Author Topic: Pickup Ramp Recommendation  (Read 4815 times)

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Offline grumpy56

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Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« on: September 02, 2024, 05:09:58 PM »
I'm thinking of getting a wide ramp so I can ride my 400F up into the bed or at least walk beside it to get it in the bed of my Sliverado. I just sold a sturdy (Black Widow) ramp since it is too narrow and weighs too much for me to be throwing around. It was useful when I had a Superglide, but the days of big heavy bikes are history for me. Any suggestions? My only other bike is a Suzuki GT380, a little larger physically, but very similar to my 400 in weight.

Offline newday777

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2024, 07:48:16 PM »
Get an arched 9' folding ramp as a minimum, 10' is better, shorter might be too steep for a pickup bed height. A second matching ramp will help in walking a bike up.
Stu
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My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
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2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
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Offline Gurp

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2024, 08:29:37 PM »
I've been using a generic tri fold aluminum ramp for over a decade now and it's been great. Every now and then I lay a 1x4 and a 4x4 to make the angle shallower but most of the time I can fine a good spot to keep it good. The ramp is only 6 feet long though. In a stock height 4x4 truck on flat ground it is pretty steep

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Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2024, 01:58:08 PM »
check out, these people. I bought this model (they have others) for the 550F and the Silverado I have about 7 years ago. Although I do load and unload the bike on level ground, I do try to find areas that reduce the angle.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2024, 02:02:11 PM by jlh3rd »

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2024, 02:19:03 PM »
I'm thinking of getting a wide ramp so I can ride my 400F up into the bed or at least walk beside it to get it in the bed of my Sliverado. I just sold a sturdy (Black Widow) ramp since it is too narrow and weighs too much for me to be throwing around. It was useful when I had a Superglide, but the days of big heavy bikes are history for me. Any suggestions? My only other bike is a Suzuki GT380, a little larger physically, but very similar to my 400 in weight.

You’ve got some guts..
I’ve rode up the ramps with dirt bikes, but never my old 76f. It has some interference  learance with the shorter ramps..
I would hate to think what it’ll do to a modern 4x4 short beds’s front header if one came in a little hot..
Dirt bikes are hard enough on them..It’s kind like big jumps and old guys…We’re going long, cause we can’t recover from going too short…🤪
Age Quod Agis

Offline calj737

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2024, 02:44:03 PM »
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

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Offline Don R

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2024, 11:00:39 PM »
 I also have the pair of folding ramps. I got them from a plumber that I apprenticed under 40 years ago. He sold them to me for $30, I said that's a deal, he said do you know why? Of course I didn't, he said in the early 80's he had a flat tire out in the country with his 360 Honda and I was the only one that he could get to bring a truck to come get them.
 I don't know how we loaded his bike but apparently, I brought a board or something.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2024, 07:40:20 AM »
2 of these style work well. Bike on one, walk beside on the other.

https://www.amazon.com/LEMNISCATE-Motorcycle-Ramps-Pickup-Trucks/dp/B09N93JZLM?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A1ORL443RYUYZ6&th=1

+1..that what I have, but only one.  I use a small step ladder to walk up. 



Have you considered getting a small trailer with built in ramp?  That is really my preferred way to transport.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2024, 07:47:30 AM »
I'm thinking of getting a wide ramp so I can ride my 400F up into the bed ...

Made me think of these videos..

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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2024, 11:10:56 AM »
I'm thinking of getting a wide ramp so I can ride my 400F up into the bed ...

Made me think of these videos..


The best ones are the one where you have four or five people just standing around watching instead of just helping PUSH the bike to load it!
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2024, 07:27:57 AM »
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grumpy56

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2024, 03:28:53 PM »
Sarah knows how to do it!!!! I'd probably go flipping over the cab like some of those videos!

I ended up getting a Titan 10 foot ramp about 18 inches wide. It weighs half of my Black Widow ramp. It should be fine if I get a helper or can get Sarah to get it up there for me.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2024, 03:31:24 PM by grumpy56 »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2024, 07:58:17 AM »
....or can get Sarah to get it up there for me.

I'm sure Sarah could help you get it up!!!
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Offline Kelly E

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2024, 01:18:00 PM »
Just don't make the mistake of not strapping the ramp to the truck. You would be surprised how easily the rear wheel can spit the ramp out from under the bike once the front wheel comes off the ramp.
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Offline Gurp

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2024, 02:56:41 PM »
Just don't make the mistake of not strapping the ramp to the truck. You would be surprised how easily the rear wheel can spit the ramp out from under the bike once the front wheel comes off the ramp.
Been there done that a time or two in a hurry. Never feels good.

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Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #15 on: October 16, 2024, 08:27:06 PM »
Those videos are why my trailer is close to the ground and has a long, full width ramp, built in. Unloading must be even crazier.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #16 on: October 17, 2024, 05:54:40 AM »
I bought a trailer after trying to load my bike with ramps..one I can ride the bike onto with little fear of upsetting the bike while doing so...
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #17 on: October 17, 2024, 08:06:26 PM »
I'm thinking of getting a wide ramp so I can ride my 400F up into the bed or at least walk beside it to get it in the bed of my Sliverado. I just sold a sturdy (Black Widow) ramp since it is too narrow and weighs too much for me to be throwing around. It was useful when I had a Superglide, but the days of big heavy bikes are history for me. Any suggestions? My only other bike is a Suzuki GT380, a little larger physically, but very similar to my 400 in weight.

You have a running GT380?
That, and the Hustler with the rotary-valve engine, were the only Suzys I liked that my shop sold.
Does your 380 have the digital gearbox indicator, or do you just have the "guess what gear you're in" version?
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Offline grumpy56

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2024, 09:40:14 AM »
Yes Sarah could probably solve my problem Steve-o!!!!

Built a 72 version without the gear indicator from parts. First street bike I had as a kid and needed to re-create it. Cool to ride.


Offline Stev-o

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2024, 10:35:24 AM »
Nice GT!   

I wanted a 550 and found one locally for sale, but it was non-running and the asking price was too high so I passed on it.  And I didnt like the physical size of it once I sat it in person, much bigger than the CB500.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grumpy56

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Re: Pickup Ramp Recommendation
« Reply #20 on: October 19, 2024, 08:29:33 AM »
The 380 is much larger physically than my 400 also. Every time I get on one or the other I get the "what's this" feeling. They weigh about the same though. Both are fun. Suzuki has lots more low end torque and you don't need to shift nearly as much. However, the 400F scream at 10K is the bomb!!!!