Dirtbikes

[Southern_Trendkill]

Has anyone tried to carry one in a ranger with a 6 foot bed? I was just wondering what you used to keep it secure. I'd rather not drill any holes in the bed if at all possible, but I don't want the bike falling out the back either.

 

[Nipplechops]

I carry three regularily. Two in forwards, one in backards.

Regardless of whether you are carrying one or more, always turn the front wheel into a corner at the front of the bed. It is a lot more secure (and will keep the bulkhead from bending into the cab) than mashing the front wheel into the center of the bulkhead, and if you kick the rear wheel to the opposite corner, you can close your tailgate too (if there is only one in the bed). I've never understood why people like to cinch them down with the front wheel mashed against the weakest point of the bed.

 

[svtranger04]

i carry my DR650 straight in the bed, two clam lock tie downs to the stake pockets. have to leave the tail gate down though. If im going long distance i will either use two more tie downs on the rear hand holds forward to the same stake pockets or to the tonnaue rail clamps. Always remember to leave the bike in gear!

Because my bike is large/ top heavy i dont like to angle it in to the bed.

If i have to take more than one i use my trailer. ive got a 3 place bike hauler and a 10ft Tractor supply co. utility trailer.

 

[91redneckranger]

I normally haul my yfz450 and a Crf450 in the back of mine....i typically just anchor the bike to my quad...only because i know there is no way in hell that little bike is gonna pull my quad out of the bed...ill have to get a pic sometime....

but as for going corner to corner....do it...thats your best bet...you should be able to get the gate shut...if not.....get a friend or two to shoulder block it with you....ive found that works...

good luck =)

 

[94STXRanger]

I put mine in at an angle and strap it down from corner to corner, never moves.

 

[BeaterMan]

yea when i take my yz250 byself, i put it corner to corner and use ratching straps to make sure that SOB wont go anywhere. i've had 2 in there many a time and just put them in straight with the wheels towards the front corners with the tail gate down. sometimes i put a strap over the rear wheels so they wont hop aroung when i driving down washboards. i have even found i can put 2 in my 85' long bed (7ft?) with the tail gate up.

 

[rboyer]

I used to frequently haul a Yamaha Blaster and RM250 in the back of my Ranger. I just strapped them both together and then strapped them to the truck. With my light bar in the back there isn't enough room to do that anymore though. I had a CR250 in my truck a couple of times before by itself and I usually just strap it by the bars. Now I use trailers to haul that kind of stuff because it's so much easier when you're working with something that's lower to the ground.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Well since I am just getting into the sport, and I use my roommates TTR 125 which is a small bike, I have just put it straight in and I can close the tailgate. When I went with my gf who has a Honda 200 I just put them both straight in but had to leave the tailgate down because her bike is longer.

 

[rurouni20xx]

putting the bike in the bed straight and binding the front end down (pulling the forks down) shortens the front fork seals life. get a forksaver or make one (something to go between the front tire and lower triple clamp) then vise your straps down. ive caddycornered a few bikes and that works fine, just dont throw a strap over the seat as this will tear the seat. i personally wrap a strap around the rear rim and strap it to the rear, and this also helps as a tailband to help keep my gas cans and toolbox in place. another thing you could do (i dont know about rangers but you can look it up) is a handy bed extender rack.

 

[milje]

I drive my bike into the center of my bed, and strap it to the corners of the bed. Been doing this for 7 years, once down to Kentucky and back. My dad has been doing it since the 70's. Never had a bike move.

 

[dogboy]

I usually have to put 2-3 bikes in mine when I load up. I have a 2x4 that is cut so that I can slide it into the pockets (if you want to call them that) at the front of the bed, and since it sits halfway up the bed, the tires just push on that, and not the front of the bed.


I don't mean to jack the thread, but redneckranger, do you fit your quad and bike in the bed well, or is it pretty tight, or what? I might need to do that soon, but wasn't sure if they would both fit (I have a CR125, but I'm not sure what the quad is, I know it is a sport style quad though).

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

So you just use the stake points, or do you have to put additional cleats down on the floor?

 

[marc11]

putting the bike in the bed straight and binding the front end down (pulling the forks down) shortens the front fork seals life.

That is a myth. I have been strapping bikes down, dirt and street for near 20 years anywhere from a few ours to a few days, never blew a fork seal. There is no more or less pressure in the forks whether compressed or not. The damping comes from the valve openings, once the oil flows it flows, doesn't matter, the spring is what is putting the rebound pressure. Several MC mags have backed this up.

Now the fork saver is handy in that you can strap the front down tighted without having to pull the front end down and requiring long straps, other than that, you will not blow a fork seal by strapping it down.

 

[rurouni20xx]

explain why i rebuild so many forks that have never seen track use just strapped the piss out of. a guy around here has 4 bikes, carries two to the track w/ him every time, but only rides one of them. he usually brings the one that he almost never rides to the shop for seals and always bitches cuz he hardly rides it and has put 4 sets of seals in the bike. i suggested a fork saver and he hasnt been back since for seals, just routine maintenance.

 

[swamprat]

explain why i rebuild so many forks that have never seen track use just strapped the piss out of. a guy around here has 4 bikes, carries two to the track w/ him every time, but only rides one of them. he usually brings the one that he almost never rides to the shop for seals and always bitches cuz he hardly rides it and has put 4 sets of seals in the bike. i suggested a fork saver and he hasnt been back since for seals, just routine maintenance.

If you trail ride in sandy areas then that will shorten the life of your seals. Plus trails are rougher than tracks. If you ever rode in Livingston KY you will know what I mean.