Cycle and Scooter carriers

I haven't ridden motorcycles in about 30 years but now have a Burgman 400 scooter. I'm interested in taking it out west next spring and wonder about the best way to carry it with a short bed PU truck.

The truck will likely be a Dakota Quad cab. If I load the bike with a ramp the back wheel will have to rest on the lowered tailgate. Could work. Another option would be the hitch-mounted carrier with the bike cross-ways across the rear of the truck, which may make it extend a few inches on each side. The bike weighs 400+ lbs and I'm concerned about getting it up the short ramp to the carrier and tying it down without help.

Any suggestions, methods, recommendations, experiences??

Thanks,

Konrad

For that long distance I'd be concerned about the weight bouncing on the tailgate. The sideways bike thing scares me a bit too.

Maybe you can fasten a long thick board(2x8 or 2x12) to the bed but hanging over the tailgate to balance the load to the bed.

Getting it on and off alone is another story. Backing into a ditch works good getting the tailgate at ground level.

The stabilizing board has been recommended by several people and would prevent the bouncing on the open tailgate and I've located a folding ramp at USAramps.com that seems to fill the bill.

Konrad

Backing into a ditch works good getting the tailgate at ground level.

Hillbilly technology at it's best! :wt: And works well! :hungry:

If your putting it up in the back of the truck secure the bike with 4 tie down straps one on each handle bar and one to each side at the back, I find the rachet type work the best. Tighten them down to the point that the suspension is under load but not bottomed out. This will take out any sway or bounce in the bike. Be sure the front wheel is against the front of the box and the bike is left in 1st gear. You can tie it down while it's on the kickstand but I usually prefer to fasten it standing staight up off the stand ;)

If you are worryed about weight on the tail gate .Get a 2X10 lay down in the bed of truck,cut to length of the bed & gate. To secure to bed of truck 2 or 3/8 carrage bolts
4" long, couple fender washers ,lock nuts.drill 2 holes a foot from each end of the bed
This will give you great support strap your bike down like 84FLH said you will do fine.
enjoy your trip
__________________________________________________ _______________


do you beleve this :signcrap: :wt:




:bottle: :joint: :stagger: