This might seem like a dumb question to some of you, but I am going to use my friend's truck and transport my bike to northern California and I would like to know what the best way to load a motorcycle into the back of the truck is.   Any suggestions?

A couple of ways to load/unload:
1. Back truck up to a hill, or into a ditch so tailgate is close to the ground
2. Get three or more people to lift the bike in
3. Make a ramp or buy an aluminum folding ramp

I ended up buying an aluminum folding ramp because I have to move my bike around a few times a year, and I usually don't have a good hill to back up to.  Also, it's easier for me to get one person to help balance/push the bike up the ramp; I don't need my dad hurting his back lifting a nearly 400 pound bike.  I've done it by lifting it in before and it was a lot of work with three people, but not horrible.  When lifting it, it's easiest to put the back of the bike towards the front of the bed.

Three strong men.

I'm looking at those ramps.  Are you expected  to drive up those skinny things or do you nee a couple strong guys regardless?

Yeah, with a ramp you would want one guy on each side.

You might be able to lift it with just two guys, I've done it with a XL600r and that aint a little bike by any means.

Thanks.  I guess I'll try some combination of a ditch, ramp (or homemade ramp), and another strong guy.

Dry weight gs500e 381lbs.

Dry weight XL600r 295 lbs.

Three people you got it no prob, two people it might be akward.  The XL600r was almost too heavy for two people.

381 lbs, eh?  Maybe I should just bench it into the truck bed.  Spot me!

Go go Gadget Arms!

Quote from: conflicttheoristI'm looking at those ramps.  Are you expected  to drive up those skinny things

I once tried to load a roto-tiller by "driving" up some ramps.

I drank more back then

Seriously though, you can by little ramp ends that screw onto a 2x10 or 12 for not too much cash.

Quote from: conflicttheoristI'm looking at those ramps.  Are you expected  to drive up those skinny things or do you nee a couple strong guys regardless?

I have an old, but sturdy 2x10(or 12?) that i set up next to the ramp.  I walk up the board, steadying the bike by the handlebars while my helper pushes on the grab rail.  A rolling start before hitting the ramp makes it a piece of cake.  This is the ramp I have

I normally just start it up and ride mine in. For backing it out I just hop on and roll it out, this method isnt for the faint of heart. I came up w/ a design for a ramp that works pretty well. Its a couple planks and some hinges so that it has 2 feet that lay on the tale gate and 2 long boards that fold together like a book. The 2 feet fold in over the long planks. Cheap and effective- I saw those kits you can buy @ home depot and wasnt all the impressed. If you can get someone to help I'd reccomend it. If you have a hill or someting even better. One piece of advice tho, once your up that ramp your prett ywell commited.

-ash

Get yourself a pressure treated 2x10 at least.  Two people can easily load a GS into a pickup.  I load them/unload them by myself with just a ramp often enough. Unpowered it's better to have 2 people ( tho I've done it myself..not fun)...
By  myself -bike running in first gear with me walking next to the bike -clutch side...and power it up the ramp...carefully.

Get yourself some decent ratchet straps.Once you get the bike in the bed and centered -Strap the bike down by the handlebars right at the triple clamps to each forward point in the pickup bed.  Put some pressure down on the forks and  ratchet the straps down . Don't compress the forks all the way. Again make sure the bike is centered in the bed of the truck. Leave it in gear and leave the side stand down.  The tension on the forks will keep the bike upright and stable.  If you want to be extra safe... fashion a center  rail  -get a 4x8 sheet of plywood and screw down a few 2x4's or something similar a few inches apart to keep the tires centered in the bed(may want to add some extra wood at the front to hook in front of the wheel wells to keep the plywood in place). That way it's removeable....  


I've never used a center rail and never had a problem...but they are nice to have.

With a good ramp ... and a driveway I can load it alone... Roll down the driveway and up the ramp and into bed... I need a milk crate to step and not lose speed as I jump in the truck... but easy ... practice is needed but easy once you do it a few times...
Now if there is 2-3 guys when you are loading but you unloading all alone ... I'll load the bike backwards ... that way you can roll it off sitting on it...
Cool.
Srinath.

ok, i guess im about as redneck as it gets, ive taken the tailgate off the back of my truck and laid it down like a ramp and drove my bikes up. this included a 77 goldwing. but now my little nissan is too short and needs the tailgate to be long enough.

I saw a tip on TV yesterday on this very subject. This method explains how to safely load a bike by yourself.

Step 1:
- locate truck so tail end is at lowest point, if possible (i.e. ditch; bottom of driveway)

Step 2:
- take 2 ramps and lay side by side on the tailgate. (you'll see why in a minute)

Step 3:
- stand on the left side of the bike and position it a few feet away from ramp on the right.

Step 4:
- with the motor running in neutral engage the clutch lever, place in 1st gear, and feather the clutch out w/ slight throttle to gently move the bike forward

Step 5:
- as you walk along with the bike you will walk up the left ramp while the bike is traversing the right ramp.

Step 6:
- voila! Both you and the bike made it up the ramp safely.

Note: in the video I saw they used a regular ramp for the person and one of these ramp / tailgate extender devices for the bike. So, you essentially only had to actually store one ramp in your truck bed.

If you are going to use a ramp and power it up in 1st....I suggest getting a crate or something that will hold your weight so you can step up and into the truck bed alongside the bike.  Place it a half step in front the tailgate.  I bashed my knee pretty good several times hopping up into the truck till someone pointed out the obvious fix....and I'm an injunear!

I use an 8' long 2x10 with 1x4s nailed to each side (to warn me if I get too close to the edge).  Walk it up with someone else on the other side...take your time and don't forget to cover the brake just in case.  I've also just pushed it up with two if the clutch-n-1st gear method makes you nervous...just get a little momentum going.

Quote from: Flash....Note: in the video I saw they used a regular ramp for the person and one of these ramp / tailgate extender devices for the bike. So, you essentially only had to actually store one ramp in your truck bed.

I really like that ramp/bed extender! Perfect for my dirt bike.

Quote from: luksi
I use an 8' long 2x10 with 1x4s nailed to each side (to warn me if I get too close to the edge).

I've been reading this message board long enough to know that the correct way to load a GS, as opposed to other bikes, is to make my own ramp.  We are the MacGyvers of Bikers.  Can anyone send me some dental floss, a paper clip, and some bubblegum to make one?