How to Transport a Motorcycle in a Pickup

There are many ways a bike can be rendered unfit for driving.

Moving a motorcycle in a vehicle is a necessary evil sometimes in cases of breakdowns. The art of transporting the bike requires tying it down securely so it resists movement when the pickup moves. Special care must be taken to find centers of gravity on parts of the bike so it doesn't fall over and damage itself when the truck takes a corner, for example. A sturdy ramp is also necessary to get the bike from the ground onto the truck safely.

Things You'll Need

• Ramp or sturdy wood
• Ratchet tie-downs
• Assistant
• Side rails, if necessary

Instructions

1. Place the pickup on a flat, hard surface. This will help keep the bike stable when loading and fixing it, and will reduce the chance of the bike tires slipping on the way to the ramp.

2. Drop the tailgate and remove anything stored in the truck bed to give enough space for you and your assistant to work with.

3. Fit a commercially manufactured motorcycle loading ramp or homemade ramp to the rear of the truck bed. The advantages of purchasing a commercial loading ramp are that the ramps are wide and strong enough to comfortably fit the bike and the person loading the bike, reducing the chance of the bike slipping off. Homemade ramps can be made by using wood planks, as wide as possible and sturdy enough to hold the weight of bike you are loading.

4. Put the bike into neutral and get a running start for enough momentum to get the bike up the ramp. Have your assistant positioned in the truck bed to one side to stabilize the bike. Alternatively, ask the assistant to hold one side of the bike while you move up the ramp into the truck bed with the bike. If the bike doesn't move easily, check the lubrication on the chain and apply lubricant if necessary.

5. Position the bike in the center of the truck bed for balance. Try to fit the wheels into any indentations in the truck bed for extra security.

6. Attach a ratchet strap to the left-hand side handlebar close to the center of the bike. Attach the other end to a secure point at the left-hand side of the truck.

7. Repeat this with the right-hand side of the motorcycle. Ratchet the straps tight on both sides so that the bike stands upright.

8. Find a secure point on the rear left-hand side of your motorbike to loop another ratchet strap around. Bikes can have different bodywork, but generally, secure points are on the rear part of the frame. Choose a point that is above the rear axle for stability. Attach the end to the side of the truck bed. Repeat this process for the rear right-hand side of the bike. Ratchet the straps securely on both sides.

9. Test the stability of the bike by attempting to move it from side to side. If there is any movement, use extra straps on both sides for safety's sake.

10. Load up the ramp materials in the truck so they don't interfere with the bike's stability, and take the truck for a short, slow drive to recheck security before heading off on your journey.

Tips & Warnings

• Purpose-made wheel chocks are useful for adding extra stabilization to the front of the bike.

• Side rails with attachment points can be fitted to truck beds if they don't have tie-down points already.

• Use tie-down ratchet straps with soft material to avoid scratching the bodywork of the bike.

• Do not attach straps so pressure is placed on fragile parts of the bike, such as exterior bodywork, forks or spokes.

References

• Discount Ramps: Safely Tie Down Motorcycles for Transportation
• RC Trucks: Pickup Truck Motorcycle Tie Downs
• RC Trucks: The Way to Haul a Motorcycle Safely