Bull Winkle

So I have been searching the net for a practical weight limit while loading my motorcycle into the back, hoping I don't have to remove the tailgate. I'm loading a 400lb Ducati Scrambler, I weigh 275, going to use two ramps- walk on one and power the bike on the other. The front wheel should be in the bed before I step onto the tailgate, and I should be in the bed before the rear wheel rolls onto the tailgate. Is this going to be an issue? I've loaded bikes in trucks before using this method, but never a truck with aluminum before. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Beo-Chin

No idea what the weight limit is and i am sure there is one, but i know guys that load their full dressers in their truck and never heard about any issues regarding motorcycles. Nothing to worry about.

gpojunk

Yep no worries on that bike.

But if I were you I'd get a wider set of ramps and ride it up. If anything goes sideways, or you have to stop while loading, you have a high chance of dropping the bike. Not to mention, it will be scary as hell trying to walk a 400 lb bike down unless you always have two other guys spotting you. Once it starts moving, it isn't going to want to stop, and it's tough to control the balance while reaching across for the brake. On wider ramps you can sit on it and balance it as you roll xown, and be ready to stop when you reach the ground. .02

J15

You have to be careful about riding bikes up the ramp. You can load up the suspension and snag the underside of the bike when the first wheel clears the top of the ramp. That can set you up for some nasty drops due to the unexpected stop. When I worked at a bike shop we made a point of not putting body weight on the bike as it goes up the ramp. It's an easy way to crack plastics or scrape exhausts. If you're loading into a truck, be creative in where you load/unload. On a steep driveway, you can back the truck up to the curb and end up with a very small difference in height between the tailgate and the driveway. On uneven ground, you can put your truck's rear tires at a low point and set the ramp on a high point. You get the idea. Spare yourself the struggle.

MudIslandMemphis

I ride my polaris sportsman 500 up mine with ramps, no issues (yet)...its 750 pounds plus me at 200 pounds.

BadFish523

I've rode countless four wheelers into the back of many different trucks. Never removed a tailgate and never had a problem. I also agree get creative when loading. I know it wont work for a street bike but ditches work great for four wheelers and dirt bikes. Usually you can almost get a level ride right into the back of the truck.

skeelo

+1.

Never had an issue loading wheelers and even a small rise will help take some of the angle out of the ramp incline and make loading much easier.

kbroderick

As long as you can reach both sides of the handlebars, the best way to maintain control while rolling back down the back is to kill the engine with the bike in gear and slip the clutch. On my bike, I can do that easily enough by popping the clutch with the front brake firmly held (and being ready for the quick jerk of power); YMMV, and it's certainly easier if you're not halfway up when you need to kill the engine.

(I've loaded my 1150 in and out of a box van on the furniture ramp by riding it up and then backing it out...the latter went slightly astray when I managed to roll the front wheel off the ramp and had the bike sitting across the ramp on its skid plate, but at least it wasn't a YouTube-worthy fail. If you can actually reach the handlebars throughout the process rather than being too short to do so, it helps, too; I can't roll down while seated because I have to choose between having two big toes down or getting one foot down, Captain-Morgan-style).

D2Abbott

Was curious about the gates weight limit myself but I know I've had 3 adults sitting on the gate before without issue.

Hiw about those tie down locations? Any issue with those ripping out? That's on my mind every time I crank down on the forks of one of my motorcycles.

dlbb

use a chain between the tie downs. makes it so you can strap and secure at any point. also distributes the pull between all 4 points.