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So I thought I had sold my little kawasaki 400. Turns out the guy who showed up brought a uhaul pickup truck... without a ramp. He wanted me to lift the thing into the bed by myself. Obviously this wasn't going to happen. Sale didn't go through, and I was sad.

However, now I have a pickup truck myself and want to be able to take the bike in the back. I've seen ramps, some home made, some metal, some folding some not. I want ot know what's the cheapest and still relable way to get a bike into a truck bed?

I think the first time mine got loaded into a pickup the guy i brought it from actually drove the thing up an I-beam.



My driveway is on a little rise that just matches the tailgate hieght. that was by far the easier way than lifting the stupid heavy katana.

I once loaded my XS1100 (almost 600lbs) into the back of a pickup truck by rolling it up a 2x12 plank using comealong straps to drag it up. I had two friends in the bed and I walked beside it (I didn't want it dropping on them). It was... an experience.

Those aluminum ramps they sell at Harbor Frieght and the like are very handy. Some are wide enough that riding up into the bed is actually reasonable.

My 750 was brought home in a pickup. We just backed up to a slope on the guys lawn and lifted it on. It was a little harder getting it off at my place but again, I just lifted it off! (and when I say "I just lifted it off" what I really mean is: my dad, brother, myself and a neighbor just lifted it off! It's that easy! lol

biker_rach wrote:My 750 was brought home in a pickup. We just backed up to a slope on the guys lawn and lifted it on. It was a little harder getting it off at my place but again, I just lifted it off! (and when I say "I just lifted it off" what I really mean is: my dad, brother, myself and a neighbor just lifted it off! It's that easy! lol

depending on what bike i'm picking up or getting rid of, i often employ an intricate catapult system. Its good for if you only need to move the bike once, and like, have good aim.

when i got my ninja i let the air of of my back tires, had my friends stand in the bed of the truck to make it lower, and used a pallet mover to raise it into the truck. . .




JWF

I have a tri-fold aluminum ramp that I use for everything from bikes to quads to snowmobiles. It has slots for 3/8" plywood which I put on to keep it smooth. I have a bad back and it was the best $150 I have ever spent....

My dad and I got a pair of steel ramps for $80 not too long ago. They hold up to 400 lbs each and I have to agree that they're an excellent investment.

We haven't loaded up anything like a motorcycle but loading up riding mowers/quads/etc. is a cinch now.

I would say unless you plan on using it often just rig something up like some plywood w/ 2x4s screw into the bottom and one at the end that you can wedge in the gate closing area, if you wanna buy one maybe check out your local car parts store if you have a big one around... like pep boys or something they always have ramps for pretty cheap. you can find them online or get ideas at: http://www.motorcycleramps.com/

biker_rach wrote:My 750 was brought home in a pickup. We just backed up to a slope on the guys lawn and lifted it on. It was a little harder getting it off at my place but again, I just lifted it off! (and when I say "I just lifted it off" what I really mean is: my dad, brother, myself and a neighbor just lifted it off! It's that easy! lol

Ya..but c'mon Rachel - you're ridin a girl bike! I know there's a joke in here somewhere about how many Newfies does it take to lift a bike....