Loading ramps?

**rapid van cleef** · 2nd November 2011, 19:38

can anyone tell me where to get a loading ramp from? are there specific manufacturers or types of ramp that i should be looking at?

as i am doing more and more track days i am realising that it is folly to ride the bike to the track. seeing as my nearest track is 2 hours away.

the bike is a 1000 cc sports bike, loading onto the back of a trailer.

and also, any particular methods for tying it down or extra devices i need other than good tie downs?

oh and of course, any tricks to getting ot on and off without dropping it of course would be appreciated.

thanks

**steve_t** · 2nd November 2011, 19:44

Folding bike ramp?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-419655667.htm

Front wheel chock?

http://houseofcustom.co.nz/xtcommerc...mammphfrga8nm5

**koba** · 2nd November 2011, 20:07

I've got one I've been meaning to sell for ages, all aluminum, folding, new in box. $150 shipped.
Can post pics of box and my used matching one (got them as a set) if interested.

**rapid van cleef** · 2nd November 2011, 20:34

if you could post or pm the the pics and max load weight please.

i am looking on TM aswell

im going to welly/ christichurch in the car in a few weeks. so maybe a pick up is possible.

ta

**rapid van cleef** · 2nd November 2011, 20:37

Originally Posted by steve_t

Folding bike ramp?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-419655667.htm

Front wheel chock?

http://houseofcustom.co.nz/xtcommerc...mammphfrga8nm5

its the folding kind im after. thanks for the post and the link.

**Gremlin** · 2nd November 2011, 20:38

Cycletreads has all too...

You probably want these tie downs: http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...ar_straps.aspx

Then a ramp
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...der_foldi.aspx
or two
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...nch_6ft_r.aspx

This might even be handy: http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...t_clamp_h.aspx

**MaxCannon** · 2nd November 2011, 20:56

I got one of these http://www.crosscountry.co.nz/Defaul...archCurrPage=1
and it's the poddle plums.
So wide you can't fall off it, curved so the bike doesn't beach itself and it folds in half for easy stowage.

At the risk of exagerating it is 15 million times better than the non folding, narrow, straight ramp that I used before.

**NinjaBoy** · 2nd November 2011, 21:01

For a Sportsbike try to find one that is wider than the standard ones for dirtbikes. It makes unloading easier. Also a good one will be arched (vs straight) so that the bellypan does not bottom out.

**NinjaBoy** · 2nd November 2011, 21:03

Originally Posted by MaxCannon

I got one of these http://www.crosscountry.co.nz/Defaul...archCurrPage=1
and it's the poddle plums.
So wide you can't fall off it, curved so the bike doesn't beach itself and it folds in half for easy stowage.

At the risk of exagerating it is 15 million times better than the non folding, narrow, straight ramp that I used before.

beat me to it :-)

**MaxCannon** · 2nd November 2011, 21:06

Oh and as for loading it without dropping it.
The easiest way is to get someone to help (duh). I've never dropped a bike myself but my trailer has come back TWICE with dents on it from people that undid the tie downs and dropped their bike.
Hence why I stopped lending it out unless it's someone I trust.

What I do when I can't find an assistant (all the time) is

1 - Put all the tie downs in place where I will need them.
2- Tie the ramp to the trailer so it doesn't move.
3 - Push the bike to the foot of the ramp
4 - Stand up, start bike, into 1st, walk it up the ramp using a tiny bit of throttle.
5 - Get in into place, turn off the motor, side stand down so it doesn't topple.
6- First tie down onto the left side (I use the rear footpeg bracket but if you don't have one find something else) with enough slack to get the bike upright.
7 - Carefully get the bike vertical and off the stand.
8 - Move to the right side and tie down again. Put the side stand up. with a tie down either side the bike is stable.
9 - Tie down the front.
10 - Spend about 20 minutes making sure the tie downs are tight and the bike can't budge.

To get it off - reverse the above.

**PirateJafa** · 2nd November 2011, 21:18

Avoid the DRC ramps, they're more fragile than their spec sheets say. I'd go for straight ally in hindsight.

**blackdog** · 2nd November 2011, 22:54

Drill a hole in the top of the ramp and the end of your trailer so you can put a pin in it.

How many here learned the hard way? (I didn't, just watched someone else spit one out!)

**jellywrestler** · 3rd November 2011, 07:55

Originally Posted by steve_t

Folding bike ramp?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-419655667.htm

top useless advice, these are for farm bikes not road bikes, note how there's no weight rating.
I got a load suitable rated one off trade me and i carry some big road bikes.
the one i bought were available in pairs, i asked to list one and job was done

**nodrog:Me** · 3rd November 2011, 08:08

Fuck you fullas are flash. I've just got an old scaffold plank, will last for years, and its rated for big fat scaffolders and all their tools and sandwhiches.

**steve_t** · 3rd November 2011, 08:14

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

top useless advice, these are for farm bikes not road bikes, note how there's no weight rating.
I got a load suitable rated one off trade me and i carry some big road bikes.
the one i bought were available in pairs, i asked to list one and job was done

Yup. Sorry, I was just meaning the type, not the specific ramp. I see this specific ramp is only rated to hold 210kg.

Originally Posted by nodrog

Fuck you fullas are flash. I've just got an old scaffold plank, will last for years, and its rated for big fat scaffolders and all their tools and sandwhiches.

The last time I loaded my bike on to a trailer, I used a scaffolding plank