Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 791
From: Winston-Salem, NC, USA
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
ORIGINAL: EMS_0525
Im surprised you didnt say anything about dropping your clip for your needle......
lol
ORIGINAL: cwgoff
I do it exactly as Lance described except I don't go to the trouble of parking down hill. That would make it much easier, but I typically just load up in my driveway and there is not a hill handy.
I did drop my bike once when I first started using my ramp (just a little scratch on my brush guards), but I quickly learned the technique. Since then I have loaded it a bunch of times solo with no event.
To Eric's point, 2 ramps is a lot easier. I like my single ramp only because it folds in half so it does not protrude beyond the tailgate once everything is loaded. Ideally I would have two folding ramps, but I have other uses for the $65 so so that another ramp would cost me.
I do it exactly as Lance described except I don't go to the trouble of parking down hill. That would make it much easier, but I typically just load up in my driveway and there is not a hill handy.
I did drop my bike once when I first started using my ramp (just a little scratch on my brush guards), but I quickly learned the technique. Since then I have loaded it a bunch of times solo with no event.
To Eric's point, 2 ramps is a lot easier. I like my single ramp only because it folds in half so it does not protrude beyond the tailgate once everything is loaded. Ideally I would have two folding ramps, but I have other uses for the $65 so so that another ramp would cost me.
lol
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 387
From: Republic of Texas
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
ORIGINAL: vfrpilot
My ramp is 8' long and I always ride my bike into the truck. I know, I know, everyone is going to tell me how dangerous that is. But I look at the ramp and think, " I ride on narrow trails, and climb steeper hills than that ...... I can do this". It really is no trick, its just getting your mind right.
My ramp is 8' long and I always ride my bike into the truck. I know, I know, everyone is going to tell me how dangerous that is. But I look at the ramp and think, " I ride on narrow trails, and climb steeper hills than that ...... I can do this". It really is no trick, its just getting your mind right.
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
hahaha, sorry guys, I must be getting old for loading onto trucks anymore. I almost biffed a friends ride while loading it up onto a truck when my leathers snagged the clutch. I am too used to this setup now.
Admin
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,269
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
ORIGINAL: Thunderchild
Same here. Been doing it 35+ years and never have hurt the truck, bike or myself. Great... Now I've jinxed myself!
ORIGINAL: vfrpilot
My ramp is 8' long and I always ride my bike into the truck. I know, I know, everyone is going to tell me how dangerous that is. But I look at the ramp and think, " I ride on narrow trails, and climb steeper hills than that ...... I can do this". It really is no trick, its just getting your mind right.
My ramp is 8' long and I always ride my bike into the truck. I know, I know, everyone is going to tell me how dangerous that is. But I look at the ramp and think, " I ride on narrow trails, and climb steeper hills than that ...... I can do this". It really is no trick, its just getting your mind right.
Da dirty moderator
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
ORIGINAL: cwgoff
I'm still in denial. [:'(]
ORIGINAL: EMS_0525
Im surprised you didnt say anything about dropping your clip for your needle...... lol
ORIGINAL: cwgoff
I do it exactly as Lance described except I don't go to the trouble of parking down hill. That would make it much easier, but I typically just load up in my driveway and there is not a hill handy.
I did drop my bike once when I first started using my ramp (just a little scratch on my brush guards), but I quickly learned the technique. Since then I have loaded it a bunch of times solo with no event.
To Eric's point, 2 ramps is a lot easier. I like my single ramp only because it folds in half so it does not protrude beyond the tailgate once everything is loaded. Ideally I would have two folding ramps, but I have other uses for the $65 so so that another ramp would cost me.
I do it exactly as Lance described except I don't go to the trouble of parking down hill. That would make it much easier, but I typically just load up in my driveway and there is not a hill handy.
I did drop my bike once when I first started using my ramp (just a little scratch on my brush guards), but I quickly learned the technique. Since then I have loaded it a bunch of times solo with no event.
To Eric's point, 2 ramps is a lot easier. I like my single ramp only because it folds in half so it does not protrude beyond the tailgate once everything is loaded. Ideally I would have two folding ramps, but I have other uses for the $65 so so that another ramp would cost me.
lol
Just hope your luck doesn't run out. There's a story over on advrider about a dude who was loading his brand new KTM 950 or some such bike and refused all help the guys in the shop just and rode it up the ramp. Unfortunately the bike stalled or spun out or something halfway up and with no place to put your foot down he tumbled off with that big bike on top of him and his leg broke like a match stick. All the while his wife and daughter got to witness the whole thing up close. Ouch!!! [&:]
Admin
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,269
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
When I got my truck I bought a pair of aluminum ramps from Lowes, just simple straight ramps that are about 6 1/2 ft long to fit in my short bed and they come with a strap on each one to secure to your bumper or hitch so that the ramps won't slide backwards. They purport to hold about 600 lbs each. I've loaded and unloaded my bike several times. Putting it on I start the bike up and just walk it up beside it using the clutch to have the bike do the work - I just guide it. Coming off its the reverse but just let gravity do the work and control it with the front brake. That 2nd ramp is pretty handy and is what I would recommend.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 537
From:
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
I went to Home depot yesterday and they had a pair of 8' aluminum ramps for $150. They weren't foldable but I guess thats ok. what do yuo guys think? I have a Toyota Tacoma pickup and the bed is sorta short. Its just barely shy of closing when the Kawasaki is in the bed. Seems like it would be much easier to load with these 8 footers rather then the 6 footer that my neighbor had. I was thinking of getting some ratcheting straps so that I can ratchet them to my truck to make sure those suckers are going no where.
Da dirty moderator
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
i have a full size GMC Sierra 1500 ext cab4x4.... and 8' length seems good to me... not too steep... i wouldnt want them any shorter..... especially 2'....
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 537
From:
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
Its a Tacoma Prerunner so it sits up pretty high, thats probably why the 6' ramp was amlost like pushing the bike up a mountain. I think I will stop by Home Depot and get those Ramps.
Admin
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,269
RE: Loading KLX into a pickup w/ single ramp?
Here's my F150 with my 6 1/2 foot ramps. Note the stramps securing the ramps to the hitch so they can't slide off the tailgate:
But Dragone#19 has the ultimage setup! Man that's a nice trailer, bro!
But Dragone#19 has the ultimage setup! Man that's a nice trailer, bro!