Post Motorcycle rigging setups

Hello All, just finished the MSF, written test and will have an M1 soon. Looking at ideas and techniques from fellow 1st gen'ers on getting a bike up into the truck bed, securing it etc.

I know its fairly strait forward but knowing this community, its pretty innovative and practical so interested in seeing the little tricks people have derived here. For example guys that have fabbed up braces that install into the tow hitch to re-enforce the truck bed gate- one of the gate cables have already failed on me during casual use (probably corroded + age) so its a concern.

Found this video from RevZilla (funny coincidence its a 1st gen):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wEPbSwQGqQ

 

We talking a liter bike or something smaller and fun to ride, like a dirtbike?

First thing I'd suggest is to not use the same orange home depot straps in that video. Use actual motorcycle straps.

I have a small open top utility trailer that I've installed a couple wheel chocks. I'm old and fat now, so I prefer not to load the dirtbike in the bed.

I also like to use a wheel block for the front forks. You can get a much more secure and stable attachment when you prevent the forks from compressing.

 

Nothing wrong with those straps. I only use ratchet straps to tie down motos in the bed, I don't trust the moto specific cinch straps for dick. I've been hauling bike to and from the track for over 10 years and never had an issue with the ratchet straps you can get at Home Depot. Just make sure they are rated at least to 600# or something and you're golden.

 

Get a good moto specific ramp and use a strap to keep it from sliding off the tailgate when loading/unloading.

DO NOT leave the kickstand down when strapping a bike into the bed. You will damage the bed and probably break the kickstand.

Also, leave the bike in neutral.

Get a Canyon Dancer or soft ties for the bars, they will prevent damage to the bike.

You can use a single strap in the rear, it helps keeping the rear suspension from bouncing around and the bike possibly shifting during transport.

Don't be afraid to leave the tail gate down, you don't have to put the bike in the bed sideways.

The Taco corner tie down spots are actually pretty well placed for tying down a bike.

 

It's nothing against ratchet straps, I just prefer to use a strap designed for motorcycles (with the soft loops). They're faster to set up, too.

I've been running them for round about 15 years, they work just fine. My piggy has never fallen out.

 

Those kind are good, yes. But I still prefer the ratchet straps personally. You can find them with the soft loops like you are talking about.

 

For sure. You can even get them at home depot

It's just that those look like those little orange straps you get in 4 packs at the cash register (I have like 10 of them). Same width (1") but like 1/3 as thick as my motorcycle ones.

 

Vote for the soft straps > anything else. I personally use the Renthal ones. Although pricey and they dont last forever, I like them as far as a quality unit goes.

Made the mistake of not having a bed mat / bed liner when I first started. Tire slipped on the painted metal bed and just about killed me.

 

Excellent point. Screw plastic bedliners too, same shit can happen. Rubber bed mat or a spray in liner are the best to prevent slipping, especially when wet.

 

Oh god do NOT use a plastic bed liner if you're loading bikes. I tried that ages ago with my old 5 lug that had a factory bed liner. The bare/painted sheet metal was far better.

Currently, I have a custom bike rack that does even better at holding the moto tires between the bike mounts.

 

Middle ground? It will be a 600.

Crud, already have a plastic liner (actually has some holes in it where the previous liner owner had a custom bike holding setup), but figure can still rubber mat it + good rigging practice should work.

Interesting.

 

I've always stuffed the front tire into the passenger front corner of the bed, put the kickstand down, slid the rear tire around until it contacts the driver's side of the bed in the rear, and then run a strap from the top of the triple tree down and through the factory cargo hook/loop and back to whatever I can secure to at the rear of the bike, seat level (or close).

I can typically get the tailgate closed, have been doing this since college (1990) with no ill effects. I've never carried a bike upright in the center of the bed.