Can a dirt bike fit in a van? | Citizenshipper

Yes, your dirt bike will fit in most vans and minivans. 

The dirt bike experts at Dirt Bike Newbie recommend the following vehicles for transporting dirt bikes:

• Chevrolet Express Cargo
• GMC Savana Cargo
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van
• Ford E-Series Van
• Ram C/V Tradesman
• Nissan NV Cargo Van
• Ram ProMaster
• Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo

But most vans and minivans will be adequate for the job, as are pickup trucks. But, since there’s room for error on account of the differences in the size of dirt bikes and vans, it’s best to know your measurements exactly. Size matters.

The exact measurement you need is dirt bike length. The height of a dirt bike is not usually an obstacle to fitting them inside a van. 

The average length of an adult-sized dirt bike is 82 inches (or 6.8 feet). If the bike is turned diagonally, given the average width of a van, a dirt bike has an average diagonal length of 5.5 feet, give or take. So a van bed will need to be five and a half feet long (or ‘deep’) to house your dirt bike comfortably.

Are pickup trucks safer for dirt bikes than vans?

Freight vans and minivans seem better suited to transporting dirt bikes for the simple reason that they have lower decks than trucks. Getting any kind of bike into a vehicle can be the trickiest part of the transit process and the most fraught with potential risk, so the lower the deck, the less likely there is to be a problem when loading or unloading.

For more information on this procedure, check out our complete guide to loading and unloading bikes.

Secondly, vans are a form of ‘enclosed transport’, meaning your dirt bike is protected from the elements, (snow, gales, lightning) as well as mid, grit, dirt, grime, and road debris which has the potential to dent or scrape the bodywork. All these things are unlikely (except for the mud, which you can wipe off) unless you are traveling in unusually extreme conditions, there’s never a zero chance. That’s why conscientious owners or people who own a vintage or classic dirt bikes will invariably choose vans over trucks.

Other advantages of enclosed transport in vans are greater security against theft as well as room to fit your toolbox and other riding gear you may wish to take with you, all safe from light fingers.

If you don’t own a van or a truck and are planning to enlist an expert hauler, then the balance swings back towards choosing open-air transportation, i.e. pick up trucks. Open-air haulage tends to be cheaper and in the hands of a professional hauler, during a clement season, the risk of the above issues occurring is very small. Open-air transit is often cheaper too.

For information on how to secure a dirt bike (or any motorcycle) in a truck bed, take a look at our full guide on the subject. 

Typically, of the three main sizes of the truck bed (compact, standard short, and standard long) only standard long has a hundred percent chance of fitting your dirt bike. Standard short truck beds have a good chance of fitting a dirt bike diagonally, depending on the bike, but compact beds will not be able to do the job.

Can I carry a dirt bike in an SUV?

Some dirt bike owners wonder if an SUV is an adequate vehicle for this kind of transport. Experts wouldn’t recommend it. SUVs are great at transporting people over difficult terrain, but the size and shape of dirt bikes make them less suitable for this work. Only the smallest dirt bike can be comfortably squeezed into any make of SUV, and there’s not much room to spare. Plus, the back of an SUV is not as sturdy and secure as that of a van or pick-up truck, so the risk of the dirt bike being damaged en route is increased.

What’s the best option for my dirt bike?

Some dirt bike owners choose to ride the dirt bike all the way to their destination! Most choose not to, either to protect the dirt bike from wear and tear before it even reaches where it’s going, or save fuel, or because the dirt bike is being taken to be fixed.

Luckily there is one more option. Let an expert transport your dirt bike for you. 

CitizenShipper is unlike other motorcycle-shipping firms thanks to the ease and freedom they give to customers. Free to pick and choose the right driver. Free to browse quotes and select the perfect option that suits your dirt bike, schedule, and budget. Covering the entire US, CitizenShipper’s vetted and trusted drivers are among the most experienced motorcycle haulers in the country.

Nor will your wallet have to suffer as a result. A competitive online marketplace drives down quotes without sacrificing the quality of service, and you can contact each driver to learn more about their equipment, experience and to negotiate the price. Relevant information will usually be shared on each driver’s profile.

Posting a shipment is free, and within minutes you’ll be receiving quotes from some of the safest and most reliable vehicle transporters in the US. 

For peace of mind, let a dirt bike pro tackle this process for you. Your bike will thank you!

Featured Image Credit: www.vitalmx.com