Transporting a 2007 VFR 800

Discussion in 'New Riders' started by Trakrat, Apr 17, 2018.

  1. Trakrat

    Trakrat New Member

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    Well it finally happened! I bagged my 6th gen and I'm excited as can be to go pick her up. I'm in the San Antonio area and Have to get her from Austin (yes i'm going to the race this weekend!).
    So a friend has offered to drive me up and transport her back on the back of his pick up which is a GMC small pick up truck. Since its been a long while since I rode, I took him up on the offer. We will be going tomorrow. Does anyone have tips for transporting in a pick up? I figured i would get a set of ramps from Lowes (1200 lb capacity) and tie downs. Slow roll home.
    Thoughts?
    Pic of bike is now in my avatar. I'll load more soon.
     
  2. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Use a ditch, loading-ramp, or other way to bring the tailgate down closer to the ground when loading and unloading the bike. I always swear by a Canyon Dancer type tie-down to use for the main handlebar securing. Bring some microfiber towels to wrap around anywhere where a strap may touch a panel and/or painted surface. Just remember, when you think you have enough tie-downs, add two more. In absence of a front wheel chock, I try to secure the front wheel to the front of the bed to keep the wheel straight. If you cannot close the tailgate, use one or two tie-downs across the back to help keep the bike from rolling backwards and help further stabilize. Just take it easy around corners, no abrupt stops, check straps are tight at each opportunity, and you're golden.

    http://www.canyondancer.com/
     
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  3. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Straps on front end should pull bike forward and down. Tighten so front suspension is partly compressed, not all the way.
    Back end tie down is secondary, maybe connect to passenger peg holders. Loading and unloading is the tricky part.
     
  4. Trakrat

    Trakrat New Member

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    Wow I didnt even know canyon dance bar harness existed! I'll try stopping a cycle shop on the way. You think a bike dealer or cycle gear will have them?
    Definitely eyeing a small elevated area to back the truck up to. Luckily the sellers house has an elevated embankment. We thought of driving to a loading dock also if we saw one near the house. I didn't think of getting the microfiber clothes so thats good. The unloading near my house has a little elevated dip down the road. Just a little concerned about the load/unload like you said, but I think we'll get it right.
     
  5. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    That helps. The worst part is going from ground level to 2 feet higher at truck bed level.
    One person steers and one or more push. Just run it up and in without stopping, stay on the ramp.
    I have unloaded by myself a time or 2, but better to have help.
     
  6. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    If you can have 3 people for putting into a pickup that's advised - just please don't sit on it and ride it up... there are plenty of utube video fails on that lol
     
  7. Trakrat

    Trakrat New Member

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    Thanks to everyone for your input!. She's home safely!
    The owner suggested getting a uhaul trailer if we had a truck... Don't know why that didn't come to my mind initially. In any case the trailer was great and with the bar harness it was smooth on/off and driving home. BTW the trailer was $25 for one day with tax and insurance lol. Best $25 I spent that day and I STRONGLY recommend it! It is specific for bikes and has a notch to hold the front wheel. If you can find a Canyon Dancer bar harness it is perfect. The dealer didn't have that brand and I had to use BikeMasters bar harness, but it doesn't have the bar end caps so it pulled on the spongy handgrips the own has on it. THe bar end caps on the Canyon Dancer prevent that from happening. But there was no damage to the grips or anything on the bike with the harness. So, All you need is a bar harness (and tie downs), which I bought at a bike dealer on the way (I called ahead to be sure they had one).
     
  8. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Great news boss! Glad your baby is home safely.
     
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  9. Trakrat

    Trakrat New Member

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    She's all warm and cuddly! We danced for hours in the moonlight when we got home! Hehehehe!
     
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