Motorcycle Carriers

Wait were you talking about a ramp or a hitch carrier?

 

hitch carrier

 

I load mine with a ramp thats about 12 inches wide and it's a short bed so the rear tire is on the tail gate when I'm traveling. No issues with the tail gate folding, cracking, breaking etc... The rear end of the sports bikes aren't that heavy.

 

Anyone with experience on the hitch carrier chime in?

Also, experiences with sagging leafs? All of these miles of transportation will be highway so I would like to keep things safe at high speeds.

 

i vote hitch carrier

 

Anyone with experience on the hitch carrier chime in?

 

Hey NumNutz. I just picked up a Trackside ramp from Cycle Gear last week they were on sale for half off for $70. A few of the guys I ride with have something similar and load a bike in their trucks with no issues. I am not nervous as to getting the bike in the truck, its more of backing it back down the ramp afterwards.

Trackside Ramp
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=ZHE_ATV-002

This guy makes it look easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCNK-Fs4jN4

 

I was gonna say the same thing. I really need something MUCH wider than that. How much sag comes from your average sport bike? Is it that noticeable?

 

I've thought about a hitch carrier too since I could save bed space for the rest of the cargo if I'm going out on long trips outta state. But unless you get the weaker stock 3-leaf springs swapped out, I'd highly doubt it would be a solid ride. I still would like a hitch carrier though.

OP is that bike in your sig the one you're wanting to transport?

 

Yup, GS500F it's about 415 lbs. I believe.

I'm selling this bike soon to update to a 600cc but weight shouldn't be too much different.

 

Yea mine's probably around 430 lbs wet.

 

What year CBR is that? I'm in the market for a early 00s 600.

 

that's the bike i have...sounds so sweet don't it?

 

Dude!!! you have a truck! not an rav4

 

Hitch carriers are fine, and as long as used properly, they are safer at highway speed than a trailer. I made my own hitch carrier and have been using it for 8 or 9 years. In my longbed, I can fit two dirtbikes in the bed and a 3rd on the carrier. That definitely causes it to drag a$$ though.

The distance from the back of the truck is defined by the handlebars so switching the ramp and bike location as noted above doesnt really work on most vehicles. Might be able to get away with it on a pickup without a cap, but that's it.

If you want the bike put it in your truck, check out readyramp.com. Great product. I used one of these too, depending on the situation.

 

Ready to Roll. . .

Dan K.

 

Damn, that's impressive. Have you upgraded your front suspension? That looks like an XT, how big is the bike? I'm curious now! I wouldn't want a 400+lb sport bike up front like that, I'd plow the road, haha.

 

Stock suspension. Handles it with no problem. That is an XT225. About 250lbs. wet. I've been doing this for 5 years.

Only problem is that I cannot drive at night because the headlights are blocked. I added external turn signal indicators which I attach to the forward facing area of the bike.

Gotta take it easy off pavement to ensure I don't drive the front carrier into the ground while driving. This setup has served me well out in Moab and the forest service roads of Colorado.

Cheers,

Dan K.

 

I have one. works great for dirtbikes. I wouldn't dare put my r6 on it though, i just don't trust them that much