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Honda Ruckus transportation

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freditoj

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Help a complete noob with trucks learn how to transport a Honda Ruckus on the truck bed.

How do I get it up there?
How do I tie it down?
What equipment should I get?
How do I prevent theft if left on the bed?
 
#2 ·
#4 ·
Wow so much advice I have! For starters make sure you have a friend filming in case you want to show us how it went.

For this motorcycle tie downs are easier to deal with than ratchet straps.

A Ruckus is short with reduced clearance. It will high center and get stuck. You can just force it up or you can lower the rear wheels or raise the front to make the angle between the tailgate and ramp less acute.

Try pushing around flat ground a bit first.

Use a wide ramp or 2 ramps so the tires go on the right and you go on the left. Push the front wheel into the driver's side corner and have it diagonal across the bed. When you do up the tie downs compress the suspension but don't bottom it out fully. You just want the straps to stay tight while driving.

If you're having trouble getting up the ramp get someone you trust pushing on the rear of the scooter.

And if you have 2 big folks you can just pick it up and put it on. The aren't even 200 lbs.
 
#5 ·
Me personally, much prefer a trailer, due to being so much lower than a tailgate. Just about any ramp works due to being low on a trailer. The Harbor Freight folding trailer works great, folds up, rolls around the garage to be easily stored. When the bike is off, it hauls all kinds of things. I also prefer the cam-buckle straps....little less stress on motorcycle parts. I always strap to suspension components with the kickstand up. Never strap to handlebars.
 

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#6 ·
I use a set of 10 foot arched folding titan ramps to load a GSX-R because of short ground clearance, but that's a 400 pound bike. I tie it down with canyon dancer II (the one with the cups) and ratchet straps, but the canyon dancer is only necessary because the fairings get in the way of tying it down with traditional soft loops.

For my dirt bike, I just use traditional soft loops.

I have pictures of all this if you want me to upload it, not sure it's relevant to your situation.

As to keeping things from getting stolen in the bed, given enough time, anything will get stolen if unsupervised.
 
#7 ·
Looking at the ruckus, it is under 200 pounds curb weight and most of the weight looks to be in the rear. I believe you could lift the front end as you go over the hump with one or two people and go with a shorter, cheaper ramp. I would get an AFL-9012. You could get one and use a basket or chair or something to walk next to it.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Seen wrapped around the motorcycle fork tubes in the post #5 photo but not specifically mentioned, are soft tie straps. Use these loops where you attach to the scooter, like around the seat frame tubing, as an interface between the scooter and the main cam buckle or ratchet strap. These give you a good attachment point and minimize damage to the scooter/motorcycle.

I have two Rucki. I have hauled them in a trailer, and even hauled one inside a minivan. Their small size and light weight should be easy to manage in the Ridgeline. For motorcycles in the truck, I use two folding ramps as in post #2. The curve at the top of the ramp keeps the low ground clearance scooter from dragging. I strongly suggest you have help loading and unloading in the high bed of the truck. There are plenty of videos that show what can go wrong.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: 18" Soft Loop Tie Down Straps, 4 Pack. 2,789 Lb Break Strength. Made in The USA : Automotive

Buy 18" Soft Loop Tie Down Straps, 4 Pack. 2,789 Lb Break Strength. Made in The USA: Tie-Downs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

Image
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
wampa6 said:
I use a set of 10 foot arched folding titan ramps to load a GSX-R because of short ground clearance, but that's a 400 pound bike. I tie it down with canyon dancer II (the one with the cups) and ratchet straps, but the canyon dancer is only necessary because the fairings get in the way of tying it down with traditional soft loops.

For my dirt bike, I just use traditional soft loops.

I have pictures of all this if you want me to upload it, not sure it's relevant to your situation.

As to keeping things from getting stolen in the bed, given enough time, anything will get stolen if unsupervised.
Click to expand...
Pics would help indeed. Thanks for the detailed info!
 
#10 ·
I've used a 3 piece 8' arched ramp with various trucks and bikes for years.
When the sections are linked together, it allows you to walk the bike up or ride it up if you are comfortable doing so (you could put your feet down if you have to). It also works with Harley police trikes.
www.discountramps.com

Black Widow Aluminum Non-Folding Arched Motorcycle Ramp - 7' and 8' Long

These American made aluminum non-folding motorcycle ramps are arched for extra clearance when loading and unloading your motorcycle!
www.discountramps.com www.discountramps.com
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Then its just some soft motorcycle bar loops (as mentioned above) and tie downs
 
#11 ·
Here are a couple of pictures of how I typically load it. I don't often use that strap on the back end, I just had it to pull down the rear end without overtightening the bars becase this was a short trip, but most of the time I just use the front two straps atatched to the canyon dancer.

I was on the fence about getting a triple ramp setup or just two of the wide center ones. I am comfortable walking next to the bike while using the throttle to move the bike, so I found that the two 17 inch wide ramps were plenty.

If I could go back, I would consider getting an 8 foot ramp over the 10 foot ramps, because I have been unable to put the ramps into the rear of the cab because they would have to sit so far diagonally to possibly fit. I basically got the 10 foot ramps because I figure they will be all I need to load any toy into the bed. I have also used them to load a washer and dryer alone with a dolly.

I could write up more detailed instructions if need be. Again, these ramps are probably overkill for a Honda Ruckus, but they would work for sure.

Also, make sure to strap the ramps to the truck, (I use the hitch chain loops) so they don't fall back when you're getting the bike in.

Image
Image
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
wampa6 said:
Here are a couple of pictures of how I typically load it. I don't often use that strap on the back end, I just had it to pull down the rear end without overtightening the bars becase this was a short trip, but most of the time I just use the front two straps atatched to the canyon dancer.

I was on the fence about getting a triple ramp setup or just two of the wide center ones. I am comfortable walking next to the bike while using the throttle to move the bike, so I found that the two 17 inch wide ramps were plenty.

If I could go back, I would consider getting an 8 foot ramp over the 10 foot ramps, because I have been unable to put the ramps into the rear of the cab because they would have to sit so far diagonally to possibly fit. I basically got the 10 foot ramps because I figure they will be all I need to load any toy into the bed. I have also used them to load a washer and dryer alone with a dolly.

I could write up more detailed instructions if need be. Again, these ramps are probably overkill for a Honda Ruckus, but they would work for sure.

Also, make sure to strap the ramps to the truck, (I use the hitch chain loops) so they don't fall back when you're getting the bike in.

View attachment 426302 View attachment 426304
Click to expand...
MVP thanks so much!
 
#13 ·
Further notes; if buying ramps check them in person. The Ruckus has smaller wheels than a motorcycle so they can fall between the rungs.

When it is all snugged down put the parking brake on. On a motorcycle you'd leave it in gear but you can't do that on a Ruckus.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
OmahaJeff said:
That looks like a cool scooter. What made you get it over the other scooters out there, and what do you use it for?
Click to expand...
I'm a Honda fanboy as many others here hence why I got it.

Also, it's 50 cc so you don't need a motorcycle drivers license to drive one in my state.

I'll try and post pics once I have a rig to get hooked up on the RL
 
#18 ·
OmahaJeff said:
That looks like a cool scooter. What made you get it over the other scooters out there, and what do you use it for?
Click to expand...
That ain’t no scooter, that’s a crotch rocket. Here’s a couple of scooters.
 

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#19 ·
freditoj said:
I'm a Honda fanboy as many others here hence why I got it.

Also, it's 50 cc so you don't need a motorcycle drivers license to drive one in my state.

I'll try and post pics once I have a rig to get hooked up on the RL
Click to expand...
The Ruckus is a great. I think a couple years after it came out Yamaha did something similar but there's not much like it in the market.

Other than this but it's not for sale.

Image
 
#20 ·
SeattleR said:
^^^ Definitely this :)


Click to expand...
The first one is a really good what not to do teaching example.

If he's part his truck in the driveway nose to the garage, tailgate to the street he would have got a less acute angle so his bike wouldn't hang up in the transition. And if he'd split the ramps so he could walk up one and have the bike on the other he could have just walked it up on the gas.

One more note not so much for a ruckus but if you use ramps like that use your tie downs from the rungs to the receiver hitch loops. That way the ramps can't slip off the tailgate with the truck's suspension moves.
 
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