[Andrew]

I am seeing much better deals on bikes outside of my local area. My father in law has said I can use his Ranger to transport a bike if it will fit. Will I need special equipment like tie downs and a ramp if I go that route? I think a 150 mile ride home from Chicago for a noob on a new/used bike might be a bit much. While the country roads might be fine (ie no interstate), getting out of Chicago would be the problem.

Also not sure if the Ranger will be big enough. FIL said it can handle anything up to 6 ft and a Ninja 250 has a total length of 80″.

[ShannonG]

If you drop the tailgate you’ll get another 18 inches of cargo room. Yes you will need tie downs, probably four minimum for the bike and one the go across the back wheel if you leave the gate down. Three strong guys should be able to lift a bike into a truck.

[Andrew]

Should? I guess it depends on the weight of the bike as far as lifting goes. So the real weight when looking at spec’s is the wet weight right.

[Jiriki]

yeah, the bike will have all the fluids in it, so wet weight is what you want to look at.

if you are buying a goldwing, you *might* need a fourth strong guy…

for reference, some girl transported her 250 ninja across the country in the back of a station wagon (dry, on its side) with her sister… there is a vid on kawasaki’s website…

[ShannonG]

Usually that’s dry weight, but a 250r only weighs 330 lbs dry (I think). You’re not going to get it with a full tank of gas unless the seller is rich or nice or both. If you’re worried bring a ramp, but if the truck is 2WD sometimes it’s almost easier to lift them in.

[Andrew]

300 lbs sounds like a lot to lift on and off a truck bed but having never done it before I have no reference.

[Budd]

I used four straps when I transported my ninja. The guy had ramps so getting it in was no problem. Getting it out we used my Gorilla latter. Not the way I would recommend but it was easier than just lifting it out of the back of the truck. The truck I used had a short bed and we had to drop the gate to get it to fit. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and four straps keeps the thing locked down.

If you have four guys 300lbs, while awkward, is very doable.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Matt]

I’ve transported a couple of bikes in the back fo my Dad’s Frontier. You’ll probably need to drop the gate. Three tie downs and three guys are all you need.

A 2×6 works for a ramp in a pinch. Failing that, ramps are available (around here anyways) for $50-$75. That said, three guys can lift a 400 pound (dry) bike without any ramp (done it).
If it has old-school dual mufflers (“bazooka mufflers” like the older Ninja 250), two guys lift the handlebars onto the bed, and a third guy in the bed holds them steady. The other two then lift the bike from where the mufflers attach to the bike (seriously, just lift them by the mufflers, they were built for it).
not sure how you’d lift a newer single sided muffler bike – ask a the service guys at a dealership, they’ll be pretty experienced with it.

When you tie it down,place the front wheel against the front wall, hook both tie downs to the top of the fork (right under or on where the handlebars attach) and crank those ties down. You want the front fork as compressed as possible. Once that is done, Bob’s your uncle, it isn’t going anywhere. I then put a strap through the back wheel for at extra bit of safety.

if at all possible back the truck towards a hill so the bike ramp, or distance lifted is as close to level as possible.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[CBennett]

lol thanks for the hints I may be getting a Ninja this weekend..not starting but supposedly just bad gas(taking a mechanic to look at it to know for sure)…so we may have to do just that…load it in a truck to get it back to his shop if it needs any work(it will have to go to his shop at the least just for inspection since its not been ridden in 2 years)

[Budd]

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Andrew]

“Bob’s your uncle” is a British saying that basically means that something will work well or easily etc. I would have to guess that Matt is one of our Canadian contingent and that it’s also a common saying there.

Andrew

[Andrew]

I had a look at their website and they have motorcycle trailers that would work. If they don’t have any of those locally wouldn’t a moving truck with a ramp be easier to load? There should be enough surfaces to use to secure the bike inside right?

[Matt]

Yup, Andrew’s correct (at least about the saying and my home-and-native-land).

If you’ve got a pick-up, I’m not really sure there is much value in renting a u-haul. The onyl real advantage of the an is the included ramp.

If you are taking the bike to a mechanic, ask if you can borrow one of his ramps for the trip, also ask him for any tips/pointers. Certainly when you get the bike there he’ll help you unload it.

The local independant shop we frequent for my parent’s older bikes is run by a really knowledgable guy. I don’t know if he’d lend ramps out, but watching him load a bike onto a truck is like watching a ballet. One two three seemless moves and the bike is up and tied down, and you’d never have known that a 160 pound guy just moved a 400 pound bike. I’ve seen bigger guys struggle more with bicycles.

One last note, be careful with a bike that hasn’t been ridden in two years. You’re taking it to a mechanic before buying it, which is an absolute must that most people don’t do. But there is a lot of rubber that can dry out in that time. If the bike wasntt stored right, the carbs can be pretty messy. Basically, getting it road ready *can* be (but not always is) a lot of work. Just make sure that what it takes to make the bike road worthy doesn’t end up making the bike cost more than you planned to pay (sounds like common sense, but sometimes the reminders help).
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Andrew]

Are most sellers going to be ok with taking it to a mechanic before buying it?

[ShannonG]

“Robert’s your father’s brother.” But only if you’re Cockney.
I can’t believe you’ve never heard that saying!

[Author]

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