2014 Shortbed transporting a dualsport-reinforce tailgate?

I'm planning on bringing my dualsport bike out to college with me in Utah-should I spend the money to mod/reinforce my tailgate? Its an 11 hour drive to haul it out, or back during the summer. Plus the times when I would take it out to the desert. I've got the shortbed and haven't checked to see if the bike will fit with the tailgate up but I really doubt it. It weighs about 270lb.

 

What about a 1/4" thick piece of plate steel 8" wide x long enough to go under both of the bike's tires?

Should distribute the load evenly over the bed... but it'll add a lot more weight.

 

At a diagonal it may fit.

If not the whole 270 won't be on the tailgate, I would imagine it could support the weight of that bike pretty easily. What bike is it out of curiosity?

 

It's an odd specimen and I dunno how it ended up in the us. It's an MZ Motörrad 125sm. Picked it up for 1300 bucks with 1300 miles on it. Won't go much above 60 but it gets 90mpg, great round town/offroad adventure bike.

 

I'll think about that...might be able to rig something similar but a bit lighter. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

You should be fine without reinforcing, we would load up two dirtbikes with gear in the bed all the time, sometimes even a kids quad and a dirtbike (tight squeeze). Your bike wont fit with the tailgate closed with a shortbed though.

 

Ok, cool. I figured it should be fine, I'm sure the tailgates stronger than the internet gives it credit for. Thanks

 

I've hauled my WR450 numerous times without the tailgate reinforced. No problems at all. It will fit in there diagonally though. Can't close the tailgate but it's not sitting on there. Just hits the tire up top.

 

Yeah youll be fine, the weight of the quad and dirtbike we used to haul was probably around 500lbs, like mentioned above not all the weight is directly on the tailgate.

Just for shits and gigs heres how I took my 250 on my 20 hour drive back to school in my gmc (has nothing to do with your tailgate situation lol). Had to remove the front end to make it fit/keep it locked up under the camper shell.

 

Haha, nice! Whatever works, man.
Heres a pic of my bike when I first got it (before I got the plastic all shiny again).

 

Looks like a fun bike, perfect commuter

 

I have a single bike ramp (aluminum). Just lift up the back tire and slide the ramp under it. With the bike tied down up front and the ramp spreading out the load on the back tire you will have no troubles. Does make the back slide around a little if you don't tie the back wheel down. But most do anyway to keep it from jumping/moving around.

 

1/2" thick plywood should work OK.

 

You'll be fine without reinforcing the tailgate. I've transported my Katana 750 several times and it weighs in at about 450#. I'd guess my bike is longer than your dual sport. The rear tire was on the very inside of the tailgate.

 

your fine. Buddy has a DCSB does tons of dirbiking (CRF450) and has done tons of transporting his CRF450 and KTM690SMC at the same time from so cal to az without issue.

 

^ This. A 1/2" or 3/4" thick should be cheap and easy to store for your next trip.

Shawn

 

Throw it in the back and go. You will have less than 60 lbs on the tailgate. Buying wood or some other fix you will have to toss it once you get there, or try and house it. I have a KLR 650, a flying pig, and can toss the rear around pretty easy. Your bike weighs 270lb or so, it will not hurt the tailgate whatsoever. Just don' let in bounce.