Early spring is the time of year that many motorcyclists who live in an area that still has snow will haul their motorcycle somewhere that they can ride. As a person that’s loaded and hauled a motorcycle dozens of times, I might have some advice for someone who doesn’t have this experience. I’ve loaded motorcycles into vans, pickup trucks, and trailers. I’ve loaded them by myself and with others. I’ve even ridden a Sportster up a makeshift ramp made from an old door into a pickup truck (I don’t recommend doing that). I’ve hauled motorcycles 1/2 mile, 2000 miles, and any anywhere in between. Here are my tips.
Get a proper ramp. The aforementioned door was a bad idea. Use a metal grated ramp that is both structurally sound and allows for some traction.
Someone should be helping you. Don’t be a hero, get assistance. I’ve learned from a couple of close calls that loading a motorcycle by yourself will drastically increase your chance of injury or damage to your motorcycle.
The front brake is your friend...Use it! If you need to adjust your position or rest, clamp on the front brake to hold the bike in place.
Use ratchet strap tie downs to anchor the motorcycle. There are also cambuckle straps that tighten by simply pulling the loose end. However, in my experience, these tend to loosen over time.
Put the kickstand down and strap that side of the motorcycle first. This will hold the bike in place as you install the other straps.
Squat the front suspension slightly and increase the tension in the straps. This will keep the straps tight when you drive over a bump.
Fasten at least one strap to the rear of the motorcycle. On occasion, a large bump could allow the rear end to move.
Make sure to periodically check the tension of your straps on your trip. A shift in the strap hooks is possible, which could cause slack in the straps.
Finally, use the same tips when you’re unloading as when you're loading. Use the front brake when needed and ask for help! Then, the hard part is over. Enjoy your ride!
“Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.” - Benjamin Franklin
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