What needs to be done to haul a sportbike?

Hello lads,

I’m wanting to haul my bike to the track or good mountain roads but I’ve heard the bed needs a couple mods before I tie it down. So far I have the front frame mounted D-rings so I can forego the ones mounted to the side of the composite bed and I picked up a tail gate plate from Mobtown because I have a shortbed and the rear wheel will be sitting on the tailgate.

Do I need anything for the front wheel? There’s a square metal tube that goes across the front of the bed, I think I can just put the front wheel against it and tie down the bike. However, I have heard of front wheels bowing out the front of the bed.. is that on models without this metal bar?

Thanks in advance.

 

Check these out, the two at the bottom, they fit the 3rd Gen I have the corner tie downs

https://athfab.com/product-category/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma/

You can also do bed stiffeners for more tie down points and DRings in the floor bed bolts.

 

Get a utility trailer and save your back.

 

Roll on wheel chock makes it a helluva lot easier/safer to keep the bike upright. I'd do a trailer though, keep the bed for gear, tires, stands, etc

 

Shouldnt have any issues with factory d-rings. Had my r6 and sv no issues as well as dirt bikes. Just strap it evenly from the bars down and out and your good. I've sandwhiched it at an angle with the tailgate closed or leave it open and strap off the frame as well.

 

Not meaning to be a smart ass with the trailer.

I raced MX for years. Lots of inherent injuries. It’s easier for friends and people in the pits and neighbors at the house to unload the bikes when you get banged up.

 

I installed a board across the front. I attached couple smaller pieces going up and down to act as a wheel chock. Also added some extra tie down points.

 

Agreed. I hauled bikes in 1st and 2nd gens for 20 years until I got a nice Aluma trailer last year. Never going back.

But yes, D-rings in the floor/frame for sure. I never had issues with the bed bowing on my 2nd gen. I did bend the tail-gate on my '05 the day I picked it up new, loading the bike (FZ1) I rode to the dealer to get it.

 

Are street bikes any different from dirtbikes? I just use my front 2 on the sides of the bed to strap my bike at an angle so its stuck in the bed.

 

Just much heavier. MX bikes around 230.
Enduros around 245+.I’m not sure how much Road Bikes weigh.

Tie down angle different but that shouldn’t make a difference.

I have seen two MX bikes in the back of a Tacoma before. Tough fit.

 

You need some soft ties and straps. The D rings up front/back work just fine. However you could get something like this. I bought this years ago and swapped into my 3rd gen now. He stopped making them but look at the last few pages for someone making a similiar one now.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-motorcycle-tie-down-bar-the-best-one-you-can-buy.334216/

 

2 bikes is easy in a Tacoma, do it all the time picking up buddies.

 

I did this. Found it used for $150.
I put my old Triumph in a few times in the back (see avatar) but the angle is quite steep if you can’t find a decent spot to use and it’s horrible on your own. Anything can be done though. Used the original D rings and looked into putting extras into the bed but never had too.

 

Took a minute to find, I knew we had a TW Vender offering a great solution.

https://athfab.com/product/front-bed-rail-tie-down-wheel-chock-system-for-05-15-toyota-tacoma/

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think I’ll either make a wood frame for the front wheel or use a wheel chock I already have to address the front wheel.



The whole point of getting this truck was to leave the trailer at home.