motorcycle ramps

[Cuda 69]

hey guys and ladies,I'm looking at buying a ramp to put my bike and my golfcart on the back of my truck,I found the the Black Widow,which breaks down to 2 ramps for the golfcart and is a wide ramp for loading the bike.It's kinda pricey at $299. plus $50. for shipping,but it looks like a safe,versitile ramp.My question is,anybody have any suggestions,or any experience with this ramp,or others? This ramp is 8' long.

[trbig]

I don't have any input for those, but I've got the tri-fold aluminum ramp from Harbor Freight, and it's been stout enough to hold anything I've loaded into trailers, and it's wide enough that you can load/unload 4-wheeled stuff without having to aim at a couple ramps. The main problem I see is that I'm pretty sure they're only @ 6' long, and it would be too steep unless you backed up to some sort of incline, though I have loaded my bikes into my son's pickup with them. 1/3 of the price you're looking at though??

[jwhughes3]

Like Tod I use a bi-fold ramp from HF with side lips. Its 6 feet and needs the incline or a ditch, I have a second ramp to piggyback when no incline is available, but its a pain.

I would spend the extra $$ for the 8 footer. But I prefer a solid ramp to a ladder type.

John

[haywardguy929]

I recently got some ramps at the local L &M farm supply rated for 1,500 lbs each 139.00 almost 150 dollars with tax. 8 ft. I liked the triple but that had ladder type rungs and I could see the wheels catching and if your'er loading/unloading and I a smoother surface. and also the triples were only 6ft there. My truck sits up high also ,so extra length helps make it not as steep.

[ViperRon]

A suggestion I have is to get ramps with some good gripping cleats. Fist of all you tend to lean the bike when pushing it or hand driving and if the rear wheel slips or spins it could come off the ramp. You also need to go up the ramp guiding it on so you need good traction. One slip and the bike could ride you. Do not get one your foot can slip threw Ladder type it can break your leg. rating of weight should be Bike 600lb you 200 helper 200 so 1000lb at minimum. Ladder type will work if you weld diamond grating on it. Unless you have real good experience don't ride the bike up the ramp as it will bend the bed and cab quicker then you think and there is very little stopping traction in a metal bed. Get ramps that fit when you lower the tailgate it will reduce the angle. Beware of the angle if the ramps hump up in the air and the bike bottoms out you can loose it. It really is best to have someone there helping ( not a spectator looking for a laugh) when loading or unloading because if you get into trouble its an awkward position to handle. Loading / unloading is a dangerous maneuver on a heavy bike wearing a helmet when alone is a really good idea.

I use a small 8-foot trailer only 8 inches off the ground with a 4-foot ramp and try to angle it right. I have had awkward loading problems and learned from it.

[tcoop]

I use the tri-fold one from HF with a 6' by 4' 3/4 in plywood that works great. But I don't load into the back of my truck. I have an enclosed trailer that is only a foot of the ground. For the back of a truck I would get the 8' ramp.

[Cuda 69]

yea,I looked at the 6'ers there way to steep for a bike in a ford f-250. unless like you say,use an embankment,not alway's available. I was going to buy a trailer with a ramp,cheapest I could find was $800. with a wood floor,It's half price for a ramp with shipping for a 9'er for this ramp. It was recommended by Bagger Essentials and BMW Owner's news,very good rating from owners,who know's? It has a 4 beam design,serrated 5/8 rungs and is black poder coated.plus no registration needed of inspection or insurance,but trailer is really nice and leaves room for more storage. My wife said I could have either one,(caught her in a good mood).

[Cuda 69]

I bought the Black Widow 9 ft ramp,when I get it,I will let you know how well it works.

[jwhughes3]

Looks like a good one. See if it can be made into a tailgate and I may switch


John

[Cuda 69]

I got the ramp,comes in two boxes.I haven't even taken them out yet due to my grand daughter getting in an auto accident with her babysitter,she broke her leg in 2 places and had to have surgery.When the snow lets up here,I'll take them out and put them on truck to take some pic's.Will let you know on how easy it is to put the bike on when I need to put it on and I have the nerve to do it.lol Main reason I bought it is to put my golf cart on the truck to bring it up to my camp and home in the fall.

[Cuda 69]

Viper,this ramp is rated for 1500 lb. and has a 5 year warrenty.

[ViperRon]

Cuda 1500 sounds good from the picture I saw its wide good footing no sharp hump in the middle looks good to me. Personally years ago I did not see a problem 30 some years ago ridding up that 2X8 after the drivers test at the DMV but the tester said he should have failed me because of it. Now that I am almost over fool's hill I know I could have so easily died if I dented my dad's truck.

[Cuda 69]

or the bike slipped off and landed on you. at least ,that is my main concern,with these heavy bikes. I think if and when I get the v-strom,should be less of a problem.