xb12s in the back of a half ton?

[TechMagic]

Anyone know if a xb12s would fit in a short bed? I guess the real questions I have are what do they weigh about, and what are the actual end-to-end dimensions? I can find the wheelbase and I was pretty sure they're under 400 lbs...

Trying to figure the most secure way to transport one in a rental truck, and see if I can go for the half ton or not, it's cheaper. I figured maybe the tailgate would have to be down but a couple straps should hold it for 6-700 miles...

Still considering getting it myself, trying not to forget anything

 

[Buell_Cru]

That should work fine. I transported my Firebolt XB12R in my shortbed. I had to leave the tailgate down but there was no issues. If you're going to have it tied down too long put a block under the motor so when you tie it down you're not compressing your shocks all the way and blowing your seals out. If you're traveling to a higher elevation the extra air pressure could blow your seals also so it's very important to block it.

 

[xtremelow]

I have an S-10 and the bike fits in it just fine, I do have to leave the tailgate down since the back tire hangs over the end if the bed by like 3", but the bottom of the tire sits inside the bed fine.

A full size is plenty. Also if you don't want the tailgate down you can always put the bike in on an angle if needed.

 

[stopie20]

Yep, I hauled my 12s in the back of a full size dodge short bed with the gate up. no problems.

 

[Stevenc150]

Yep, I hauled my 12s in the back of a full size dodge short bed with the gate up. no problems.

Same here. I compress my shocks 2" or so to keep tension on the tie straps. Know Lots of dirt riders that do it and seemed really secure.

 

[TechMagic]

thanks for the replies guys, I think I'll be okay but I am talking about a Colorado or Dakota not a full size, that's more expensive to rent. Maybe I won't be able to close the gate but should be fine still huh? Where do you end up strapping and how about blocking the engine with the exhaust there? I'm not actually going, I'm sending a competent friend. If I was going I'd just take one of the three full size pickups we own on the farm haha, it's weird to have to rent a vehicle.

 

[stopie20]

factory exhaust is designed as a jacking point... But my truck is set up with extra tiedowns directly below the foot pegs, so I just put light tension on the forks first then put tension on the foot pegs with ratchet straps.

 

[Odin]

even if you have to leave the tailgate down to partially support the back tire, you won't have any trouble (or could you could turn it diagonally if you want to go that route to leave the tailgate up)
I drove cross country with my V-Star in the back of a little mazda pickup, whole way with the tailgate down and didn't have any trouble-and that bike weighed 700 lbs.

 

[TechMagic]

well it's got the race exhaust, and it's a rental truck so I dunno where he's gonna hook ratchet straps and not leave a mark, may have to get tie-down loops for the thing.

I bet it arrives in pieces but it'll arrive dammit! I'm tired of waiting.

 

[EVLXB]

Use tie downs around the lower triple trees, one on each side. Make sure he uses a towel or rag around the strap or the make loops that work even better. That will keep the forks from turning. Compress the suspension a couple of inches, do not bottom it out, that will kill the seals. Do not attach the tie downs to the handle bars, if the bar bends the bike could go down.

Attach 2 more tie downs to the passenger peg brackets and tie the back off to the back of the truck, that will keep the rear end from sliding around. Don't have to crank them down, just snug to keep it from moving. No need to block the engine or muffle, you'd probly do more damage that way.

This is how I transported my bike the 3 1/2 hours from where I purchased it (in a 1/2 ton Dodge). This is also how we transported race bikes to Dayton and all over the country, only in a trailer though.

 

[ophawk]

I put my S3 in the back of a Ranger rental and went to Iowa from Phoenix with no prob's at all. Tied off the Handle bars, But I have a Big Fairing to content with. The rear I looped through the frame under my seat/fender Criss-crossed over the tire. Bike didn't budge.
Just be sure to check the straps just after you start your trip, like 20-25 miles, then at every fuel, food or toilet stop.
Look for strong points that don't have the straps rub on anything important, do wrap them with towels or soft cloth to prevent marring.
You should be fine
Later
p.s. I have had mine in the back of a 2500hd silverado, the ranger, and both open and closed trailers.

 

[TechMagic]

thanks guys! I'm kinda sweating not doing it myself but I can't go so that's that. I'm confidant my friend can handle it, the one thing I am concerned with is anchoring somewhere and causing mild cosmetic or structural damage to the bike. The worst would be to tweak something and cause minor misalignment or asymmetry.

 

[horseplay]

Half Ton GMC ...Im pretty sure its a short bed truck...and I had plenty of room with the gate up.

Get a "canyon dancer" bar harness. If not use "soft hooks" to wrap around the fork tubes or handlebars. Soft Hooks can be found at any decent watercraft or motorcycle shop. Canyon Dancers are pretty popular as well...
I have one (canyon dancer....pictured if you look close) and it works wonderful..Ive had it for years and its never failed.

www.canyondancer.com

 

[Buellysses]

I have an 06 Colorado short box (Quad Cab), and it handles my bike just fine.

You will need to leave the tailgate down, obviously.

But I would recommend taking a board and putting it over the tailgate. A 2x6 or 2x10 perpendicular to the bike underneath the back tire. I accidentally dented the inside of my tailgate in. Oops.

 

[50dro]

Got my XB12S home in the back of a Dakota quad cab with a 5 foot bed with the gate closed...

The bike sat at an angle to do so, but was secure with a few (4) straps in place.

 

[leadfoot955]

dont trip! i take my xb12s and my ktm 530,and my sons' 125 in the back of my nissan king cab 4x4 through some good twistys & rough roads and have no problems. the xb's tail likes to bounce w/o a strap but even w/o one ive never had them slip or slide around. secure points in the rental are your main concern cuz you need to have the anchoring points down low, not over the side of the bed. another thing to remember is that the bars on the bikes are larger diameter than most and some strap hooks arent wide enough to accomadate them.

 

[TechMagic]

anyone have a fast way to secure the bike, as it will be sitting in an amusement park parking lot for a day as well on this trip. I'd like to keep it there and not have it stolen. I'll be using regular ratchet straps, they can be cut I guess so there's no use locking the ratchet in some way...

 

[stopie20]

yeah, when I picked mine up in Iowa we stopped in chicago for the IMS and I was super stressed about leaving it in the truck. So, we found the top of a parking garage and backed the tail gate up to the edge of the roof plus on top of a four foot tall snow drift LOL.
At an amusement park I would find a wall and get the gate as close as possible. Then if they get it out at least they had to earn it.

 

[TechMagic]

hahaha yea, good thinkin! Thanks everyone for the ideas and help. Hopefully Sunday I'll take my first ride.