How do you load your sport bike into your Truck bed?

I haven't tired to haul my bikes yet. Saving up for a trailer with a ramp. I see a lot of trucks with them in the back and was wondering if they are using the same ramps as the dirt bikes to get up in the bed, or did a few friends help lift it?

I guess the question could apply to any bike not just sport bikes, but I've never seen anyone have a harely in their truck bed yet.

 

you'll need two ramps, a canyon dancer 2 and a set of 4 tie downs.

put the bike in 1st and stand next to it. feather the clutch so that it pulls itself up one ramp while you walk up the other.

attach the canyon dancer and the tie downs and compress the forks about an inch. secure the back via passenger rearsets or another part of the frame.

good to go!

 

for what it's worth, here are what i use:

Ramps - http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/aluminum_folding_ramp/web1007423
Canyon Dancer - http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/bar_harness_2/web1001276
Tie Downs - http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/182/Motorcycle

the tie downs are WAY overbuilt for a motorcycle, but provide excellent peace of mind.

 

I just use a ramp and a friend or my wife to help.

 

Here's how I get it done
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/motorcycles/120955-loading-motorcycle-dcsb-pics.html

 

Thanks guys, looks like Ramps are the way to go. Might get a set till I can buy a trailer to load my wife's bike along with mine.
I do already the bar tie down's, we use them for my wife's bike when she goes to track days on my buddies trailer.

Anyone dropped their bike getting it into the bed? How about just getting some speed and riding up the ramp alone

 

haven't dropped mine yet. i usually have a spotter though

 

Don't get speed and ride up the ramps alone unless you are more of a stunt rider and have very good throttle/brake control. I use 2 ramps, one for the bike, one to walk up. I almost dropped it once when the ramps got wet and the tire spun on the ramp. I got lucky and learned to never use wet ramps (they were my old wooden ramps, no grip tape)

 

I wouldn't try speed and driving up the ramps, just curious if anyone else has.

I love my bike too much to fuck around with it.. I won't even track it in fear that it will hit the ground and get scratched up.

That's what my wife's bike is for!

 

Do not do this. You will end up hurting yourself, your bike, and probably your truck.

Just an all around bad idea - we used to do it with our dirt bikes, and several times we had issues with the ramps falling off, the rider missing, etc. It might seem easier on paper, but in reality it's much better to take it slow and do it safely.

 

Here's the illustrated version of why you shouldn't load a bike this way.
http://youtu.be/6bSHKUeotNU

 

hahahah, if he'd of kept on the gas he would of made it. Good stuff.. Love how 10 people could of walked it up the ramp but instead watched him ride it up.

 

Never underestimate the stupidy of people in groups (especially if there's alcohol involved).

 

Agreed, with a street bike I wouldnt try it. But with a dirt bike you should be able to ride it in, can even be done without a ramp

 

I used to load my quad without a ramp just by putting it in gear and lifting the front on the tailgate and walking it in. Wasn't hard since 4 wheels balances on its own.

Is it the same with Dirt bikes?

 

Lol I meant ride it in without a ramp. When I was little my dad made a bet with his buddies that he could ride his bike in with just the tailgate down (old school days where the tailgates went waaay down when you unlatched the straps). Well end result was the bike in the back of the truck and my dad laying on the ground in pain, but it made it!

 

I use one ramp and my own power. Pretty simple when you get the technique down.

I keep the bike in gear and hold the clutch in, that way when I want to stop it, all I have to do is let go of the clutch rather than mash on the brake.

I usually get the bike halfway up with one push, then let out the clutch, put down the kick stand, let it rest on my tailgate, climb into the truck, flip up the kickstand and push the rest of the way.

When it comes to tie down I let it sit on the kickstand, take all the slack out of the left tie down, then pull the right one tight, that stands the bike up and gives perfect tension on each strap.

It's a science. To unload just do the opposite.

Loaded and unloaded my R6 100s of times alone.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlVC-pfbC0



Same technique works for trailers and pickups. Pull the truck into a ditch, culvert so the tailgate is really low, or use a small step stool. Been doing this for more years than I care to admit.





I also use a "Bed-Buddy" (lame name, I know) for inside the bed of the truck. I reinforced the composite bed and provides wheel chalks and more tie down points. And it's only about $100.



dp

 

The first time i loaded my old bike into the back of a truck i did this and then i couldn't stop on the slick bed surface. It slid into the end and broke the front fender. I wouldn't recomend it.

I got some ramp ends from Northern Tool and put them on the end of a 10' 2X12. I then start the bike and use the clutch to walk the bike up the ramp. when i get to the top, i then step up in the bed and finish pulling in in the bed.

 

awesome! thanks for the link. And that's a mighty nice bike you have there