Riding your motorcycle on the open road is a great feeling, especially if you are wearing stylish motorcycle apparel. Of course, sometimes you want the comforts of your truck, especially if your bike isn’t designed for long distance travel. Whether you are taking your rig up to Laconia for bike week or just taking your off-roader to your favorite trail, you’ll likely want to know how to load it onto a truck without scratching up those sweet OEM motorcycle fairings.
- Get a Motorcycle Ramp
If you are loading your motorcycle onto the bed of a truck, get a purpose-built ramp. So many motorcycle owners have experienced the heart-wrenching moment of a collapsing homemade ramp.
The best motorcycle ramps are arch-shaped. If your ramp is flat, you’ll have a difficult angle to overcome at the top. It is possible to use a flat ramp, but it is easier if it is arch-shaped.
Make sure to get either two ramps or one that is wide enough for you and the bike. Don’t try to ride your bike up the ramp into the bed. Some people prefer this method, but you really have to know what you are doing to avoid damage.
Having a proper ramp is emblematic of all the keys to success for loading a bike onto a truck: do things the right way and it will go smoothly. It really is that simple. Even high-end ramps are less expensive than a new bike or truck.
- Use a Wheel Chock
You want the bike to stay upright while you’re in transit. Don’t rely on the kickstand for this, it won’t be stable enough for a moving platform like your truck bed. This is where a wheel chock can help.
A wheel chock is simply a piece of material that traps your wheel in an upright position. There are light versions that are intended to be bolted down on trailers. If you aren’t planning to directly attach your chock to your truck bed, you’ll need one of the heavier options that won’t move around.
The best placement is up against the end of the bed. Again, if you try to improvise a wheel chock or don’t bother with proper placement, you’ll be sorry.
- Plan Before Your Execute
Before you begin to move your bike, know how you are going to get it up the ramp and into the bed. It is safest to just walk your bike up by yourself, but this may not be possible for heavier bikes. Consider getting a friend to help by standing on the ground and pushing the back end of the bike up. No matter what you do, know the plan before you start.
- Don’t Be Shy With Straps
Once your bike is in the bed, tie it down with straps. Don’t be shy. Connect the bike to as many anchor points as you can. A few extra straps cost a whole lot less than a bunch of replacement motorcycle aftermarket parts online. You need at least a couple straps at the front and a couple at the back extending to the left and right to hold the bike in place.
Get The Gear You Need
If you have a good plan and the right equipment, loading a bike into a truck is easy. So, pick up a ramp, wheel chock and some straps today.