How to load your bike (by yourself)

[NOS_350X]

Now you are going out to ride, Meeting your buddies at the local spot. and you gota get that trike into the bed of the truck. We all strugle with this, Lift, drop, Lift, turn, over and over again, Until you fianly get the neighbor, gf/wife to hold the thing stady or help while you lift.

Here is a process that makes it so you can lift yourself most the time.


First off buts out 2 straps, You should have these ready anyways to strap the bike down. Hook on the handlebar on each side and go back to the grab bar. Snug up the straps so they hold the handlebars streight. Thats really the trick to loading it, This keep everything straight.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/IMG_5424.jpg

Next Click the bike into gear, Grab the bottom of the front fork, and lift it up back onto the grab bar. On some heavyer bikes this can be tough. If you lift and push back at the same time it should go easy.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/IMG_5425.jpg

Now put the bike in nuetural, or pull in the clutch, Roll the bike forward by pushing the grab bar with your foot and hands on the handlebars, Roll it up to the bed of the truck, Set the front tire on the bed. (ha you can see my ramp on the ground in this pic)
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/IMG_5427.jpg

Then you Grab the grabbar and lift it in and push forward. This can be a tough lift, But if you set on your frame/swingarm before you go the whole way for the tires to get that high makes it easyer. Not one lift but 2 smaller ones.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/IMG_5428.jpg

Now just grab your straps off your grabbar and hook them onto the hooks on your bed. and tighten them down. Never click your bike into gear when driving, This will lead to premature chain wear, and isnt good for transmissions. The thrusting back and fourth dosn't do good things to the trannys.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/NOS_350x/IMG_5429.jpg

[drhatc200]

well i guess mines eaiser cause mines been lowered lol i just back up to hump in the yard where the neighbors yard meets mine like a gulley use a piece of a 2x4 roll front wheel up and pull back on with grab bar

[Gdkarma]

Great tip with the straps!:thumbsup: I'd been thinking about making a channel to guide the front tire into the bed as I lifted, but that looks like it would work out just as well.

I can't count how many times I've shoved mine in there and fought the front tire wanting to go off to the side.:doh: :bash:

[RapidRick]

I'd use the ramps which are laying next to your truck :doh:

[NOS_350X]

I'd use the ramps which are laying next to your truck :doh:


:loser: yup

To me ramps are harder when you gota push the bike. :slap:

And i figured id lift to show yall a little trick i learned.

[jenndnn3]

:thumbsup: Good tip NICK! Maybe I could use it in the future! :chuckle:

The 2 straps is an excellent idea in all seriousness.

[RapidRick]

Ditto for me, I'll give it a try also. :headbang:

[jadleybray]

Balance, Danielson

[chrisr200x]

Balance, Danielson

:doh: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: A quote from one of my favorite movies! :loser:

[badchevelleman66]

hey thaqts how i do it lol but i dont use the atraops oi fight it lol

[wild200x]

good tip.

[250sx]

great tip! but I always tie forward from the pegs. cranking down on the bars can blow out fork seals.

[Black Sheep]

Nice thread Nick, I've been using this method ever since (90) i had to learn how to load this truck.

[200x_Basket]

LOL, i just ride up the ramps.

[jenndnn3]

LOL, i just ride up the ramps.


You'll stop doing that when the tires spin the racks right out from under you..:owned:

Ive seen even tied down ones do it..



Dont worry Chris, we still ride our stuff up the racks too. Frankly its the only way I can get stuff up onto the truck by myself.:oldfogey:

[NOS_350X]

Well not all cases you can ride the bikes up. My banshee sits so low it bottoms out on the frame and linkage. Also i tend to work on alot of bikes. Many times when picking something up or taking a bike somewhere they dont run. So while your trying to ride your non running bike ill grab my straps and have it in there.

[dozer12216]

Sure beats one of my experiences. Loading my 185S on small tilt trailer converted from yard wagon. Normally rode up till tilted and then idled up to front rail. Someway I went to WOT, jumped the trailer and hit back of full size van at roof line (6 feet up), did a 360 degree roll pitching me 15 feet to side. ATC wound up about 30 feet away and upright and no damage. upper back corner of van had a large scrape and my with a bruised ego, wondering what the heck. 16 years ago.

[Legbah]

yep.