Whether it’s a breakdown, a cross-country move, or a group event, most riders have to load their bike onto a truck or trailer sooner or later.
Having gotten tired of needing to call professional tow trucks or friends with ramps, I finally decided to get my own.
While looking over the market, quite a few had the features and stability I wanted. Read on to see their reviews and the features I considered when comparing them.
Trackside Aluminum Folding Ramp
Sturdy loading for most motorcycles
With a straightforward folding design, this Trackside ramp is a good option for most situations.
Ruedamann Loading Ramp
Lightweight and highly portable
The smaller design works great for dirt bikes while providing better storage versatility.
Reviews of the Best Motorcycle Loading Ramps
Trackside Aluminum Folding Ramp
This Trackside model is a straightforward ramp that will serve most everyday storage and transportation purposes. With 90 inches of length, it reaches most trailers and pickup beds with enough of an angle that you can still roll up your bike.
At the same time, the ramp is compact and folds up to just 46 inches. This way, you can store it away after use, even in the same trailer or bed as your motorcycle.
It’s a stable and safe ramp too. It has a non-slip grip on the base and top and a safety strap.
Now, this Trackside ramp is rated for 750 pounds. That’s enough for most motorcycles, but if you have a particularly large or heavy bike, look at the heavy-duty version below.
Similarly, if your bike is near the limit, you will need the tougher version to ride your bike up the ramp.
Pros:
- 90 inches long
- 11 inches wide
- Folds up to 46 inches
- Non-slip
- Safety strap
- Supports up to 750 lbs
Cons:
- Not for big bikes
Trackside Heavy Duty Wide Aluminum Folding Ramp
This ramp from Trackside is essentially the same as the model above but a bit bigger and reinforced to support bigger motorcycles. Altogether, it has a capacity of up to 1,500 pounds. That means it can hold almost any bike and potentially a rider as well.
The dimensions are bigger as well. It’s eight feet long, which gives you a better angle for wheeling up heavier motorcycles. It’s also 18 inches wide, which can still be intimidating if you want to ride the motorcycle up, but it makes it easier than the smaller model.
Pros:
- 1500-lb capacity
- 8 ft long
- 18 inches wide
- Folding design
Cons:
- Narrow for heavy-duty ramp
- No cover on top
Pit Posse PP2755 Aluminum Folding Truck Ramp
The Pit Posse PP2755 is another straightforward loading ramp that makes transporting your motorcycle in a trailer or truck easy.
At 89 inches long, it reaches most heights with enough of a slant that you can roll up your bike. Similarly, it supports up to 750 lbs, which covers most motorcycles.
What I like about this ramp is how good it is for storing away. Whether you want to keep it in your truck or the garage during the offseason, it doesn’t take up too much space since it folds down to just 46 inches.
Plus, its lightweight aluminum design resists rust and corrosion, making it durable even after a long time in storage.
Other good features include the tie-down strap and non-slip feet. Together these help keep your motorcycle safe and stable as you roll it up.
Pros:
- 89 inches long
- 750 lbs
- Folds to 46 inches
- Lightweight aluminum construction
- Tie-down strap
- Non-slip
Cons:
- Not for big bikes
Black Widow Heavy-Duty Folding 3-Piece Motorcycle Ramp
If using a loading ramp is a regular part of your motorcycle life, this Black Widow ramp is probably your best bet.
It’s 10 feet long and capable of supporting 1,500 pounds, and with three separate pieces, you get 38 inches total width, plenty for riding up big cruisers and touring bikes.
It’s also more stable while riding up, thanks to serrated rungs that provide traction for the tires.
Despite its large size, this ramp isn’t a hassle when it comes to storage though. It’s made of aluminum, so it’s lightweight.
It’s 76 pounds, but you can store the three pieces separately, so you only have to carry about 25 pounds at a time. Plus, each section folds up, making it much easier to store away in your garage or take with you in your truck or trailer.
Remember that you should use the two included safety straps to secure the ramps, or else the sections might fall apart. Correctly set up, the full ramp is pretty stable and has a full lip with non-slip grips to keep it snug on your truck or trailer.
Pros:
- 10 ft long
- 1500-lb capacity
- 3 sections
- 38 inches wide
- Easy to store
- Secure and stable
Cons:
- Sections can separate
Ruedamann Aluminum Loading Ramp
This ramp from Ruedamann is an affordable and convenient option for dirt and small sports bikes. While it only supports up to 550 pounds, the trade-off is that it only weighs about 15 pounds, so you can move it around easily. It even comes with a carrying handle.
My main complaint is the short length. It’s only 72 inches long, which may mean you have a pretty steep slant to roll your bike up if you have a lifted truck. On the other hand, though, this adds to its portability since it folds down to just 36.6 inches.
Lastly, my favorite feature of the Ruedamann ramp might be its hook claws at the top. For some reason, most ramps don’t have anything like this, even though it’s an ideal design that keeps the ramp secure and stable.
Pros:
- Low price
- Lightweight and portable
- Carrying handle
- Foldable to 37 inches
- Secure hook claws
- 3 color options
Cons:
- Low weight rating
- Short
Buyer’s Guide
Considerations and cost
Length
Length is one of the most critical factors in your ramp. A longer ramp means that the incline will be less steep even if your truck or trailer is high off the ground. If you remember your simple machines from middle school, the softer the incline, the easier it is to roll something up.
Of course, a long ramp does have a downside. It’s harder to store. In general, the longer, the better, but if you have limited storage space and you’re using a trailer that isn’t too high off the ground, a shorter one might be the better option.
Width
Width is important if you want to ride the motorcycle up the ramp. This is much harder to do—and more dangerous, for that matter—if the ramp is especially narrow.
If this is your plan, many ramps can be combined to give you more width and safety. You can either buy a package of ramps or buy individual ramps separately.
Weight Rating
What are you trying to load? A 1500cc Harley cruiser or a dirt bike?
Different ramps can support different amounts of weight, so this is something to check. If you have a heavy bike, you need a ramp rated for that weight, possibly over 1,000 pounds.
On the other hand, heavy-duty ramps like these are often larger and heavier, so getting a ramp rated for lighter weight can be more convenient if you just need to load a dirt bike.
Safety and Stability
Naturally, you care about your motorcycle and yourself. Loading one onto a trailer or pickup truck can be dangerous for both. The bike could fall and get damaged or injure you. This is especially true if you’re planning to ride it up the ramp.
The best motorcycle loading ramps have safety features that minimize these risks, such as:
- Safety and tie-down straps – read how to tie down a motorcycle on a trailer
- Non-slip lips and feet
- Serrated rungs for traction
Read more about towing a motorcycle safely.
Portability
Portability will make things much easier if you keep your loading ramp in your truck or trailer or just store it away in the garage. This means a lightweight design that isn’t too hard to carry and specific features like carrying loops or handles.
Final Thoughts
Transporting your bike is a lot easier when you have a dedicated ramp. I recommend the Trackside Aluminum Folding Ramp for most bikes, while dirt bike riders should look at the Ruedamann Aluminum Loading Ramp and its smaller, more portable design.