Will 2 bikes fit?

[Pgobie124475]

I have a R1150R they are both out of town in two different places. I am wondering if any one has put two R bikes in one pickup bed? My truck is a 3500 Dodge dually W/a long bed. Will the tailgate close?

Thanks Phil

[jono]

Here's a photo of the wif's cruiser in my longbed chevy 1500 - don't know if the bed sizes differ for the heavier duty trucks. My RS also fits. I have measured putting both in at the same time - and while by measurement they would fit - they would be VERY close. I've always opted for trailering when it's both.

[ghostridery2k]

i fit fat boy and my "z" on 99 f350 dually with 78 galon fuel tank in the bed.close but they fit.tailgate didn't close.I loose 18" of bed space with fuel tank.

[ghostridery2k]

Here's a photo of the wif's cruiser in my longbed chevy 1500 - don't know if the bed sizes differ for the heavier duty trucks. My RS also fits. I have measured putting both in at the same time - and while by measurement they would fit - they would be VERY close. I've always opted for trailering when it's both.

bed sizes are the same betwen 1500-3500 trucks.only outside fenders are wider.

[jono]

OK - the issue with the beemers are the jugs sticking so far out. Really eats up the width of the bed - and I wouldn't want them making contact (unlike handlebars).

[caper]

what the heck is a motorcycle doing in the back of a truck..the only time I can see that if it happened to break down..?

[jono]

For me it's usually either service or storage. If memory serves right, my picture of the cruiser was the day I brought it to the dealer to get the wheels replaced after the chrome failed on the original wheels. I've also used it to pick up new bikes and drop off bikes I've sold.

One day on my way home from work I stopped to help a guy broken down on the side of the road (at night). We put his bike in the truck and I took him home with the bike so he could work on it there rather than by the side of the road.

[cruisin]

Seeing the pic of the cruiser in a long bed should confirm there is plenty of length for an R----R since the R1200C has one of the longest wheel bases and overall length among beemers. The next hurdle would be setting them side-by-side with the width of the jugs being what they are. The solution to that would be pretty easy; set one of them in facing backwards. Of course you would want to remove any type of windscreen on the one in backwards to prevent possible stress fracture or breaking due to the force of wind hitting the back side of the screen. I would also recommend strapping them down "off" the side stand. In other words have the stands up and strap the bikes so they are as near vertical as you can get them. Make sure the forks are only slightly compressed (maybe a third of the way down) to keep the straps tight so that severe bumps could not cause them to compress enough to release. Unfortunately that was lesson learned a l o n g time ago with less than pleasant results for my bike. :doh

[jono]

Not sure if it's a safety thing or just a personal quirk - but I can't bring myself to back a bike into a truck - I feel way more comfortable backing out a bike using the brakes to slow the descent. I've tried the other way a couple times and felt like a slide on the ramp would be a disaster.

[osbornk]

Not sure if it's a safety thing or just a personal quirk - but I can't bring myself to back a bike into a truck - I feel way more comfortable backing out a bike using the brakes to slow the descent. I've tried the other way a couple times and felt like a slide on the ramp would be a disaster.


I know I couldn't do it. As Clint Eastwood said "A man has got to know his limitations"

[Pgobie124475]

As for why in the truck; The R1150R is in Charlotte and the R1100R is in LA. I will be taking my Air stream out west in May and considering leaving both bikes west for a while. I live in Miami where the riding basically sucks so I have started leaving them out of town so I can fly and ride. I will be bringing the one home from Charlotte and I guess I can borrow a buddy's to see if they will fit when I get it here. I was just hoping someone had tried it to help my planning now and save some hassle. Thanks for the input. This is my 1st time posting on the forum. sounds like a good resource I will be reading and watching more in the future.

Phil

[cruisin]

Not sure if it's a safety thing or just a personal quirk - but I can't bring myself to back a bike into a truck - I feel way more comfortable backing out a bike using the brakes to slow the descent. I've tried the other way a couple times and felt like a slide on the ramp would be a disaster.

So -- you don't tie your ramp to the vehicle in any way? Although less likely to slide going backwards, it could still happen. One of the first things I learned about loading bikes in pick-ups way back in 1970, was to lash the ramp to the bumper of the truck to prevent any movement as a bike or bikes were being loaded or unloaded. Found that 1/4" cord is far cheaper than repairs needed after dropping a bike when a ramp slipped. Also found out pretty early on that loading and unloading alone is not something wanted to do. :scratch Next question; is there some reason you don't feel comfortable using the brakes going the other direction? (or is that related to the ramp movement too?) Not trying to argue, just want to understand. :dunno

[jono]

My ramp has a cable that holds the ramp to the truck. I'm not worried about the ramp moving - it's the bike sliding that concerns me. I have backed bikes down the ramp and had them slip a few inches and it's not been a big deal - modulating the brake has brought the slip under control and I've been able to keep the bike under control due to my position holding the handlebars and bracing my body agains the side of the bike with the bike facing "uphill".

Front wheel first is much more awkward (at least for me) and although it's never slid - I'm guessing the front tire sliding versus the rear tire will be much more difficult to control. I have sometimes found an incline where the ramp is almost level - which makes the bike really easy to load or unload - but at the dealer it's very flat and the ramp is at a pretty steep angle. At times I've had the help of two techs from the shop and three people definitely make a difference for keeping the bike under control.

Back to the original question - although it's likely the bikes can be made to "fit", I also believe two bikes in the bed will make it a) very difficult to tie down the two bikes, b) will be difficult to keep the two bikes from contacting each other and c) leave very little room for people moving around positioning the bikes.

[cruisin]

My ramp has a cable that holds the ramp to the truck. I'm not worried about the ramp moving - it's the bike sliding that concerns me. I have backed bikes down the ramp and had them slip a few inches and it's not been a big deal - modulating the brake has brought the slip under control and I've been able to keep the bike under control due to my position holding the handlebars and bracing my body agains the side of the bike with the bike facing "uphill".

Front wheel first is much more awkward (at least for me) and although it's never slid - I'm guessing the front tire sliding versus the rear tire will be much more difficult to control. I have sometimes found an incline where the ramp is almost level - which makes the bike really easy to load or unload - but at the dealer it's very flat and the ramp is at a pretty steep angle. At times I've had the help of two techs from the shop and three people definitely make a difference for keeping the bike under control.

Back to the original question - although it's likely the bikes can be made to "fit", I also believe two bikes in the bed will make it a) very difficult to tie down the two bikes, b) will be difficult to keep the two bikes from contacting each other and c) leave very little room for people moving around positioning the bikes.


got it, the only thing that still doesn't add up for me is the slipping with the front tire going out first. Wouldn't that simulate the greater downward forces on the front experienced during normal braking, therfore giving the front more traction than when backing the bike out which makes the front then become like the back? I agree though that it would be a more awkward position and that two bikes would be very crowded in the back of a pick-up. A much better choice would be a two or three-rail bike trailer, but that may not be an option for the orginal poster here. :dunno

[jono]

got it, the only thing that still doesn't add up for me is the slipping with the front tire going out first. Wouldn't that simulate the greater downward forces on the front experienced during normal braking, therfore giving the front more traction than when backing the bike out which makes the front then become like the back? I agree though that it would be a more awkward position and that two bikes would be very crowded in the back of a pick-up. A much better choice would be a two or three-rail bike trailer, but that may not be an option for the orginal poster here. :dunno
I can't say my fear is rational. I've had two "drops" loading/unloading bikes so I guess I'm a bit paranoid. :cry

[rt1to3]

Took two bikes to National in West Bend. Friend put a tire frame on front to secure both front tires. This looks like the letter U with the ends bent over to attach to the trailer and the curved part of the U holds the front tire securely. Then used straps to secure the front tires to the front of the trailer. Next step was to cross tie down straps on each bike. Our bikes are secured in this pattern and do not move. Be sure to get the heavier tie down straps. You can also use them to stabilize the rear tires on each machine. Between my trucker son-in-law and my friend I have traveled all over the US & Canada with two bikes depending on the situation.:bikes

[SCQTT]

Wow we are all over the place and missing the point.

Yes, they will fit length wise, one or two :doh
Tailgate down in a short 6.5' bed
Tailgate up in long 8.0' bed

I think the real question was side by side will two bikes fit. I do not think they will.
I have had three dirtbikes in the rear of a full size truck, but they are narrow and it does not matter if they touch a little.

It is possible you could get an R bike and some onther very narrow bike in there side by side, but it would be close.

The comment about tying the bike "up" so they are not on the side stand?

THERE IS NEVER A REASON TO TIE YOUR BIKES DOWN WHILE THEY ARE ON THE SIDE STAND.

[cruisin]

The comment about tying the bike "up" so they are not on the side stand?

THERE IS NEVER A REASON TO TIE YOUR BIKES DOWN WHILE THEY ARE ON THE SIDE STAND.

Quite true, but you'd be surprised at many people still think that is the way it's done and there's no convincing them otherwise.