ramps- what do you use?

Picking up my new bike on Monday. What kind of ramp do you recommend to get the bike into a pickup? Do you use a motocross ramp and a step or a wider atv ramp to walk it up?

I use a folding aluminum ramp made for motorcycles, the one shown in this link, in fact:

http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Racing-Curved-Aluminum-Motorcycle/dp/B007T3JZUW

I simply put the ramp up on the open tailgate of my Ford Ranger and push the bike (by hand with a stopped engine) up and into the bed of the truck.
As long as the truck in on reasonably level ground, I'm able to stop the bike mid way up the ramp, step up onto the tailgate, and continue the rest of the way.
I've done this so many times, it's second nature by now.
A step would make it even easier.

When I used to roadrace, I used a 2x10 board. I already had it in my garage, so it was FREE.   

Thanks for the tips. I'm looking into this:

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Better-Built-Single-Folding-Steel-Loading-Ramp-25810067/202206988/

I'm wondering if I should buy a second to walk up or if I should buy a step stool. I'll probably have a friend give me a hand, but in the future I might be doing it alone.

Start with one ramp. If you really need a second ramp, you can always buy another. I always used a single 2x10 as a ramp for my MX back in the day.

This is a proper way to load your bike into a pickup:



Which is the reason why I pull a trailer.

2 - 2x8's
2 - Attachements



Drill and bolt the attachments to the 2x8.

I have a Ram 1500 4x4 and was looking at the 6 or 8 ft. folding ramps. They are light and capacity is 350 or so, plenty for wr250. Just wondering if I need two of them, per some of the recommendations here, or if one would do? Would I need a 6 or 8 ft? Has anyone here had experience with these? Here is a link:http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/32603/i/matrix-concepts-m6-and-m8-folding-ramp

greyrider wrote:

I have a Ram 1500 4x4 and was looking at the 6 or 8 ft. folding ramps. They are light and capacity is 350 or so, plenty for wr250. Just wondering if I need two of them, per some of the recommendations here, or if one would do? Would I need a 6 or 8 ft? Has anyone here had experience with these? Here is a link:http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/32603/i/matrix-concepts-m6-and-m8-folding-ramp

Just double check your assumption on the weight.

A WRR tips the scales at about 300lbs.  Start adding gear, racks, big tank, and you maybe pushing 330 lbs if the bike is loaded.  Plus if you try to ride it up that ramp throw your weight in there as well.

I picked up a set of these for about $50 at Harbor Freight:



http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/ramps/2-piece-steel-loading-ramps-44649.html


They have a 1000 lbs capacity and come two to a box.  I idle the bike up one of them and I walk up on the other.

skysurfer2010 wrote:

Picking up my new bike on Monday. What kind of ramp do you recommend to get the bike into a pickup? Do you use a motocross ramp and a step or a wider atv ramp to walk it up?

My riding buddy has an F150 4x4. He uses two folding 8 foot ramps and it works well. Bike on one, walk up the other. He can also do it with one ramp but that would depend on your inseam length and flexibility. Much safer with two ramps. The length of the ramp depends on the height of your tailgate. Folding just makes them fit into the bed and also easier to move around. A wide atv ramp works too but it's much harder to handle. There is a folding ramp available that bolts onto the truck (remove tailgate).

I bought this to keep the bed of my truck open. Not a bad deal and crosses over to other vehicles (non-pickups).

http://www.discountramps.com/folding-motorcycle-carrier/p/AMC-400-F/

motokid wrote:

When I used to roadrace, I used a 2x10 board. I already had it in my garage, so it was FREE.   

Same here.  Been using the same 2x10 board as a ramp for the past 15 years.  I think about getting one of the aluminum ramps whenever they go on sale, but can't really see the need to get rid of the board.

Speaking for myself a board is dangerous, particularly when loading onto a pickup, particularly if it's wet. A proper aluminum or steel ramp has better traction and even sometimes edges to prevent the wheel from sliding off the ramp sideways. I'd consider a decent folding aluminum ramp a reasonable investment.

-morgan

You might be right, but I've never had any troubles using the board for a ramp. I transport my bikes in a trailer that's about 2 ft high and has custom made wheel guides built into the floor.  Very easy to walk bikes up the board, given the shallow incline. Plus, I've had the board for at least the past 15 years. It's practically part of the family.

I may eventually spring for a 'real' ramp, but probably only if I run into a good one on sale and I'm in the mood to spend a bit of cash.

mollycbr123 wrote:

You might be right, but I've never had any troubles using the board for a ramp. I transport my bikes in a trailer that's about 2 ft high and has custom made wheel guides built into the floor.  Very easy to walk bikes up the board, given the shallow incline. Plus, I've had the board for at least the past 15 years. It's practically part of the family.

I may eventually spring for a 'real' ramp, but probably only if I run into a good one on sale and I'm in the mood to spend a bit of cash.

If it works for you, carry on. You can't beat the cost or simplicity for sure.

-morgan

morgan9283 wrote:

mollycbr123 wrote:

You might be right, but I've never had any troubles using the board for a ramp. I transport my bikes in a trailer that's about 2 ft high and has custom made wheel guides built into the floor.  Very easy to walk bikes up the board, given the shallow incline. Plus, I've had the board for at least the past 15 years. It's practically part of the family.

I may eventually spring for a 'real' ramp, but probably only if I run into a good one on sale and I'm in the mood to spend a bit of cash.

If it works for you, carry on.  You can't beat the cost or simplicity for sure.

-morgan

Boards have the added advantage of nobody wants to steel them. You can always tack roofing shingles or something to the board for traction.

gatorfan wrote:

morgan9283 wrote:

mollycbr123 wrote:

You might be right, but I've never had any troubles using the board for a ramp. I transport my bikes in a trailer that's about 2 ft high and has custom made wheel guides built into the floor.  Very easy to walk bikes up the board, given the shallow incline. Plus, I've had the board for at least the past 15 years. It's practically part of the family.

I may eventually spring for a 'real' ramp, but probably only if I run into a good one on sale and I'm in the mood to spend a bit of cash.

If it works for you, carry on.  You can't beat the cost or simplicity for sure.

-morgan

Boards have the added advantage of nobody wants to steel them. You can always tack roofing shingles or something to the board for traction.

Yep.  I've thought about that many times when leaving the trailer somewhere after unloading.  You can always secure a metal ramp with a chain/padlock, etc, but there is still temptation there for some lowlife.  A board has absolutely no temptation.

I load my bikes into the back of a van using a 2x8. 2x4's are screwed into the sides to form a channel keeping the wheels from sliding off. Also have a long carriage bolt through the end to hook to bumper. It works great. That being said, my van is probably closer to the ground than your pickup.