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Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

  1. #1
    Member dompel's Avatar
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    Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Hey guys,

    I need to bring my gsxr to a shop and I need to take it there on my pickup. Im working on buying ramps now (considering readyramps), but what i can't figure out is what the best method of strapping it down is.

    I see a few videos on youtube but many are shit and some are shilling some brand of strap. There's a lot of videos that say you only have to use 2 straps, which i don't really think is safe.

    One specific question i have is, should i put the bike on its stand with a peice if wood under it? Or should i keep it upright? Do i strap from the handlebars or the forks?

    Does anyone have any recommendations? Any tried and true methods?

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  2. #2
    Senior Member dave72370's Avatar
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    Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    What you need are straps like this

    Canyon Dancer Bar-Harness II {Best Reviews + Cheap Prices}

    Or these

    Canyon Dancer 33 in. Red Bar-Harness - 33105 Dirt Bike Motorcycle Goldwing Snowmobile | Dennis Kirk


    I have the second set and have used them for years without issue


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    Last edited by dave72370; 05-22-18 at 10:16 PM.

  3. #3
    Posting Freak Scottg22's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by dave72370 View Post
    What you need are straps like this

    Canyon Dancer Bar-Harness II {Best Reviews + Cheap Prices}

    Or these

    Canyon Dancer 33 in. Red Bar-Harness - 33105 Dirt Bike Motorcycle Goldwing Snowmobile | Dennis Kirk


    I have the second set and have used them for years without issue


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Along with a set of tie downs. I transport with the bike upright, kickstand up. 2 tie downs up front (using a canyon dancer or similar harness) You can add 2 off the rear passenger pegs if it makes you feel better but I rarely do.


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  4. #4
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    This. Don't leave the kicksy and down. You can crack your motor if the bike bounces.

    I never use straps at the back, just 2 up front. Never an issue.
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottg22 View Post
    Along with a set of tie downs. I transport with the bike upright, kickstand up. 2 tie downs up front (using a canyon dancer or similar harness) You can add 2 off the rear passenger pegs if it makes you feel better but I rarely do.


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    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
    This. Don't leave the kicksy and down. You can crack your motor if the bike bounces.

    I never use straps at the back, just 2 up front. Never an issue.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
    Kickstand. Frigging auto-correct. What the hell is a kicksy, Samsung?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

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  6. #6
    Member dompel's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Thanks guys. Will check out those canyon dancers.

    Do you have a chock in your truck? Id like to do without.

    Also, does anyone have a readyramp? Im curious if its hefty enough for a sportbike. It says 600 lb capacity but idk how much extra force will be on the ramp from me pushing it

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  7. #7
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    No need for a chock.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

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  8. #8
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    When loading, be careful of bottoming out your belly pan. A curved ramp is best as it prevents the bellpan hitting the corner between the ramp and tailgate.

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  9. #9

    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    I am a wussy puss, but here is my 2cebt

    1.) I like soft loop ratchet straps. If you can’t find a ratchet strap with a soft loop, you can often buy the soft loop separately and just a standard ratchet with it. Everyone else says cambuckle is the best because ratchets fail...but something about adjusting the tension with the ratchet me likely lots. Hook em low and wide...trucks almost always have built in tie down spots. Lay them down first
    2.) loading the bike is dangerous AF. Make sure the ramp is tied down and you run with all your mighty with it lined up properly. Loading off a hill or curb is best. Even better to have 2 people. I have a winch now.
    3.) 2 straps are fine but the rear can hop around left to right...never falls out, but rear tie down may help you sleep if driving over bumps a lot or going a long distance. I do it in open desert...but all pavement not necessary

    No chick necessary just don’t over tighten up front and bed the bed

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  10. #10
    Lifer Stromper's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Kibitz ratchet strap over rear tire

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  11. #11
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    I load it with the bike running using the friction zone the entire time. Took some practice but the easiest way to load. No way I'd be able to push it into the truck by myself otherwise.

    If you do have a hill where you are loading back up to the hill and it will make loading a breeze. Having a straight ramp is better at that point.

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  12. #12

    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Get ramps that have an arch or longer one easier to load without getting hu g up on it. And make sure you secure the ramp to the truck with a tie down strap.

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  13. #13
    Lifer LuvDog's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Two ramps. One for the bike and One for you

    I use canyon dancer straps too. Never had a problem in many years of hauling bikes

    Now that I have a baxley sport chock. I use that too. It makes securing the straps easier.

    I rarely put straps in the back.

    I always find unloading harder than loading


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  14. #14
    Member k1200s's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    You watch these things crash a couple times and I'm convinced you could just drag it behind you truck and still show up with a, not so pretty, running motorcycle.

    Strap the bars and make sure that after it is ratcheted the front tire is firmly against the bed and will not rock forward and back. I would always tie the bars and not the forks. I use cheap ass straps and a loop specifically made for the bars but I've moved my bike 100 times without them.

    I never do the rear and if I do it is one strap that hits the rim and forces the bike forward more

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  15. #15
    Lifer capitalcrew's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
    This. Don't leave the kicksy and down. You can crack your motor if the bike bounces.

    I never use straps at the back, just 2 up front. Never an issue.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
    Woof. I've been strapping mine with the stand down.. gonna have to come up with a new plan I guess. Thanks

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  16. #16
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Depends on the bike, but you can break the stand or the mount at the frame. Not necessarily the motor.

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  17. #17
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Setup a video camera.

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  18. #18
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by LuvDog View Post
    Two ramps. One for the bike and One for you

    I use canyon dancer straps too. Never had a problem in many years of hauling bikes

    Now that I have a baxley sport chock. I use that too. It makes securing the straps easier.

    I rarely put straps in the back.

    I always find unloading harder than loading


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Maybe it is because my truck is lifted a little bit, but the 2 ramp method never worked for me.

    Ramp for the bike and a vp race gas pail with some water in it to keep it stable. Just the one step up onto the pail and then onto the tail gate. Super easy.

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  19. #19
    Lifer 01xj's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    I always use a strap at every corner. Maybe it's overly cautious but if I'm already in there strapping it down, using an extra one at both rear sides only takes an extra 5 minutes and the piece of mind is worth it IMO.

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  20. #20
    Development Rider scottieducati's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
    I never use straps at the back, just 2 up front. Never an issue.
    Hmmm....

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  21. #21
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by scottieducati View Post
    Hmmm....
    Putting a bike into a pickup bed (which I seem to have to do a lot) I never use rear straps. Never had an issue. ;-)

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  22. #22
    Development Rider scottieducati's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Bahaha, I knew the p/u truck bed caveat would be employed....

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    CCS/LRRS #83

  23. #23

    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    I also use a ready ramp original...it is pretty heavy duty and will hold most moto’s no prob..folds up and doubles as bed extender. No arch but tri fold has a bend to it, plus added length no scrapes so far.

    No 2nd ramp although no issues using it in the past. I always use an MX stand as a step but make sure the weight of your foot isn’t angled st all as I have had it step out before. If it’s an older 2wd with stock size tires or lowered you can also walk alongside the truck

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  24. #24
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Quote Originally Posted by scottieducati View Post
    Bahaha, I knew the p/u truck bed caveat would be employed....
    Can't remember the last time I got to put a bike in a trailer :-/\

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  25. #25
    Development Rider scottieducati's Avatar
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    Re: Advice on securing sportbike in pickup

    Well that transit van sure was nice... buy out the glamper? Leverage credit, I'll make you a deal!

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