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!

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.

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.

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).

at least 8 feet long.   I tried the 6 footers from my atv, it will bottom out.

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...

situations like these are why I love my trailer....

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.

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.

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).

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.....