What is the easiest way to do this? I'm trying to decide if I'm better off buying a trailer for the gixxer.
What is the easiest way to do this? I'm trying to decide if I'm better off buying a trailer for the gixxer.
This is the ramp I have. http://www.motorcycleramps.com/rrextender.htm I didn't like the wider ramps (even though you can walk up them) because they take up to much room once the bike is in the truck. If you have a short bed it is a 50/50 chance that you will be able to get the tailgate up. This ramp can be folded up small or used as a tailgate extender when the tailgate is left down.
As far as tieing the bike in, I love the Cycle Cynch. They don't tear up the grips or damage the controls like some of the other designs since they pull straight down on the grips. http://www.cyclecynch.com/
The first option I use - a narrow ramp. BUT, I add a folding bench next to the ramp so I don't have to somehow balance the bike while trying to climb into the back of the truck. I have a craftsman bench that is perfect for this. Just step onto the bench, then up and into the truck.
Also, I use a sportchock in the back of the truck so I can roll up and just take my time tieing down.
Take that a step farther and I have the small ties that I put around my lower triple so there is no pressure on the grips at all.
So do you guys manually push the bike up the ramp? By yourself???
I don't see myself being able to do that - one, bikes are pretty heavy and two, pushing from that angle looks like a tipover waiting to happen.
I guess I kind of figured that if you were alone, you would have to ride the bike up the ramp. Which might be a seat wrinkler in and of itself?
Good question - I've always wondered how folks did this.
Dave.
What is the easiest way to do this? I'm trying to decide if I'm better off buying a trailer for the gixxer.
I much prefer the wider ramp and ride it up into a wheel chock using two tie-downs on the ramp. Due to clearance issues with sportbikes resulting from the angle of the ramp/bed I load/unload in an area where I can put the truck on higher ground than the tail of the ramp.
I've got a ramp identical to the one in the photos above, and it is a very high quality ramp, but i can not get comfortable loading/unloading without being able to either ride it up/down or walk beside it.
When you ride up your ramp take a tie down and hook it from ramp to bed of truck keeps it from slipping off tailgate and another tie down into hatch on side of tailgate to bed of truck takes weight off tailgate straps.
See post #14.
Also check out these guys:
http://trailerinabag.com/index.html
A buddy has one. We threw the bag in the back of his Jeep and drove to Mississippi to pick up my bike when I bought it. I wish I had one to keep in the garage in case me or a buddy ever gets stranded.