Motorcycle in shortbed

All - I'm picking up an old XL250 later next week. The bike is 85.6 inches long, so the rear tire, at a diagonal, will be right outside the rear corner with the tailgate down. Any tips or tricks for loading and/or strapping down? Thanks in advance.

 

Here is how I load mine. Use the two front loops in the bed with some straps.

You can center the bike, but I usually put a single bike on the passenger side.

If you are going long distance or highway, strap the rear wheel as well to limit bounce.

 

Single bike.

 

Good straps (soft straps preferred), foldable ramp, cargo net or moto gate. A wheel chock never hurts.

 

Inferno!
Best darn color.

 

Be prepared to unload your bike on the roadside if you have a blowout ( or familiarize yourself with the spare lowering mechanism ahead of time, so you won’t have to close the tailgate to access the spare.

 

Wedge your front tire into either side of the front of the bed and haul the bike diagonally. Greg Albertyn taught me that back in 1887 or whatever and it's by far the most stable way to haul a bike.

 

If I was starting from scratch, something like this would be high on my list… https://athfab.com/product/front-bed-rail-tie-down-wheel-chock-system-for-05-15-toyota-tacoma/


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-rail-tie-down-wheel-chock-system.483012/

 

I'd add some d rings to the front bed bolts. I don't trust the bed side ones for that much load.

 

Easy!

You will need:
- 1 set of ProTaper Swivel Carabiner Tie-Downs (trust me, these are the easiest to use)
- 2 each Trackside Aluminum Folding Ramps or similar (You can do it with one but having two makes it much easier and safer!)

Use TWO ramps for loading, one to drive the bike up and one for you to walk up along side it. With the engine running and the bike in 1st gear, just EASE the clutch and gas and loading the bike into the bed is a snap. For offloading, the engine should be off but the bike should be in gear, just ease the clutch and brake to gently wheel it down. The ProTaper Tie-Downs are just fine to hold the bike in place by themselves but for rough roads or long trips, I use an extra tie strap for the rear wheels just in case.

 

Ever tried a hitch carrier?

 

Not a dirt bike but sport bike fits perfect! I did install D-rings on the front bed bolts, would not trust the ones the truck comes with.

 

Nice Aprilia. But Dr. ROSSI doesn't ride them. Lol
(Ref. The 46 on the fender)

 

I added these to my truck. Do recommend as it gives more attachment options.

You also need the 2nd generation front bedrail.

The athfab ties the front and side rails together.

 

Nope, do it like you regularly would

 

I got the long bed for this reason and with camping crap. I still have to put it at a diagonal to close the tailgate and down with two bikes.

I’d strongly suggest getting D-rings that you can attach with the bed bolts.....far stronger than the rail cleats on the plastic bed or those little loops.


With the tailgate down I just run a strap through the rear tire and down to the tow hitch chain loops....3 straps and done so the rear of the bike won’t slide around if you’re on a rough road.


With just my bike I still do three straps (safety to rear loop) and lean the bike rearward just in case. I’d rather have it fall back and not into the cab.

 

Thanks for the responses. For the gentlemen posting pics of their setups, have you all replaced the D-rings upfront with something more robust or did you use the OEM bed loops? Looks like the Aprilia is using the factory loops.



I don't have time to replace them as pick-up is this Thursday, but I wanted to ask and be cautious, if not. I've got a 91 mile hwy ride ahead of me and I'd rather not have any issues. Thanks again for all for the responses.

MJA

 

I have @At The Helm front corner brackets and they are stout. Great products from a great company.

 

I have the Bay Area Metal Fab corner brackets. They are stout, too.

 

No way!