Sports bike on the back of a pickup?
Discussion
Evening BB!
I wan't to do more track days this year but sadly won't have access to a van for a whole day.
However I do have access to a pickup truck which im hoping I could somehow use to take my cbr600 to track.
Has anyone tried this before? What kind of ramp did you use?
The bike doesn't have a side stand so could I mount something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctm/Motorcycle-Wheel-Chock-m... to a wooden load bed and use some handle bar straps and ratchet straps to keep it tied in place.
Anything that could drastically fail with this plan?
I wan't to do more track days this year but sadly won't have access to a van for a whole day.
However I do have access to a pickup truck which im hoping I could somehow use to take my cbr600 to track.
Has anyone tried this before? What kind of ramp did you use?
The bike doesn't have a side stand so could I mount something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctm/Motorcycle-Wheel-Chock-m... to a wooden load bed and use some handle bar straps and ratchet straps to keep it tied in place.
Anything that could drastically fail with this plan?
Blackwidow ramp like this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9m-IEwi-_k
although obviously don't make a pigs ear of loading it like that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9m-IEwi-_k
although obviously don't make a pigs ear of loading it like that
This one looks good: http://www.theramppeople.co.uk/ramp/home-and-garde...
Obviously I need one as wide as that because I will only be loading it on my own.
Obviously I need one as wide as that because I will only be loading it on my own.
I used a really long thick board when I used to load my bike in my pickup. Wasn't a problem if I had a long enough run up to the ramp. There was one occasion when I was loading a Fireblade, didn't take a long enough run up and halfway up the ramp I ran out of momentum (and strength) so got the bright idea to pop the bike in gear, start engine and let clutch out to power the bike the rest of the way up the ramp.
Worked great until the front wheel rolled off the ramp onto the pickup bed at which point the rear wheel fired the ramp backwards leaving me balancing a Fireblade on the edge of the tailgate with both wheels in the air. I was alone so couldn't call for help and at the time honestly thought I would be stuck there until a neighbour came home. Even if they did, I'm not sure what help they would be as I doubt two people could have lifted the bike from that height.
At that point I really needed a wee (probably brought about by the dread I was feeling) so I accepted my fate, slid the bike backwards along the belly until the rear wheel was back on earth and just did a sort of clean and jerk to clear the front wheel off the tailgate. There was only minor scuffing that I am sure the new owner wouldn't have minded had they seen it (Hands up who gets on their hands and knees to check the bellypan).
Happy to report that all subsequent loadings and unloadings were event free. That sort of cock up you only make once in your lifetime.
Worked great until the front wheel rolled off the ramp onto the pickup bed at which point the rear wheel fired the ramp backwards leaving me balancing a Fireblade on the edge of the tailgate with both wheels in the air. I was alone so couldn't call for help and at the time honestly thought I would be stuck there until a neighbour came home. Even if they did, I'm not sure what help they would be as I doubt two people could have lifted the bike from that height.
At that point I really needed a wee (probably brought about by the dread I was feeling) so I accepted my fate, slid the bike backwards along the belly until the rear wheel was back on earth and just did a sort of clean and jerk to clear the front wheel off the tailgate. There was only minor scuffing that I am sure the new owner wouldn't have minded had they seen it (Hands up who gets on their hands and knees to check the bellypan).
Happy to report that all subsequent loadings and unloadings were event free. That sort of cock up you only make once in your lifetime.
LoonR1 said:
I wouldn't fancy loading a bike into a pickup as they're so much higher than a van, unless the ramp was very wide and easy to walk up with the bike.
Did you see the ramp link I posted? Its designed so that you can load a bike on your down and put your feet down.Also It doesn't have a side stand as its an ex race bike.
Ill make sure I remember to tie the stand to the tow bar so that it doesn't shoot the ramp off!
Looks pretty tricky to me. It's scary enough pushing a bike into a van, never mind up onto a pick up.
As always a little YouTube research goes a long way...... http://youtu.be/z2EfBPgwi8E. (Some genuine LOL clips)
As always a little YouTube research goes a long way...... http://youtu.be/z2EfBPgwi8E. (Some genuine LOL clips)
Two people, and tie the ramp to the truck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q2xzhjCa60
If you're going to do it yourself, at least have a camera going - the £250 from you've been framed (or these days, youtube ad revenue) will go some way to covering the cost of the damage.
If you're going to do it yourself, at least have a camera going - the £250 from you've been framed (or these days, youtube ad revenue) will go some way to covering the cost of the damage.
http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b405/sirjaydub...
Only ever used a scaffold plank but have had a couple of heart stopping moments. The worst problem with trucks over vans is the height of the bed, meaning that unless you have a long ramp the angle between the ramp and the bed is too steep - the professional ramps look like they should be okay tho'. All you've really got to make sure of is that you have enough clearance under the belly pan as the front wheel goes into the bed, probably not so much of a problem with a track CBR but used to cause a bit of hassle with Harleys and the like.
The other thing is to be confident, you want to be in and done in one hit not trying to stop and start (or putting your feet down) halfway up the ramp - probably best to practice with a couple of mates around...
Only ever used a scaffold plank but have had a couple of heart stopping moments. The worst problem with trucks over vans is the height of the bed, meaning that unless you have a long ramp the angle between the ramp and the bed is too steep - the professional ramps look like they should be okay tho'. All you've really got to make sure of is that you have enough clearance under the belly pan as the front wheel goes into the bed, probably not so much of a problem with a track CBR but used to cause a bit of hassle with Harleys and the like.
The other thing is to be confident, you want to be in and done in one hit not trying to stop and start (or putting your feet down) halfway up the ramp - probably best to practice with a couple of mates around...
I should have said, "Don't forget to take the ramp with you!". I did when I delivered the bike in the pic' to a mate of mine. We got it out by reversing right up to his hydraulic bike bench, rolling the bike onto the bench then lowering it to the ground - so there's another way of getting them in or out*
- Usual caveats apply, may not be practical in all situations etc.
metbandit1 said:
I won't be pushing it ill be riding it :P
With the double width ramp you can put your feet down and the ramp is strapped to the pickup so it wont slide off.
Just wondering if anyone has come up with any other mounting solutions?
Here in SA pick ups (Bakkies) are far more popular than vans, so every TD seems 80% of bikes arriving and departing on the rear bed. With the double width ramp you can put your feet down and the ramp is strapped to the pickup so it wont slide off.
Just wondering if anyone has come up with any other mounting solutions?
As you've noted, with a narrow ramp, it's a two man operation, as getting half way an stopping or toppling will end in disiaster. With the wider ramps that allow you to dab then it's a oneman operation but a piece of additional kit will help immensely. Look to a front wheel chock. It's a stand that you ride the front wheel into and it pivots over and holds the front wheel against a vertical groove. Once in this, the bike can stand on it's own and you'r free to tie it down without having to hold it up at the same time.
Examples
Clamps not required, just make sure strap already secured to pick-up & that you can reach it once bike is in situ. Put front wheel into corner of bed, secure strap & lean bike away from strap, hop over bike & attach other strap - adjust bike upright. Single strap to rear, from one point on bike to two points in pick-up - triangular.
With a 4x4 pick-up, the height is a problem, a long ramp is needed, one that folds means it will still fit in the bed (remember to secure this too). More important is getting yourself up there too, have a step or a toolbox to stand on.
We did this last weekend, 3 trail bikes in the back of a double cab Mazda, outside ones in first, secured by just outside straps, middle bike reversed in & all secured propertly once in place.
With a 4x4 pick-up, the height is a problem, a long ramp is needed, one that folds means it will still fit in the bed (remember to secure this too). More important is getting yourself up there too, have a step or a toolbox to stand on.
We did this last weekend, 3 trail bikes in the back of a double cab Mazda, outside ones in first, secured by just outside straps, middle bike reversed in & all secured propertly once in place.
graham22 said:
Clamps not required, just make sure strap already secured to pick-up & that you can reach it once bike is in situ. Put front wheel into corner of bed, secure strap & lean bike away from strap, hop over bike & attach other strap - adjust bike upright. Single strap to rear, from one point on bike to two points in pick-up - triangular.
With a 4x4 pick-up, the height is a problem, a long ramp is needed, one that folds means it will still fit in the bed (remember to secure this too). More important is getting yourself up there too, have a step or a toolbox to stand on.
We did this last weekend, 3 trail bikes in the back of a double cab Mazda, outside ones in first, secured by just outside straps, middle bike reversed in & all secured propertly once in place.
Nice to hear you did it with the double cab mazda as I have the ford ranger double cab which is pretty much the same truck. With a 4x4 pick-up, the height is a problem, a long ramp is needed, one that folds means it will still fit in the bed (remember to secure this too). More important is getting yourself up there too, have a step or a toolbox to stand on.
We did this last weekend, 3 trail bikes in the back of a double cab Mazda, outside ones in first, secured by just outside straps, middle bike reversed in & all secured propertly once in place.
Ill be using one of those front wheel holders as the bike doesn't have a side stand so I can use it when parking up after time on track too.
metbandit1 said:
I won't be pushing it ill be riding it :P
OP later http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BSoV_KltgMX / trail bikes are a whole heap easier to move around than a sports bike. The weight is cometwly different an in a completely different place too. I can more or less drop my MX bike on its side and pick it up one handed on a bar end. Tip my R1 or S1000 by ten degrees and there's no wy I can hold onto it.
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