll never see that thing behind you when unladen.

[BigE]

I must first say I've never used a mototote or similar for motorcycle use but I have read some reviews of them and none have been too positive. Sounds ok for lighter weight dirtbikes but streetbikes overload them.
I do have a bicycle rack and cargo rack that are similar in idea and function and there are a few issues with it (which seem like they would be worse with a mototote). First, carriers of this type block your tail lights which in most states is illegal, probably won't get you stopped but if you get rear-ended because your brake lights are blocked...I have noticed some of the ads showing taillights on the tote, so you need trailer light wiring.
Second, the carrier rocks in the hitch, even though it has a bolt to supposedly snug it up, this would only be worse with more weight.
I'd take a trailer over one of these anyday.
Just my .02 :razz: