How To Load a Motorcycle Into a Truck at RevZilla.com

[@RevZilla]

+Daniel Goon The trailer is made by Kendon. -DrewZilla

[@xXSupeRNovA69]

LMFAOOO!!!

[@jsmith4844]

Hey Revzilla, you forgot one major part. How to safely unload the bike down from the pick up truck. Can you please add that to the video.

[@briarfox637]

@@jsmith4844 Just get a hitch hauler, super easy to roll up and off.

[@RichardBronosky]

I've been driving around with my motorcycle in my truck since August of 2015. When are you going to show me how to get it out?

[@RevZilla]

Just play this video in reverse!

[@accouswk]

Bruno Bronosky actually thinking the same thing. Never had a problem getting on into a truck but getting a big bike out, by yourself is a whole different story.

[@DanielBrain]

@@accouswk "by yourself" is likely the problem. If it takes two to get it in it will take two to get it out.

[@accouswk]

Daniel Brain only took one person and one ramp to get it in - Lol - getting it down with out 2 or 3 Ramps side by side for walking it back while seated

[@poorasslawstudent]

@@accouswk i get mine in by myself the exact same way i get it out.

[@snarkievlogs]

Sweet, but can you show us how to load a truck on a motorcycle too?

[@DaBrute]

+SnarkieVlogs Somehow I knew this comment was coming...

[@3m0k1d4evr]

+DaBrute how did u see this one coming?? I didn't even think of this one

[@mitchg1216]

+SnarkieVlogs Can be done with a goldwing.

[@quintinkelly187]

+Ralph Livingston uhhy?!p

[@edward1937]

SnarkieVlogs 😂😂

[@JoeMarrero-manvscode]

This dude speaks so clearly and energetic.

[@flipacoin6740]

i dont know why am i watching this if i dont even have a motorcycle neigther a truck.

[@ralpo196]

homo est deus lol same

[@LorenK]

Because when you buy your first bike and the seller doesn't know what he's doing, then you have a good chance of getting the bike home in one piece. The tie down description applies to trailers, vans etc, which can all be rented or borrowed. There's nothing like sending pics on FB of your new purchase and midway home getting replies that you've done it totally wrong.

[@octaviomeza5015]

flip acoin same here

[@BigBoyReefs]

Because your smart and want to be informed

[@johnjacob688]

Nothing wrong with learning something new. At least now when you see someone doing it wrong or having a hard time you can help.

[@dumbcat]

I rented a small, covered UHaul trailer and used a piece of wood supported by a concrete block to load my sport bike. Then I strapped the bike down inside the trailer with tie downs. I think it only cost $50 to have the trailer for 3 days. The only annoying part was standing in line at UHaul.

[@Trekopolis]

Not to mention a week later you start receiving threatening letters from U-Haul that you didn't pay the invoice because their staff that works at those places are too incompentant to do their jobs correctly. It's happened to me twice! ...and I even had the CC paid receipts. Took me weeks to get it straightened out. I can't say I'll ever give them my business again.

[@drdrew3]

U-Haul actually rents motorcycle trailers. No modifications needed

[@dumbcat]

@@drdrew3 They didn't have any motorcycle trailers available.

[@martianfromspace8292]

Who else is watching because theyre going to buy a bike far away from home and they dont know how to ride yet LMAO

[@rockyrahman5203]

Its me 😅

[@Kittle1]

Ayeee 😅

[@luisloza4125]

🤣🤣 same

[@rockyv1990]

🖐️ 😂

[@Agentfleabag]

Hahahaha. Sir stop knowing so much.

[@renegadegsxr7177]

you need to put a waning in there about when they unstrap to make sure someone is holding the bike down when you release the pressure. the first time I unstrapped my first bike I didn't do it. The bike almost flipped off the trailer. busted the fairings on my first bike during the first 20 mins of having it. it was a lesson I only had to learn once.

[@ETT64]

No wheel chock required if you load the motorcycle angled so it's front wheel is wedged into one of the front corners of the bed; driver side preferred; and slide the back wheel against the opposing side. - Also put the motorcycle in gear and rotate the rear wheel backwards; while keeping bike still; to take up the slack in the drive train. - Loading this way holds the front wheel securely, aids in preventing the motorcycle from rolling backwards, and tie-downs most likely will only be required on the back end of the motorcycle. - This method has served me well for decades with compact pickups and all motorcycles except full dressed touring bikes.

[@jakeedgell591]

I'm glad you said this because I was just trying to figure out how I was going to load a bike without the chock

[@John_Ridley]

Yeah I once transported a friend's bike home 500 miles when he dropped it and wound up on the hospital while on vacation. I was in the area and had a utility trailer so I just rammed the front wheel into a corner, put the bike diagonally across the trailer and strapped front and back compressing the suspension about 1/3 of the way down. Drove 8 hours at expressway speeds and it didn't budge an inch.

[@drdrew3]

There’s always more than one “right way”. It just depends on your setup and equipment. He have done excellent tips to get off to a safe start

[@DarkSim77]

"slide the back wheel against the opposing side." Yeah that aint happening with a Zx14..

[@MICHAELZHANGCA]

Lemmy is such a great presenter. Nicely done.

[@thedarkknight4243]

true dat

[@pebear]

Love the Hill, that is the first thing I look for....

[@Drottninggatan2017]

+Paul Bahre Yes, it was nice. There is a little bit for everyone in these videos.

[@z80coder]

Instead if running the motorcycle up the ramp and end up with the arms above your head (a very risky procedure), put a small portable stair beside the ramp and step up as you follow the motorcycle on the ramp. In that way you will alway have the arms where your strenght is and can even load the motorcycle alone.

[@mganeyev]

I have two identical ramps- one for bike and another for myself going up

[@An0niem4]

I don't know, standing on a ladder with a motorcycle also doesn't sound exactly safe to me...

[@gonecoyote]

I like how this guy explains shit.

[@hauskins9516]

Food goes in, Poop comes out.

[@RevBombRR]

I legit thought this was a How To Basic video just from the Title alone

[@Carpythesharky]

I'm always impressed with all of your guy's videos and your presenter's speaking/language skills. Nothing deters someone from an instructional how-to video more than someone who can't even speak well enough to get the point across. Great video, thanks.

[@DJMotoVlogs]

Lemmy is the fucking man! Great video guys, very informative to us noobs.

[@jeffstangl1471]

You speak quickly into the point and the production of this video made it so much more clear thank you

[@marioplessers]

Also put the motorcycle in 1st gear. This is how I loaded my motorcycle on a trailer and throw a blanket over the seat and put a strap over your seat. Your bike won't move at all. Good advice in your video ;)

[@71nortcomm]

Very good video. The only thing I take issue with is removing the tailgate. I've been moving bikes with trucks for 30 years and have never removed a tailgate. I've even moved a Harley dresser with my base model 2004 Tacoma with no issues. Otherwise the advice presented is spot on.

[@petersaulnier3526]

i also would rather not remove the gate.. 6 foot truck bed & maybe i need a bit longer than 6 foot. 475# bike puts alot of stress on the gate edge at loading. i once saw a product that replaces the folding gate arms with thicker ones. maybe i need to search for that.

[@ohdamnitsthatguy60]

Great video, I have riden a couple of different motorcycles but never carried one on the back of my Truck and always wondered what was the best way to do it, this is a great help.

[@drdrew3]

If you own a truck the best way is to get a utility trailer and add a wheel chock. One you have a utility trailer you will find many uses for it. And the wheel chock gets daily use in the garage

[@001Rupes]

Next up: Securing 2 motorcycles in a Truck!Then: Loading a Motorcycle into a Truck, all by Yourself!Great video, Lemmy. I've learned how to avoid some expensive fails in the process. Thanks.

[@RevZilla]

+Kyle Bright: This is pretty contested, but Lemmy just compresses the shocks most of the way until the straps are snug but not overly tight. -DrewZilla

[@craze-5351]

if I'm 5'1 can I ride and reach the floor with a Honda Grom 2015

[@RevZilla]

Yes, the Grom has a very low seat height, so at 5'1", you can reach the ground. -DrewZilla

[@rx-ih2ze]

RevZilla what trailer was that you showed?

[@katiem1235]

Moto_ R1 I’m 5’4” and very comfortably rode the Grom

[@InvictvsNox]

This reply made me laugh so hard in its randomness.

[@smeosky]

For those extra paranoid about their fork seals like me, I recommend using cam straps on the front. These mostly prevent you from over ratcheting and putting too much pressure down on those seals. Pull on the straps while sitting on the bike until its just tight enough to prevent the bike from wiggling

[@TankToChest]

Fork seals don’t get blown by strapping the front end down that’s not how it works

[@techdebt2750]

Thanks Revzilla. Next level info. Lots of firsts here: - First to mention loading DOWN INTO the truck instead of UP or PARALLEL- First that stresses precommunication of roles- First to mention ratcheting to the MIDDLE of a folding ramp- First to recommend using a TRAILER as an alternative- First to recommend taking OFF the tailgate

[@mgelliott1]

This is an excellent, excellent video. There are SOOO many videos on KZbin where some guy's bike goes off the side of the ramp and falls on the ground, often with him trying to ride it up there! This vid is very useful. I learned several good tips.

[@Karakofirespartan]

Looking to buy my first motorcycle. Thanks for the video. It's helping me figure out if cycling is for me. I can't take just the ride into account. Transporting it maintenance cost personal limitations and local laws all play a roll in my decision. Edit: just remembered the riding gear too.

[@briarfox637]

Dang. Everybody has these little trucks. I have a big Tundra. I loaded mine at the dealer with a super nice ramp but unloaded it by myself at the house. Simply stepped it down the ramp keeping it leaning against me and hand on the brake. Super easy. Easy to load too.

[@briarfox637]

@@lostinspace280 Maybe back a few years they were less expensive but now these mini trucks cost as much or even more in some instances than a bigger truck.

[@todddra]

Awsome video. Everything you want in a "How to". Lemmy is great. He talked fast and explained it well.

[@jniemec]

I appreciate that you talk quickly and succinctly, so many instructional videos don’t

[@randombuilds8336]

I've loaded a triumph tiger into the back of my f150 on my own. The trick is a 10ft ramp for the bike and a 6ft ramp for me to walk up. I do use the engine to pull the bike up the ramp. So clutch and brake to control speed and just walk up next to it. Unload is just the reverse, front brake to control speed, and it goes down the 10ft ramp while I stabilize and walk down the 6ft ramp.

[@drumsnbass]

There is also the big cooler method. When loading the bike step up onto a cooler placed lengthwise along the ramp. You have much greater control thru the process and can load lighter bikes yourself this way.

[@ethanyoung8971]

Dude... You guys are so helpful and make getting a new motorcycle so much less scary

[@vurasi5616]

One trick I do with ratchet strap ends is when the main strap is almost snug to my liking, I thread the tail into the entry point of the current strap. When you ratchet a little more, the tail is pulled into the ratcheting system, securing it with ease, and also easy to pull back out when the disengage of the ratchet is committed.

[@Mr30csnyder]

best tie down I have used is a called a canyon dancer it goes over the bar ends of your bike and then attach a ratchet strap to each end loop and as the straps tighten it pulls in on the bar ends it avoids putting stress on the forks from the sides and also use a suspension saver to alow you to get a good tension on the straps and keep from fully compressing the forks and risking damage to your fork seals if transporting for a long period of time.

[@Mrmarginofsafety]

Ratchet straps release all at once but they are the best for getting the bike nice and tight. Tip: double up your ratchet strap with a Yeti or similar friction tie down after you have secured the bike, then when you release the ratchet strap it transfers the load to the friction strap which can be gradually released in a controlled manner.

[@deuxcheveux7268]

Man, that was an excellent explanation and demonstration on how to load a bike in a truck. Thank you!

[@John_Ridley]

In lieu of having a hill - we always loaded stuff into our pickup back on the farm by backing into a ditch then driving around on the road and down into the trailer. With the tailgate down you can just drive right in without a ramp with a bike or lawn mower or whatever.

[@ClutchFirst]

Absolutely awesome vid! Easily to comprehend and useful information. Thank you!

[@richturner7318]

Thanks Lenny. You convinced me I should spend $25 to rent a motorcycle trailer from U Haul!!

[@sanuske]

In conclusion invest in a bike trailer

[@80srockerable]

I use this method using a Condor chock & Canyon Dancer bar strap. Rock solid.

[@henrybrar]

this video deserves 11 out of 10 points. a big Thank You.

[@glickmpb]

I once loaded a Harley Dyna Low Rider into my pickup and my (former) buddy was telling me to position my truck on an incline (front facing up) and then put the ramps on the truck. We argued about it, but he had been a motorcycle guy for like 30 years and I was new. Anyway, the center ramp (I was using 3 ramps) was never secured and I had no idea how to do it. Well, the center ramp shot out and my (former) buddy caught the bike. minor damage, but I was pissed. This video shows the right way to secure the ramp. Awesome job!

[@ThomasOzOsburn]

Good information. We trailer our bikes out of Texas on our annual Beat The Heat motorcycle tour. I have videos from our tours, but never filmed when securing our bikes.

[@شربلمانزا]

Great video. Very informative. Wish i could of seen it prior to loading my own motorcycle onto my truck. It unfortunately died on me and somehow managed to get it in there without removing the tailgate or even having a chaulk for the wheel or anyone to help. I just managed to get it onto the ramps and into the truck by giving it a little gas since i jumped started it. Sketchy as hell but gravity and weight were not on my side, neither were people or a damn hill.

[@whattheblp6148]

Street Triple... single headlight.. SACRILEGE! Haha. I considered doing it to my STRx as well but those damn bug eyes grow on you! Picked mine up in a truck like this. (Wanted to do a hard break-in so couldn't ride it home on the highway for hours) Probably the best video I have seen done on doing this.

[@JDelta87]

Awesome vid man! I'd rather load my bike in the back of my truck but unfortunately I have no friends to help. I'll be going the trailer route but I still found this useful for future reference.

[@ganginfr4923]

>own zero motorcycles >own zero pickup trucks >own no driver's license But sure, lemme watch 8 minutes of how to load a bike into a truck.

[@bobgil3464]

Can you show us using a HD Streetglide? Thanks.

[@ninebr8kr]

I just used this technique and 3 guys to load a Harley street 750 into a tiny uhaul using rented home depot ramps. It works but definitely go the trailer route if you can. You dont realize what you're getting yourself into until a 500+ lb. Bike is precariously perched above your shoulders.

[@michaelidarecis]

You never compress the front shocks by the time you get it to where you want to go you had blown your seals. You put a block of wood between the top of the front tire and the fender. This way when you tighten down on the straps you aren't compressing the shocks. The wood keeps the shocks in the relaxed state.

[@sganzerlag]

Thanks for posting this video!!! Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.

[@fjones1914]

I use a big boy II ramp, a pair of tailgate locking bars that prevent the tailgate from collapsing under weight. Loading the bike is the easy part for me. Unloading takes a lot more effort and attention to detail to prevent damage to the bike and to myself.

[@deschantier9844]

Those rear pegs being intended to be flipped down when used, wouldn’t seem like the best idea as a rear attachement point ?

[@JoshWhitford91]

Just did a thousand miles (eastern CT to western PA and back) with a zrx1200 and a z900 in the back of my '16 f150... Nothing but ratchet straps, an atv ramp, and fortuitous hills near the driveways 😎.

[@johnl563]

Good video. I also like to put 2 separate straps on each side up front. Just in case 1 lets go, you have a back up. Could save a lot of headache.

[@82phalanX]

Excellent, I like that bit about using a hill if one is available...good stuff!

[@Cowplunk]

I have serious doubts about this loading procedure, especially for anything heavier than the bike shown. If the bike starts to tip even a little bit at that point where Lemmy is holding it upright while the other guy jumps in the bed, I suspect it will fall. Holding a bike like that by the handle bars above him, he has virtually no leverage. To load bikes in my truck, I use a pair of home made 2X12 walking ramps on either side of the motorcycle ramp. Aluminum ends can be bought that secure the boards to the truck bed. I also added some roofing tiles to the boards for traction.

[@gatorhunter1]

+Cowplunk I do this with my Harley Sportster 1200 Custom all the time. I feel your concern! I highly recommend tightening the straps as tight as possible with the suspension as low as possible. When the truck hits bumps, the motorcycle tends to bounce, compressing the suspension and loosening the straps. I've almost lost my bike out the bed that way.

[@tannerparrish3807]

I had to transport my dads bike yesterday and I couldn’t get the bike strapped down, my ratchet straps were way to long so I had to improvise by using one hook wrap around he handle bars a few times, go down to the opposite bed hook, then wrap around the bed hook and go to the rear bed hook so I could ratchet it tightly, and I also left the kickstand down to help with some of it. Wasn’t the safest but it worked and didn’t have any problems

[@KanekiAtOtaku]

i sent my dad this video, maybe now he might finally let me help him. Maybe now he'll decide it's time to stop dropping motorcycles.

[@dorkus98]

If you have a carbureted bike it's a good idea to turn off the gas flow while in transport

[@Beauchee]

Great video !I also leave the bike in 1st gear.Cheers

[@no1cp]

Lemmy, 90% of us watch these videos to hear you "praddle on". :)

[@Bdubulicious]

Lemmy is my hero!!

[@runmvp]

The tutorial was unclear, I loaded the truck onto the motorcycle.

[@serdarekid]

My favourite duo. Can you teach other methods too? Especially if we need more space in the back.

[@CycleCruza]

Just build a bug out moto van like I did!

[@irondiet6831]

Waddup Cyclecruza!!!!!! *Let's go for ah ride.*

[@brothermanv]

Let's go for a ride! 🎸 🔥

[@JohnPloskina]

I wish you'd make more Bug Out Moto vids, man.

[@ViciousXUSMC]

If you have the clearance, it seems to me holding the rear by the tire would make sense. It's strong, has natural rebound/compression, and won't break. That's how tow trucks hold stuff all the time.

[@motodeebs511]

These videos are great. Keep em' coming, Lemmy & crew!

[@cornholius]

Love the hill trick, I've used driveways, curbs, embankment. There is always a hill somewhere.

[@tigeronabike]

Loving RevZilla, Lemmy, and that gorgeous Triumph! Hopefully, the newbies don't load any heavies this way. XD

[@v36nismo]

great vid. OMG the street triple looks so much nicer with a traditional headlight

[@Vazztudio]

Great video, now I need some pointers to unload the bike, have been driving 2 weeks with my Ulysses on my truck bed lol!!

[@RevZilla]

You know how you got it up? Well, do that that - but in reverse. I sincerely recommend having a buddy help you stabilize the bike as it comes down the ramp. -TeamZilla Chris

[@talgizmo]

Just a little side note, when you insert the loose end of the ratchet strap to the ratchet itself its a lot easier if the ratchet is in the closed position. I usually click the ratchet to turn the slit to the angle where its the easiest to insert the loose end. It minimise the duration of the "unstable" part of the process.

[@Amnpaterson]

That Triumph looks amazing. And great instructional video!

[@alejandrocotilla2899]

Definitely beautiful. Do you know the model?

[@Amnpaterson]

@@alejandrocotilla2899 Looks like a Triumph speed triple cafe racer to me. Or are you referring to Lemmy? He is quite the model.

[@alejandrocotilla2899]

Andrew P lol thanks! Lemmy is quite a model for sure!

[@1987RaPsCaLLioN]

Great tips - very concise

[@danz409]

i load mine into a minivan. other than the pain in the ass process of having to remove the wind/headlight shield bit and the mirrors. a great process! and the cool thing is plenty of places to attach straps too thanks to all those seat hooks!

[@1stSinBin]

Lo guys good vid. I found something very helpful once but accident witch you might try and pass on if you like it. Try putting the bike in gear for loading and unloading the clutch then works like a dead man's handle and gives a much safer control over holding a brake imo. When you let your mate take over you would have just let the clutch go and moved to hold the back of the bike before you buddy even got to the front.

[@n8rm]

great channel! Lemmy is the man

[@jeremiahsilva8410]

Thanks lemmy

[@xgcbadhabit9165]

id like to see a video like this but for lifted trucks (6in lift or less). and without using a hill or trailer. also what truck has had its tailgate "taco'd" and with what bike, because i have loaded a variety motorcycles into dodge 1500's, chevy silverados, and f150's over the past 10yrs or so and have never seen or heard of this. not saying it wouldn't happen, just curious as to the circumstances.

[@jztgatjdtkgt]

Lemmy, This was an informative and entertaining video. You guys rock!

[@johnhurt4833]

Best, most useful video ever!! I really like this guy!!

[@MikeNaples]

Jay Leno has come out of retirement and is now incognito. Also, I was thinking about buying another lighter motorcycle to haul in my truck bed (no way with my 900# Harley), you've changed my mind. Thanks.

[@Lifeinthechi773clips]

This fuckin guy definitely knows how to present a video!! You the man Lemmy

[@souldefunk]

Informative and easy to understand. Great job!

[@Yamaha_Bolt]

so useful!!! I'm just hoping your article shows how it can be done without the front wheel unit and the fancy ramp. I have a pickup and a cruiser, that's it. The rental pickup is a F150 and the tailgate is staying on.

[@RevZilla]

+David M The big takeaway from this video and article should be that unless absolutely necessary, you should probably use a trailer. If you're renting a pickup, make sure it has a hitch, so that you can rent a motorcycle trailer as well. U-Haul rents them pretty inexpensively. -DrewZilla

[@gsxr1300limited]

Outstanding video Lemmy, thank you for taking the time. Very helpful.

[@AttaBoyy317]

I own a dirt bike, and I'm wondering if I should put a wood block between the front tire and fender to prevent the shocks from losing compression overtime from the tie town pressure? Or should I compress the shocks most of the way to prevent the bike from bouncing?

[@galehess6676]

large block under skid plate? some do put block where you said, depends, may break plastic

[@davephilips6618]

Many thanks for the video. Just loaded my Bonneville with no trouble at all, it turns out we even have the same model of ramp.

[@shoegum7362]

Get a handlebar tie down harness. Have had zero issues using these to secure the bike down.

[@ozzy8422]

When I load my trackbike alone, I drive it up the ramp slowly with me standing besides. It's realy imoprtent to take it slowly and also make sure that the angel from the ramp doesn't hit the bottom of the bike(exhaust or fairing). And lastly a van is the best option to transport the bike (not so high to load as a pickup truck).

[@MyVetteDream]

This is good stuff - DEFINITELY needed info besides product reviews. Thanks RZ!

[@maxbrown7407]

That tacoma is sweet with the 5 speed!

[@skinnyrabbitt3146]

If I put the straps around the forks should I be worried about bending the forks?

[@robertlehner1469]

Great video, well explained, keep up the good work!

[@todddra]

Great video, Lemmy. BTW what kind of name is Lemmy! Is it short for Lemon? Do you improvise all of your explanations? You never miss a beat and you explain stuff very clearly. Do you need to do alot of takes? You do a great job.

[@lolalee5118]

Thank you so much for making these videos.

[@Ajbarili]

You guys have everything!

[@MrCaptainCrazy]

Thanks guys, this was very helpful.

[@sbrahaney8451]

Well done Lenny!