There were some other threads written on this topic... sort of..
Not sure about the larger bikes though.. most were off road bikes.

Try here...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121&highlight=motorcycle

 

Here is what I suggest since I don't know the dimensions of your Harley.
1-Measure from the very front of your Harley's front tire to the center of your Harley's rear tire.
2- measure your truck bed from the very front(behind the cab) to the end of open tail gate.
Now if you have a few inches (ie 3 or more) between the end of your open tail gate and the center of the rear tire on your bike, I would say that you can haul your bike to where ever you want with no problems.providing you use the six heavy duty tie downs to secure your bike in upright position.
According to Honda, the Ridge has the strongest tail gate in its class and is capable of supporting 300 lbs of dynamic weight which is calculated with several thousand pounds bouncing on it on bumps etc.
I am sure there will be other responses with 1st hand experience but this is the best I can offer.
BTW: Welcome to ROC

 

A Harley in the bed of a Honda, now that is a sight right there. Don't let them Harley guys see you unload it, you might have to hear a bunch of bs.

 

Assuming you do get it loaded, I'd love to see you post some pics of it!

Maybe order some vinyl lettering - "Honda Harley Hauler" ?

-ridgeln

 

Okay let me start this off by saying I know you said it was Harley. Before we bought our truck we test drove it straight to our house for several reasons. The main two were:

1. Was to make sure it fit in the garage comfortably with our SI and the two sportbikes we own and to see exactly how much room it takes up. We have a slightly oversized 2.5 car garage and it fit nicely.

2. We also wanted to actually measure our sportbike with the truck there to make sure it would fit in the bed. It fit - barely but it fit (lengthwise - width wise no problem at all with plenty of room to spare) and there is an off chance that if we put both bikes tail to nose we can fit two. We take a trip every summer with both bikes (I will only ride the older one and my husband rides the 05) and we also do track days with them. The capacity to haul our bikes is one of the many reasons we bought our Ridgeline. As you know there are 6 tie downs and if needed you can buy a bed extender.

I hope this helps and again I know we are talking about 2 different animals here. Either way, have a wonderful time on your trip and enjoy the ride and your new truck!!!

 

Thanks for everyone's help. I just took a look at Harley's website and here are the dimensions for my bike. Wheelbase=64.5 and overrall length (from tire to tire) is 94.3 in. Yikes! Didn't realize it was so long. Now I need to measure the bed of the Ridgeline from one corner of the bed to one corner of the tailgate. Anybody know what that measurement is or i'll just get a tape measure and do it the old fashioned way. Thanks again for all your help and input. I'm just trying to save some money, but if it's not possible to get it in the bed, then i'll just suck it up and tow a trailer 1800 miles.

 

OOPS Please delete!!!

 

Cargo Bed Length (in., tailgate up/down) 60.0 / 79.0

Cargo Bed Width (in., between wheelwells) 49.5


http://automobiles.honda.com/models/specifications_full_specs.asp?ModelName=Ridgeline&Category=4

 

Thanks for everyone's help. I just took a look at Harley's website and here are the dimensions for my bike. Wheelbase=64.5 and overrall length (from tire to tire) is 94.3 in. Yikes! Didn't realize it was so long. Now I need to measure the bed of the Ridgeline from one corner of the bed to one corner of the tailgate. Anybody know what that measurement is or i'll just get a tape measure and do it the old fashioned way. Thanks again for all your help and input. I'm just trying to save some money, but if it's not possible to get it in the bed, then i'll just suck it up and tow a trailer 1800 miles.

So you really need to find the number in between. The wheelbase is from center of FR tire to center of RR tire (I think), so you need to account for another half of the FR tire. I think it'll be close. I've had my CBR600 F2 in the bed and it fits just fine, but I don't know with your bike size. My wheelbase is only around 55", add 1/2 tire, it puts my RR tire contact point at about 63" or so (real rough estimate). My advice, try it and see.


PS. We're probably headed down to SC as well. My brother-in-law has a Harley. Perhaps we should meet up!

 

Imbndn..............saw this is Crusin Rider magazine........called a SportLoader...website is www.blueox.us

I also have a HD ......a Heritage Softail that I would like to haul some day. I think this is a pretty pricy option though.

Dan

 

If you do decide to do it...take the spare and jack out and put them in the back seat...if forbid you have a flat, it is really going to be a problem getting the spare out of the bed trunk.

 

If you do decide to do it...take the spare and jack out and put them in the back seat...if forbid you have a flat, it is really going to be a problem getting the spare out of the bed trunk.

 

will be in Mrytle beach myself and was wondering the same thing . so far one of the guys going with us said he has a freind with a 4 bike trailer but if not , I have a custom sportser so not so big and heavy and I just had a quad on there so hopefully it can be towed if not it might go back there

 

a Harley?....well, nice choice of truck anyway....I'm kidding

I've had all three of my bikes in the back of the Ridge with no trouble, biggest is my BMWR1150GS and while it fit, it was a bit tight. Others are an Kaw EX500 race bike and a Suz DRZ400 dirt bike and those were a snap.

Good luck, and I got a folding aluminum ramp and put an extrawide strip of door weather stripping down each side so that it did not scratch the bed.

Happy biking!

 

lmbndn, although I have never tried to load my bike (Harley Ultra) into the bed of the Ridgeline, it sounds like a recipe for disaster. The static weight alone on the tailgate must be 100 lbs or more over the 300 lb rating for the tailgate. I also doubt that it would fit safely. Somewhere I saw a channeled track and rail type ramp and loader for pickups that might be the only way that I can think of that might allow you to carry your bike in the bed. It was at a rally quite a few years ago. It had to be bolted to the bed and frame and had some kind of winch to crank the bike and channel up and into the bed. It sort of reminds me of a very narrow flat-bed for a motorcycle. I wish that I could point you in some direction to look at it, if it is still made. If you are not going to ride the distance, a trailer sounds like a pretty good idea to me.