loading bike w' 3 ramps?

[breakdirt916]

I know the regular way to get the bike into a truck is with two ramps: you walk up one ramp, the bike rolls up the other, you go slow, feather the clutch and front brake. This is what I'm doing now with 2x12x7' ramps with a ramp-end kit.

but is it any easier to use three ramps (bike up the middle ramp, one leg on each ramp on the side) and straddle the bike?

is it any easier to maintain balance and footing?

also, do arched ramps allow for more exhaust clearance than straight ramps (assuming they're both the same length)?

[Paul_E_D]

Arch ramps with the grippy cross grates are the easiest by far. Yes they allow a ton more clearance. Once you get them you'll never use planks again.

btw, don't straddle the bike. Disaster waiting to happen, and it looks ghey.

[RandyO]

btw, don't straddle the bike. Disaster waiting to happen

+1

if your goin to ride it up, then ride it, feet on pegs

walk along side is best method

[Doc]

I have never a put bike in a truck with it running... not saying it is wrong I am just not that cool.

Plus I would hate to slip the clutch to fast and send it through the back window.

[Paul_E_D]

Lol! You should hva seen me ride my first EX up my homemade tilt bed trailer! It was lik a 45 degree incline and I had to stop quick once the deck slammed down... Those were the days.

[Pittenger5]

One thing I learned is that an EXs brakes are NOT strong enough to hold it while I move higher up the ramp. That didnt work well.

[breakdirt916]

I have never a put bike in a truck with it running... not saying it is wrong I am just not that cool.

Plus I would hate to slip the clutch to fast and send it through the back window.

so do you get a running start and push it?

[SVRACER01]

if you have a carb. bike or one with a choke that helps too. gets the rpm up so you only have to feather the clutch and not worry about the throttle.

[OreoGaborio]

Lol! You should hva seen me ride my first EX up my homemade tilt bed trailer! It was lik a 45 degree incline and I had to stop quick once the deck slammed down... Those were the days.

hehehehe, I did that a couple times. "interesting" was the word

[RandyO]

riding a 800 lb bike into an old isuzu with weak suspension is fun too

[hammadown]

I used 3 ramps and ride it (not crawl it) up the middle. Usually I approach with a good amount of momentum and pull in the clutch about half way up. That way I get enough deceleration from the up hill that I am not braking very hard once Im in the bed. I am fairly comfortable with doing it this way having done it a lot of times. I like having the ramp on each side as a safety in case I somehow lose balance on the way up.

Disclaimer: I do not claim this is the best approach, its just how I do it. Walking it up is definitely the safer way, but I get lazy sometimes, especially after a full day of riding.

[breakdirt916]

I never tried the choke method, but that definitely sounds like something I'd try out

so when you walk up on one ramp, are you moving the whole time? is the clutch ever completely engaged?

or is it actually a start/stop/feather clutch/crawl method?

[CEO]

Don't use 3 ramps.

Use two, walk alongside, clutch the bike up the ramp. I've never had a problem.

[keeena]

I've always walked up beside bike (2 ramps). I always need a 2nd person to help push the bike from behind as well as provide insurance incase it started to lean away from me. I find coming down is fine by myself; just walk beside while on the front brake.

Why is it a bad idea to use 3 ramps, aka ride bike up w/ ability to put feet down if necessary? I was thinking of buying a 3-piece (wide) ramp in the future so I wouldn't need to rely on someone else. Can't picture why it would be bad/dangerous.

[CMG241]

I've put my bike in the back of my old F250 that was pretty tall with a short atv ramp, by the time I got to the top I was about 40mph - lets say not a pretty stop. never again.

[keeena]

I've put my bike in the back of my old F250 that was pretty tall with a short atv ramp, by the time I got to the top I was about 40mph - lets say not a pretty stop. never again.

So is that why u guys don't suggest riding bike up w/ 3 ramps...possibility of uncontrolled speed?

I could also picture bottoming out at the top of the ramp due to rider weight on the bike.

[Edwardo]

The problem with riding up the ramp is that if you need to go backwards for any reason, it's monumentally harder than if you are not on the bike. If you're to the side, rolling it back down the ramp isn't bad, but trying to see behind you while maintaining balance on the bike is a tall order.

[RandyO]

The problem with riding up the ramp is that if you need to go backwards for any reason, it's monumentally harder than if you are not on the bike. If you're to the side, rolling it back down the ramp isn't bad, but trying to see behind you while maintaining balance on the bike is a tall order.

if your going to ride it up, you only need 1 ramp, if you have to back up, why do you need to see behind you unless you have a curved ramp, just back down straight

[Edwardo]

Have you ever tried riding a motorcycle backwards down a ramp?

[RandyO]

Have you ever tried riding a motorcycle backwards down a ramp?

all the time, isn't that how you unload a bike ?

[Edwardo]

No, I stand next to it. Much easier.

[breakdirt916]

ok...I think I just need to get some better arched ramps

I always have trouble going up becase once the bike is most of the way up, the angle is steep, the bike needs more throttle to keep momentum, and bad things happen when panicking

going down is not a problem w' 2 ramps...just actuate the front brake and slowly roll it down while keeping it straight