Getting Your Motorcycle to the Track
March 23, 2025
Getting your motorcycle to and from the track is a very important component of track riding. It is often overlooked and outshone by other goodies marketed to people getting into the sport - but I would argue it is one of the most important considerations if you plan on owning a track only motorcycle.
It tends to be most convenient if can manage your own trailer instead of borrowing or renting. Being able to leave all of your tools in one place and the extra security and carrying capacity it gives you are huge bonuses. You can additionally use the trailer as a shelter if it is enclosed, and It will better protect your motorcycle and other equipment in the event of inclement weather, as well as give you a dry place to do any work you may need to do.
Renting a trailer is another viable option, and can be very cost effective, but you will sacrifice the customization and potential saved time that comes with an owned trailer. Uhaul rents out motorcycle trailers which can offer additional security and ease of use considering they are designed specifically for motorcycle hauling.
A bike carrier can be installed on your vehicle’s hitch, however the tongue weight of your car/truck’s hitch has to be rated with the proper tongue weight for both the bike and the carrier. There is a gentleman in my area who operates entirely out of a honda element, with his ninja 400 carried on a bike carrier from the hitch of his car. Personally, I would not recommend this as there is lower margin for error and in many cases you can end up exceeding the tongue weight of most cars, if you own a truck that may have the proper tongue weight you are often better off putting your bike in the truck bed.
Putting your bike on the bed of your truck is a very viable option for economically getting to a track day if you own a truck with a long enough bed. To put a bike in your truck bed, you will need ramps and tie down straps to secure it, some companies sell front wheel holders for extra security too. Taking your bike up a ramp into a truck bed can be challenging, so having a friend help spot you can be very helpful.
If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can modify your truck bed to accommodate some of the luxuries that you would normally find in a trailer to make loading/unloading your bike easier.
If your vehicle is unable to tow a trailer or don’t want to learn to tow one, a properly sized van provides a great solution, you can rent a van if you do not own one.
If you go the van route, A bike can be loaded into a van using a bike ramp and some straps mounted inside, it can be very helpful to have a front wheel holder for additional stability.
The same modifications you would make to a truck bed can be done to the interior of a van, with the added benefit of the van being enclosed. There is so much support nowadays for people looking to outfit their vans for any use, so if you want to turn your van into a full fledged paddock vehicle with a fridge, ac, and any other luxury you can imagine, there is likely a way to get it done. I suggest looking through van life forums for your specific van model for inspiration.
