More than once I've seen someone going down the road with their motorcycle in the bed of their truck. My question, for those of you who have ever done it, is this: How the heck do you get it up there and back down?!
I am guess here but I would say a ramp or the back up to a ditch and take it out that way. Haven't done a bike but have done a riding lawn mower and some 4 wheelers.
I use ramps for the 250 and 110. I have a couple of different sizes, but I like overkill when it comes to ramps. The ramp I use for my 250 (<300 pounds) has a weight limit over 1000 pounds. I also have smaller folding ramps for walking up beside it or for loading the 110. They're both light enough that I just push them up with the engines off.
Haven't attempted loading the Tiger into the truck yet but it's coming at some point. I'd like to add a wide ramp so I have a little margin of error when loading and unloading. That one will probably be loaded with me walking it up, with the bike running and doing the work.
I would love to have one of those, but I do not know if the shortbed on my truck is long enough for my Nomad. (Even with the tailgate dropped... and then I would worry about breaking the tailgate. The Nomad is NOT a light bike lol.)
Graybush, where in P-cola do you live? I used to live on Aquamarine Drive a couple decades ago.
I do not have any such place available to back my truck down into or big pile of dirt to back up to.
All I have is that 30 inches or so of open air between the tailgate and the ground. I bought and rebuilt a trailer. There is NO WAY I would consider putting my 700lb bike in the back of my truck, especially by myself.
Biker Dash,I have an 03 dodge ram short bed,04 Nomad and load it in the bed,no problem at all.Nomad rear tire sits in crack between tailgate and bed.I back into ditch and use a ramp,use a ratchet strap to hold ramp tight to tailgate.
Those of you who back up to a ditch; how comfortable are you on relying on that? My fear is not finding a suitable ditch when I arrive at my destination.
The one and only time I've ever taken a motorcycle somewhere not under it's own power, I pulled it on a trailer. Used a flat bed trainer and bolted some wheel chocks in. Worked really well, bike was very secure. Trailer was low and had it's own ramp so it was a nice shallow angle to pull up. I know it's an investment but, I would think the ease of such a solution would be worthwhile.
When doing this, either you have to know what is on both ends of the transport trip or have someone that highly capable and trusted to find the good unload spot before you load up
Thank you, Dan. I am thinking I will want one of those ramps.
The only issue now would be getting the bike off the ramp into the storage unit. Sadly, what would be ideal would not be possible. (having the truck backed up to the unit, with the ramp right at the entrance to the unit, and just back in.) Not enough room for me to do that at my storage unit.
Lol... all good Rev, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I was back riding after 3 months, while I still had a huge leg brace and walking with a cane. I used to strap it under the lid off my leather saddle bags
I used to launch my YZ into the back of my Dodge Ram 4x4 on a 2x12 back in the 90's every Wed after laps at track.
I've never put my XR in a truck bed, as my current truck, Suburban 2500, doesn't have a bed.
I had my Vulcan 1500 Classic in the back of that Dodge Ram once during a move, used a loading dock in charlotte, and backed up to a drop tailgate on a trailer (hitched to another truck) once I got home. When the truck springs unsprung as got to the trailer bed the trailer ramp separated from the truck tailgate. I got lucky, I was already on the trailer. Won't try that again.
The right ramps have to attach to something securely, and have a progression at the top so you don't bottom out your crankcase where the ramp meets the bed. Crummy place to be when wheels spin, or you otherwise have to choose to abort!
On a series note, this is really the only way to get the job done. I will be getting two of these, one for the back of the truck and one for the back of the holiday trailer.
On a series note, this is really the only way to get the job done. I will be getting two of these, one for the back of the truck and one for the back of the holiday trailer.
Been there...anxiety over a dropped bike and getting injured was too much for me.
I looked at loaders and finally opted for a 6x12 V-nose Continental trailer.
Low deck height, wide load-rated drop ramp, tiedown rings, stabilizer jacks so I can load/unload without having it hitched to the truck/motorhome, LED tail lights...and a deal at $2750 (about $150 more than the mountainmaster). The bike is protected from the elements and is small/light enough it doesn't have to be licensed here in Oregon.
I bolted a Harbor Freight roll-in front wheel chock in it after painting the floor and ramp with grey epoxy garage floor paint and traction additive. I can ride a motorcycle in with no problem at all...
I am like you, I just don't have the room to store a single use trailer. Four motorcycles and a cargo trailer used all of my available space up.
Using the Uhaul website, you can determine where the closest one is located and reserve it. I have never had a problem renting one.
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