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Loading a bike alone into a truck?

9K views 47 replies 23 participants last post by  snowcrow 
#1 ·
I was wondering if one person would be able to load a rebel I to the back of a pick up alone. I have a small dodge dakota and was thinking about using a straight, 6ft loading ramp to pick up a rebel.

It's a low bed. Would one person easily be able to get the bike in the back?
 
#4 ·
Longer ramps make for easier loading...less incline via more length.
 
#8 ·
Impressive, but...

1> Too much room for error.
2> He didn't do it alone, he had help at the beginning. ;)
 
#9 ·
2 guys can easy pick a Rebel up and slide it into a pickup bed with no ramp at all. Lif the front wheel first. then the rear.
Single handed can be done with a ramp and some creative parking to get the angle low enough for easy pushing.
 
#10 ·
I agree with Duckster. Find a spot with a depression, small hill, dry ditch, whatever, to make the incline shallower. A wide ramp is also good to allow walking beside the bike while loading. Almost anyone can help you push it on.
DO NOT DRIVE IT ON!
 
#11 ·
I would not suggest lifting it into the truck....too much can go wrong.....you get the front wheel up....what keeps the wheel from flopping to one side....? Then when you lift the rear....same scenario...

Seems like a recipe for disaster....IMO

Maybe if a third person is there to steady it...yeah.
 
#12 ·
The main thing we found was the low ground clearence of the Rebel. We backed the truck into a low spot to further reduce the height of the tailgate, the problem is when the first tire goes from the ramp to the truck bed, that is when the low clearence can get you. We used a channel iron ramp that had a small flat spot that rested on the tailgate and with the rear wheels of the truck in the gutter it wasn't to bad. Good luvk
 
#14 ·
We've done it with some of our trainer bikes different times. A Rebel or other 250 class bike is not hard for 2 normal guys to lift into a pickup. Once you get the front wheel up , the 2 guys each grab the swingarm with one hand and the handlebar with the other and hoist the rear up and in while rolling the bike forward on the front wheel. Put the side stand down beforehand. I wouldn't try it with a big bike.
 
#15 ·
I've done it like Duckster said. Worked perfect.

An aside: I've loaded a Superglide and a 750 Nighthawk twice on a large Penske truck. They have good ramps which lock onto the truck. Get rolling at a steady pace, then a bit of throttle as you hit the ramp, continue the throttle up the ramp in case you bottom out (you will). DO NOT lose momentum on the ramp or when the bottom scrapes:eek2:. It's a good idea to look under the bike for issues beforehand.

For what it's worth.
 
#17 ·
Get rolling at a steady pace, then a bit of throttle as you hit the ramp, continue the throttle up the ramp in case you bottom out (you will). DO NOT lose momentum on the ramp or when the bottom scrapes:eek2:. It's a good idea to look under the bike for issues beforehand.
Horrible advice, considering the Rebel exhaust hangs below the frame and as such would be the first thing to bottom out. I agree with Duckster, have additional people standing by to hold beers and record videos.
 
#16 ·
RIDING up a ramp onto a truck is an all or nothing strategy. Easy enough if things go right, but major disaster if you have a problem .. Make sure you get someone to hold your beer and get a video of you doing it..:lol2:
 
#18 ·
How about walking it up the ramp while running in first gear feathering the throttle and clutch as necessary? Seems a little safer and more controlable.
 
#21 ·
I use a curved ramp...the apex at mid-ramp prevents bottoming out as the rear wheel lifts up while the front enters the truck.

I've seen people use flat ramps to get bikes into trucks, with one holding the front brake once the front wheel is in the truck, while two helpers hoist the rear of the ramp up for a straight shot/no bottoming out finish.

There are many solutions, bottoming out should not be one of them because levering a wheel off the ground is never a good idea in any situation.
 
#23 ·
I have done this untold times but not with a rebel. It is a 69 Yama 2 stroke 125.

I have 2wooden 12" ramps about 8' long. One for me to walk the bike up and one for the bike to ride.

On the walking ramp I have a strip of wood about every 10" for my feet to grip as I walk up. On the bikes ramp, I have a 1 x 4 along the edge of the ramp so the bikes wheels cannot go off the ramp.

When loading/unloading, I ALWAYS put the trucks back wheels into the dip at the curb to lower the loading angle into the truck.

I have not used them for the rebel yet as I have since bought an enclosed motorcycle trailer.

If it's a 1 time thing, rent a motorcycle trailer from u-haul. They're incredibly cheap. In Green Bay it's $10 for 1/2 day. In Ft Worth it's about $25 for the day.

Good Luck.
Joe
Know any Rebel riders in the DFW area? Please let me know. :)
 
#27 ·
If it's a 1 time thing, rent a motorcycle trailer from u-haul.
Noteworthy on those: it's a very short ramp/tailgate. Again, minimize the ramp angle by backing the trailer wheels against a curb etc.

I ended up picking up a couple straight ramps for cheap.

My truck is pretty low and there's a good curb to back up to. Turns out that it'll only be about an eight inch lift to the truck. On the ramp, it'll be easy.
Just realize that the destination may not be as user friendly. Be prepared to request assistance.
 
#26 ·
I load 250's and 450s by myself into a 5X8 trailer using a 6 ft curved aluminum ramp.
I like how the curve helps the undercarriage not drag anything.
 
#28 ·
Cheap mortorcycle trailers abound. I picked up mine for $300. I have only used it three times but it is out of the way and comes in handy if I want to purchase a far away bike.

You can always sell it pretty easy and get your money back which makes it a pretty good investment IMO:

 
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