loading ramps
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
I don't think I'd take the cheap way out on this. The results could be bad. try discoutramps.com if you need one, I just bought one for my dog and their prices seemed pretty good. Or craigslist. Or 4 people who are stronger than me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 12
From: Missouri
I use the ramps i purchased for my ATV to load the bike when i am forced to...just have to back the rear wheels of my F150 down into a low spot so the angle is slight enough so the bike to high center...works fine. about $100.00
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
A 2 x 12 with an aluminum bolt on ramp end has worked well for me for the past 15 years. I got fancy and painted it gloss black and put a big "Harley Davidson" script sticker down the middle of it, then put on a couple of coats of Minwax Helmsman spar urethethane. I threw a few hands full of sand in the varnish to give it some grip.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: bay city tx
A 2 x 12 with an aluminum bolt on ramp end has worked well for me for the past 15 years. I got fancy and painted it gloss black and put a big "Harley Davidson" script sticker down the middle of it, then put on a couple of coats of Minwax Helmsman spar urethethane. I threw a few hands full of sand in the varnish to give it some grip.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 823
Likes: 1
From: Lost Angels
I found a ramp on Ebay that is made for Harleys with 3 separate regular ramps bolted together with U-brackets and a long threaded bolt going through the center of all 3 so that it can fold in half. It is full width same width as a full sized truck bed so you can walk next to your bike as you push it up the ramp.
I don't like the ATV ramps because the spacing is too big between the cross members and you can slip and stick your foot through a slot and end up breaking your leg. I paid $200 for it and it makes loading bikes a cinch.
I put a Baxley chock in the front, start the bike, walk it up under power being careful to modulate the clutch and throttle, pop it in the chock, 2 tie downs with a Canyon Dancer and secure the ramp to the truck with 1 tiedown on the side, and I am off in under 3 minutes.
I don't like the ATV ramps because the spacing is too big between the cross members and you can slip and stick your foot through a slot and end up breaking your leg. I paid $200 for it and it makes loading bikes a cinch.
I put a Baxley chock in the front, start the bike, walk it up under power being careful to modulate the clutch and throttle, pop it in the chock, 2 tie downs with a Canyon Dancer and secure the ramp to the truck with 1 tiedown on the side, and I am off in under 3 minutes.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Here ya go:
It is 7 ft long. I choose that length, because it will fit diagonally in my 1994 Toyota pickup's bed with the tailgate shut. (Yeah, I made the ramp back when I bought the truck brand new and have had 'em both for years...LOL) The truck is a 4WD and has 32" tires. Two healthy guys can roll my Sportster up on the truck from flat pavement. If I am by myself or loading the Road King, I find a ditch to back into or an embankment to back up to to make the angle a bit less and just ride the bike up.
I also use it with a trailer that I built outta a 1976 boat trailer nearly 20 years ago. The trailer is only about 2 feet high, so I just ride either bike up the ramp...I built a box outta plywood and have it mounted under the trailer bed to carry the ramp if I'm using the trailer or to just store the ramp at home.
It is 7 ft long. I choose that length, because it will fit diagonally in my 1994 Toyota pickup's bed with the tailgate shut. (Yeah, I made the ramp back when I bought the truck brand new and have had 'em both for years...LOL) The truck is a 4WD and has 32" tires. Two healthy guys can roll my Sportster up on the truck from flat pavement. If I am by myself or loading the Road King, I find a ditch to back into or an embankment to back up to to make the angle a bit less and just ride the bike up.
I also use it with a trailer that I built outta a 1976 boat trailer nearly 20 years ago. The trailer is only about 2 feet high, so I just ride either bike up the ramp...I built a box outta plywood and have it mounted under the trailer bed to carry the ramp if I'm using the trailer or to just store the ramp at home.
