The Best possible Hitch Motorbike Racks of 2023

There are quite a lot of techniques to move motorcycles together with your car, however hitch motorcycle racks are arguably the most productive. With such a lot of fashions and types to choose between, alternatively, discovering the very best hitch rack to your wishes and funds is usually a problem. At Bikerumor, we’ve examined dozens of the most productive hitch racks in the marketplace to seek out the most productive techniques to comfortably and safely delivery your valuable motorcycles anyplace you move.

Whether or not you’re doing mountain motorcycle shuttles with a large group, heading out on an off-the-cuff trip or to a race, or loading up the circle of relatives for a weekend holiday, we’ve discovered the most productive choices to be had in 2023. Our crew assessed each and every type’s ease of use, weight limits, versatility, security measures, and meeting, to give you the main points you want to make the precise acquire resolution. 

Right here you’ll to find our best suggestions organized by means of taste so you’ll be able to temporarily to find what you’re searching for. Should you’d like to match product specifications make sure that to try our comparability chart and seek advice from our complete purchaser’s information and FAQ to assist resolution any questions.

The Best possible Hitch Motorbike Racks of 2023

Hitch Motorbike Racks Comparability Chart

Why Will have to You Believe Bikerumor?

The crew at Bikerumor is obsessive about all issues biking. We trip for paintings, a laugh, health, coaching, racing, and commuting. We don’t simply write about motorcycles, they’re a motive force in our on a regular basis lives. Such as you, we frequently use our cars to move ourselves and our valuable bicycles, and hitch-mounted motorcycle racks are our favourite manner to take action. 

For over a decade, we’ve been checking out the newest motorcycles, applied sciences, parts, and equipment, together with motorcycle racks. In that point, we’ve gotten our palms on nearly each motorcycle rack in the marketplace whether or not for checking out and assessment or private use. We’re at all times looking for the most productive, most secure, and maximum protected method to delivery our motorcycles to the trailhead, for a weekend getaway, or to the following race.

Our editors had been checking out biking tools for years and feature advanced a prepared sense of what makes an ideal product. Every rack featured right here has been completely used and examined by means of one or a number of participants of our personnel to tease out the frequently refined efficiency variations that separate the great from the most productive. In reality, many of those fashions are our private racks that experience observed a number of years of heavy use and abuse. Leisure confident, now we have our hands at the pulse, and as new fashions hit the marketplace, we’ll take a look at the ones too, and stay this assessment as up-to-date as imaginable. We’re dedicated to serving to you to find the very best rack to satisfy your wishes and funds.

Hitch Motorbike Rack Purchaser’s Information

There are lots of types of motorbike racks in the marketplace, however we really feel that hitch-mount racks are one of the simplest ways to move your motorcycles. Hitch racks come in numerous types, alternatively, so that you’ll wish to decide which is the most suitable option for the motorcycles you personal and the car you are going to apply it to. Right here we wreck down the principle variations between tray racks, vertical putting racks, and best tube putting racks, in addition to different essential issues to believe when buying a hitch rack. 

Kinds of Hitch Mount Motorbike Racks

There are benefits and downsides to each and every form of rack. Right here we’ll give an explanation for the variations in conjunction with the professionals and cons related to each and every taste.

Tray or Platform Hitch Motorbike Racks

Extra frequently than no longer, we make a selection the tray or platform taste rack over the others because of their ease of use and motorcycle attachment strategies. The motorcycle’s tires leisure on a tray or platform with hands that usually clamp down at the entrance wheel whilst the rear wheel is strapped into position. Some fashions use hands to seize each the entrance and rear wheels. Tray racks are essentially the most solid and protected. Some fashions permit for left-right changes so you’ll be able to steer clear of handlebar-to-seat interference between motorcycles. Critical cyclists usually make a selection tray racks as a result of maximum designs hang the motorcycle with none body touch, serving to to stay your trip in pristine situation.

PROS: Excellent tray racks usually hang motorcycles with out a body touch in order that they received’t scratch or rub at the paint. Additionally they have a tendency to have more room between motorcycles, making it more uncomplicated to load larger motorcycles and fatter tires. They’re very flexible and maximum can hang quite a lot of wheel sizes, tire widths, and forms of motorcycles. Some have excessive weight limits making them appropriate for transporting heavy e-bikes. Low loading heights imply you don’t have to boost your motorcycles that top to get them at the rack.

CONS: Maximum tray racks can solely have compatibility 2 motorcycles (some can max out at 4 with add-ons). They’re frequently relatively dear, and including a 2-bike extension to a 2-bike rack will increase the associated fee much more. Tray racks are frequently huge and heavy, making garage tougher in case you don’t simply depart them in your car.

Vertical Placing Hitch Motorbike Racks

What used to be as soon as an overly area of interest taste of rack is changing into extra not unusual as extra manufacturers have began making racks that hold the motorcycles vertically. Historically, vertical putting hitch racks had been usually used for shuttling mountain motorcycles. Previous fashions held motorcycles by means of the crown of a suspension fork. Extra not too long ago, this taste of rack has grow to be extra flexible. Some new fashions function angled wheel baskets/trays that seize the entrance wheel whilst others beef up them by means of the handlebar. Vertical putting racks can also be one of the vital very best to load, despite the fact that it should be performed in a selected order. Maximum fashions are presented in numerous variations with wearing capacities usually various between 4 to six motorcycles. 

PROS: In a position to wearing a lot of motorcycles. Moderately fast and simple to load motorcycles. Usually no body touch. 

CONS: Cumbersome and really heavy. Tricky to transport round and retailer when no longer in use. Motorcycles wish to be loaded and unloaded so as. Some designs are solely able to wearing mountain motorcycles with suspension forks. Maximum solely are available a 2” receiver measurement.

Most sensible Tube Placing Hitch Motorbike Racks

Most sensible tube putting motorcycle racks usually hang your motorcycle’s body by means of putting the highest tube throughout two hands that reach out from its beef up beam. You merely slide your motorcycle over the ones hands, leisure it on them, then strap it into position. Higher fashions have cradles and rubber or ratcheting ladder straps in addition to some manner of stopping your motorcycles from swaying from side to side. Those racks are available quite a lot of sizes with wearing capacities ranging between 2 and 5 motorcycles. At Bikerumor, we personal and trip motorcycles that we care about, so that is our least favourite method to delivery motorcycles because of the inherent downsides of the highest tube hold design.

PROS: More economical, more uncomplicated to retailer (particularly if the hands fold down), lighter weight.

CONS: Helps the motorcycles by means of the body and will injury the paint. Motorcycles frequently make touch with each and every different. Non-traditional body shapes (like step-through frames), truly small (child’s) motorcycles, or complete suspension mountain motorcycles can also be laborious to suit, correctly protected, or require an adapter. Placing racks are nowhere close to as solid or protected as a tray rack. Decrease weight limits.

Product Issues

Tray vs. Vertical Grasp vs. Most sensible Tube Grasp: Which is the most productive?

Choosing the proper taste of rack is determined by a number of elements together with what number of and what form of motorcycles you want to hold, how frequently you plan to make use of it, and what sort of you’re keen to spend. Extra frequently than no longer, we go for tray racks or vertical putting racks as they’re the perfect to load, maximum solid and protected, and are much less prone to injury the paint in your body. Those have a tendency to be the most costly choices, alternatively, in order that they would possibly not make monetary sense for the ones on the cheap or much less common rack customers. Most sensible tube putting racks may well be a more sensible choice for individuals who solely use a motorcycle rack every so often or are much less excited about the illusion in their motorcycle’s body. 

How Many Motorcycles Do You Want To Elevate?

It’ll appear evident, however the choice of motorcycles you plan to hold when looking for a motorcycle rack. Many racks can also be bought in various sizes/wearing capacities or extensions can also be added directly to take care of extra motorcycles. 

Maximum tray racks include area for 2 motorcycles, despite the fact that some are presented in unmarried or 3 motorcycle configurations. Many makers be offering add-ons for tray racks (relying at the type) that may extend capability by means of one or two motorcycles. Tray rack add-ons can upload considerably to the price of your rack machine.

Vertical putting racks are usually presented in numerous sizes, normally between 4 and six motorcycles. Whilst the prematurely charge of vertical putting racks is really extensive, it finally ends up being one of the vital cost-effective techniques to move 4 to six motorcycles (some manufacturers move as much as 7) as opposed to a tailgate pad. 

Most sensible tube putting racks are presented in quite a lot of sizes ranging between 2 and 5 motorcycles. 

How A lot Do Your Motorcycles Weigh?

The appearance of and proliferation of electrical motorcycles has made weight capability a not unusual fear for the ones having a look into a brand new motorcycle rack acquire. No longer all racks are created equivalent on this regard, so weight limits must be regarded as in accordance with the motorcycles you plan to hold. With many e-MTBs and electrical motorcycles weighing locally of fifty to 60 lbs, and infrequently extra, rack producers had been designing racks to take care of this new breed of bicycles. In case you are making plans to move heavy e-bikes, it is very important get a rack that meets or exceeds the load of your motorcycles for protection. It must be famous that some racks are rated for RV and off-road use, despite the fact that the load limits usually drop down rather in the ones programs.

Loading Heavy Motorcycles

Heavyweight electrical motorcycles are tougher to load, so some producers have replied with rack designs and equipment to assist in making it more uncomplicated. Lifting a 60 lb motorcycle up and into place on a tray rack is awkward and can even be unimaginable for the ones with restricted energy or mobility. Many manufacturers now be offering loading ramps available for purchase to permit customers to roll motorcycles up onto the trays of sure racks. A choose few racks even include this accent integrated.

Motorbike Attachment Issues

Relying on the kind of motorcycles you have got and what sort of you care about your body’s end, the best way a rack secures the motorcycle is also the most important attention. Fashionable carbon fiber and aluminum motorcycles can also be very dear, so the very last thing the general public wish to do is injury the paint or body subject matter whilst transporting their valuable rides. Because of this, best tube putting racks must in most cases be have shyed away from by means of the ones with dear carbon motorcycles since they create motorcycles by means of the body. Restricted area between motorcycles additionally makes bike-on-bike touch tough to steer clear of.

Tray Racks

Maximum tray racks, however no longer all, steer clear of body touch by means of securing the motorcycle with both a entrance wheel clamp and rear wheel ladder strap, or with twin clamp hands that sandwich the motorcycle from each ends. Entrance wheel clamping fashions such because the Thule T2 Professional XTR, Rocky Mounts MonoRail, Kuat NV 2.0, and Yakima StageTwo have hook-shaped ratcheting hands that lock the entrance wheel down and a strap that holds the rear wheel tight towards the tray. Those fashions steer clear of body touch, however it must be famous that the entrance wheel hook can probably make touch with the fork and depart abrasion marks through the years, and the rear wheel strap can depart some minor scuffing in your rear rim. Twin clamp fashions just like the 1Up-USA Heavy Accountability Double, Kuat Piston Professional X, and Rocky Mounts GuideRail, hang motorcycles by means of the tires, making it simple to steer clear of any undesirable body, fork, and even rim touch.

Vertical Placing Racks

Vertical putting racks range in the best way they hang motorcycles, with choices that beef up motorcycles by means of the fork’s crown, entrance wheel, or handlebar. Fashions with entrance wheel baskets/cradles, just like the VelociRAX, make the least quantity of touch with the motorcycle as they in most cases solely touch the entrance tire and feature straps that hang each the entrance and rear wheels in position. Racks that deliver motorcycles by means of the fork crown, just like the North Shore Racks and Yakima HangOver, have padded cradles that make direct touch with each the crown of your suspension fork and the ground of the top tube and feature the prospective to reason abrasion marks in the ones spaces. Vertical racks that beef up motorcycles by means of the handlebar are a little bit extra flexible than the fork-carry fashions, however additionally they have the prospective to reason minor abrasion injury on your handlebar’s end.

What Roughly Motorcycles Do You Have?

At the side of the quantity and weight of the motorcycles you want to move is the forms of motorcycles you have got. Whilst hitch racks are extremely flexible on the subject of motorcycle have compatibility, no longer all will paintings with each motorcycle. Some racks are designed to paintings with nearly any motorcycle available in the market and will beef up an enormous vary of wheel sizes, tire widths, and wheelbase lengths, whilst others are extra restricted. You will need to believe those elements when looking for the rack that most closely fits your wishes and the motorcycles you’ll be transporting.

The character of tray rack designs way they’re a few of the maximum flexible on the subject of motorcycle have compatibility. Maximum paintings with various wheel sizes and tires starting from thin avenue motorcycles to mountain motorcycle treads. Many fashions can have compatibility as much as 5-inch large fatties, despite the fact that some require fats motorcycle kits. A restricting issue for some tray racks is wheelbase period, so make a selection properly in case you have an ideal lengthy downhill or enduro motorcycles.

Vertical putting racks range of their versatility relying on how they beef up the motorcycle. Some fashions hang the motorcycle by means of the crown of the fork and solely paintings with mountain motorcycles with suspension forks. Fashions that use entrance wheel baskets or hold the motorcycle by means of the handlebars paintings with a wider variety of motorcycles, together with the ones with inflexible forks or drop handlebars.

Most sensible tube putting racks are the least flexible because of the best way wherein they beef up the motorcycles. Grownup measurement frames with immediately best tubes paintings the most productive. Curved tubes, small frames, or complete suspension motorcycles is also tough or unimaginable to put correctly over the beef up hands. Maximum manufacturers make adapters to hold non-compatible frames.

What Dimension Is Your Hitch Receiver?

When ordering a motorcycle rack, it’s crucial to get one that fits the dimensions of the receiver in your car. Many cars, however by no means all, include hitch receivers put in, so make sure to double-check the dimensions. It’ll be both the bigger 2” or the smaller 1.25”. Can’t inform simply by having a look? Merely measure the width of the receiver opening to seek out the dimensions. Should you don’t have already got one, it’s imaginable to get one put in on maximum cars. Native auto retail outlets or U-haul places can usually deal with it for you. In lots of instances, it is usually imaginable to do it your self, and trailer hitch kits can usually be discovered on-line to suit your yr, make, and type of auto.

If getting a trailer hitch put in, the two” measurement is our advice as it’s in most cases more potent and will beef up extra weight. This makes it higher for transporting tray racks with add-ons, racks with swing-away attachments, or vertical putting racks. The 1.25” measurement additionally works neatly sufficient, however the weight score is in most cases a little bit decrease and a few racks are solely presented within the 2” measurement. Adapters are to be had to head between the 2 sizes, and a few racks even include adjustable receiver ends that may be switched between them.

Swing Away and Tilt Options

Maximum high quality tray racks have a tilt serve as so you’ll be able to fold it up when no longer in use, flat for transporting motorcycles, and tilt it down and away to get right of entry to the rear of the car. Some racks have handy tilt-release handles or foot pedals and can also be tilted down even with motorcycles at the rack. Others have much less user-friendly launch mechanisms that require you to succeed in below or round loaded motorcycles to tilt the rack. Maximum vertical and best tube putting racks even have tilt options for more uncomplicated get right of entry to to the rear of the car.

Individuals who have camper trucks, cabover campers, or just need large open get right of entry to to the again of the car must believe racks that swing away or including a swing away/pivoting attachment to the rack of your selection. This permits all the rack to pivot out and to the facet, making it more uncomplicated to open huge doorways or just experience unrestricted get right of entry to on your trunk (boot), truck mattress, or camper. A choose few racks include this option constructed into the design, however maximum primary producers additionally make swing-away attachments. Those attachments are usually solely to be had within the 2” receiver measurement for racks that still have 2” receiver ends.

Automobile Clearance

The clearance between the rack, motorcycles, and your car is worthy of attention. No person desires to have their rear window damaged by means of their handlebar whilst in transit or wish to loosen and switch their handlebar each time they load a motorcycle at the within tray. Some trailer hitches are fixed additional beneath the car, making the rack itself sit down nearer to the rear bumper. Further elements like the way of auto and the design of the bumper and rear door additionally play a task. Some racks play great with almost about any car whilst others may have a tighter have compatibility that may reason touch between handlebars and rear home windows or doorways. That is maximum not unusual with tray racks and cars with vertical rear doorways like campervans that may be extra problematic on this regard in comparison to the ones with sloping rear ends like station wagons and hatchbacks.

Maximum rack producers supply technical specifications or have compatibility guides on their web pages for reference. This hyperlink to Kuat’s Piston Professional X Have compatibility Information is a great instance that provides you with the entire measurements you want for that exact rack. Evaluating your measurements to the rack’s specifications must come up with an concept of whether or not or no longer a rack will have compatibility. Nonetheless, that doesn’t at all times clear up the handlebar clearance factor, despite the fact that this is in most cases maximum prevalent with vertical rear doorways. In some instances, it can be vital to get a hitch extension to reach the right kind clearance to your car. Thankfully, maximum manufacturers be offering hitch extensions as an oem accent, a few of which additionally lift and decrease the peak of the rack. Vertical putting racks normally have fewer clearance problems as they usually have an attitude adjustment to put it correctly to steer clear of any interference with the rear of the car.

Safety

Motorcycles can also be very dear, so preserving them secure is a concern for many customers. The very last thing any individual desires is to forestall for a fast errand and to find their motorcycle(s) stolen once they go back. Many racks, however no longer all, include integrated security measures like cable locks included or semi-integrated into their design. Whilst those options are unquestionably a lot better than not anything, they’re usually little greater than a robbery deterrent. We at all times suggest including a beefy aftermarket lock on your rack for an added layer of safety and peace of thoughts.

Racks also are moderately dear, so preserving them secure and protected may be essential. Thankfully, maximum hitch racks include hitch pin locks or locking knobs to protected them to the car. Some require the usage of particular safety allen keys to tighten or loosen them at the hitch. Hitch pin locks are moderately reasonably priced, and an ideal addition to any rack that doesn’t already include one.

Meeting

Whilst you acquire a hitch motorcycle rack from a brick-and-mortar store, they are going to usually bring together the rack for you and probably even can help you set up it in your car. Whilst you acquire a rack on-line, it normally arrives at your house in a big field with some meeting required to organize it to be used. The meeting procedure varies between fashions and a few are extra concerned than others, however in most cases, it isn’t too tough. Maximum fashions include detailed directions and the equipment had to entire the stairs within the procedure. Ceaselessly you’ll be able to to find an educational meeting video (or scan a QR code) if you would like see it performed. We suggest following the directions precisely for the perfect and maximum streamlined meeting.

Garage

Whilst many of us will make a selection to depart their hitch rack on their cars always, the general public will take it off seasonally or once they aren’t making plans to make use of it for a longer duration. You’ll want someplace to stay it, and maximum hitch racks are moderately cumbersome and soak up an even quantity of area to your storage, shed, or garage location. That is very true of maximum vertical putting and tray fashions, despite the fact that a couple of cave in to a smaller measurement to make storing them extra handy. Some corporations make wall-mountable hitch docks that may hang your rack up off the bottom to stay issues tidier. Most sensible tube putting racks have a tendency to be the perfect to retailer given their narrower collapsed dimensions.

Worth

There’s no denying that hitch motorcycle racks are dear. Costs had been frequently expanding and the highest-end fashions now best $1,000. Except you’re rolling in disposable source of revenue, that’s a tricky tablet to swallow for the general public. Positive, costlier racks usually have fancy options and high-end finishes, however the general public don’t want to spend that a lot to get a rack that will get the activity performed.

Realistically, the least dear fashions we examined paintings just about in addition to the high-priced choices. They all paintings higher than no rack in any respect. In fact, the cost of some racks is going manner up when you want so as to add capability. Tray racks get a lot more dear whilst you issue add-ons into the equation. The ones desiring to hold many motorcycles without delay can be sensible to try the vertical putting choices. Whilst the prematurely charge is moderately excessive, they charge not up to some racks with add-ons for wearing 4 or extra motorcycles at a time.

Regularly Requested Questions About Hitch Motorbike Racks