How to load a heavy motorcycle on your own

Loading a bagger or touring bike of 350 kg or more into a pickup, van or RV is one of the most stressful parts of any motorcycle trip, especially when there is nobody to help. This guide explains why loading a heavy motorcycle on your own is difficult, what to check before you start, how to make a conventional ramp safer, and how a powered ramp lets one person load a motorcycle of up to 550 kg (1,200 lbs) without pushing it uphill.

Why loading a heavy motorcycle alone is hard

With a conventional aluminium ramp you push or ride the motorcycle up an incline. The heavier the bike and the higher the loading height of your vehicle, the steeper that incline and the more force you need. Halfway up you cannot stop to rest, the bike can roll back, and at the top it has to cross from the ramp onto the cargo bed, where the underside or the exhaust can hit the edge. On your own there is nobody to catch the bike if it starts to lean, and that is how motorcycles get dropped and backs get hurt.

Before you start: a checklist

• Know the weight of your motorcycle, its wheelbase and the width of the rear tire.
• Measure the loading height of your vehicle, from the ground to the top of the cargo bed or floor.
• Measure the length of the cargo bed with the tailgate down, or the floor length of your van.
• Park on firm, level ground with enough space behind the vehicle for the ramp and the motorcycle.
• Have ratchet straps ready and check that the tie-down points of your vehicle are in good condition.
• Wear gloves and sturdy shoes, and keep children and bystanders away while loading.

Tips for loading with a conventional ramp

If you load with a regular aluminium ramp, these tips reduce the risk:

• Use the longest ramp that fits: a longer ramp gives a gentler loading angle.
• Secure the ramp to the vehicle with its safety strap so it cannot slide off.
• Make sure the ramp is rated for the weight of your motorcycle, plus your own weight if you walk on it.
• Ask a second person to help. With a heavy motorcycle, loading on your own with a push ramp is not recommended.
• Strap the motorcycle down as soon as it is in the vehicle, before you let go of the handlebars.

Loading on your own with a powered ramp

A powered ramp takes the pushing out of loading. With a Neo-Dyne AUN ramp it works like this:

1. Tilt the ramp down to the ground with a standard 18V cordless drill.
2. Roll the front wheel into the wheel chock while you are still on level ground. You never push the bike uphill.
3. Strap the motorcycle in. The tie-down T-bar secures the bike without putting extra load on the front forks.
4. Let the ramp lift the motorcycle with the cordless drill. The self-locking worm drive holds the load exactly where it is whenever you stop.
5. PowerTilt brings the ramp to horizontal while it is still outside the vehicle, so the motorcycle is level before it rolls in. This also works in tight spaces such as a standard van or the garage of an RV.
6. To unload, follow the same steps in reverse.

This way a motorcycle can be loaded in less than two minutes.

Important: use a standard cordless drill with 120 Nm of torque in the lowest gear. Never use an impact driver or hammer drill, as they will damage the worm drive. If your drill battery runs flat, you can still operate the ramp with a ratchet or crank, only more slowly.

Which ramp fits your vehicle?

• The AUN 110 for compact vans.
• The AUN 210 for full-size pickups and vans with a loading height of up to 900 mm (35").
• The AUN 150 for short-bed pickups with a high loading height.
• The folding AUN 250, which lets you close the tailgate of a short-bed pickup with the ramp inside.

For lifted trucks and 4x4s, the AC-001 extender raises the loading height to 1300 mm (51"). Do you drive a short-bed pickup? Read our page motorcycle ramp for short-bed trucks. Is your motorcycle lighter than 300 kg (660 lbs)? Then the Alien Ramp is an interesting, budget-friendly alternative: see www.alienramp.com.

Still deciding between a ramp and a trailer? Read our comparison powered ramp, aluminium ramp or trailer.

Frequently asked questions

Can one person load a 400 kg bagger?

Yes. Neo-Dyne AUN ramps lift motorcycles of up to 550 kg (1,200 lbs), including heavy baggers, touring bikes and cruisers. Professional haulers use them to load Harley-Davidson baggers several times a day.

Do I need to install anything in my vehicle?

There is no wiring, battery or hydraulic pump to install. With the AC-012 boltless attachment kit and standard ratchet straps on the tie-downs of your cargo bed, you install or remove the ramp in minutes, without drilling.

Does it work in a van or RV?

Yes. Because the ramp tilts level while it is still outside the vehicle, it also works in tight spaces such as a standard van or the garage of an RV.

Which motorcycles can I load?

Any motorcycle up to 550 kg / 1,200 lbs with a wheelbase up to 2000 mm (79") and a rear tire up to 300 mm wide.

Which ramp do I need?

That depends on your vehicle, its loading height and the length of the cargo bed. Use the Ramp Selector for an instant recommendation, or contact our team.

Load your motorcycle without help

Find the right ramp for your vehicle with the Ramp Selector, compare all models on the ramps page or request a quote.