Topic: How do you transport your bike?

[juntjoo]

I currently use two aluminum ramps to walk(and throttle. Not that strong) my bike onto my truck bed which undoubtedly I'll get better at but dang it's difficult and scary. Probably just scary. I then put it on the kickstand and ratchet strap it around all forks. Holds well. But I'm considering other possibly easier options. I'll be doing this weekly, hence the desire for the easiest method.

Anyone know about and have an opinion on these?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fp%2F20023340417%3Fiid%3D332790715138

Will this put unused miles on the odometer? Will it significantly wear out chain, tire and other parts? Nah. Right?

I checked out the carrier type you stick in the trailer hitch but I've read enough reviews about them being flimsy or limit your top speed to 45mph. But if there was one that didn't have the drawbacks I'd consider it as it leaves your bed empty and is way easier.

If I stick with the truck bed I'm considering one of these "lock n load" products:

https://www.btosports.com/p/RRLNL/option/05-1010*778292?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gs_allproducts&utm_content=71337303348&utm_term=&matchtype=&adposition=1o5&device=m&adtype=pla&product_id=05-1010&product_country=US&gclid=CjwKCAiA3vfgBRB9EiwAkfpd3JQkWRnVxLsggqkL7PnDmF_F3U6NOOgrN6PHcj_1iSEbb-ffBX702xoC6dIQAvD_BwE

bolted to a floor of ply wood in conjunction with a good sized wheel chock.


Anyone ride up their ramps onto their truck beds? I feel that would be easiest if you got good at it but I'd hate to mess up that stunt.

[Gordon]

I'm assuming a small trailer is not an option?  Because that would be optimal. 

The one that tows with the rear wheel on the ground would probably be fine, but you'll want to remove the chain. 

[juntjoo]

I'm assuming a small trailer is not an option?  Because that would be optimal. 

The one that tows with the rear wheel on the ground would probably be fine, but you'll want to remove the chain.

Hmm, I was worried about the chain issue. Twice a week sounds like a pain. Or maybe it's easy. I've never done that. I'll look into it...

[innovativems]

Baxley wheel chock in the bed works great. Also Moto Tote hitch carrier is great too


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[bill440cars]

      borrowed a trailer back in the day. But, even though I felt I tied it down pretty good, the motorcycle still managed to
     move a little, over to one side (making it not being straight up & I had to stop and redo my straps.

    So, some time later, I bought a 3 rail motorcycle trailer, a few years after that and it worked okay, though I still was 
   somewhat of a chore to load up a motorcycle, of any size and the tiedown locations, weren't positioned the
   best. So, I have redone that & I have an electric winch now, with a remote type switch, to operate it & if I am by
   myself, I can use the winch, to help me load it up. But then, I am pushing 72yrs of age, so I need some
   assistance on some things.                 

[juntjoo]

      borrowed a trailer back in the day. But, even though I felt I tied it down pretty good, the motorcycle still managed to
     move a little, over to one side (making it not being straight up & I had to stop and redo my straps.

    So, some time later, I bought a 3 rail motorcycle trailer, a few years after that and it worked okay, though I still was 
   somewhat of a chore to load up a motorcycle, of any size and the tiedown locations, weren't positioned the
   best. So, I have redone that & I have an electric winch now, with a remote type switch, to operate it & if I am by
   myself, I can use the winch, to help me load it up. But then, I am pushing 72yrs of age, so I need some
   assistance on some things.                 

Winch. Good idea since occasionally it may not be running and I won't always have an incline to make it easier. So I'm now thinking load into bed with or without winch depending on need, secure with chock and that lock n load device I linked to above and ratchet strap rear if need be.

[innovativems]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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[innovativems]

      borrowed a trailer back in the day. But, even though I felt I tied it down pretty good, the motorcycle still managed to
     move a little, over to one side (making it not being straight up & I had to stop and redo my straps.

    So, some time later, I bought a 3 rail motorcycle trailer, a few years after that and it worked okay, though I still was 
   somewhat of a chore to load up a motorcycle, of any size and the tiedown locations, weren't positioned the
   best. So, I have redone that & I have an electric winch now, with a remote type switch, to operate it & if I am by
   myself, I can use the winch, to help me load it up. But then, I am pushing 72yrs of age, so I need some
   assistance on some things.                 

Winch. Good idea since occasionally it may not be running and I won't always have an incline to make it easier. So I'm now thinking load into bed with or without winch depending on need, secure with chock and peg securing device I linked to above and ratchet strap rear if need be.

I would definitely not winch up a ramp into a truck bed.  A trailer works because the drop isn’t far.  Into a truck it’s gonna put pressure down on the forks and wheel, which you don’t want up a ramp.  Would only work with a wheel skid or a pricey bed mounted carrier that lifts bike into truck. 


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[rb550four]

  The open bed of a pick up truck with a hoop in the plywood was always my choice ( if it was empty) , until I bought a trailer.
The landscape trailer is allot closer to the ground with it's own ramp/rear gate. So much better than making a mad dash up a 2x 10 TJI. The TJI part is pretty good when backing a machine down it if you have front brakes, it's all a crapshoot with no brakes.  I use the TJI as s guide so the machine doesn't slip off the ramp...still not fool proof .
   I put a hoop center of the trailer, great for a single ... tie the bars to the front corners and the rear shocks to the side, that usually works well on the highways, but I do check the ratchets more often on side roads. I had one pop open on a bumpy road once.  I carry 2 bikes on the trailer when  I can (one on each side of the hoop) because it won't bounce so much and it seems more responsive and predictable  especially when backing  up.
  I'd like to try out an enclosed trailer some day and secure the load from bugs, weather,and theft. There must be drawbacks to the enclosed trailer I suppose , but can't say  since I haven't tried one yet.

[Medyo Bastos]

What are hoops in plywood?


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[Don R]

 I usually borrow my brothers ramp gate trailer. Way easier than ramping up into the truck unless there's a hill or a ditch nearby. I really want to build a drop bed trailer with clamshell fenders off an antique car.

[juntjoo]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

[innovativems]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

There are no duds with the moto tote units.  Rock solid.  This one is rated to 500 lbs and hauls my rc51 all the time.  The horror stories are the cheap ones. 


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[Cougars750F0]

I use a Chevy Astro LS for work and to haul bikes. I just pop out the two quick release seats (witch are out most of the time) and use a ramp. It sits low so its pretty easy and if there is a hill nearby its a breeze. Then strap it down to the anchor's for the seats. It doesn't budge even in a panic stop. The downside is you can't have taller bars or mirrors unless you turn them down. With the factory dark tint and that it looks like a soccer van it not as much of a target to thieves. I've had pick up trucks and cargo vans targeted around it and they don't think I'm carrying tools

[ken65]

 A mates got an enclosed van with tie down points etc. Use a ramp to get it in but will never be a one man option for me as my poor old knees have had it and once its at the top of the ramp I cant go any further.

[juntjoo]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

There are no duds with the moto tote units.  Rock solid.  This one is rated to 500 lbs and hauls my rc51 all the time.  The horror stories are the cheap ones. 


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I def read a couple bad reviews on Amazon and not many reviews total. But I guess those are the ones that will speak up and maybe it was user error. I'm just going by initial glance which  is all I have to go by. I just don't like the results of really bad luck with this type transportation. But I still may decide to go this route as it's way easier than the others.

[innovativems]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

There are no duds with the moto tote units.  Rock solid.  This one is rated to 500 lbs and hauls my rc51 all the time.  The horror stories are the cheap ones. 


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I def read a couple bad reviews on Amazon and not many reviews total. But I guess those are the ones that will speak up and maybe it was user error. I'm just going by initial glance which  is all I have to go by. I just don't like the results of really bad luck with this type transportation. But I still may decide to go this route as it's way easier than the others.

Not sure which reviews your seeing.  They have top reviews on amazon.  You do assemble it and that could definitely lead to an issue if not done right.  I use mine all the time on. Long trips to deliver and pickup


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[Gurp]

I use my utility trailer and strap the bike at 4 corners of jam it diagonally in my a truck 2 straps on the handlebars on through the rear wheel or rear part of the bike to the back 2 hooks in the bed. Haven't dropped one or had them scoot around since i started doing it like that.

[Bankerdanny]

I rent a motorcycle trailer from U-Haul, $14.95 per day.

[spotty]

use good tie downs whatever method you choose

[CBJoe]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

There are no duds with the moto tote units.  Rock solid.  This one is rated to 500 lbs and hauls my rc51 all the time.  The horror stories are the cheap ones. 


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Thats a pretty cool piece if kit...I see they have a unit rated up to 600lbs.  That should cover almost all my bikes minus my big guzzi as long as taking it up to the max rating is possible.

[Johnie]

Trailer

[Tracksnblades1]

I have 3 tandem trailers, 15,000gvw, 2) 8,000 too heavy for one cycle. Usually loaded with Fuel tanks welders or small equipment. I usually have to rent U-Haul motorcycle trailer. All day rate here is $24.00 with their insurance $33.00. Sometime this quicker and a lot less work.

😎

[innovativems]

Here’s my setup when I don’t use my trailer


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Ah yes, I looked that one up. A bit pricey and my issue with this type was that no matter the price range there were some stories/reviews of customers ruining their bikes with duds I guess. And I'm sure it's a small but if you get a bad one it'll be more than an 'ah shucks'. Your bike looks light!

There are no duds with the moto tote units.  Rock solid.  This one is rated to 500 lbs and hauls my rc51 all the time.  The horror stories are the cheap ones. 


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Thats a pretty cool piece if kit...I see they have a unit rated up to 600lbs.  That should cover almost all my bikes minus my big guzzi as long as taking it up to the max rating is possible.

They are really well built.  This is the 600 lb unit.  I haul my rc51 with it a lot and trust it.  I’m a dealer for them if you ever are looking for you, I can take care of you. 


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[70CB750]

Using my trailer.

[Stev-o]

Truck and/or trailer!  Never an issue if strapped properly.

[jjfuller23@gmail.com]

Trackside Hitch Carrier from Cycle Gear. About $150. A little wobbly, not confidence inspiring, but once you get a cb550 on there (empty gas tank and probably 30 pounds lighter than stock) it sat well for a 1200 mile road trip. Didn't hurt my gas mileage in my 2005 Toyota 4Runner V6. My tongue weight capacity was 600lbs, I was under that by about 50lbs. Towing 6000 lbs cap but it didn't matter. Happy with it!