let's talk ramps!

TCD · 11-06-2003, 10:54 PM

and all i could find were chain's threads on the ohio steel ramps!

i've looked around a bit but i'd like to see what everyone is using and get tips on what i should look for. any thoughts on the ramps at discount ramps? i'm thinking light, foldable, curved, and long enough to get it into my truck (4x4) without scraping lowers. thanks for any help in advance!

sportbiker929 · 11-06-2003, 11:11 PM

ramps

G-Force Junkie · 11-07-2003, 2:06 AM

8' Oxlite, they make a folding one.

Chain · 11-07-2003, 8:46 AM

Quote:

TCD : i'm thinking light, foldable, curved, and long enough to get it into my truck (4x4) without scraping lowers.

Sounds like a product brochure description of the Ohio Steel jobbies I've got.

sportbiker929 · 11-07-2003, 8:51 AM

I have these.

Its a good deal, cause ya get two.

SuperDave · 11-07-2003, 9:06 AM

Quote:

sportbiker929 : I have these.

Its a good deal, cause ya get two.

Those seem a little steep (angle wise). I went the poor man's way and bought treated (4) 1X12's and added non skid to the boards. Bought the ramp kit (alum. plates bolted to ends of board to sit on tailgate). Stack them on one side of bed when transporting. I think the total was $100. They're some hassle loading and unloading (heavy). I went 8' long but if I did it again I'd go 10'. I like those 10' ones on that site you linked, not bad for $500.

Serial Thriller · 11-07-2003, 9:09 AM

Based on the pics, I think sportbiker929 and Chain have the same ramps as I do. I don't know how yall load your bikes, but IMO those ramps are too steep to load a bike into a fullsize truck by yourself on flat ground.
If anyone wants mine I'll give you a good deal on them.

sportbiker929 · 11-07-2003, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Serial Thriller : Based on the pics, I think sportbiker929 and Chain have the same ramps as I do. *I don't know how yall load your bikes, but IMO those ramps are too steep to load a bike into a fullsize truck by yourself on flat ground.
If anyone wants mine I'll give you a good deal on them.

If you use both and have the motor running. Have the bike on one and you on the other. Walk it up slowly.
Mitch
Haven't tried it, but it sounds like it would work??

Serial Thriller · 11-07-2003, 9:23 AM

I think that's what Chain does, but it doesn't work for me. It's no problem if I have someone else handy, or an incline. But on my flat driveway I think I need a longer ramp to easily load the bike by myself.
But it's not really a problem; I've only hauled the bike one time anyway. I don't do trackdays, so I'll just ride it wherever I need to take it.

SilverBullet · 11-07-2003, 9:38 AM

I had an Oxlite also. Probably the 8' one that folded in half. 1000 lb weight capacity. I used it with my Tacamo 4X4. I drove the bike up and rode it down using the brake and clutch. Worked great! I would suggest the curved one though. If I couldn't put the ramp over the curb, I had to stand up for the lowest point of the bottom to not snag a little.

EatnAsphalt · 11-07-2003, 10:17 PM

I use the 10' long, arched folding ramps that Ramp Master sells.

Even if you don't by a ramp from Ramp Master, they have a handy length calculator. You input your bike's ground clearance, height of your truck and it tells you what length you'll need.

They work great. *I just use the 2 outer ramps (3 ramp set) and walk the bike up (bike running, clutching it) and back down. *I have a tall van and these work really well. *Very stable. *All aluminum so no rust worries.

Red Rider · 11-07-2003, 11:54 PM

Check out your local Sam's Club or Costco. I bought a nice ramp (can't remember which store) for about $50 that worked great. Gave it to NinerPilot when I got an enclosed trailer with a ramp door. Definitely make sure whatever you get is arched othewise your lower fairing will catch.

Chain · 11-08-2003, 8:03 AM

I RIDE mine up, just for the record. Make sure you have tie-downs securing the ramps to the truck though. Works like a charm once you get used to it.

TCD · 11-22-2003, 11:41 PM

thanks for all of your replies everyone! it looks like i will be getting this one:

http://www.motorcycleramps.com/mf11014-1.jpg

it's 14" wide and 100" long. hopefully it won't be too difficult to load. i'm used to a 4' wide ramp that i could ride up and walk down.

Northy · 11-23-2003, 12:30 AM

Which ramp is that?

I'm also in the market for a ramp. I like the ramp master the best, but it's pricey.

TCD · 11-23-2003, 1:23 PM

Here's the link for that ramp. just scroll down to the section that says:

Quote:

MF-10014 One 100"folding arched ramp for loading motorcycles on 2wd & 4x4 trucks

.

TCD · 11-23-2003, 1:25 PM

i may have to do more shopping. that 102" rampmaster looks pretty good.

EatnAsphalt · 11-23-2003, 2:43 PM

That ramp looks just like Ramp Master's ramps. I wonder if they manufacture them for that company?

TCD, how tall of a vehicle are you loading into? The extra length will make it easier to load and unload. Ramp master has a calculator for figuring out what length you need.

Northy · 11-23-2003, 4:11 PM

It does look just like the ramp master.

TCD · 11-23-2003, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EatnAsphalt
TCD, how tall of a vehicle are you loading into? The extra length will make it easier to load and unload. Ramp master has a calculator for figuring out what length you need.

i just measured the tailgate at just under 3' (~35"). i'm not sure what the ground clearance or wheelbase of my bike is for that calculator. i guesstimated and it told be to get the 110" one.

TCD · 11-23-2003, 10:19 PM

from suzuki's website:

2002 sv650:

Ground Clearance: 140 mm (5.5 in.)
Wheelbase: 1430 mm (56.3 in.)

with the bed height of 35 in the rampmaster calculator suggested the 102" one. i'm thinking that i will be OK with the 100" model? i guess it wouldn't hurt to get the 110" one for that extra bit of wiggle room.

EatnAsphalt · 11-23-2003, 10:30 PM

I've got the 10' folding ramps Ramp Master sells. I'm at about 40" to the inside of my van and they work good. They sit flat, but I probably could have used 8' ones just as easy. The extra length helps though, reduces the incline if you have the extra room to store them.

Bacchus · 11-23-2003, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chain
I RIDE mine up, just for the record.

TCD · 11-24-2003, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EatnAsphalt
I'm at about 40" to the inside of my van and they work good.

?!

is that the height of your van? that sounds like you have lifted it quite a bit! am i reading this correctly?

EatnAsphalt · 11-24-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TCD
?!

is that the height of your van? that sounds like you have lifted it quite a bit! am i reading this correctly?

It's a custom cargo size (Uhaul shape) van.

ULEWZ · 12-05-2003, 10:57 PM

I needed a motorcycle ramp fast today, so I went to Loe's home improvement center and they had ramps for sale (Home Depot doesn't sell them). I picked up an 8 foot folding aluminium ramp for $79 (lawnmower section). I don't think the price was too bad and it comes with a safety strap. They had a steel one for $49, but it looked cheap. JM2C