What is the best way to tie it down in a pickup?

I want to transport the bike this weekend for bike week and I don't know what the best way to do so is. I have a hitch carrier that is rated for 600# but unfortunately my 2wd tundra can't handle that tongue weight.

Where can I hook tie downs to without putting stress where it shouldn't be?

 

I remember I drove my son's Suzuki 750 from NY to Los Angeles in the back of my Ford Ranger about 20 years ago.

Locked front end, pushed bike and front wheel into right front corner of the bed. Bike was center stand to avoid bouncing on suspension. Can't remember how I tied it down.

I'd be more worried about getting it on and off, got ramps?

I can't imagine how your truck would handle with all that weight beyond rear bumper.

 

Last time I trucked my bike I put it on the center stand and used the Saddle as the main support. On the front I hooked to the lower tripple and put a ratchet strap on each side out front and made sure I compressed the forks to prevent bounce. And another strap through the back tire to pull the bike backward so the stand couldnt colapse and to prevent forward movement. Seemed to work rather nice, make the 500 mile trip no problem. It would have been easier to find holds if the fairings were off but I figured it out. Just make sure your straps do not rub or stress the plastics.

 

Loading up will be tough. But with the way my driveway comes up at an angle from the road, when I put the truck wheels in the gutter the tailgate is only 2 feet from the ground. I also have a 12' long 2x10 that makes for a nice gradual ramp.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=can...u&sa=X&ei=qDUVU4bNLYXzqQH7uYHgCg&ved=0CCQQsxg
WORTH EVERY CENT

 

+1 with Tink
Please do not use center stand or side stand....Randy can tell you

 

If you're bike has Heli-bars they recommend a slightly different tie down location. Otherwise the way that Tink has done it is the best way IMO.

 

I wouldn't ride it up those ramps. That tends to cause damage to freshly painted fairings and a whole bunch more. Likely due to its fall from half way up the ramp to the concrete below. Tends to dislocate ribs too. Or so they say. Word is, damage could end up around the $2000.00 mark for the bike only. Health care is another.

Seriously though. Tinks chocks are great. If you are not going that way, I would strongly suggest getting a piece of 2 X 10 or 2 X 12 and put it against the bulk head of the trucks box. My bulkhead is bent forward a tiny bit and I think, but not 100%, that the bike was at least part of the cause. A few loads of sand may have contributed.

Those handlebar straps are the cats ass. Not a necessity but nice if you plan on dong this more often.

I have trucked mine twice. Once for a short distance and one from south west BC to Spokane Washington. I don't like to trailer or haul if I can ride but not always a popular idea with riding friends. I used the center stand and now have dents in the floor of my box so I do not recommend that. It is not needed.

Tie down the front to the tie-down loops at the floor in the front either with the bar sleeves or just a good strong nylon tie-down straps. The ratchet type is the best but the friction ones also work. Do the same with the rear. With the bike relatively balanced, either ratchet the bike down, or have someone sit on the bike and snug the straps. This will compress the shocks a bit. No need to over do this but an inch or so of compression on the suspension will work. Like mentioned here a few times, that stops it from bouncing around. And then, Bob's you uncle.

I see Allyance suggested he puts his on the center stand to avoid the bouncing on the suspension. I think the suspension on the bike will handle just about anything you are going to throw at it while in transport. Remember, your truck has suspension that will take away the vast majority of the roughness before it even reaches the suspension on the bike.

 

BTW. Be sure to tie the loose straps into a whole bunch of knots. You don't want those goddam things flapping around. The can cause a lot of paint damage to your bike and truck from prolonged flapping int he wind.

 

I have seen some really great tie downs that the harleydoods use to haul their bikes including permanent installation using epoxy and welding.

 

When I moved my CBR600F2 about 100Km by pickup I parked the front wheel of the bike against the front of the truck bed and used ratchet straps from the top and bottom of the forks to the top and bottom of the bed sides. I can't recall if we strapped the swingarm at all.

As for loading it, I had a friend and the seller help push it up one ramp while I pushed and steered from the second ramp.

P.S. That wheel chock sure does look nice.

 

Tink is at the front of the class here for sure. If you don't have a chock, the front of the bed will do fine and you really only need to secure the rear from moving left or right as you bounce along the not so smooth roads.

I would caution you on the 2x12 because I had one snap on me last week as I unloaded a Harley from my trailer. It was a wee 883 hugger too so it didn't weigh much. Make sure you have a good board without too many knots in one area that could weaken the board. I've always managed with an eight footer as it is stronger than a twelve foot and it fits in the bed of the truck with the tail gate closed after you are loaded.

This video will make you paranoid but you will laugh too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2EfBPgwi8E

 

I've trucked bikes somewhere all my life, or so it seems. I don't ever put it on the side or center stand. That creates a lever point when you hit bumps, since it can't flex like your suspension.
I push it right straight in, and use one tie down on each side- either to the handlebar or the fork tube above the lower triples using soft ties, a small loop of tie down material, and if I can remember to, I put the bike in gear once it's in the truck.
I have never ever had a bike come loose.

Before anyone considers riding a bike up a ramp, please check out this quick google search on motorcycle loading fail. That'll keep you busy for an hour or two- it's entertaining as well as educational.

 

Tinker is displaying the safest and best way to tie down your bike on a truck or a trailer.
The ramps make me very nervous. It's at least a two-man job. And more is better.
I'd suggest renting a U-Haul trailer (if you can afford it). Lots cheaper.
Also, if you are going to do this regularly, I've seen power tailgates at the track that allow you to mount and transport your bike sideways

 

Does your truck have a short bed (extended cab) or standard longer bed?

I just bought this chock from Harbor Freight for trailering my bike in a U-Haul:

View attachment 25788
Got it because of broader stance.

I agree with tink 100%, proper way to do it.

 

I found a Rental trailer on Craiglist / towed my bike to Deals Gap. Had it for 6 days total and cost me $65 total (had to leave $150 deposit which was returned)





The trailer had a wheel chock up front and multipe tiedown points. The trailer was light enough to move easily by hand when unhitched.

Ride Red!

 

I think you'll find that a lot of those fails in the ride up the ramp videos, the incline is often too steep and this contributes to the fail. When loading try and keep the angle of the ramp as shallow as possible. If you're able to, back your truck up to the curb so that the truck is at a lower point than the bike, this allows the ramp to have less of a steep angle. It's also not a bad idea to have a friend or two help with loading and unloading, the VFR is not a light weight and once it's heading over, the worst place to be is between the bike and the ground!

Here I think we went overboard with the number of helpers :smile: (Note the low ramp angle though!)


(Loading Tink's bike up at 2012 R3)

 

If you are in the market to buy a trailer, I recommend Kendon Stand-Up Trailers. I own one - a tandem model. Tows great. Well made. Best part: Stores UPRIGHT against your garage wall when not in use. That said, I have found trailering to race days a major PITA. I pay the crew that maintains & stores my bike to cart it to the track (even for track days) with their other clients' machines. This saves me energy and allows me to focus on riding. While it adds to the cost, it makes it more enjoyable. At the end of the weekend, it's tip the crew and drag your tired (and slow) butt home, no fuss, no muss.

BTW, you can also buy the wheel chocks at Cycle Gear (about $60 if i recall).

However, not all chocks fit all tires! So do your research before buying. I learned this the hard way (LOL!)