Loading BMW R1100R onto Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck

[James P]

I have an BMW R1100R and just bought a 2006 Toyota Tacoma with a regular length bed (73 inches). I'd like to load my bike onto it. I've been riding for five years, so am reasonably experienced at handling the bike, but haven't been riding all my life, so don't want to attempt some things that might be beyond my capabilities.

I wanted to know:

1. If I buy a ramp, what keeps the ramp from slipping off the back of the pickup bed while loading the bike? Simply the weight of the bike?

2. The Tacoma apparently has a tailgate that can bend easily. The tailgate's removable. Any reason I shouldn't remove it?

3. I was looking at buying a 45" wide Lund tri-fold ramp (I like the width - like I say, I'm reasonably confident handling my bike, but why ride up a ramp that's a single track when you can get something with some margin for error?). Does anyone have any recommendations regarding ramps?

Any comments or other thoughts would be appreciated.

[mnnden]

James, Unlike many motorcycles, (Harley's Etc;) A BMW can be very difficult to get in a Pick-up!!! You could try and put a blindfold over the windscreen or headlight, or put a Qt. of BMW "Special Performance
Engine Lubricant SAE 20W50" on a stick and hold it in front of the bike.
Good Luck, Den

[erock1150]

Don't buy a ramp rent a low trailer and tow it with the toyota. If that won't work for you and you need it in the truck just don't try to load or unload it alone.

my $.02
erock

[SLEDGE]

erock 1150 is right NEVER alone! or crash

[leno]

First no you should have some secure fixing for the ramp, it would be very messy should the ramp move. Remember the truck has springs and the weight of the bike will move it. Then getting up the ramp might be easy but stopping in just the right place might be a trick. And finally how are you going to get it off again? I'm not saying you can not do this but a few things to think of before you try.

[Lobo1625]

James, How far off the ground is your Tailgate when it's folded down? When I loaded my R1150R into my '90 Mazda truck I used this ramp. My truck is relatively low to the ground so it was easy to drive the bike up into the bed, however if your truck sits higher you may want to back up to a curb or an inclined driveway to reduce the angle of the ramp. Any loading ramp you buy should have safety chains that hook to your truck to keep the ramp from sliding off the tailgate when you are on the ramp. They are CRITICAL if you are going to load the bike into the bed. After taking my bike to Alabama from Texas, I would have to agree with Erock1150 about using a trailer; it’s much easier on you, the bike, and the truck. Plus you have the truck shielding the bike from road grime/bugs.

[Boxer]

I did it with my 1150 on my Tacoma truck back when I carried it out to Big Bend. I bought those metal ramp ends you can attach to a 2x8 board. The kit comes with two so you can make two boards-one in the mddle for the bike and one to the left for your left foot.

You have to drill a hole in the metal ramp end right through the metal of the tailgate and a pin drops in the hole to keep the ramp from sliding off as your loading. When you're done you pull the pins out and don't lose them!

This worked fine for me and I was able to load it myself with my wife spotting me from the rear. It works better if you back up to an incline so you have a more even roll into the truck bed. A higher curb onto a grassy parking lot was sufficient at one stop. It's a little dicey going up. And you might want a thin board in front of your front wheel to protect the back of the truck cap from denting.

[Motorrad]

First off, most of the motorcycle horror stories I’ve heard involved pick-up trucks and ramps; if you can swing the cash for a trailer, you’ll eliminate a lot of anxiety.

I’ve got a full-sized GMC pickup and no trailer, so I bought four aluminum ramps (arched, to prevent the bike from bottoming out when it reaches the bed), and bolted two of them together. The ramps all have lashing straps that I attach to the bumper to keep them from sliding on slick pavement. I place the two that are bolted together in the middle of the others, for the bike, and I walk up the left ramp operating the bike, while my wife or friend walks up the right just for added stability. My tailgate supports the weight fine, but if you’re unsure, yes, you probably want to remove it and secure the ramps to the bed itself. Also, always try to park the truck down-hill of the ramps so you have the least angle of incline.

[wncbmw]

Den said:

Unlike many motorcycles, (Harley's Etc;) A BMW can be very difficult to get in a Pick-up!!! You could try and put a blindfold over the windscreen or headlight, or put a Qt. of BMW "Special Performance Engine Lubricant SAE 20W50" on a stick and hold it in front of the bike.

First a trailer thread a few weeks ago and now a truck loading thread! What is the BMW world coming too!

Loading an unbroken BMW onto a truck or trailer is something you do in private and don't talk about!

Just kidding. I had no constructive advice, so I joined in Den's fun!

[yjleesvrr]

James - Is your pickup a 4x4 or rear wheel drive?

[rph802]

A couple years ago my brother took his and his wifes F650's to FL from VT in the back of his full size Chevy pickup. Due to time constraints, there was not enough time to ride there and back, at least the way my brother would do it on a bike!! In trying to help him load the bikes back into the truck in FL, I can appreciate your problem and this was with the comparitively light F650's!!!

That ideas of using an incline and a buddy is the ideal way to go. let gravity do the hard work and a friend for safety of you and the bike!!

[JakeThePimp]

If you can park the tuck backwards in a ditch you might be able to not use any ramp at all. We used to load quads this way.

-JTP

[James P]

yjleesvrr:

My Tacoma is a 4 X 4 - i.e., it's pretty high off the ground.

Jim

[yjleesvrr]

Uh, I would then recommend as others have that you get a trailer. The loading gate is one big worry, the loading height is the other - even with others helping you. And whatever you do please do not attempt it yourself! If one of the gate hinges break, you're going to be in a world of hurt.

FYI, I have a '94 Toyota 4x2 pickup myself (soon to be replaced with a full-size 4x2 truck). While I have no problems loading my SV650 on it by myself, I'm too scared to attempt doing the same thing with my R1150R or the Harley.

[mcollect]

I have only loaded either my BMW or Moto Guzzi on a truck once each, When I bought them. I like the way described as to back up to a hill and roll the bike on. Reverse the procedure when you offload. Many years when racing WERA I saw many experienced racers dump thier bikes either loading or offloading, even with help. Either trailer or find a hill. My 2cents worth.

[jon pierce]

I took my Rockster to the post office!.................at the back of the post office is a proper loading bay they use for their delivery trucks. The height of the loading bay is exactly the same as my Nissan Titan. To the side of the loading bay is a very shallow incline ramp. Perfect!

The folks at the post office don't seem to mind and it is only half a mile from where I live. At the other end - where ever it is I might be going I believe that a few minutes investigation will yield a similar laoding bay. If you think about it they are everywhere, supermarkets, hotels, a lot of shops etc. This way you can load and unload in complete safety.

[bubbleman21]

my ford ranger is about the same as the tacoma. what i did was tie the front of the ramp to the tie-down holes in the rear/inside of the bed to keep the ramps from kicking out when i rode the bike into the bed. also, i thought the tailgate would give, but it didn't. however, if you don't trust it, remove it. to ensure that the bottom of the bike has clearance when it rolls off the ramp & into the bed, roll the front of your pickup onto the curb or some ramps which will bring the rear of the pickup lower to the ground. that reduces the steepness somewhat. & in case you didn't know, do not have the centerstand or kickstand down while in transit as they are not made for that. plus they can puncture your bed. thank you.

[marecycling]

I found an area in my yard with an incline and backed truck to it. Greatly reduces ramp angle, greatly reducing on/off loading headaches.