Wheelchair Ramp vs Moto Ramps

[Dirk_S]

My landlord gave me the go-ahead to store my V9 in the basement. The basement has a door to the side of the driveway, and the basement floor sits about 44” down. The steps from the basement door down to the floor were removed a while back, so I’m resigned to using a ramp. As I may possibly perform this task solo, I would like a ramp that is as wide as the door opening, around 30 inches. The motorcycle will be centered going through the doorway. If I try to put two skinnier ramps together, the center might fold under the weight of the motorcycle. Looking at prices and options, the wide ramps are a good bit more expensive than I prefer to spend for this twice-per-year task. It looks like wider wheelchair ramps could work and are available for a little cheaper; was wondering if there were any downsides to using a proper load rated wheelchair ramp?

[John A]

Actually wheelchair ramps are probably a better choice. I’d guess they are built to standards mc ramps don’t have to be.

[Turin]

I just purchased an aluminum ADA ramp from Amazon. Reasoably cheap and the fold in half.

[bmc5733946]

Turin, link?

Brian

[Motormike]

Plenty of portable wheelchair ramps on Amazon to choose from.  Most seem to support 800#, give or take.

[bmc5733946]

I am well aware of that Mike. I have done a search there, thousands of choices. Just thought Turin might be able to share a likely suspect. Did you find a likely suspect for yourself?

Thanks for your interest!

Brian

[Perazzimx14]

The longer the ramp the less the angle. My truck bed sits about 33/34" off the ground and using 72" ramps was a chore to load/unload the bike. I now have a pair of 120" x 17-12" wide folders that are and it by far and away easier to load/unload the bike. I guess its true size matters 

Discount ramp has a pair of r120 x 11" folders for $230.00. Not inexpensive but worth it a twice the price.

[Dirk_S]

Discount ramp has a pair of r120 x 11" folders for $230.00. Not inexpensive but worth it a twice the price.

Except they’re 11” wide. As mentioned, this is going through a door, so I can’t really have the bike on one  ramp while I walk down another. I need something wider. When the buyer came to pick the Lario up, we used his 18” 12-foot ramp, which was great for a 2-person job. 18” wide would be the minimum I’d want for a solo task, though, for fear of potential balance loss.

[Perazzimx14]

Except they’re 11” wide. As mentioned, this is going through a door, so I can’t really have the bike on one  ramp while I walk down another. I need something wider. When the buyer came to pick the Lario up, we used his 18” 12-foot ramp, which was great for a 2-person job. 18” wide would be the minimum I’d want for a solo task, though, for fear of potential balance loss.

If you buy a pair of 11 inch wide ramps and place them side x side and clamp/bolt them together you get one ramp 22 inches wide.

If you buy a pair 17-1/2 inch wide ramps and place them side x side and clamp/bolt them together you get one ramp 35 inches wide.

If you buy a one 11 inch wide ramp and one 17-1/2 inch wide ramps and place them side x side and clamp/bolt them together you get one ramp 28-1/2  inches wide.

[Motormike]

I am well aware of that Mike. I have done a search there, thousands of choices. Just thought Turin might be able to share a likely suspect. Did you find a likely suspect for yourself?

Thanks for your interest!

Brian

No, mostly for my own curiosity.  I have an old pair of aluminum ramps I used to use back when I was young and foolish enough to load motorcycles into the back of a pickup truck bed by myself.  Gave that up years ago when I dropped a Harley Low Rider over the side to the tune of several hundred dollars' worth of damage.  Bought a nice Aluma trailer a week later.

[fotoguzzi]

You could also rent a ramp from medical supply store.

[Turin]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXXPNJ8Z?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I'm re-doing the parking / ADA areas lot for a few projects. (Banks are big on maintaining ADA access). This is what I'm using for a temp ramp. It only needs to clear a 6-8 inch curb. Folds up and doesn't take up a lot of space.

[bmc5733946]

Thank you Turin! I see they make other lengths as well. A longer one may come in handy in the future for me. The prices are quite reasonable as well.

Brian

[John A]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXXPNJ8Z?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I'm re-doing the parking / ADA areas lot for a few projects. (Banks are big on maintaining ADA access). This is what I'm using for a temp ramp. It only needs to clear a 6-8 inch curb. Folds up and doesn't take up a lot of space.

I got the three foot version of this ramp for my mom’s house. It is well made and sturdy. Edit: she didn’t use them for a motorcycle though.

[Turin]

Full disclosure, I have not used this ramp for a motorcycle. It is used for work as a temporary ADA ramp during parking lot re-construction. That said, it is plenty sturdy.

[Dirk_S]

I think I’m going to stick with the lumber boards. Although it would be great to have a lightweight aluminum option that’s easily portable on the sidecar, they’re just too expensive— the rentals for loading ramps at various places only include skinnier ones with shorter length, and it appears that many wheelchair rentals require more than a few weeks of duration, thus more $$$ for my need. I had concern about riding the bike up two long 2x12 boards put together, but if I add a support in the middle, and bolt them together, that option should probably work. I would’ve preferred a cheap day rental, but at least the wood can be reused at the end of the day.