Motorcycle Ramps: Transport Your Bike with Ease This Season + Tips for Safe Storage
Riding a motorcycle can be one of the most exhilarating experiences ever. But, as you probably know, it’s also a lot of hard work. Not only do you need to master riding the powerful engine, but you also need to invest time and effort into proper care to keep your bike intact. It’s that time of year again when motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs start to come out of hibernation. With the warmer weather upon us, it is essential to be prepared for any terrain your motorcycle may encounter on a ride.
Why You Need a Ramp?
We’ve all heard the horror stories about bikes being dropped on their side, or worse yet, completely destroyed during transportation, and no motorcycle owner needs that type of pain in their life. In order to avoid that situation altogether, you should consider investing in a good motorcycle ramp.
Motorcycle ramps are the best option for transporting your bike from one place to another. Their sole purpose is to safely and efficiently mount your bike onto a truck, trailer, or even a pickup. Before you go out and buy the first ramp you see, here’s a quick guide for them so you can learn which one is right for you and your motorcycle.
Types of Motorcycle Ramps
Motorcycle ramps are aluminium or steel-made structures designed to load bikes into other vehicles for transportation. This structure makes sure your bike is fastened tightly and secure to the car in order to prevent any damage during the relocation process.
Many factors go into choosing the perfect ramp. Some of those include what type and size will work best for your motorcycle, as well as safety concerns like ease-of-use or weight limitations on vehicles used to transport them around. There are many designs and variations of these ramps, but the three primary styles include the following.
Single Runner Style
This style is best recommended for smaller motorcycles or dirt bikes. Single runners are foldable, and they do not support a lot of weight. Therefore it is not advised to ride your bike to mount it to the vehicle. These ramps can be easily stored away and quickly assembled when needed.
Bi-fold Style
As the name suggests, this ramp folds in half and works best for generic motorcycles. The bi-fold ramp has enough space for a spotter to mount it, making it easier to load your bike on the vehicle. This type of ramp provides better support than the single runner and is more durable in the long run.
Tri-fold Style
These ramps are the ideal option for large and heavy motorcycles. The tri-fold ramps open up to larger widths and are sturdy enough for you to ride up your motorbike on it safely. This will allow for complete control over the vehicle as you mount it to the transportation device.
Plate and Rung Styles
Motorbike ramps also come in a plate or rung style. Plate style ramps are more solid and have a textured surface to add grip and friction. The most remarkable aspect of these ramps is their element of stability for the bike and yourself as you walk on it, but they tend to be bulkier and more challenging to store. On the other side, rung-style ramps are more lightweight and come in versatile styles and shapes. These ramps have small gaps for the tires to grip, but their lighter nature makes them less balanced and needs to be fastened using tie-downs.
No matter what type you choose, it’s essential to ensure they get this task done right and lower the chances of incidents during the process. Disregard the aesthetic of the ramp, and opt for sturdier, durable, and quality-made ones. This will be essential to both your and your bikes’ well-being.
When buying a ramp, also take into consideration are there any other accessories needed to fix it to your vehicle or if your transportation device is even compatible with it. Although most trucks support motorbike ramps, thoroughly examine where you will be placing the ramp and precisely measure the height and width. This will be your buying guide for the ideal motorcycle amp.
Tips for Safe Storage
When motorcycle season ends, it is time to get your motorcycle out of the garage and into storage. Putting away your bike for the winter can be tricky—you want to make sure that you take all of the proper precautions so that nothing happens to your bike while it is stored.
After enjoying your ride for so long, it might be the best time to get your motorcycle out of sight during the colder months, but it can also be a little daunting. The good news is that there are plenty of motorcycle storage tips and tricks that will make this process go smoothly.
Purchasing a bike is pretty expensive, so you should take every precaution needed to avoid damage when it comes time to store it. First, you need to pick a warm and dry environment to place it in and then start prepping the bike for winter.
After you place it, clean the bike thoroughly from any dirt or debris. This might seem like an obvious step, but it’s a frequently overlooked one. Any dried ground or other matters will be harder to clean after months of storage, so it’s best to do it beforehand.
Next, you need to lubricate shocks and struts as well as all moving internal parts of the motorcycle with a light coat of oil. By doing so, you’ll be preventing any unwanted buildup of moisture that can occur over the months. The best way to do this is by removing the spark plugs, pouring a little oil, and then starting the engine to coat the parts. This will make sure no details go rusty or get damaged.
Another great tip is to change any old oil and put in a new filter. Before you say goodbye to your ride, top off the fuel, take it for one last spin, and change the oil. It’s best to switch to winter oil and replace the filter.
Now that you’ve gone over some essential prepping tips, completely wipe down the bike and cover it with a quality-material cover. Wrapping your motorcycle in a motorcycle cover that is fitted to its shape will prevent dust, debris, or unwanted damage to it as it rests until the following season.
