| Author | Message | ||
     Milleniumx1 |
There's a decent chance (work related) that I'll be taking my '09R to San Francisco from my Springfield, MO location soon. I own an '01 Chevy Silverado 1500, and I know the Buell would fit in the bed. So what's the problem? I can't imagine being able to put the bike in - Or worse yet, roll it back off. Rent a trailer? Buy a trailer? Install a wheel chock in the bed and just grow a set of nuts to force myself to do it. Seems silly to pay a shipping company when I'm already planning on making the drive. Even after searching, and finding some options, I'm still not feeling much better about the whole 'what the hell should I do' situation. I'm not going to CA without the Buell, but also don't want to damage it either. Decisions, decisions ... Mike | ||
| Xodot |
I am a big suck when it comes to loading or off loading - I guess my "set" retract when it comes to risks like that when I have no confidence. I bought a low flat tilt-bed trailer after trying to use a van to haul my prize around in. Can't you find someone to help you run your bike up and then down the ramp? So much easier with 2 guys that I'd even do it!  | ||
| Dentguy |
Sounds like you already know your options. Are you looking for advice on which one to choose or how to grow a pair? I say choose this option. "Install a wheel chock in the bed and just grow a set of nuts to force myself to do it. " You can always back up to a hill or down in a ditch to get the rear of your truck lower and make loading/unloading easier with a ramp. | ||
| Kevin_stevens |
Option a) Get a bunch of friends to assist. Option b) Find a loading dock, ditch, etc that will let you even up the bed floor. Option c) Grow a pair.  I use a three-foot wide ramp that lets me straddle the bike and power up slowly. I typically rent E-150 vans from Enterprise, and if I can load and unload a ZX-14 into an E-150 without killing myself, you can do it with an 1125 and no headroom restrictions! The people who use 2x4 or single channel ramps are nuts as far as I'm concerned - I *know* I don't have that kind of coordination. To secure the bike once it's in, there just isn't anything better than a Baxley Sport Chock. Roll the front wheel in, slap the locking lever down, and it's not going anywhere. Use a Canyon Dancer 2 or Cycle Cinch to tie down the bars, and you're good to go. KeS | ||
| Kevin_stevens |
Here's the ramp I use: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=90018 And here's a HF chock that is very much like the Baxley at a third the price. Note that I don't know anyone who has actually used this, although I've seen it in person and it looks robust. The Baxley is a premium quality product that is extensively used by race teams and the like, and is highly recommended. I use mine every day for parking the bike in the garage, just roll into it and walk away. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem. taf?Itemnumber=97841 Baxley: http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Sportchock.html KeS (Message edited by kevin_stevens on November 14, 2009) | ||
| Dentguy |
Here is another wheel chock option like the Baxley. I have one of these. http://www.condor-lift.com/product.asp?ItemID=1001 As Kevin Stevens said, these are great for loading and just parking your bike. Great for maintenance also. So it will be good to have and use after your trip. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I once rode my FLHP into the back of a 24' Ryder truck...using a 2x12. Talk about pucker factor. After that...everything is cake Seriously though. I have homemade ramps for our 4x4 Ram. It's pretty tall. I try to back to a hill or into a ditch as noted above, but I have three pieces: 1 - a 2x8 with 2x4s nailed to each side, making a "U" shape to ride in. Helps keep the bike from going off the side. 2 - a pair of 2x6 that I put on each side, for my feet, to stabilize myself. I have a strap at each end nailed to the boards, keeping them from shooting off totally to the side if I put weight on them the wrong way. Works perfect. And when the bike (bikes) is (are) loaded, I just toss the boards in next to the bikes and have 'em with me when I get to my destination - like Last Ride, when Kim and I trucked out my Uly (with bags) for us, and my S1W for 1313 to use. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Scout out a loading dock locally. Same at the other end or introduce yourself to the new bike shop and ask to use their lift. | ||
| Geforce |
Go to LOWES and get a good ramp that will allow you to place your feet down on either side. Make sure you place the truck and the ramp in a secure location... IE somewhere on a small hill and NOT on concrete or hard pavement. This will keep the ramp from sliding under weight. If you can place your feet down on either side, you can drive the bike up the ramp. I do this when I head to the track. If all else fails, get at least one buddy and have him push on the swing arm while you control the front brake and the balance. Good luck! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Are you going alone or with someone? Know anyone in Springfield or in CA? If so, have the person to follow you to the HD/Buell dealer in Springfield. Load the bike into the truck on their loading ramp. Drive to CA. Visit the local HD/Buell dealer, and use their ramp to off load the bike. Have your friend ride with you and bring your truck back. No ramps needed. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Balls optional. | ||
| Naiguy |
Sf has steep hills and a good long double wide ramp........ laughing grow a pair sissy man I've loaded my bike in lifted trucks using a dirt bike ramp with a friend that had a broken arm | ||
| Kevin_stevens |
What kind of traction did you get on the friend? KeS | ||
| Sknight |
It's easier than you think. I loaded a Hayabusa by myself several times. Good ramp, preferably arched. 2X12, same length as ramp. Set ramp up, use a tie down to secure ramp to truck, then set the board beside the ramp, tie it down too. Warm the bike up, then standing beside it use the clutch to pull the bike up the ramp while you walk up the board. Unloading is just as easy. Leave it in gear, turn the ignition on but don't start the bike. Pull the clutch and start rolling the bike down the ramp, keep an eye on the rear tire making sure it tracks well. If it gets too cocked just thumb the starter and go back up the ramp, then start over. Have a spotter help once or twice, after that it becomes a cakewalk. | ||
| Misterrich |
When i load my 1125r into the back of my f-150 i just back my truck up to my steps and drive it on in. Its the perfect loading ramp. Getting it off is a different story. Have to back it out and it gets tricky. You should get at least 2 people to help. | ||
| Court |
Avoid the "grow a pair" option . . . .those of us who have opted for it know it provides, at best, inconsistent results. I used a 2" x 12" with the "ramp ends" you can buy from any motorcycle accessories catalog. I place a milk crate along side the ramp and walk them up s-l-o-w-l-y. The key is ton retain control. Once bad things start they progress rapidly. Again . . it's not difficult, in fact it's easy . . just be smart, be careful and go slow. Perhaps not the most thrilling internet account but . . . trust me on this one . . . most "I rode it in" folks either have a great story to tell or have come damn close to having one. Somewhere on youtube there used to be one of a dude putting a bike through the back window of a pickup or something. . . . An extra set of hands makes LOTS of difference and insures you always have someone to blame if you do something stupid. | ||
| Clarkjw |
Court is so right. I take my bike to the track on a regular basis in my pickup. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I knew that 'grow a pair' would be part of the solution, that's why I offered it up in the beginning. But I don't want to be stupid either. I'm not too proud to admit that most lessons I've learned the hard way ... That's just me. TONS of great advice/options here. I do appreciate it folks! Mike | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Mike, there's A few bad web guys around S.F. and we'd be happy to help. Well maybe I should speak for myself but it won't be A problem. I'm scared to do that to. But if you get A wide ramp and 3 people it's not bad. Give me A PM when you're coming if I can help. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
And maybe look in the storm fronts section for somebody in Mo to help on that end | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
That's a great offer - Thank you! I wasn't as concerned about the MO end (other than fear of harming the bike if I screw something up), as a few of my neighbors are bikers. My Buell dealer lives next door. But I didn't want to get to SF and start asking for help from strangers. Having lived there for 13 years, I do know folks ... But not always great about asking for help. I need to work on that! Mike | ||
| Kidder |
I use a single ramp to get my bike in/out of the trailer. I like to back up to my curb and put the ramp in the grass. That gives me a little more height to reduce the angle of the ramp. It helps to have two people just to ensure if you slip or lose momentum, the other is there to help. I also recommend a Canyon Dancer Bar Harness to secure it in the bed. I don't use a wheel chock but it sure wouldn't hurt to use one.   | ||
| Ekunyvan |
Essential: Kidder is right on here, make sure you get a "canyon dancer" (google it, its about 30 bucks) for just about anytime you need to tie down & haul your bike. I hauled my Firebolt 2500mi on a trip from Virginia - San Diego - Seattle - back to Virginia in my F-150 for 22 days 2 summer's ago. Also ESSENTIAL WILL SAVE YOUR BIKE & YOUR BODDY: While loading set the parking brake on the truck & make sure you tie the middle (or nearer to the top) of your ramp to the tow hitch of your truck with an extra tie down strap & make sure its tight. If you don't do this it is super easy for the ramp to slip of the tailgate while mid load especially if using the bike's power to get up the ramp. Recommendation: Tip for the ramp if you like. I use a trifold ATV ramp which is wide enough for an ATV to drive up. This gives me someplace to put my feet & allows me to ride the bike up the ramp slowly under its own power, or unload slowly using the brakes. Only problem is that the ATV ramp is much shorter (and hence steeper) that most motorcycle ramps, I have to find a dip an a road, parking lot, driveway etc in which to park the back wheel of my truck. I need to do this to reduce angle that the ramp makes at the tailgate otherwise the bike will high-center at the top of the ramp. So far I've always been able to find a curb, or gutter or something to back my truck into that gives me the approach angle I need between the bed of the truck & the ground. I've probably loaded my bike in my truck 30 times by myself with no issues at all. Also make sure you use some good ratchet tie downs to tie the canyon dancer to the truck bed, it will help you out a lot with getting it tied down & released by yourself. I made a front wheel "chock" out of a 2x6 & some 2x4's just to set the front cowel of the bike back from my rolled up tonneau cover, but have hauled my bike many times with out that. If you tie it down tight you shouldn't have any problems. Also if you can not put the tail gate up (I have a 5.5ft bed on my F-150 so even a super short Firebolt won't fit) I'd recommend an extra strap through rear tire or somewhere, not to secure the bike but just as a saftey back up in case the one of the other straps should fail. Highly unlikely but, then your bike sliding down the road is also highly bad, so in my opinion that makes it worth the extra precaution. (Message edited by ekunyvan on November 15, 2009) | ||
| Kevin_stevens |
Canyon Dancer 2 or Cycle Cinch. The original Canyon Dancer (still out there) pulls inward on your throttle tube and can damage switchgear. They redesigned it to use cups on the ends to avoid that, as does the Cycle Cinch. KeS | ||
| Ekunyvan |
Yeah, actually the original canyon dancer did do some damage to my grips after 2500mi in the truckbed. I still use it for short trips, but the Canyon Dancer 2 looks much better. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Seen 2 x 12s with ice racing screws drilled into them for traction. Also seen boards with beer caps nailed into them for traction. | ||
| Ezblast |
http://www.versahaul.com/index.php http://www.joehauler.com/ http://www.mototote.com/ I think these are your best options. No set required, just brains. EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Oh yeah if you do make it to the Bay area - let me, or Thomas or Dora know - Dora lives in SF proper - Buellgirl(ex-racer, etc) - and one of us is bound to go with you on some nice roads to play in - lol EZ (Message edited by ezblast on November 15, 2009) | ||
| Thejuicer |
+1 on the Cycle Cynch great product for haulin a bike in a pickup!!! | ||
| Kidder |
So, after looking into a Canyon Dancer 2, I'm going to get one to replace my original Canyon Dancer. What length do you guys recommend? Looks like 32" may work. |
