Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: lucas on March 29, 2007, 01:57:36 AM
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Hi all,
I have a two part question. First I want to load my 500lb bandit in the back of my truck. What would be the best way to do that? A jack? A lift? A ramp? The truck bed is about 3 feet off the ground.
The second part: Once it's loaded how best to unload it?
HELP?
Thanks,
Luke
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I've loaded plenty of big heavy bikes by using two ramps... one to walk up on beside the idling bike, with the bike on the other ramp, slipping the clutch and giving it a little gas under it's own power.
Just take it slow and easy and keep two fingers on the front brake lever... if you get squirrelly just pull in the clutch and grab some front brake to keep it from rolling back while you get re-adjusted... a little at a time.
To unload, use the same two-ramp method, only the bike doesn't need to be running. Just use the front brake to control how fast you want to let it roll down the ramp as you walk down beside it on the other ramp.
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I've loaded/unloaded mine in my van the same way Zen-man explained except my van isn't that far off the ground. So instead of a 2nd ramp all I need is a step wich I use my tool box or cooler (wich I don't recomend)but I do it often enough that I feel comfortable. Loading is easier because your just going straight ahead as where if you don't have room for the bike to come off straight(I have to load my bike on a angle to shut my doors) you have to make sure your back tire is coming off straight.So I'll start mine up when by myself if I have to pull back foward on the ramp to straighten it out. Best thing to do is have a extra hand around just to help guide you. It would be better than dumping your bike. Dan
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The 2 ramp method will work but if you loose your balance there is no way you are going to keep you and the bike upright.
I prefer an atv ramp and I ride it up. Also,put the back tires of you truck into a low spot or a depression in the yard or back up to something like a loading dock. Anything to decrease your angle of aproach will make loading the bike a little easier. Don't try loading or unloading in wet conditions. The front brake won't grab for crap if the bed of your truck is wet.
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Saw this in an Aussie Bike mag
http://www.bikeloader.com.au/
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I use the same 2 ramp method that Zen describes, but it really helps to have a 2nd set of hands on a 500+ lb bike. And as Swamp says, I usually put the rear wheels of the truck on the road, backed against my curb, with a slightly uphill driveway to decrease the angle.
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:clap:
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I have heard another easy way is to take a cheap ATV wench and make mount at the far end of the truck bed.
CWO, where can I meet one of those cheap wenches? I'd like to mount one in my bed too... :evil1:
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:clap:
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Oh, you mean WINCH! :duh:
Just a little humor there, bud. :stickpoke:
But thanks for the link... Cabela's is a great store. Also try www.sportsmansguide.com for lots of cool stuff like that. :wink:
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Thanks for all the responses. I think the ATV ramp would work the best. I found a lot of ramps online that costs less than 150 bucks. A good example is at http://www.atvramps.com/ITF-8546.htm. I think I'll try one of these.
Thanks Again to all! :beers:
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I have the Black Widow Ramp, (3) piece folding, and just ride it into the back of the truck (ford f150). loaded it before in the rain with no problems. see web site below.
http://www.motorcycleramps.com/black_widow.htm
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Same one I have and use with either my truck or trailer. Ride the bike in, ride the bike out. :-)
Blue
I have the Black Widow Ramp,
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OK... just confirming what most already know... I'm a dumbass. With the track bike, I'm on and off trailers and trucks all the time - usually all by myself. My wife bought me a set of two ramps. I keep thinking I should sell the second one because I never use it. I usually push the bike til the front wheel gets on to the trailer/truck, hold the front brake while I climb onto the trailer, nearly dumping the bike every time and then strong arm the bike the rest of the way up. Use the other ramp to walk up???? BRILLIANT!!!! :duh:
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OK... just confirming what most already know... I'm a dumbass. With the track bike, I'm on and off trailers and trucks all the time - usually all by myself. My wife bought me a set of two ramps. I keep thinking I should sell the second one because I never use it. I usually push the bike til the front wheel gets on to the trailer/truck, hold the front brake while I climb onto the trailer, nearly dumping the bike every time and then strong arm the bike the rest of the way up. Use the other ramp to walk up???? BRILLIANT!!!! :duh:
If it's one of the ATV ramps with the rungs,... consider putting some plywood, with some 1x1s (fastened with carriage bolts) to rest against the tops of the rungs down on top of the ramp (that you're walking up) too. That way, you don't have to be watching your footing, the bike, the ramp, and the truck/trailer at the same time. You just know that anywhere you step, you're safe.
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I wish I had the link to "How to load a motorcycle",this would be the perfict time to insert it.We have it on the computer at the bike shop. The video shows a dirt bike taking off,rider hitting his helmet a couple X getting syced up, hits the ramp at speed, doing a knac-knac (or something like that)in air, lands in the back of a van,you can hear the landing,and see the van move.Oveously,the landing was put together, but its worth watching :lol:
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I've been doing business with Sportsman's Guide for 5-6 years. They have low prices, fast and cheap shipping (3 days UPS) and great customer service. Here's ramps & tie-downs starting at $44.97 up to $749.97:
http://tinyurl.com/2qyq85
I posted their home address earlier, but this link is more specific.
We buy a lot of camping and surplus gear from these folks, they have tools, clothes, boots, home & garden, shooting stuff. etc... living out in the country, internet shopping is a great way to buy.
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And here are the "cheap wenches"... I mean WINCHES (sorry, CWO! :wink: ):
http://tinyurl.com/2q9phl
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I wish I had the link to "How to load a motorcycle",this would be the perfict time to insert it.We have it on the computer at the bike shop. The video shows a dirt bike taking off,rider hitting his helmet a couple X getting syced up, hits the ramp at speed, doing a knac-knac (or something like that)in air, lands in the back of a van,you can hear the landing,and see the van move.Oveously,the landing was put together, but its worth watching :lol:
You mean this video? :toofunny:
http://www.mainedirtbikes.com/fmx/2003/video/loading_a_bike.mpg
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Way to go Red, :clap: thats it. I can never watch that just once!
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Sounds like a lot of time and money to spend on something you probably wouldn't use a lot. (unless your into parading your bike around on the back of your truck.)
Cheapest, safest way? Find the appropriate "grassy knowl". Get the bike on it. Back the truck up to it and drive on. But, I guess that's obvious.
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I wish I had the link to "How to load a motorcycle",this would be the perfict time to insert it.We have it on the computer at the bike shop. The video shows a dirt bike taking off,rider hitting his helmet a couple X getting syced up, hits the ramp at speed, doing a knac-knac (or something like that)in air, lands in the back of a van,you can hear the landing,and see the van move.Oveously,the landing was put together, but its worth watching :lol:
You mean this video? :toofunny:
http://www.mainedirtbikes.com/fmx/2003/video/loading_a_bike.mpg
Is the guy dead? I mean, how do you land INSIDE a van like that and live? Obviously padded but how about when the bars go thru your head or body? Think it's fake?
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Is the guy dead? I mean, how do you land INSIDE a van like that and live? Obviously padded but how about when the bars go thru your head or body? Think it's fake?
:stickpoke: You think? :duh: :rofl:
Watch it again. Several times, if necessary. Look carefully. When the bike "goes into the van," there's a puff of dirt. Why would there be a puff of dirt like that? Any dirt puffing, if it were real, would originate around the van's tires from the movement from impact. Also, if you look at the puff of dirt carefully, you'll see it has a rather abrupt right edge where the puff from the bike actually landing in the dirt further to the right has been edited out.
A fun clip to watch, for sure, but it's the handiwork of someone's editing skills, more than riding skills, though the jump does take talent.
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Ya, rewatching it, the giveaway with stopaction wasn't the puff of dirt but the biker's head. He didn't tuck his head in when entering the truck. In stop action you can see that the top of the van would take his head off. The puff of dust could have just been dust from the inside and the way they made the van move and lift has still got me stumped.
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:clap:
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debris=helmet
:shock:
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I myself have the benefit of a steep driveway, can park my truck at the bottom and damn near just roll the bike right onto the tailgate, in my younger days at my folks house I would just back my truck into the ditch on the side of the house and again, roll right on into the bed, its alot easier on ya if you let gravity do the work! LOL
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THIS (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91764)is always on "sale" at my local Harbor Freight for $250.
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THIS (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91764)is always on "sale" at my local Harbor Freight for $250.
Wouldn't that crush the exhaust though? Or is that not a problem on a B6x or b12x?
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:duh: No, because it lifts the whole bike by the wheels.
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:duh: No, because it lifts the whole bike by the wheels.
LMAO! For some reason, when I saw the 86", I was thinking 36". LOL! I think I should maybe go to sleep for a change. yikes2::
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My wife bought me one of those under the frame lifters a couple of years back for my birthday. The box shows it lifting a cruiser with apparently no stands or undercarriage obstructions. never been able t5o lift any of my bikes with it. There it sits. Totally useless.
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ehm, okay. ramps must be nice. i just found two abandoned 2x8s (and a 2x6!) that are over 10' long. my neighbour helps me load the bike, but last time i did it, i just ran up.
so, you know, two 2x8s and you are good to go. :boohoo: