R1T + Royal Enfield Himalayan (Motorcycle in bed)

[kylealden]

Nothing too exciting here, but my wife's Himalayan broke down about an hour into a group ride on Saturday. Fortunately, I'd previously bought a couple folding ramps for the R1T. We found a safe place to stash the bike on the side of the road, then finished the day two-up on my bike. I came back in the evening and grabbed the motorcycle. No drama! A couple observations for carrying a motorcycle in the R1T:

The good:

• With the right ramp, you can easily fit two in the gear tunnel. Game changing! I used these ramps which are nice and compact, not too spendy, carry 750lbs per ramp, and fit easily in the tunnel with room to spare for a tool bag and some soft goods to protect the doors.
• Being able to drop the ride height to Lowest really helped the incline when loading.
• Tailgate felt rock solid when loading.
• The bike had plenty of room with the tailgate down. I'm confident I'd be able to fit my F800 GSA as well. Both side by side would be a lot to ask (they're both pretty wide loads) but two dirt bikes would be no problem.

The meh:

• The R1T badly needs a way to let you select the bed camera for when a load is blocking the backup camera. It was way harder than it needed to be to reverse with the tailgate blocking the backup camera.
• I was nervous about damaging the soft-touch top of tailgate with the sharp metal face of the ramps. I wound up just draping a sturdy blanket between them before ratcheting the ramps down, but not for the first time wish the Rivian bed/tailgate had some sturdier high-touch surfaces.
• I didn't feel great ratcheting the bike forward into the bed wall since the wheel was pressing against the tonneau seal. I was able to secure it about a half inch back from the bed wall with some balancing tension on the rear tiedowns and it was rock solid.

Didn't get any great pics but here is what I have:

Sponsored

 

[SolartoEV]

This is rad. Using my truck I agree I think one of the biggest disadvantages is not being able to ratchet strap tight as you mentioned with the tonneau interference. That does need to be addressed.

 

[AltaTruck]

Across the front of the bed, I used the four existing bolts under the plastic covers and secured an adjustable rail cut to fit the width of the truck. The motorcycle's front tire hits the rail and stands off the tonneau by about 1/2'. In addition, I have four slide/locking brackets with clips to put the hooks from my tiedowns. I can also move the brackets together and it make a cradle for stabilizing the front wheel. I have hauled my Husaberg as well as my Guzzi V85.

 

[schwartz83]

Now I want a bike too! Thanks guys.

 

[kylealden]

This is rad. Using my truck I agree I think one of the biggest disadvantages is not being able to ratchet strap tight as you mentioned with the tonneau interference. That does need to be addressed.

A couple 2x4s would probably work in a pinch - I have the BuiltRight molle panel on order so I'm interested to see if that helps and feels sturdy enough to ratchet against as well (not as a tie down point, just to pull the tire into it)

 

[kylealden]

Across the front of the bed, I used the four existing bolts under the plastic covers and secured an adjustable rail cut to fit the width of the truck. The motorcycle's front tire hits the rail and stands off the tonneau by about 1/2'. In addition, I have four slide/locking brackets with clips to put the hooks from my tiedowns. I can also move the brackets together and it make a cradle for stabilizing the front wheel. I have hauled my Husaberg as well as my Guzzi V85.

Sounds like a sweet setup! I don't plan to do this often (the occasional impromptu rescue) but may have to look into something like that if I ever get a proper dirt bike again.

 

[Jumacao]

Glad to finally see some motorcycles in the R1T bed. Here's another one from Reddit. Looks like this guy installed a wheel chock and it doesn't interfere with the tonneau cover.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Now I know my new Pan America will most likely fit in the back of my truck, whenever I get it that is.

 

[AltaTruck]

My V85TT

Moto Guzzi fits perfectly. It's even the right color.

 

[diz]

Across the front of the bed, I used the four existing bolts under the plastic covers and secured an adjustable rail cut to fit the width of the truck. The motorcycle's front tire hits the rail and stands off the tonneau by about 1/2'. In addition, I have four slide/locking brackets with clips to put the hooks from my tiedowns. I can also move the brackets together and it make a cradle for stabilizing the front wheel. I have hauled my Husaberg as well as my Guzzi V85.

This sounds like a great setup. I have been thinking of doing something similar. Any photos of you could share?

 

[scooter]

When a 1250gsa gets loaded, I’d like to see the pics and setup

 

[Kacey3]

This thread is filled with Enfields and Guzzis... which is great since I have an Enfield and a Guzzi that I'm looking to load up!

 

[yetti96]

When a 1250gsa gets loaded, I’d like to see the pics and setup

Has it happened yet? I need to get to my delivery and don’t want to ask for a 2+ hour ride from a buddy on a work day.

I was thinking about riding my 1250 GSA in hopes they’d help me load it to get home without renting a trailer.

 

[scooter]

Haven’t yet but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been done!

 

[kylealden]

Has it happened yet? I need to get to my delivery and don’t want to ask for a 2+ hour ride from a buddy on a work day.

I was thinking about riding my 1250 GSA in hopes they’d help me load it to get home without renting a trailer.

I dunno about a 1250 but I've moved my F800GS several times, which has a longer wheelbase and bigger front wheel. It was certainly snug but no issues.

Sponsored