Hauling a Motorcycle
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
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Hauling a Motorcycle
Does anyone have experience hauling a motocycle. I just purchased a 99 F150 XLT Ext cab. I want to haul a Honda Valkyrie which is 850lbs and is 8 feet in total length. It will be a tight fit since the bed length is 6 ft. I'll need to leave the tail gate down. Any suggestions?
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Calgary, Oilberta
Use 4 good quality tie-downs (2000 lbs or better) - two for the front and two for the back. Connect the tie-downs to the truck anchor points. Put the bike in with the front wheel against the cab.
Usually the best place on the bike to connect the front tie-downs is the steering head and the rears on the frame rail near the seat.
Compress the bike springs completely by pushing down on the suspension while tightening the tie-downs (this is much easier if you drain any air from the suspension first). When you are done the bike should be completely solid with no suspension movement possible.
On a big bike which sticks above the top of the cab, it might also be a good idea to remove the windshield since it will get blasted when you are driving.
Ian
Usually the best place on the bike to connect the front tie-downs is the steering head and the rears on the frame rail near the seat.
Compress the bike springs completely by pushing down on the suspension while tightening the tie-downs (this is much easier if you drain any air from the suspension first). When you are done the bike should be completely solid with no suspension movement possible.
On a big bike which sticks above the top of the cab, it might also be a good idea to remove the windshield since it will get blasted when you are driving.
Ian
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You might also want to place a board across (left-to-right) your tailgate for your rear wheel to ride on. I hauled my 99 Shadow in my old Ranger with a 6' bed and it ended up bowing the tailgate slightly. I figure a board would spread the weight out across the whole tailgate, plus your Valkyrie is about 250-200 #'s heavier than my Shadow. Also, place the front wheel against the front of the box just as Ian N says, but make sure the wheel is in the lowest part of the groove in the box, this will help hold the front wheel straight.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: memphis, tn
I agree with the last post. Remove your windshield if you can. I have a detachable shield on my Heritage and the pressure against it while traveling can loosen the mounts.
Also, a trick I have been using. I haul the bike with the kickstand down. It is just as secure and much easier to unhook the tiedowns if you are by yourself.
Good luck hauling w the tailgate down. That would make me a little nervous. Went for the 8ft bed on my XLT so I could shut the gate.
Really, as strong as the tie downs are my bike has never moved while hauling and I've never had a problem.
Also, a trick I have been using. I haul the bike with the kickstand down. It is just as secure and much easier to unhook the tiedowns if you are by yourself.
Good luck hauling w the tailgate down. That would make me a little nervous. Went for the 8ft bed on my XLT so I could shut the gate.
Really, as strong as the tie downs are my bike has never moved while hauling and I've never had a problem.