A truck bed? Seriously? Come on man last August I pulled a trailer from DC to Detroit to haul my new R* and it cost just at $22. Why make it difficult get the U Haul motorcycle trailer and enjoy the trip rather than sweat it out with certain disaster the whole way.
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Sorry this got so lengthy.
Just like oil, tires, wind screens and helmets.... we all have our own opinions, experiences and preferences.
Sadly sometimes a bike just has to be hauled....
While riding is my first choice there are times when it’s not gonna happen....
Using a trailer is a great option if you have one available and your not going far. I’ve always thought the bed of a truck is a fine alternative for any necessary transporting, as long as your not an idiot like those in the video. There’s definitely a cost to stupidity.
Personally I think a trailer is only good for short distances, I prefer hauling in the truck if I’m cover any real miles. Unless you have one fine trailer and good roads a bike can take a beating being trailered. In the truck not only can I see all of it I can feel it. There’s definitely a difference!
I rode to AZ to pick up a truck, knowing I’d haul it back. I’m comfortable with that and that makes a difference too.
So my setup for hauling the roady in my ford ranger is this....
*The bed is 6’, add 22” with the tailgate down.
*I made a plank..... 2 2x8x8 side by side, 1/2’ plywood (15”x8’) screwed on top of flat 2x8s, 2 2x4x8 screwed on top of plywood. These are spaced apart the width of my roady tires so it forms a groove that fits the tires snug, so the groove narrows for the front tire. I’ve got lots of screws going in from both directions. This is real heavy and overkill but it was a quick design and serves its purpose well.
*I’ve got the plank centered in the bed.
*I idle the bike straight in on the plank and start tightening 2 prestaged straps on the bars while still on the bike.
I adjust the front straps until I’m comfortable. I add 2 straps on the rear. Yes the tailgate is down and there is some weight on it but with the plank the weight is nicely distributed back into the bed. I’ve got no worries about failure, but because I know shit happens I use another set of straps up front on the bars. The straps are going to their respective corners of the bed. I check it all again before I pull out and again after I bit. Now remember I can see and feel my bike.
Loading and unloading my take some imagination, but if your observant you’ll see the possibilities.
First, I’d never use some little ramp to load, I want something solid! I don’t want to push my bike in the garage much less try negotiating a narrow ramp on an incline. I don’t have people and don’t ask others for help so I’m used to making due with what I have and sometimes I have to get creative to get the job done. That said I don’t want to compromise myself, my bike, or anything else...
I’ve used a ditch, a hill, an earthen berm in the desert I just backed up to.... the better places may be where concrete grades differ, I’ve got a business down the street thats sidewalk on one side is 2’ higher then the parking lot next to it and another place where two parking lots meet with a steep grade change... I can back up on the low side and meet the high side with the tailgate. And don’t forget, most every bike shop has a big ramp to back a truck up to. There are places that can accommodate a straight shot and that’s how I manage it by myself.
It’s certainly not for everyone but it’s not difficult.
So to answer your question.... yes our bikes do fit in the bed of a truck.
I hope that helps...
Ride safe or stay home ~Phil
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Last Edit: 2017/12/30 06:18 By pbirk.
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It's all good! It was a dealer, and they were willing to hold it until warmer weather made it easier to retrieve. It was 7 degrees while we were there. It's this one... had some truly neat accessories. Never saw these bags before... they were carpet lined, long-fringed and closed with dzus fasteners! The Mustang seat was about hard as a rock...
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