hauling motorcycle

fivestar · Feb 21, 2019

Ramsportrocks said:
I don't have a place to keep a trailer and im not going to rent one just to have it parked for who knows how long every time I want to take a trip..

why not ride it.?? this always cracks me up as the guys that make these statements are usually in a warmer climate
to start off and traveling a couple hundred miles as opposed to 1100 miles one way

today it is currently 29° and snowing from here to VA with 3-4" and ice on top of that.. many times it has been beautiful
for the trip down only to have heavy snow and ice for the trip back so why take chances..

I will use one of the purpose built ramps from discount ramps or similar

https://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramps/p/MF-12038/

that is designed for loading and unloading bikes by one person
so getting it in and out wont be a problem and my main question was to those that have done it
as I was curious what I can expect from the handling

Those ramps are better than the ones I have. Couldn't tell you what I have now, as I bought them back in 2000 or 2001 probably. Plus, my Ram sits higher than my Dakota ever did, making my ramps all but impossible to use even with a friend.

Ramsportrocks · Feb 21, 2019

again for those coming in late, a trailer isn't a viable option for me..

already spoke to my servicing dealer about possibly loading up at their dealership
found that they use the exact same ramp that im looking to buy now couple that with
where I would be going to stay the nearest dealer is just under 30 miles away to get the
bike back off the truck which would require someone to drive my truck back to the house..

I would rather just have my own ramp to work with which will give you no issues if done properly

and yes the ramp would be hooked to the truck how they have in their videos, cross the straps
and ratcheted down

JPT · Feb 21, 2019

Ramsportrocks said:
again for those coming in late, a trailer isn't a viable option for me..

already spoke to my servicing dealer about possibly loading up at their dealership
found that they use the exact same ramp that im looking to buy now couple that with
where I would be going to stay the nearest dealer is just under 30 miles away to get the
bike back off the truck which would require someone to drive my truck back to the house..

and yes the ramp would be hooked to the truck how they have in their videos, cross the straps
and ratcheted down

It is a very nice ramp. I still am more of a fan of slowly walking the bike up (using engine power while standing on the clutch side), just because if it goes sideways, you can get out of the way. A bike can be replaced (as much as we LOVE our bikes), but if you fall with the bike, you can't be.

Another trick, when backing the bike out, you can have the bike off, with the kill switch off. Put the bike in gear and use the clutch to help you feather your way off. The front brake will be almost useless (the front is unloaded). Until I learned this trick, I had many a change your undies moments as the bike starts to pick up speed and the font tire locks up and simply slides down the ramp.

You have chosen wisely. That ramp setup will serve you well, and even if you someday can/do get a trailer, that ramp will not be wasted. To me, having a full size pickup truck without owing a good set of ramps is useless.

Ramsportrocks · Feb 22, 2019

JPT said:
It is a very nice ramp. I still am more of a fan of slowly walking the bike up (using engine power while standing on the clutch side), just because if it goes sideways, you can get out of the way. A bike can be replaced (as much as we LOVE our bikes), but if you fall with the bike, you can't be.

Another trick, when backing the bike out, you can have the bike off, with the kill switch off. Put the bike in gear and use the clutch to help you feather your way off. The front brake will be almost useless (the front is unloaded). Until I learned this trick, I had many a change your undies moments as the bike starts to pick up speed and the font tire locks up and simply slides down the ramp.

You have chosen wisely. That ramp setup will serve you well, and even if you someday can/do get a trailer, that ramp will not be wasted. To me, having a full size pickup truck without owing a good set of ramps is useless.

that's my way of thinking which is why i specifically shopped for a quad cab with 6.5' bed and yes my intent is to keep it in gear not running on way down but walking it up wont be a viable option for me due to my short stature, I chose this particular ramp for the ride up capability

JPT · Feb 22, 2019

Ramsportrocks said:
that's my way of thinking which is why i specifically shopped for a quad cab with 6.5' bed and yes my intent is to keep it in gear not running on way down but walking it up wont be a viable option for me due to my short stature, I chose this particular ramp for the ride up capability

You made a good choice in ramps! Good loading and unloading! Enjoy your trip.

vweaver · Feb 22, 2019

How NOT to load a bike:

How to load a bike:

But seriously:

redvettx2 · Feb 25, 2019

Depending on how stretched out the wheel base is on your bike they ride fine in our beds. For you heavy Harley I would recommend getting a wheel chock for you front tire. I have used blankets and they worked too but a choke is more solid. No worries of it sliding. On a dirt bike no chock required. Use soft tie downs around the bars or the frame if possible. I like 4- sometimes 3 is fine as I use one sometime just through the rear wheel to keep it on the ground depending on the type of wheel- not spokes. The rear wheel usually sits right on the crack of bed and tailgate. Weight is usually between the two surfaces. I have had no issues. Another option in put in a sheet of plywood. Don't skimp on thickness if you want support. You can find wafer board that is plastic now or get a plastic sheet if your worried about water. 3/4" Plywood will last at least 6 month if left exposed the whole time and 40 bucks? Menards in the Midwest sells the plastic wafer and plastic sheets in stock. Still hunting it out west. Using to thin sheet of plywood now for my single loader sled deck. Thin is light but the roller crack it and it offers zero support. I don't need support when using the loader rack for a sled. Also no need to suck the suspension down all the way with your straps. Front straps are more for side to side and keeping the bike pulled forward in the truck. Rear is just to keep the ass end from bouncing around. Let the suspension of the bike work in the truck bed. Why I like to tie to the frame. Dirt bikes need to be strapped tighter as there long suspensions can absorb to much and on compression have enough slack to pop a strap hook off. Takes a big bump you wont find on a highway.

Ramps- They all suck and you can break **** if you don't have a plan. At least 2 guys and 3 to 4 is better for a heavy street bike. Even stock our beds are tall to load into. If you can find a curb or small hill to help that is huge! On big street bikes I don't mess around with little ramps- to much risk. Most bike dealers real ramps and loading docks just for bikes. They don't mind if you use them. They figure you might buy a bike or parts from them at some point. Use them it makes it real easy. Drive the bike into the bed and strap it down- roll it back off. I haul bikes for personal and business. I personally prefer my bike in the bed than my enclosed trailer. Bike rides better and I can keep and eye on it. In the trailer you can drop a strap and have no clue until you open it up. Never had any damage but I have lost a strap in the trailer but never in the truck bed.

Also the Bed offer lots of protection for the bike. Only big windscreens that stick up above the cab gets road slim(Bug Dirt). I just hauled a bike in my bed last through that freezing ice storm in MO/KS- also lots of snow from SLC to Seattle- Windscreen got coated with ice early on. My truck was trashed. The bike was amazingly way cleaner than I even expected. It had a light film on it that washed off easy but you really had to look hard to see it at first. I thought it have been coated like the truck. Good luck

FXLRRAM · Feb 25, 2019

Ramsportrocks said:
again for those coming in late, a trailer isn't a viable option for me..

already spoke to my servicing dealer about possibly loading up at their dealership
found that they use the exact same ramp that im looking to buy now couple that with
where I would be going to stay the nearest dealer is just under 30 miles away to get the
bike back off the truck which would require someone to drive my truck back to the house..

I would rather just have my own ramp to work with which will give you no issues if done properly

and yes the ramp would be hooked to the truck how they have in their videos, cross the straps
and ratcheted down

Woody332 · Feb 25, 2019

I use a ramp that is almost as wide as my tailgate with a condor wheel chock attached to a piece of unistrut for stability in my 6.3' bed of my 09 Ram. 4 quality tie downs at all four corners with extensions and you are good to go... I am able to load my dresser onto my truck bu myself with this rig.. I attached a link to the site I got the ramp from and a link to a video of me riding my bike onto my truck.... Feel free to ask questions....

https://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle-ramp/full-width/folding/p/MF3-EZ-AMR/

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ao9j0_R-Rm2Cg4hC-o148L6Rcj1Vlg

moulin6801 · Feb 25, 2019

I have loaded my BMW R1200gsa in the back of my RAM 1500 crewcab, 5ft bed several times, never had any problems, rear tire stays on the gait... no problem there...
It’s all about the Ramp !!

FXLRRAM · Feb 25, 2019

I've been using these 10 foot folding aluminium ramps for over twenty years now.
They're as easy as it gets for loading and unloading.
Simply ride the bike up, then walk it back down.
Three separate pieces. One for the bike, two for your feet.
Not once have I even remotely had a chance encounter with the bike falling over.
The ramps are strapped and pulled tight under the bumper and don't move. They are over four feet wide. If you were to loose your balance, you can easily catch yourself with plenty of room to spare.
This won't happen though...It's that easy to load.
I too live in a cold weather climate where negative temperatures aren't uncommon and I'm too old to need to prove to anyone I'm capable of riding in freezing temperatures. Those days are gone.
I also do not have room to store a trailer.
When winter hits and I want to get away, I simply load up and go.
With the HEMI motor, there is no visible handling differences once you are moving along.
You will notice the increased weight when accelerating from a standing position, but the motor is more than strong enough to handle it. Passing on the highway is still a breeze.
On cross country trips, I lost about 3mpg under "normal" driving conditions.
The ramps fold in half and are easily stored.
With a crew cab, I am able to put the ramps inside the truck for the long haul. I wasn't able to make this happen in my quad cab trucks.
Another note... If staying overnight at a hotel. Remember to back the truck up against a wall or the like so the bike can't be removed while you sleep.
Get the three piece ten foot folding ramps. You can use them for other loading projects too.
You won't be disappointed.

Ramsportrocks · Feb 26, 2019

FXLRRAM said:
I've been using these 10 foot folding aluminium ramps for over twenty years now.
They're as easy as it gets for loading and unloading.
Simply ride the bike up, then walk it back down.
Three separate pieces. One for the bike, two for your feet.
Not once have I even remotely had a chance encounter with the bike falling over.
The ramps are strapped and pulled tight under the bumper and don't move. They are over four feet wide. If you were to loose your balance, you can easily catch yourself with plenty of room to spare.
This won't happen though...It's that easy to load.
I too live in a cold weather climate where negative temperatures aren't uncommon and I'm too old to need to prove to anyone I'm capable of riding in freezing temperatures. Those days are gone.
I also do not have room to store a trailer.
When winter hits and I want to get away, I simply load up and go.
With the HEMI motor, there is no visible handling differences once you are moving along.
You will notice the increased weight when accelerating from a standing position, but the motor is more than strong enough to handle it. Passing on the highway is still a breeze.
On cross country trips, I lost about 3mpg under "normal" driving conditions.
The ramps fold in half and are easily stored.
With a crew cab, I am able to put the ramps inside the truck for the long haul. I wasn't able to make this happen in my quad cab trucks.
Another note... If staying overnight at a hotel. Remember to back the truck up against a wall or the like so the bike can't be removed while you sleep.
Get the three piece ten foot folding ramps. You can use them for other loading projects too.
You won't be disappointed.

this is the exact information I was looking for especially the handling with the bike in the back and what I can expect.. thank you

BruceMorgan · Feb 26, 2019

vweaver said:
How NOT to load a bike:

How to load a bike:

But seriously:

Bike loading FAILs are always a great laugh.

I want to ask “What did you think was going to happen?!”

load97 · Mar 12, 2019

BruceMorgan said:
Bike loading FAILs are always a great laugh.

I want to ask “What did you think was going to happen?!”

Lots of oldie's but goodies in that video.

Raymillsus · Mar 26, 2019

Scottly said:
Why on earth would you put a perfectly good touring bike in the back of a pickup truck, if it ain't broken?

He said Harley. LOL Just kidding man.

Scottly · Mar 27, 2019

Raymillsus said:
He said Harley. LOL Just kidding man.

Well....

Ramsportrocks · Apr 1, 2019

Raymillsus said:
He said Harley. LOL Just kidding man.

LOLOL.. don't quit your day job

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