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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: pantablo on October 04, 2005, 11:04:33 PM

Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 04, 2005, 11:04:33 PM
for those budding track whores (like myself), I've been looking into ramps. Even though I borrow a truck from a friend (or occasionally a trailer from a different friend) I dont like either of their ramps. They are too narrow and the raised lips have caused me a couple near drops mid ramp from the tire riding up on the side.

In my research I've come across nothing substantial that costs less than $90-$100 (+shipping), except now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7-5-FT-ARCH-FOLDING-MOTORCYCLE-LOADING-RAMP_W0QQitemZ4574523094QQcategoryZ34284QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$55 (+$25 shipping). some people on the other boards, that attend the same trackdays I do have this and it works fine. So I bought one. Just thought I'd pass along what I thought was a pretty good deal.

He has many of them, just look at his other auctions to find another if you're interested.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: leo on October 04, 2005, 11:25:05 PM
:x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x I wish I wouldn't have bought the one I did. It's the only purchase for the bike that I regret making. This one seems eons better than the one I have. It's so narrow and I hate it.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: NightRyder on October 04, 2005, 11:28:07 PM
That isnt bad.. but, there are things like this,

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46862

that are new, you could return to a store, and cost less.. if there's someplace like this near you.

If you can stand the 9" width, theres this;

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44649

maybe tie them togather.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 04, 2005, 11:37:22 PM
those scare me.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: NightRyder on October 05, 2005, 12:01:32 AM
To be sure, the one on ebay looks 10x beefer.


edit, but the raited load is lower... its only made of aluminum while the first one I posted, is 14 gauge steel. It's raiting is 1250 lb. while the ebay one is 750.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 05, 2005, 12:35:37 AM
my bike weighs less than 400lbs (okay, fully wet its 440lbs). Alum is lighter and is fine for my use.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: indestructibleman on October 05, 2005, 07:52:00 AM
if you have two people pushing your bike up the ramp aren't you getting close to the weight capacity?
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: blue05twin on October 05, 2005, 09:04:48 AM
I know this is a stupid question but can you just ride the bike up the ramp?
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 05, 2005, 09:19:46 AM
Quote from: indestructiblemanif you have two people pushing your bike up the ramp aren't you getting close to the weight capacity?

when people push a bike up the ramp they arent ON the ramp too. they are alongside.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 05, 2005, 09:20:23 AM
Quote from: blue05twinI know this is a stupid question but can you just ride the bike up the ramp?
there are ramps that you can do this with but these are too narrow to safely do so.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: indestructibleman on October 05, 2005, 10:15:15 AM
Quote from: pantablo
Quote from: indestructiblemanif you have two people pushing your bike up the ramp aren't you getting close to the weight capacity?

when people push a bike up the ramp they arent ON the ramp too. they are alongside.

ah, i hadn't really looked at the pic.  i was imagining something much wider, where you'd have to be on the ramp to push the bike.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: Alphamazing on October 05, 2005, 10:57:20 AM
My father and I made our own. A long 2x6 with a steel ramp-lip on the end. Set it on the truck bed and roll the bike on up. It worked fine for his FZ1.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 05, 2005, 11:20:30 AM
yep-seen those. poor mans ramps, so to speak. the problem with that, and with the one I have, at least for my fully faired bike, is that the bottom forward edge of the fairings catch on the side lips of the ramp. also, the bike is dangerously close to bottoming out on the ramp, which can easily happen depending on how I park the truck relative the slope of the ground. The one I bought is curved at the top to prevent this.

a good ramp is whatever works...
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pandy on October 05, 2005, 11:35:44 AM
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 10, 2005, 03:25:58 PM
got ramp today. looks good. a little banged up in transit but seem splenty sturdy. seems like a good buy to me.
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: RVertigo on October 10, 2005, 05:09:03 PM
The real question is...

Ride it up or walk it up.   :mrgreen:
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: pantablo on October 10, 2005, 05:29:48 PM
riding it up is for cruisers. :nana:
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: RVertigo on October 10, 2005, 05:31:43 PM
I've thought about it...  I was trying to ramp my GS into a truck that had a liftkit...  By myself...

I started it... Lined it up...  Got the front tire on the ramp and thought, "WHAT THE F%$K AM I DOING!!!"  and waited for someone to help.   :lol:
Title: loading ramps-cheap on ebay ($55)
Post by: Jared on October 10, 2005, 08:09:36 PM
I use a 2x10 with a bracket ( a set) sold at Home depot... It's about 7 feet long...the bracket has a piece on the bottom for strapping the ramp to the truck/whatever....

I Have a 1990 Nissan 4x2 extra cab...  I routinely load bikes in it myself... Running bike...throttle/clutch right up into the truck and just step up in it as it goes... Un running  I get it rolling and do the same thing....

Sure the 2x10 doesn't fold...isn't as pretty....but works great ( even with the faired bikes....guess the length/angle is good...).  It's probably less tempting to steal too....

"220...221...Whatever it takes..."