I can answer this one! I have this rack on my Impreza. It's the Tyger rack, and I got mine on Amazon. It's a great rack. I loved the fact that it's pretty deep, but not as stylistically bland as the Yakima rack.
Edit: This one
We love our Tyger X-tray. It's made in the same factory as the equivalent rhino rack without the branding and higher price. I've had it on two vehicles so far so it's held up perfectly and is still in the same condition as it was when I got it out of the box. Here's it on our forester. It just went out of stock but they're normally in stock but here's the link
I just put this Rola one on my 20 Sport.
Works well. Have the Subaru Crossbars.
Highland 2006200 Black Heavy Duty Bar Carrier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MABL4/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_dCerFb53KVGCW
Just got them off amazon, seems like they have pretty solid construction and the coating they used on them looks cooler then just black IMO.
Its all about the straps you use. I have a [HandiRack](https://www.amazon.com/HandiRack-Universal-Inflatable-Black-INCLUDED/dp/B001F5AHKC\) but I also just helped my friend transport their new yak with the foam blocks.
IMO you can get away with the foam blocks (I wouldn't worry about having a sunroof or not) but definitely get your own tie down straps and don't use the ones that come with them.
You can get a much more secure tie down with ratchet straps and honestly I felt way more confident transporting hers on foam blocks with good straps than I do with the included straps on my HandiRack.
TLDR: Outside of a legit rack system, HandiRack in combo with good ratchet straps is your best bet by far!
I use the Rola V-Tex basket. It's big enough for gear (We also have two sizable dogs) during road trips as long as that gear is in water proof cases. It's tubing is beefy and can easily handle an awning. I will admit that it's not quiet. It produces noticeable wind noise but I had it on my Jeep Grand Cherokee first and now the Forester for a total of five years. On the Forester I mounted it as far back as I could and leveled it so that helps.
Coated it in truck bed liner spray and used silicon caulk where the two halves of the rack meet to keep water out.
I have the Brightlines bars that someone mentioned already, and the maxxhaul basket from amazon. I’ve been super happy with them so far. Had the basket filled for two separate long road trips and didn’t have any issues, and everything still feels secure.
I should mention that I did plastidip the basket after assembly to help waterproof it after reading the reviews.
I got this one from Amazon! Steel Motorcycle Scooter Dirtbike Carrier Hauler Hitch Mount Rack Ramp Anti Tilt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018SCMIR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_zX8KIxtXDNpe1
Been pretty happy with it although I had to loosen and re tighten it a few times to make it straight. If you over tighten the bolt the metal will cave a bit but overall it's been super sturdy. The anti tilt thing it comes with is trash though. I bought an after market pin and it still has some movement but wasn't terrible.
Edit: The capacity is rated for 500 lbs for the carrier but it's all about the tongue weight of the hitch. My KDX is only like 250-300 lbs altogether but I can sit on the bike with it on the the rack just fine to tighten the straps down!
Very nice! If I travel somewhere that I know I'll be for a day or more, I'll bring the Grom. Makes life much more enjoyable.
The ramp I bought off amazon is now listed as $88, but prices fluctuate.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018SCMIR4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a Chinese unit they relabel and rebrand all the time. It ranges between $70-90 on Amazon. Just search "Motorcycle carrier" and see what comes up. I see one that's $73.99 right now that looks like the same model. It's rated up to 500lbs, but the biggest bike I've carried with mine so far is my YZ250F.
I went with a very similar setup and just installed the cargo basket today! I got some decent but cheaper knockoffs of a very similar crossbar (a bit lower profile) on ebay. I had to hit em with some plastidip to black em out. ebay link
and the same rack but just another brand and a bit cheaper: amazon
I agree the combo of low profile bars and that style basket is a great look on a Rene.
These Vantech mounts are the longest you can buy (I have a 30 inch top so have searched from months). They would fit off the shelf. https://vantech.us/product/h1-diy-rack-system-for-conversion-vans/
Highland: These are not high enough but they are very strong and easy to add on to.. Only $60 for 4 mounts (and two bars). https://www.amazon.com/Highland-2006200-Black-Heavy-Carrier/dp/B0002MABL4/ref=sr_1_36?dchild=1&keywords=ladder+rack&qid=1600046750&sr=8-36
The basket is Maxxhaul and the bars are CargoLoc, both good options on Amazon and not too expensive.
Basket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073G49NPV/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_9xpREbC30FQXQ
Bars: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GA2HKAU/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_OypREbWQTW6B2
No idea what those bars are, but I have the one below on my OEM cross bars and I love it. Looks great, large and 1/3 the price of some other brands
ROLA 59504 V-Tex Rooftop Cargo... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R34HDC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I moved across country with two bikes on my XD using a Saris Bone rack, and would highly recommend it.
You can get inflatable racks that you loop inside the car, you need either a four door car or a two door with wind down rear windows. They don't carry as much (65kg) compared to metal fixed ones (100kg+).
They start from £25 but decent mid range ones are around £50.
Mid range example:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HandiRack-MPG452-Handirack-inflatable-roof/dp/B001F5AHKC
However as they are in contact with the car you will get scratches where they sit. Although I use a metal fixed one and have scratches from moving my gear up and down. Scratches are going to happen regardless of how careful you are.
Have a look at other makes and reviews and find the best one for you.
I have one of these that I used to haul my old Honda CB300f around no problem with just standard ratchet straps. That bike weighed ~350lb. It was a little tricky to load by myself, but doable. I think the metacycle going to be even easier.
The lack of local pickup does kinda suck, but delivery and destination charges are pretty much industry standard. You buy a motorcycle or car from any dealer, there’s going to be a delivery fee that’s part of the price even though you’re buying it in person.
to echo the other commenter, you can get a roof rack setup, and that has pads and straps. You could also DIY with like... pool noodles and ratchet straps.
I got this setup off amazon. Seems to work well, but I only use it around town, haven't tested it at highway speeds
I got this basket off Amazon. You will need the Volkswagen cross bar kit.
I like this because you can put your stuff in a plastic tote and ratchet strap it down.
MAXXHAUL 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" - 150... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073G49NPV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I bought this one and it works great. You'll need a 2" hitch for it. I used it about 20 times and have had no issues super solid and no swaying.
Have you checked out the inflatable models? Sounds crazy but gets great reviews.
If anyone is looking for an option without the hitch, I have a Saris Bones rack that I bought from Amazon for $80. I bought a used one from the Amazon Warehouse instead of a brand new one.
I just put some electrical tape around the parts that touch the car, the avoid any possible scratches.
That they do. Not going to lie though, I cheaped out and went with the Amazon special. We'll see how long they last.
Link for anyone interested: https://www.amazon.com/Highland-2006200-Black-Heavy-Carrier/dp/B0002MABL4/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?crid=MI79WM2EUO9A&keywords=van+gutter+rack&pscroll=1&qid=1654196802&sprefix=van+gutter+rack%2Caps%2C247&sr=8-19&wIndexMainSlot=31
To get started before you spend big money, they have these wide pillow things on Amazon that straps to your minivan and straps to the kayak. Probably the worst solution in my experience, but could be a stop gap before you end up getting a big Thule rack or something.
HandiRack Universal Inflatable Soft Roof Rack Bars (Pair); Tie-Downs and Bow and Stern Lines Included; Carries Kayaks, Canoes, Surfboards and SUPs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F5AHKC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ESBF8E8ASH8C1G9NH8MP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Make sure to put half turns in all your straps so they don’t vibrate going down the road at high speed
I decided to start with this one and upgrade if need be, but so far I don’t see a need to as this one has held up. Some people had issues with them rusting and advised beefing up the weatherproof-ness. I covered the welds, joints, and screw holes with roofing sealant, sprayed the whole thing with “truck bed liner” and covered the exposed hardware with electrical tape.
I believe i made it a post in the past with a list of all my stuff and links? But here is a link to my rack.
MaxxHaul 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" - 150... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073G49NPV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have this from Harbor Freight. You can also get it from Amazon. I like the sleek lower profile on it 👍
not sure about towing with your specific car but if the motorcycles are small enough (dirtbike, cafe racer, etc) you could get a motorcycle rack instead or a trailer (such as this I used one with my old jeep and dirtbike and loved it. never had to fiddle with trailer lights and it weighs much less so would probably put less strain on your car than a full trailer.