Z4 Roadster Bike Rack?

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by sipman

.
On these cars I wouldn't buy a platform style hitch mount rack as it will affect your departure angle on steep aprons.

If by "platform" style rack you mean one with trays or hoops in which the tires sit in, then from experience with using them on Miatas and now the Zed I've got to say that's not true. Just about all of the hitch racks raise the bikes up a bit to increase the departure angle. It has never been an issue for me in 12 years.

Swagman makes a great line of affordable, lightweight hitch racks. As a serious bike enthusiast, the tray style bike racks are far superior. When loaded, bikes don't swing, the front wheel doesn't pivot, they can easily handle bikes without a traditional straight top tube and it takes a minute tops to load a bike. 85mph on my car and the bikes don't budge.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by gtMc

Its a soft bottom inflatable, so I fold it up into a hockey bag -sized soft carrier. And it goes in the trunk of my 540i. However if I upgrade to a fiberhlass bottom and transom, then id have to get a hitch and trailer too. Or an f150 pickup lol.

As for the power.... the 9.9 hauls ass, plains off real quick w 2 people on it and get going a good 20 to 25 mph. Will rip across the top of a flat lake. Ton of fun for a 3500 dollar setup.

What motor did you get? Mercury? Yamaha? 4 stroke I hope.

It was ax xmas gift, coleman 5hp :/

[ZStig]

Thanks for all the info/options everyone. I'm gonna price out a custom hitch, and also consider the Saris Bones kit as an alternative

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by elerner61

If by "platform" style rack you mean one with trays or hoops in which the tires sit in, then from experience with using them on Miatas and now the Zed I've got to say that's not true. Just about all of the hitch racks raise the bikes up a bit to increase the departure angle. It has never been an issue for me in 12 years.

Swagman makes a great line of affordable, lightweight hitch racks. As a serious bike enthusiast, the tray style bike racks are far superior. When loaded, bikes don't swing, the front wheel doesn't pivot, they can easily handle bikes without a traditional straight top tube and it takes a minute tops to load a bike. 85mph on my car and the bikes don't budge.

Agreed. Trunk mount "back pack" type would be my absolute last choice. It's very difficult to get it to sit snug. After lots of pulling of their straps & re-adjustings to get it on snug, you'll have to do it all over again if you remove and remount it.

I have used trunk mount, roof mount and hitch mount (tray style) and would definitely go with the latter if given the choice. The hitch mount is the most expensive, but absolutely worth every penny. To put it this way, I would rather use a roof mount on an SUV (those who owns a roof rack on an SUV knows how much of a hassle this is) before I would go back to a trunk mount. But then again, you roadster guys don't have the roof mount option

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Agreed. Trunk mount "back pack" type would be my absolute last choice. It's very difficult to get it to sit snug. After lots of pulling of their straps & re-adjustings to get it on snug, you'll have to do it all over again if you remove and remount it.

I have used trunk mount, roof mount and hitch mount (tray style) and would definitely go with the latter if given the choice. The hitch mount is the most expensive, but absolutely worth every penny. To put it this way, I would rather use a roof mount on an SUV (those who owns a roof rack on an SUV knows how much of a hassle this is) before I would go back to a trunk mount. But then again, you roadster guys don't have the roof mount option

My experience is that the trunk mount has a high risk of bending the sheet metal where the tension straps attach on the front edge.

I wouldn't rule out a roof rack, though, here is one for a Boxster, but I haven't seen one for a Z4R: http://www.rahul.net/dennisp/boxster/boxster-rts.shtml

[g_k]

I've been following this thread as I've just acquired an '06 M Roadster and I'd like to be able to carry both skis and a bike. However, my previous car was an '05 Lotus Elise, and I was able to carry my bike in the front seat - I removed both wheels, using a dummy sprocket device to hold the chain, (Pedro's and Cinelli each make one), then removed the seatpost and placed the frame upside down in the passenger seat, fork forward. I placed the wheels between the bike and the right door, and lashed the wheels (lightly) to the frame. I used a couple of small towels between the frame and the dash, and the chain ended up pretty close to my head, but it worked. I'll probably get a trunk-mount rack, but for longer trips I'd still prefer to keep the bike inside, if possible.

Just a suggestion - both my 54cm Bianchi Pista Concept and Cervelo Soloist Carbon fit in my Elise, so I'd be surprised if I couldn't do the same with my much larger Roadster.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by aerobod

My experience is that the trunk mount has a high risk of bending the sheet metal where the tension straps attach on the front edge.

I wouldn't rule out a roof rack, though, here is one for a Boxster, but I haven't seen one for a Z4R: http://www.rahul.net/dennisp/boxster/boxster-rts.shtml

That looks innovative I'm sure you'll get some "head bangs" forgetting the side loops are there

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by g_k

I've been following this thread as I've just acquired an '06 M Roadster and I'd like to be able to carry both skis and a bike. However, my previous car was an '05 Lotus Elise, and I was able to carry my bike in the front seat - I removed both wheels, using a dummy sprocket device to hold the chain, (Pedro's and Cinelli each make one), then removed the seatpost and placed the frame upside down in the passenger seat, fork forward. I placed the wheels between the bike and the right door, and lashed the wheels (lightly) to the frame. I used a couple of small towels between the frame and the dash, and the chain ended up pretty close to my head, but it worked. I'll probably get a trunk-mount rack, but for longer trips I'd still prefer to keep the bike inside, if possible.

Just a suggestion - both my 54cm Bianchi Pista Concept and Cervelo Soloist Carbon fit in my Elise, so I'd be surprised if I couldn't do the same with my much larger Roadster.

Can't use the seat, I carry a passenger, plus a second bike

[Gt4]

Just bought a new bike rack to be able to use with the 1¼'' hitch

[gtMc]

yeah Gtfour thats perfect, exactly what i had in mind for Tom

[psygnosis]

bmw also made one for the Z4

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...82&fg=51&hl=14

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Gtfour

Just bought a new bike rack to be able to use with the 1¼'' hitch

I don't know much about trailer hitches. I know there's a square female receiving piece, that protrudes from the gap in the M bumper, but don't you also have to slide a pin through to secure whatever sticks in there? Do you have a closeup side shot?

[Gt4]

Originally Posted by ZStig

I don't know much about trailer hitches. I know there's a square female receiving piece, that protrudes from the gap in the M bumper, but don't you also have to slide a pin through to secure whatever sticks in there? Do you have a closeup side shot?

I will take some pics this week

Yes there is a pin to lock the rack into the hitch. You need to cut a hole into the diffuser and another one into the grill.

[boodie1821]

That is how its done...

[SgtGigglebox]

Originally Posted by boodie1821

That is how its done...

When batman needs to visit the in-laws?

[ZStig]

I think its Sean White's car

[boodie1821]

im not sure, but i saw it in switzerland so it is possible...

[SgtGigglebox]

Appears to belong to some dude named Jon Olson, Professional Freeskier/Alpine Racer. Or at least that's what the internet thinks...

[ZStig]

badass

[rkstar9]

lmao ^^