Pick-up loading of a Dyna
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
Tying down tight the front tree/hande lbar such that the front wheel is pined up against the bed will hold the bike just fine. You can tie the back for extra moral support, but if the front lets loose, your pretty much SOL anyway. An 8' bed should allow you to close the tailgate for additional moral support.
It is a PITA to get a large heavy bike up into a pickup bed from level ground regardless of ramp type. Using a dock or slope helps load and unloading and using a long wide (3' or more) ramp is safer.
The best way to transport a bike is on a trailer, especially one that pivots and is designed to load vehicles.
You can do anything with duct tape and work arounds but a 6 foot bed will certainly work fine with the bike front securely tied and the tailgate down. I've done that a million times and over pretty rough terrain. I'd be more worried about loading/unloading, however..
It is a PITA to get a large heavy bike up into a pickup bed from level ground regardless of ramp type. Using a dock or slope helps load and unloading and using a long wide (3' or more) ramp is safer.
The best way to transport a bike is on a trailer, especially one that pivots and is designed to load vehicles.
You can do anything with duct tape and work arounds but a 6 foot bed will certainly work fine with the bike front securely tied and the tailgate down. I've done that a million times and over pretty rough terrain. I'd be more worried about loading/unloading, however..
Last edited by ColdCase; Jul 8, 2009 at 01:30 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Coldcase, I strapped mine in 4 points. 2 up front on the lower tree and 2 on the rear to the top shock mount. I angled the straps toward the front of the bike so that if the front straps let loose, the bike still wasn't moving anywhere. I had the front tire bumped against the front rail of the trailer.
I tried just using two up front but didn't like the wobble the bike had. Strapping it down via 4 pts made it about as rigid as it was gonna get.
I've NEVER been a proponent of trailering but being in a situation where it came in handy was real nice. Of course, had I left my bike at home I would have never dropped it.
This is the WRONG way to do it:
I know this is a bad pic. I wasn't trying to photograph the tie-down, but you get the idea...
I tried just using two up front but didn't like the wobble the bike had. Strapping it down via 4 pts made it about as rigid as it was gonna get.
I've NEVER been a proponent of trailering but being in a situation where it came in handy was real nice. Of course, had I left my bike at home I would have never dropped it.
This is the WRONG way to do it:
I know this is a bad pic. I wasn't trying to photograph the tie-down, but you get the idea...
Last edited by SC-Longhair; Jul 8, 2009 at 01:38 PM. Reason: added pic
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Erie,Pa
6' bed with tailgate down shouldn't be a problem, use good ratchet straps and soft ties, you should check the tension often,don't tarp it, I've seen tarps rub the paint.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 1
From: Abingdon, Maryland
I've seen many guys haul their ride with a 6.5 foot bed..just leave the tailgait down...it's done all the time... Any good curved ramp will do the job...just make sure it's wide enough! Strap it down at 4 points and you're good to go. Get a good wheel chuck so the front wheel is stationary something like the Condor...I use the ratchiting straps not the ATV straps...more secure.
Last edited by HarleypsychRN; Jul 9, 2009 at 01:14 AM.