Loading into a pick up truck

[mcmmotorsports]

What is the easiest and safest way to load a bike into a pick up? I am gonna load mine into my truck and the aluminum ramps from Harbor Freight tools look like they have too steep of an angle. Any suggestions?

[mes_kc]

A) you definitely need a good ramp with an arch otherwise you'll bottom out on the tail gate. B) regardless of the adverstisements I don't recommend attempting to load it yourself or ride it up.

Get the right ramp, enlist the aid of a friend, start the bike up, stand beside it with your buddy on the opposite side, then using the clutch let the bike power itself up.

Trust me, if she gets away from you you'll wish you'd followed these instructions.

http://www.motorcycleramps.com/black...FRkMIgod-HulSw

[mcmmotorsports]

Thanks for the input. One option I have is to use the dealers loading ramp and I can use the loading dock at my local Advance Auto Parts store when I get it home. I might even talk to the Advance store in Florida and see if they will let me use theirs to save the extra trip. I just thought having a good ramp setup would be convenient and I can use it down the road. I think I might buy one of those Black Widow ramps. Thanks again.
As far as straps go, I bought (4) 1" ratcheting straps with a 500lb working limit each. Should I chuck them and go for the good 2" 2,500lb ones or is that overkill?
I am gonna use a Canyon Dancer too.

[uzimon]

lessen the angle, either by backing up to a raised sidewalk or backing into a shallow ditch.
easiest and safest way i know of

[joostertag]

what kinda bike do you have? when i was helping my friend load his 99 zx6 into a truck it took 3 guys to lift it in. depending on how heavy it is i would just get a couple guys to lift it in

[mes_kc]

Originally Posted by mcmmotorsports

As far as straps go, I bought (4) 1" ratcheting straps with a 500lb working limit each. Should I chuck them and go for the good 2" 2,500lb ones or is that overkill?
I am gonna use a Canyon Dancer too.

Canyon Dancers are good, I personally like the cyclecynch better though. Use all four of the 500 lb straps. Be careful not to get carried away with tightening things down you run the risk of blowing the shock seals. Good luck.

[r1 daveone]

I load mine with an aluminum 4' wide 1000lb cap. Ramp and I drive my truck to the entrance of my driveway since it has a ramp to the driveway. Drive ur truck to the steepest part of ur driveway and load very carefully also a buddys hand is always help full but not necesary in my case.

[BlueBomber14]

I have used the Harbor ramps with my lowered 14 and it would bottom out if you don't put the ramp on the side of a hill or the truck rearend in a low spot as UZI suggested. (my front tire was ripped wide open at the time but I don't think the extra height would made the difference. And yes the canyon dancers are the way to go they wrap around the grips and spread themselves so the strap force is concentrated down. I use several ratchet sraps to tie the rest down.

[mcmmotorsports]

I apologize for not replying sooner, for some reason, I was not notified of replies. Anywho...I am possibly going to load my bike into a 53' trailer since I will be down that way with my work truck. I have a ramp at the dealership that I can use too if need be. I will keep ya posted.

[madmax2295]

good luck and throw on extra straps. They dont hurt, better be safe then sorry

[mcmmotorsports]

I will probably have 6-8 straps holding this thing down and will stop at EVERY Rest Area to make sure it is ok. If anything happens to it because of this trip, I will be sick.