Best way to haul motorcycle 500 miles back home?

Only thing I will add, is that if you do put it in your bed, do not use the bed rail system to secure it. Add some tie downs.

 

I can pick up the front end and place it in the bed, then have someone hold the handlebars while you pick up the rear and push it in. (serious)

 

FWIW, I still say put it in the bed. Back the truck up to a hill (look at the link I posted on the other page). If you back the truck up to a hill, it's damn near level to push the bike into the bed. The bike will be protected and won't be eating rocks and other crap being thrown from the rear tires of your truck. When you get home, find a local loading down so you can do the dismount on level ground also.

 

buy this ramp and put it in the bed

http://www.discountramps.com/black-widow-motorcycle-ramp.htm

http://youtu.be/l9m-IEwi-_k


haul my zx10r in my short bed... dont need any of those girly handle bar tie downs either.





but really if you have a good ramp and a little hill it's easy as cake to put in the bed. i have a bed extender that still works with the bike in there

 

Make sure to get you some handlebar straps, OP. No reason to hook your ratchet straps to the forks or anything...

 

I strapped my 848 from the rear passenger pegs to the rear D Rings on our trucks. Worked out fine. Keep it in gear and engage the front brake with a zip tie.

There's a foldable three wide MC ramp to help you walk it up there. PITA to fit in the bed with the bike though. I believe Harbor Freight still carries them.

Either way you go good luck and enjoy that CBR! By far my favorite liter bike.

 

Hmmm...

Put It In The Bed is good advice, but...

...P.I.I.T.B..

...wait a MINUTE...

 

I would get it shipped to you. It would probably be cheaper than the amount of gas money. Why is it 500 miles away?

Breaking in an engine on the highway is bad. You need to vary the rpm.

 

My method:



700plus pounds between the mower and me went right up on there. The transitions were 30 bucks, cut a 2x8 and bolt them on. Then just toss them in the bed with about a foot of overhang and strap them down..they won't move.

 

I appreciate everybody's' input.

Looks like I am going to take the uhaul open motorcycle trailer.

The weather, although ugly today, looks to be beautiful and clear all day Saturday when I'm picking it up.

I will be taking some canyon dancer 2 tie-downs to help keep the bike secured.

Hopefully Saturday night I'm doing this -> and not sitting on top of a pile of Japanese plastic.

 

I agree that it is easier to just rent a trailer then try to get the bike into the bed of the truck. It would be one thing if you had a couple buddys to help you...even then I'd imagine it could get sketchy with a 6" lift and a heavy CBR1000/

If you have an open trailer, put some blue painters tape on the front side of the bike to help protect it if your worried about possible damage

 

If it is being picked up at a dealer they should have loading dock or just find one, same thing to unload near home.. bed of the truck is for sure the best. There is handle bar straps that dont scuff the bars with the tie straps

 

But no matter which way you go, take some bungees along with the tie-downs.
Once you get the tie-downs cinched up, connect the bungees end-to-end between the hooks at the opposite ends of the tie-downs.

That way if you happen to hit a dip too hard and the suspension compresses more than you expected, the bungees will hold tension on the straps and keep the hooks from popping off of a D-ring.

I learned that after almost losing a dirtbike on the way to Ocotillo... bike fell over, and fortunately it fell toward the center of the trailer and was stopped by the other bike.

 

Wanted to say thanks to those who gave input.

Last night, I made it back safely with my new baby. Everybody fine.

I ended up using the uhaul trailer with 6 - cambuckle style straps and a set of canyon dancer 2. Weather was just as google said it would be, crystal clear all 500 miles. My (truck) windshield took a huge rock chip protecting the bike however.

Being a newbie in the land of towing, I had my help basically watching the trailer the whole way home while I drove haha.

 

Trailer it man....I get it you have a pick up but if you're not used to it...you can hurt yourself or your new toy...On an 8ft bed its easy ride up and have room to stop and move around, smaller beds are tough cause your front end hits cab, rear tire still on gate.

Also the tie downs suck on the taco. and for $30 bucks who cares just trailer the damn thing.

that being said i used to shove two Gixxer 750 track bikes in my bed but was an access cab long bed.

have fun, ride safe!