--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "traderpro2003"
wrote:
>
> John - It's not illegal to ride with the gate down. Perhaps if you
> pull the back just to one side and you can close it still. Just be
> sure to secure everything with some ratcheting tie-down straps.
Any
> homecenter sells them circa hardware section or buy on-line.
>
> As for loading...I do one of three ways.
>
> 1. Back up to something tall enough to ride right into the truck.
It
> can be a dirt mound or even a steep ditch (slightly off angle so
you
action=productDetail&productId=249092-
> 29318-7452700&lpage=none
> Then throw a crate/stand or I use a large cooler (for food and
> bevies) which I put juxtaposed long-wise with the rear of the
truck.
> With the engine running, I simply walk beside the klr and step up
> onto the cooler and right into the bed in a fluid, continuous
> movement. Some people will ride up, but it's pretty scary unless
the
> ramp is really wide. Been there done that...no thanks.
>
> 3. You can get a tilt-a-rack that plugs into the back of the truck
> hitch receiver. They're pretty expensive aluminum rigs that tip to
> one side. Again you use the engine to assist you up the ramp and
it
> tilts flat with your KLR now off the ground perpendicular to the
rear
> door. This process is also a bit tricky doing solo, but I've
gotten
> it to be simple. You place a shipping blanket over the rear gate
and
> then lean the bike against it as you prepare everything...basically
4
> ratchet straps. Now, I have the 610ACR b/c the 410 they suggested
> bent like a banana with my beast strapped to it. The 610 supports
> upto 600lbs. and the company stood behind their product and even
> shipped it to me at a hotel as I was traveling cross-country. I
will
> say the wheel chock is too wide for the thin KLR front wheel. So I
> use some wood block to shore it up until I can TIG weld a custom
> fit. Again, strap everything down like you mean it! I took this
rig
> all the way from Boston to Fairbanks with no problems once I rec'd
> the replacement 610ACR free-of-charge.
>
http://www.atvsolutions.com/powersportsdetail.asp?ID=157
>
> Easiest is #1, but finding a natural ramp can be tricky, so it's
> usually #2 for me. I got the ramp at Alba Action Sports near San
> Diego but any MC shop or a homecenter can set you up for less than
> $100 but only one vs. $140 for 2 at say Lowes. But I use #3 if
we're
> taking 3 bikes and/or need the truck bed empty for other crap.
> Otherwise, I can fit 2 bikes using method #2 right into the back of
> the bed and still have room for a cooler and other things while
> sliding the aluminum ramp along the side. Just make sure you
> compress robustly the forks to hold the bikes securely. In the
event
> of an accident, you don't want these lose...not to mention looking
> like an idiot if it falls over or worse! out of the bed. I saw a
> brand new Ninja laying in the street 2 years ago...guy was heart-
> broken.
>
> Enjoy - Brian
Just one additional thought to add to Brian's great post. When
loading, (if you have a choice) have the truck, trailer pointed down
hill if possible so that gravity assists in keeping it 'in' the truck
or on trailer. Pointed uphill when unloading.
...that is pointed uphill and down hill SLIGHTLY, or gravity can be
more of a hinderence than a help.
Ive ridden many a dirtbike motorcycle into a truck bed using a
2x8...until one day (1974) while I loading a street bike, I was a
little robust in my intial speed (Honda 450) and the throttle
deceided to stay 'robust' =stick at the top of the 2x8 ramp. I was
lucky not to launch through the back window. It was close...picture a
1972 Honda 450 in a wheelie slamming into the cab of the pickup. I
wished I was a spectator and not a passenger that day. Needless to
say, I now still ride a bike onto the trailer, but into a pickup--
no.
The only thing I did right that day, was I did not say, "Hey watch
this" which of course, was actually assumed, as I had an audience of
hecklers to pick the bike up off of me while the throttle was stuck
in the 'robust' position.
revmaaatin. who has friends that still remember that day more clearly
than I do
)))