Hauling a motorcycle in the back of my Tacoma?

I own a 450 pound sport motorcycle and I want to move it across the country in the back of my 2011 Tacoma. Two questions: Will the tailgate handle the weight of the bike w/ me (~200 pounds) AND should I install a sheet of plywood in the bed to distribute the weight?

 

Do you know the length and wheelbase of the bike? And have you loaded it in the back of the truck previously?

I've hauled bikes nicely, but that's with a 6' bed. If you have the short bed, I'm not sure if you can fit the bike off the tailgate when driving. I wouldn't worry about just loading it, personally.

I used a 3 section folding ramp for mine, makes a nice platform where you can walk up next to the bike. You can also back up to a hill or something to reduce the angle of the ramp (which you may need to do depending on the bike's clearance).

Get some help tying it down: I'd recommend straight on with the front wheel firm against the front of the bed, upright with no kickstand down, and tied in all 4 corners in a way that compresses the suspension.

 

I agree, it depends on where your rear tire sits in regards to the tailgate. If 1/2 the bike's weight (200#) is sitting a std tacoma tailgate over a long trip you might be fine then you might not and if it fails and depending how, it could leave you in a bad spot on the side of the road.

 

Here’s my 400lb Duke in my truck.
It was no issue, Get some canyon dancers if you have a full fairing sport bike, then two extra tiedown for either the rear Passenger pegs or Somewhere else on the rear of the frame if you want to be safe.
I only drove an hour or so but across country you could do this for extra security.

6’ bed is no problem,



my experience is tying down moto bikes for 20 years and then helping customer tie down street bikes at my dealer job for a few years now. I’ve never seen an issue long term.

 

Should not be a problem for you to haul that bike.

 

6’ bed you should be able to haul at an angle and close the tailgate. I hauled a 2012 Yamaha FZ1 just last month in my 2013 prerunner at an angle with no problems. Just put it on the kick stand and add tie down straps.

 

Watch this hilarious video first so you know what NOT to do:

 

600lb adventure bike in the bed of my SHORT BED double cab, zero issues, just gotta get crafty with finding straps that grab on hard parts up front (lower triple around forks worked well).

That stated, I DO have a tailgate reinforcement, Id probably be inclined to put a 3/4in piece of plywood on the tailgate to spread a little load if I didn't for such a heavy bike.