Transporting Bike in truck bed

gixxer_flexx

gixxer_flexx

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Given the beautiful weather we are having, I will be needing to transport a bike in my friends truck bed. What is the best way to do it?

Would it be better to just strap it down on the kickstand or use a rear tire stand(no front)? I'm thinking the tire stand would be better but my friend disagrees and says kickstand is better.

In terms of strapping location, any good places to put the straps or places I should avoid?

this question seems so noob, but I just don't want any surprises and unfortunately riding it back is no longer an option
 
No kick stand or tire stand...

All you need is one ratchet strap. Put bike straight in, pull strap taught, wrap around left side of handlebar (not around clutch cable or anything of importance), wrap around once, run it over to right side of handlebar, wrap around once (again, not around front brake cable) and tie down. Crank it, the front forks will depress, Continue until bike is sitting solid.

The bike will sit upright and will not shift at all. Do NOT depress front forks too far as this could lead to an "uh oh". Go on youtube and watch how to ratchet strap a dirt bike. Straps only cost 15 dollars at Home Hardware or Home Depot. There is another method using two straps as well, similar and probably better for a sport bike.

I've done this a million times with moto-X bikes and sport bikes. Wish I could show you in person!
 
Dont use the kickstand or a rear stand. If you have access to a front wheel chock, that is your best bet.

Put the front tire up against the front of the truck bed(in a chock if you have one), and tie the bike down in the straight up position.

You really only need 2 straps on the front to hold it securely. You may want to strap the rear too if you are paranoid.

Either use a canyon dancer on the handlebars, or loop the straps around the lower triple clamp if you have no canyon dancers. Make sure the straps are not going to rub any bodywork, and secure any excess strapping so it doesn't fly around. If you are strapping the rear use the passenger pegs or rearsets.

Make sure you cinch it down securely, but leave a fair amount of travel in the suspension. Tie it down too hard and you risk damaging your fork seals.

I usually rock the bike back and forth pretty hard to see if it's going to move around at all.

Like so:
tiedown_zpsad859532.jpg~original
 
Matthew.Tremayne said:
No kick stand or tire stand...

All you need is one ratchet strap. Put bike straight in, pull strap taught, wrap around left side of handlebar (not around clutch cable or anything of importance), wrap around once, run it over to right side of handlebar, wrap around once (again, not around front brake cable) and tie down. Crank it, the front forks will depress, Continue until bike is sitting solid.

The bike will sit upright and will not shift at all. Do NOT depress front forks too far as this could lead to an "uh oh". Go on youtube and watch how to ratchet strap a dirt bike. Straps only cost 15 dollars at Home Hardware or Home Depot. There is another method using two straps as well, similar and probably better for a sport bike.

I've done this a million times with moto-X bikes and sport bikes. Wish I could show you in person!
Click to expand...

Get the better straps, unless you wanna hear a pop and then see your bike on its side.

Lower triple clamp is a better idea than handle bars.

Uhaul trailer might be a better idea since you don't need a ramp and it has room for the front wheel as well as plenty of anchor points to strap the mofo down. 16 dolla for the day ;)
 
DemonPig said:
Also, leave the bike in gear so it doesn't want to roll.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't. If strapped in correctly the bike isn't going to be going anywhere. Just putting unnecessary stress on the gearbox.

Paul1000RR said:
Get the better straps, unless you wanna hear a pop and then see your bike on its side.

Lower triple clamp is a better idea than handle bars.

Uhaul trailer might be a better idea since you don't need a ramp and it has room for the front wheel as well as plenty of anchor points to strap the mofo down. 16 dolla for the day ;)
Click to expand...
Depends on the bike and mounting points. If the mounting points are fairly far apart you wont be able to use the lower triple without rubbing the fairings. I use a canyon dancer now and it works just as well as the lower triples.

Trailers are always easier, but loading a pickup is not very hard. I've loaded and unloaded mine by myself many times. It's the whole reason I bought a truck to begin with.
 
N3WMAN said:
I wouldn't. If strapped in correctly the bike isn't going to be going anywhere. Just putting unnecessary stress on the gearbox.
...
Click to expand...

If the bike is strapped down properly, shouldn't be a problem as it won't move anyhow. However when strapping or taking the straps off, vehicle being in gear may prevent it from rolling and potentially falling off or to the side. All precautionary of course. There is always the brake.
 
I've been moving bikes for over 40 years, in vans, pick ups, trailers
and even in a '76 Austin Mini. For that I removed the front wheel, secured the
front suspension in the trunk and left the back wheel rolling on the
ground.

This photo is way over kill I know but, this is how I usually transport my
bikes these days.

Front tire in a Baxley Sport chock.

Front tie downs secure the bottom of the fork tubes with use of helper
straps.

Canyon Dancer handle bar straps used only to keep bike vertical. Front
suspension compressed only enough to keep straps tight.

Rear wheel held down by passing a strap through the hollow axle and
securing with tie downs.

The added tie downs on the passenger pegs were to keep the back end from
moving side to side. I could have achieved the same by tying knots in the strap
on either side of the axle. Again the rear suspension was not compressed.

In this way the bike is secured but still free to float on it's own
suspension.



In place of a front wheel chock a 4x4 cut to fit the width of the pick up
box, fitted with two "Eye" bolts and placed up against the front of the box will
work.



127rs_zpsa010fe11.jpg
 
I used to use 10 straps per bike....I was terrified they'd fall over. Then you start racing and transporting bikes all the time. Now it's 2 straps per bike. that's it. And if it's snowing or wet winter roads, saran wrap the whole bike to keep corrosion at bay.
 
Wow I forgot how helpful you guys are. Thanks for the tips, this definitely put me at ease!
 
Where can I get "good" straps? I've bought those $15 straps from Home Depot and they have already "popped" on me once. Luckily it was when I was strapping the bike so I caught it before any major damage.
 
daisoman said:
Where can I get "good" straps? I've bought those $15 straps from Home Depot and they have already "popped" on me once. Luckily it was when I was strapping the bike so I caught it before any major damage.
Click to expand...

Costco sells a set of 4 Snap-On rachet straps. They are awesome. Been using them for a while now.
$20!!
 
Skip the rachet straps and go for the cam buckle style instead. Much quicker and simpler.

I never used to strap the rear but a friend suggested a third strap on the rear is good insurance should you have to slam on the brakes or worse get into a head on collision.
 
daisoman said:
Where can I get "good" straps? I've bought those $15 straps from Home Depot and they have already "popped" on me once. Luckily it was when I was strapping the bike so I caught it before any major damage.
Click to expand...

Get the kind that reel up into themselves. Never has to **** around with extra strap flying around and getting tangled etc. Makes them easy to store too.

They go on sale at princess auto fairly often. I got 4 for $25.

http://www.princessauto.com/mobile/product/productDetail.jsp?productID=8301723
 
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