Thule 598 here, works well with my XL with battery removed although clamps just above battery terminals.
Got a folding plastic step to lift it onto the roof, don't need it to take the bike off (although I'm tall).
Did South Coast to Pembrokeshire and back a few weeks ago, no dramas
As above. mine has been on my GFs thule roof mount rack. (Battery off partly to reduce weight but mainly to allow the arm to hold the downtube properly).
She has a folding step thing too. I don'tr use it though.
Personally mine always goes INSIDE my car despite owning 2 towbar mounted racks. It's just safer. but my car will swallow any bike whole without removing anything.
i use the roof Thule 598 and the towbar Thule Euroride.
putting the bike on the roof makes my back suffer.
the towbar rack is a bit short for the large wheelbase, i will probably bolt on some kind of extension soon for extra security.