Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: snowhownd on August 01, 2005, 07:40:02 PM
Post by: snowhownd on August 01, 2005, 07:40:02 PM
Hey guys,
I'm days away from buying my first bike... a '96 GS500E! (Very excited!) Anyways, I'm new to riding so I'll be bringing home the new baby in my truck and am in the process of making a set of loading ramps... one for the bike and one for me to walk up next to the bike. I bought a set of ends for the do-it-yourself ramps and was wondering how long I should make them. I was thinking of buying a treated 2x10x12' and cutting in half for two 6 foot ramps. I have a newer Silverado Z71... so that's how high the bed will be. I figured 6' would be a reasonable length and then they will fit in the bed with it closed (6.5' bed). Will this be long enough to load up the E? I didn't look at the clearance when I checked out the bike yesterday... so I figured who better to ask then you guys!?!? Thanks!
I'm days away from buying my first bike... a '96 GS500E! (Very excited!) Anyways, I'm new to riding so I'll be bringing home the new baby in my truck and am in the process of making a set of loading ramps... one for the bike and one for me to walk up next to the bike. I bought a set of ends for the do-it-yourself ramps and was wondering how long I should make them. I was thinking of buying a treated 2x10x12' and cutting in half for two 6 foot ramps. I have a newer Silverado Z71... so that's how high the bed will be. I figured 6' would be a reasonable length and then they will fit in the bed with it closed (6.5' bed). Will this be long enough to load up the E? I didn't look at the clearance when I checked out the bike yesterday... so I figured who better to ask then you guys!?!? Thanks!
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: manofthefield on August 01, 2005, 07:49:00 PM
Post by: manofthefield on August 01, 2005, 07:49:00 PM
Closer to 8 feet would be better. 6 isn't horrible if you can back the truck into a ditch or if you have a shorter 2wd truck, which you don't.
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: goat on August 01, 2005, 07:53:41 PM
Post by: goat on August 01, 2005, 07:53:41 PM
I haven't done a whole lot of loading, but I got some loading ramps from Home Depot. They were really expensive becuase they came as a set and I haven't been able to get rid of the second one yet. They are about 7ft long and made out of aluminum.
It works well, but I wouldn't dare load a bike by myself.
It works well, but I wouldn't dare load a bike by myself.
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: ginoe on August 01, 2005, 09:17:51 PM
Post by: ginoe on August 01, 2005, 09:17:51 PM
Quote from: manofthefieldCloser to 8 feet would be better. 6 isn't horrible if you can back the truck into a ditch or if you have a shorter 2wd truck, which you don't.
what he said...
longer is better.
i use a 6' aluminium folding ramp with my 2005 dodge ram 1500 4x4 - the ramp is too short creating a steeper ramp angle. i had to get another type of ramp to raise the front end of the truck (see front wheels of truck) thus lowering the tailgate of the truck. now the angle is not so steep and the bike won't hit bottom on the tailgate.
i should have gotten the longer ramp b/c i can't close the tailgate anyways, the bike does not fit (unless i load her diagonally).
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: Blazinjr on August 01, 2005, 09:22:53 PM
Post by: Blazinjr on August 01, 2005, 09:22:53 PM
at least 8 feet long. I tried the 6 footers from my atv, it will bottom out.
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: V8Pinto on August 01, 2005, 10:13:30 PM
Post by: V8Pinto on August 01, 2005, 10:13:30 PM
Whatever 2x6 I can find in the yard.
Funny story - I was given an old Honda CB350 for free but I had to pick it up that day or the guy was throwing it away. In my rush to leave I forgot a ramp, which I remembered about 2 hours into the 3 hour trip. I thought "all I need is a long board..." and as I topped the next hill I saw a 10ft 2x6 laying in the bushes on the side of the road. I think it was meant to be...
Funny story - I was given an old Honda CB350 for free but I had to pick it up that day or the guy was throwing it away. In my rush to leave I forgot a ramp, which I remembered about 2 hours into the 3 hour trip. I thought "all I need is a long board..." and as I topped the next hill I saw a 10ft 2x6 laying in the bushes on the side of the road. I think it was meant to be...
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: mastrind on August 01, 2005, 11:24:29 PM
Post by: mastrind on August 01, 2005, 11:24:29 PM
situations like these are why I love my trailer....
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: Blueknyt on August 02, 2005, 12:21:18 AM
Post by: Blueknyt on August 02, 2005, 12:21:18 AM
well, lets see, my old F150 and 3/4 chevy i used the tailgate when i didnt have a 6' 2x6 plank with me. those were emergency cases and the paint was messed up anyway. my nissan D21 pickup hauls my GS tailgate closed if caddy corner, or the GS and katana 600 with tailgate open.
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: davipu on August 02, 2005, 01:10:35 AM
Post by: davipu on August 02, 2005, 01:10:35 AM
I'm a fan of the two guys and lift method. worst case sinereo your going to knock a bunch of rust off the exaust.
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: ginoe on August 02, 2005, 08:44:07 PM
Post by: ginoe on August 02, 2005, 08:44:07 PM
Quote from: mastrindsituations like these are why I love my trailer....
i don't really feel too comfortable pulling my trailer, even my waverunner trailer. the trailer wheels are 12" and i am fearful of going fast.
when it's in the truck i can go faster (i usually run late for trackdays).
Title: How long are your loading ramps?
Post by: mastrind on August 02, 2005, 09:09:43 PM
Post by: mastrind on August 02, 2005, 09:09:43 PM
ahh....but I have an actual motorcycle trailer...you know the kind that has the rail for the tires.....and places to mount the ratcheting straps.....I've also spent thousands and thousands of miles trailering as I was a wrecker operator/driver in the Army.....