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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | Luckily, VERY MINOR damage. You'd actually have to look for it to see it. VERY lucky.
Links (if my forum stuff worked) will be embedded in the story in bold.
Well, I bought a skinny ramp to load it on/off the trailer. Loading on from the dealer (picking it up from service before vacation) was easy. Had two people helping to push it on from the dealer. Came home and tried to unload it alone (mistake 1). It's a skinny ramp, so I put a board on the left side for me to use my left foot on. Figured I'd use the rear brake to keep it going down slow, and use my left foot and lean it to the left. So I didn't bother putting a board on the right side next to the ramp (mistake 2).
As I'm slowly letting it down, (front tire is still on the trailer), I mistakingly push JUST too far up with my left foot and start to tip to the right (JUST over the balance point). There's nothing but empty air on that side so I can't push it back left! So I say, "Well, it's me or the bike...I choose me." Jumped off of it. It falls to the right. But LUCKILY, the front right fairing hits this spot on the trailer, and it stays virtually suspended in the air. The only thing holding it on was the right fairing, and the tires were still on the ramp. Muffler is about an inch off the ground, the whole bike is two feet in the air and almost horizontal. And even LUCKIER, some dude pulls into the parking lot JUST at the moment where I'm staring at it, helps me to right it, and helps me to roll it down.
Trailer has a bent thing, and the right fairing has about a 1 inch puncture, a few minor scratches above the right blinker, and that's it. WHEW!!! Good to ride!!!
So learn from me. If you're gonna use a skinny ramp, place running boards on either side for you to use to balance the bike. If you can afford it, buy a WIDE ramp. And, if possible, have someone there to help you load and unload!
Can't see the 1 inch spot unless light is on it
Reflected light into the gash so you can see it
Picture further away so you can see the small size I luckily got away with!
Alexi
Edited by sfalexi 2012-07-05 9:13 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | I have never understood why anyone would use those skinny ramps. Glad you're okay and the bike isn't too bad off - you dodged a bullet there, brother. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Thanks for the lesson on Vision trailering. Wow that could have been much worse for the bike and you.
Take care, |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | The skinny ramp makes sense....if theres two and its for an atv. Or maybe a dirtbike. But i think (hope) the addition of two 2x8 8 ft long running boards will help me waddle up and down it.
Alexi |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Ouch! Glad it turned out OK. Lesson learned! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Never ever, ever...never mind...I'm glad you're okay and it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Next time though, just use inch wide angle iron as a ramp... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Yep, one singular skinny ramp doesn't quite cut it. You need a wide ramp. I took four arched skinny ramps and used 2" hose clamps (a LOT of them) and clamped all four ramps together; side by side. The I made two wood inserts and attached them longitudinally to the outer two (left and right) ramps so my feet would not slip through the ramp's themselves.
Very easy to get my bikes in and out of my shed; which is raised 18" off the ground (due to an uneven backyard).
Glad you were so fortunate to have not dropped it sfalexi.... go buy three more ramps and connect them together...
Edited by willtill 2012-07-06 5:46 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | I put big bikes in my trucks on occation and wanted something I felt comfortable loading/unloading by myself. Purchased "Big Boy Ramp" about ten years ago and have been very happy with it-I use them along with a HF locking wheel chock that's mounted in my truck bed (it's removable)It was scary the first time but I'll do it in the dark on flat pavement now no problem.They fold up and can be fit in the cab of the truck too. Glad your lesson wasn't an expensive one.
http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramps.htm
http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-stand-wheel-chock-97841.htm... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
Lillian, Alabama | Why would the Vision be put on a trailer to start with? I've been riding motorcycles for 36 years and only one has ever been on a trailer...that was due to a mechanical problem that couldn't be fixed on the road. |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | Moose381 - 2012-07-06 2:04 PM
Why would the Vision be put on a trailer to start with? I've been riding motorcycles for 36 years and only one has ever been on a trailer...that was due to a mechanical problem that couldn't be fixed on the road.I used to be of this mentality too, but when the wife is traveling with me, we tend to want to get to the destination, bring a lot of clothes for the hotel, and then we park the truck at the destination and ride the bike for the two weeks. For us, while we don't mind a weekend or four days of traveling, our vacations tend to be "destination" vacations, not "journey" vacations. For example....drove to tennessee towing the bike, rode the bike all around tennessee, then towed it back (when we were in tx)
And yeah. You think i'd learn that trying to save a buck or two just doesnt cut it. Tried to save money by using a small ramp, and now i look back and think i shoulda just spent the extra and gotten a wide ramp. But good lord...ramps cost as much as my deductable. Theres GOTTA be a better way. And one day i'll find it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| That sucks. When I was still living in apartments I had a fully enclosed trailer for a garage, only trailed the bike (not a vision) when I was moving. I never ever used skinny ramps. I bought a couple of ramp kits for 2X12. I made a ramp out of treated 2X12, and it worked fine.
But really... Trailer a Vision? I think i would pull a small trailer with the Vision before I would consider turning the my Vision into trailer bling.
I think 3/4 of the fun of riding is getting to and from the destination. I kind like how the Vision keeps the packing to a minimum.
But to each their own. I am working on a camper project to pull behind the Vision, it will be done for next season. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Why would you use the foot break? Always use hand break and both bars.
Your fine an the bike can be fix. Sorry you learned the hard way. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | sfalexi - 2012-07-06 3:13 PM
Moose381 - 2012-07-06 2:04 PM
Why would the Vision be put on a trailer to start with? I've been riding motorcycles for 36 years and only one has ever been on a trailer...that was due to a mechanical problem that couldn't be fixed on the road.I used to be of this mentality too, but when the wife is traveling with me, we tend to want to get to the destination, bring a lot of clothes for the hotel, and then we park the truck at the destination and ride the bike for the two weeks. For us, while we don't mind a weekend or four days of traveling, our vacations tend to be "destination" vacations, not "journey" vacations. For example....drove to tennessee towing the bike, rode the bike all around tennessee, then towed it back (when we were in tx)
And yeah. You think i'd learn that trying to save a buck or two just doesnt cut it. Tried to save money by using a small ramp, and now i look back and think i shoulda just spent the extra and gotten a wide ramp. But good lord...ramps cost as much as my deductable. Theres GOTTA be a better way. And one day i'll find it.
I feel you on that - my vacations are exactly the same. I have a 4x6 ox ramp that folds in half and it's great. Ive used it to load bikes, Atvs, lawnmowers, and even a golf cart. Its plenty wide to walk along with bikes. I love that thing. The only bad thing about it is all the people wanting to borrow it. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
| Thanks for posting Alexi. It's always very useful to know the issues people have, especially when they have the guts to post a failed operation. The photos were very handy.
Just ignore the "Supermen" who take you to task for trailering the bike. They obviously need everyone to know how tough they are. Makes you wonder why  Everyone has different drivers and requirements.
Have a great time with the Vision. It's a bloody fantastic ride.
Pete |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Ahh, the "He Man Biker Trailer Queen Hater's Club" strikes again. I feel like I need to drag myself into this one. Sometimes this just doesn't apply. I am one to believe that we should ride our bikes everywhere. I have a trailer, but my bike has never been on it, but it has been on one twice. Both times it was for dealer work. Given that, there are many owners of motorcycle that try to portrait the biker image, but never ride their bike. Not everyone falls into this category. But the real "war" is between the real, macho biker type that is always riding against the real, poser macho biker type who doesn't even know what a drop of rain feels like while rider. Sometimes the real, macho biker type can't tell the difference from everyone else. I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.
Edited by varyder 2012-07-07 4:19 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | Me, i'm against a trailer queen (someone who rides very little, and only to shows or bike nights). But dont worry, i do about 1500 miles a month of real riding. It gets a workout (just did about 500 miles today....about 200 more than planned, but hey, that happens sometimes!)
And i'm REALLY torn on buying a 400 dollar wide ramp that i know will work great, but i will only use about 4 times a year, and somehow making my current 100 dollar ramp work 4 times.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | sfalexi - 2012-07-07 10:11 PM
Me, i'm against a trailer queen (someone who rides very little, and only to shows or bike nights). But dont worry, i do about 1500 miles a month of real riding. It gets a workout (just did about 500 miles today....about 200 more than planned, but hey, that happens sometimes!)
And i'm REALLY torn on buying a 400 dollar wide ramp that i know will work great, but i will only use about 4 times a year, and somehow making my current 100 dollar ramp work 4 times.... The ONLY safe way to make your current ramp work SAFELY is to have additional help; when your using it.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | sfalexi - 2012-07-07 10:11 PM Me, i'm against a trailer queen (someone who rides very little, and only to shows or bike nights). But dont worry, i do about 1500 miles a month of real riding. It gets a workout (just did about 500 miles today....about 200 more than planned, but hey, that happens sometimes!) And i'm REALLY torn on buying a 400 dollar wide ramp that i know will work great, but i will only use about 4 times a year, and somehow making my current 100 dollar ramp work 4 times.... I know you SC folks are brighter than that, I married one. So you can rationale your safety all you want to, but it seems to me $400 is a lot cheaper than fixing your bike or worse yet, an extended hospital stay, medical bills and loss of income. Or even worse than that... It's a free country... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Here is the ramp that I use; it's comprised of four individual arched ramps. I described how I assembled it in a post earlier in this thread:
Edited by willtill 2012-07-08 6:29 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I need one of those for my shed/garage also...thanks will, looks good! Love the Red and Black accent on your Vision!!!
Edited by varyder 2012-07-08 6:51 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Thanks Varyder! That was when I first brought my Vision home.
The arched ramps are better than the straight ones; since the straight line geometry of an non-arched ramp will sometimes scrape the bottom of a bike; especially if it has low ground clearance and a long wheelbase.
I also have a stacked (4 piece) group of 4x4" wood (fastened together with steel spikes) that I keep centered under the middle of the ramp; for added support. The Vision and my Triumph Rocket are heavy (and too precious) to risk a ramp failing; (even though it probably wouldn't) but it gives me piece of mind...
Edited by willtill 2012-07-08 7:05 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
| sfalexi - 2012-07-07 7:11 PM
And i'm REALLY torn on buying a 400 dollar wide ramp that i know will work great, but i will only use about 4 times a year, and somehow making my current 100 dollar ramp work 4 times....
Seriously?! Would you rather dump your vision more often?
I think you priorities are little off but what do I know. I guess folks also mount a car tire on a motorcycle to save even less money, so whatever.
Maybe that's your problem. Put a car tire on the thing so it no longer leans. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Never thought of a trailer for either of my bikes. Ride them and you will not have these issues. Just sayin as I always do.....
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Kelvininin - 2012-07-08 9:14 PM sfalexi - 2012-07-07 7:11 PM And i'm REALLY torn on buying a 400 dollar wide ramp that i know will work great, but i will only use about 4 times a year, and somehow making my current 100 dollar ramp work 4 times.... Seriously?! Would you rather dump your vision more often? I think you priorities are little off but what do I know. I guess folks also mount a car tire on a motorcycle to save even less money, so whatever. Maybe that's your problem. Put a car tire on the thing so it no longer leans. No longer leans .... you read that in a magazine? . |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | I like the 4 ramp setup. Worked great today with 1 arched ramp and two 2x8 running boards for the feet. I think i'll pick up another arched ramp and clamp em together. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | I ride mine every where but this last week trailered from Bullhead to Tehachapi then put on 1100 milesthrough yosemite and down highway one. The whole way to Tehachapi the Vision was looking in the back window pouting that it was on the trailer. I just could not convince myself that riding through the Mohave desert at 110 + was going to be a good idea for me or the copilot. I have ridden in temps below 20, in the rain,and in snow but heat stroke is never a good idea. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | sfalexi - 2012-07-08 10:28 PM
I like the 4 ramp setup. Worked great today with 1 arched ramp and two 2x8 running boards for the feet. I think i'll pick up another arched ramp and clamp em together.
You may want to consider riding up a ramp under power (creeping up the ramp); and also riding down the ramp while sitting in the seat; and only use the front brake for descent. You have a lot more control of the bike while astride it.
Buy three more ramps and clamp 'em together... and be done with it.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Des Moines | Loren2, I did that twice last year on my way out to San Diego. Once between Las Vegas and Barstow and then back from Barstow to Flagstaff. Hit 117 both times. Trick is to stay moving and drink lots of water and gatoraide. I wore a mesh jacket and pants, so I didn't dehydrate quite as bad and didn't have the sun beating down on bare skin. It actually wasn't as bad as you'd think until you stopped and there wasn't any frickin shade to park in other than at the pumps.
Made the mistake of putting on my fingerless gloves at one point. I thought my fingernails were cooking! Full gloves went back on quickly after that. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Des Moines | BTW, here's how I solved the skinny ramp problem:  Came with a 7' wide ramp.
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Vision fell off the trailer (my fault . . learn from me!!!)
