I will be loading a Honda 1000 rice rocket on my short bed 2500. The bike is 8ft long from the very front of the tires to the very back of the tires. So obviously I will need to have it one with my tailgate open. Anyone know how to secure these things. I've never done bikes before. TIA

 

Its been along time since I tied one down. Get some soft ties and you might have to remove some fiberglass. Get a long curved ramp or it will bottom out.

 

I learned a trick from a friend of mine a while ago. When you get the bike in the truck have someone hold it straight up and measure a spot under the frame to the truck bed. Cut some wood blocking to a dimension 1/2" shorter than the measurement and about two feet long. Place the blocking under the frame then using four ratchet straps pull the bike down snug on the blocking. Secure the blocking so it cannot work its way out from under the bike. With the ratchet straps tight and the blocking under the bike it has no where to go and bumps will not affect it. Also do not tie of to the handelbars or anything else that may be rubber mounted as it will ruin the mounts and give you a spongey tie off.

Cappy.

 

I just secure both side of the handle bars at their attachment points (or as close to it) with ratchet straps, compressing the front shocks about 1/2 the way. I then run a strap around the back tire to keep it from walking. (You're going to have to leave the tailgate down.)

 

I've used one of these Baxley Sport bike wheel chock's on my trailer to hold my Suzuki. It also works in the bed of a truck. If you've got a 4x4 I would expect your biggest pain is to find a long enough ramp or a place that you can roll the bike easily and safely into the bed.

http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Sportchock.html

The only straps I used were on the side's from the rear pegs tending forward to hold side-to-side movement. Carried it like this last summer for almost a couple thousand miles. No Canyon Dancers, etc. needed.

Edit: Here's a ZX-9 in the back of a truck:
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Image...ock-zx9pup.jpg

 

are you wanting to keep it from being stolen? or just keep it in the bed while driving?
The ratchet straps will work for keeping it from moving, for keeping someone from moving it. I use a 1/2" rubber coated cable and a pad lock to the tie down points.

 

i strap the bars down, and have someone compress them SLIGHTLY to keep tension on them when the wieght of the bike bounces over bumps.

you can pull the strap back through the circle of the eye hook to make a "soft loop" (play it with it on the couch for a while, or ask a boy scout)

i have someone sit on the bike (normal ride height) and run a strap from the rear tie downs, across the seat (maybe put a towel under it) and that keeps the rear end from walking.

so some research on bike forums:

http://www.v-rodforums.com/forums/sh...&highlight=tie

 

My friend bought a bike about 250 miles away and wanted me to get it for him, so I am trying to figure out a way to load that bike on my trailer. All I need to do is secure it so it doesnt fall or move around....etc. I am NOT worried about someone steeling it b/c I will NOT be leaving my truck unattended

 

Also, our beds have those 4(on each corner) hooks that are kind of small for a bigger to get through there, where on the truck to you hook the thing up?

 

GMD/Computrack had always warned not to secure a motorcycle by the front wheel, but MAN, it's a pain to strap it down without compressing the suspension/chocking the front tire.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to strap my new bike down in the bed of my truck with my toolbox on there.. seems like the straps will be pulling up on the toolbox?

 

http://www.all-lifts.com/hoistrings.htm

We use these on our equipment in place of lift eyes. You could try something like that with a backing plate under the bed. you can place them along the bed where you need them and they only protrude an inch or so depending on how heavy you go.

 

we've tied plenty of bikes to the OEM black things in the bed.

my v-rod rode in there couple times, no problems.
a bike only weighs ~700lbs, figure if you use all 4 tie downs, that's maybe 250lbs each when you hit a bump and it surges.

you are overthinking it (i've been there) just strap it in by bars, one over rear,
go few miles, check it, it will usually bounce & settle in the first few miles.

go few more, check it,
then it will be ok

 

I move allot of motorcycles.....use ratcheting tie downs with soft ties......I try to tie the fronts down on the forks rather then the handlebars then ratchet the forks down to stop the bounce....tie the rear down at the lower swing arms this allows the bike to move free but the bike will not move

Remember to not tie the bike down with the kickstand under load it will bend the kickstand.....I ratchet the bike down so the kickstand is free to move

 

By far the best tool for tieing sportbikes down is a Canyon Dancer handlebar harness:
http://www.canyondancer.com/
Run one strap from each end of the handlebar harness to the front tie downs, then you can run one strap from one back corner, through the back tire, then to the other corner. Use racket straps for everything, cams tend to come loose!

 

Ditto! That the way I always do it......But one saftey addition......Block the front wheel side to side..so it can't turn or slide out from under itself....(had it happen!)...it will never get away!