Black Widow AMC-400L Motorcycle Carrier: How I Hauled Two Super73 Z1s With One Hitch Rack
March 10, 2021
If you ride e-bikes long enough, you eventually run into the same problem: the bikes are fun, but transporting them can be a pain—especially when you’re dealing with heavier frames, fat tires, or you’re planning to “upgrade someday.”
I wanted a hitch solution that felt more heavy-duty than a typical bike rack, so I went with the Black Widow AMC-400L. It’s technically a motorcycle carrier, but I set it up to haul two Super73 Z1s and still keep my options open for a heavier e-bike down the road.
Here’s how it went after I unboxed it, installed it on my Kia Sorento, dialed in the tie-down setup, and did real-world driving with two Z1s hanging off the back.
Why I Chose a Motorcycle Carrier Instead of a Bike Rack
A lot of fat-bike and e-bike hitch racks top out around the “one heavy e-bike” use case. That’s fine if you’re always carrying a single ride and the rack’s weight limit matches your bike.
But I wanted something that felt overbuilt for e-bikes—more like “I don’t have to worry about it” built. The AMC-400L is rated for much more than a typical bicycle rack, which makes it appealing if you’re hauling e-bikes now and might haul something bigger later.
First Attempt: Steel Was Strong… But Too Much
Before the AMC-400L, I tried a heavier-duty steel motorcycle carrier. It was strong and rigid on the road—no vibrations and it felt solid—but it was also wildly impractical for my day-to-day.
The steel carrier itself was about 100 pounds. Taking it on and off the vehicle wasn’t something I wanted to do regularly.
That’s what pushed me to the AMC-400L: aluminum, way more manageable, and still designed with motorcycle-level hauling in mind.
Unboxing and Build Quality Impressions
Right out of the box, the big wins were:
The aluminum carrier felt light enough to actually live with. I could move it around without it turning into a workout.
The ramp is aluminum and very lightweight, with cutouts to reduce weight.
The hitch tube is steel (one piece), which I liked because that’s the part I want to feel stout.
It includes an anti-vibration adapter for the hitch, which helps take the wobble out of the setup.
Overall, it gave me the feeling of “purpose-built,” without the massive steel-carrier penalty.
Installing It on My Hitch (And Killing the Wobble)
I mounted it to my Curt hitch on the Sorento. The anti-vibration adapter is a simple but important piece here—once it’s tightened down properly, it takes out a lot of the play that can make hitch-mounted gear feel sketchy.
Tip: when tightening the adapter, I lifted the carrier slightly to remove slack/play before locking it down. That helped the whole system feel more rigid.
The Two-Bike Challenge: Making One Tray Work for Two Super73 Z1s
The AMC-400L is meant to carry one bike. The reason I even attempted two Z1s is because:
The included ramp is long, and
Super73 Z1s aren’t insanely heavy, and
The tray is wide enough to experiment with positioning.
But to make it work, I needed a few small modifications and a very specific strap routine.
The Simple Mod That Matters: Washers on Ramp Bolts
I added washers to the ramp bolts. Out of the box, the bolts felt a bit flimsy for how often the ramp gets attached/detached and how much leverage is involved.
Not a dealbreaker, but it was the first thing I did to make it feel a little more confidence-inspiring.
Wheel Positioning: Using Clamps as “Markers”
I used small clamps like wheel stoppers to mark where each wheel should sit. They’re not true wheel chocks and they’re not what keeps the bike on—ratchet straps do that—but they helped me repeat a consistent loading position.
I also added some padding where the carrier could potentially knock against the vehicle (I used a Super73 koozie as a quick cushion) to prevent little rattles and protect the contact point.
Fitment Quirk: I Removed the Right Pedal
To fit two Z1s on this setup with my vehicle, I had to remove the right pedal on one bike.
That will annoy some people, and I get it. But it solved a clearance issue where the pedal wanted to push into the bumper area.
If you’re thinking about copying my two-bike setup, assume you’ll be doing some trial-and-error with spacing and contact points depending on your vehicle.
My Strap Setup (This Is the Real “Secret Sauce”)
The carrier itself is only half the system. The straps are what make it feel secure.
I used Rhino USA ratchet straps and soft-loop tie-downs. The pack I used came with multiple ratchet straps, soft ties, and strap management pieces (like Velcro) so the extra webbing doesn’t flap around at speed.
Bike 1: Handlebar Soft Loops + Downward Tension
For the first Z1, I used soft loops on the handlebars and ran the straps so they pulled the bike down toward the carrier/hitch.
The goal was:
Straight, clean strap angles
Minimal rubbing/contact between bikes
Downward tension that compresses the suspension/tires slightly and keeps everything planted
Bike 2: Frame Tie-Down to Avoid Bike-on-Bike Contact
For the second Z1, I focused on strapping through the frame so I could avoid having straps press awkwardly against the other bike.
I also shortened strap length by wrapping where needed—long, loose straps are a nuisance and can create unnecessary movement.
Rear Stability: One More Strap to “Unify” the Load
After both bikes were in place, I added an additional strap to provide tension through the center of the setup. Think of it as a final stabilizer that helps everything feel like one tight package.
Then I cleaned up strap tails by wrapping and Velcro-ing them down.
Driving Impressions: Secure and Surprisingly Solid
Once everything was strapped, the setup felt secure. With the anti-wobble adapter tightened correctly and the straps pulling in the right directions, it didn’t feel like a shaky “hope for the best” rack.
On the road, it felt strong and rigid—exactly what I wanted when I decided to go motorcycle-carrier instead of bicycle rack.
What We Like
Aluminum carrier is much easier to handle than a steel motorcycle carrier
Anti-vibration hitch adapter helps eliminate wobble
Ramp is included and lightweight
Feels heavy-duty for e-bike hauling
With the right strap strategy, I was able to carry two Super73 Z1s on a carrier designed for one
Things To Consider
This carrier is designed for one bike; carrying two requires creativity, careful positioning, and a proper tie-down method
You may need small modifications (like adding washers) to improve confidence in some hardware
Depending on your vehicle, you might need to remove a pedal for clearance
Strap quality matters a lot—budget straps can turn a good carrier into a stressful experience
Final Thoughts
The Black Widow AMC-400L ended up being the sweet spot for me: manageable weight, motorcycle-level sturdiness, and enough flexibility to haul my two Super73 Z1s with some practical tweaks.
If you want something that feels more heavy-duty than a typical e-bike rack—and you don’t mind spending a little time dialing in your tie-down routine—this is a seriously capable solution.
Links
Black Widow AMC-400L Motorcycle Carrier - https://amzn.to/3rzqk5N
Rhino USA Ratchet Straps 4 Pack - https://amzn.to/3ry5sLX
3" Clamps - https://amzn.to/3tbg0RV
Want a discount on your Super73? Use my promo code here: https://www.talkable.com/x/fqj0WT
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/