Goldwing in the garage

I ride my Interceptor in using the engine, and ride it out using the front and rear brakes. Like the man says, just using the front brake will cause the front wheel to slip. Using both brakes makes it pretty easy.

Personally I would never walk my bike up or down from the side, just too many chances for a drop. Heck, I've had the darn thing get away from me while I was doing that in the garage. :) If the bike leans away from you a little, it's going down and you won't be able to stop it. If your feet slip, likelihood of the same thing. Sitting on the bike using both feet to balance works best for me. Having a spotter is great, but not usually an option for most of us. Whatever works for you reliably is the best way for you.

The added addition to the ramp looks like a good way to ease the steepness of the thing. That would sure help in most cases if you feel a bit unsteady.

I have a VTX1800T (800lbs). I ride in and out. When unloading I have the bike in gear (engine off for me) and drag the clutch and drag the front brake. As already stated, front brake only will slip the front tire... I don't have the bike running to keep clutch wear to a minimum.

rwdl60 wrote:
No need to worry. We have been loading and unloading our GL1800 Goldwing in a 2008 Raptor 3602RL for years.

But here’s what we’ve discovered. We have a garage door that has the extra flap that folds out. Stock equipment is not quite enough. When on level ground, like a level parking lot, the extra flap would just barely touch the ground (or not touch the ground at all), so the slop into the garage, would still be too high for comfortable loading and unloading (bike would bottom out at the top).

With this stock configuration, I once pop a wheelie at the top of the ramp to get the bike in!! (well, not really, but I was moving so fast, I thought I pop a wheelie).

We discovered, that if the garage ramp was open, and the extra flap was extended, and did not touch the ground on a level plane, then the Goldwing's center stand would hit at the top of the ramp.

I took a quick measurement of our Raptor 3602RL STOCK ramp system and here our numbers:

Main door ramp = 82 inches
Extra flap ramp = 36 inches
Total stock ramp = 118 inches

118 inches in not enough to load and unload a Wing, if your Voltages floor is at the same height as our Raptor’s floor.

We fixed the problem by using one of those 60 inch folding alumni motorcycle ramps, in addition to the normal garage door ramp, with the extended flap. With the extra folding aluminum motorcycle ramp, our total ramp length is now 178 inches.

178 inch ramp length is good enough for a Goldwing on any terrain :)

I’m not sure, but if your Voltage has one of the nice extend inches patios, and if it still have the extra flap that folds out to extend the length of the garage door, but I would recommend you try to get a ramp system that’s at least 14 feet.

Here’s pic of our solution. I’ve been able to load and unload the Goldwing with no problem, even at a Texas state park that had an extreme slop for RV’s (The front of the Raptor had to be set very low to get the RV level – I did unload the bike, with the truck still attached).



By the way, I always RIDE the bike into the garage – with power, and RIDE the bike out with power. I use the bikes first gear to slow it down when backing out. I discovered that using the front brake was not a good option when the slope was high, The wind is too heavy, and the front tire would simply slide down the ramp. Using the rear tire and first gear, I could control the dissent (even in the rain).

Well said.

No need to worry. We have been loading and unloading our GL1800 Goldwing in a 2008 Raptor 3602RL for years.

But here’s what we’ve discovered. We have a garage door that has the extra flap that folds out. Stock equipment is not quite enough. When on level ground, like a level parking lot, the extra flap would just barely touch the ground (or not touch the ground at all), so the slop into the garage, would still be too high for comfortable loading and unloading (bike would bottom out at the top).

With this stock configuration, I once pop a wheelie at the top of the ramp to get the bike in!! (well, not really, but I was moving so fast, I thought I pop a wheelie).

We discovered, that if the garage ramp was open, and the extra flap was extended, and did not touch the ground on a level plane, then the Goldwing's center stand would hit at the top of the ramp.

I took a quick measurement of our Raptor 3602RL STOCK ramp system and here our numbers:

Main door ramp = 82 inches
Extra flap ramp = 36 inches
Total stock ramp = 118 inches

118 inches in not enough to load and unload a Wing, if your Voltages floor is at the same height as our Raptor’s floor.

We fixed the problem by using one of those 60 inch folding alumni motorcycle ramps, in addition to the normal garage door ramp, with the extended flap. With the extra folding aluminum motorcycle ramp, our total ramp length is now 178 inches.

178 inch ramp length is good enough for a Goldwing on any terrain :)

I’m not sure, but if your Voltage has one of the nice extend inches patios, and if it still have the extra flap that folds out to extend the length of the garage door, but I would recommend you try to get a ramp system that’s at least 14 feet.

Here’s pic of our solution. I’ve been able to load and unload the Goldwing with no problem, even at a Texas state park that had an extreme slop for RV’s (The front of the Raptor had to be set very low to get the RV level – I did unload the bike, with the truck still attached).



By the way, I always RIDE the bike into the garage – with power, and RIDE the bike out with power. I use the bikes first gear to slow it down when backing out. I discovered that using the front brake was not a good option when the slope was high, The wind is too heavy, and the front tire would simply slide down the ramp. Using the rear tire and first gear, I could control the dissent (even in the rain).

Back in 1963 while in Uncle Sam's canoe club and living in El Paso, TX, I met up with a unique individual named C. W. Moss. This guy never owned nor drove an automobile in his life. He was an Indian motocycle (observe the spelling) fanatic and had in his back yard perhaps up to 100 motocycles. He also had an extensive machine shop and had no problems putting together a bike using parts from several different models and years. This guy at the time was 80 years old. His modus operandus was to ride his bike into the city for whatever, and when it was time to go home he would commandeer some 18-year old on the street to provide leg power to start up his motocycle.

Believe me, he had plenty of stories to tell which challenged the imagination but could keep one entertained for hours.

I use my Toy Hauler to go to motorcycle races, with as many as 4 bikes in at a time.

We never ride the bikes in or out. If anything happens, it's usually bad if you're on it.

We walk them up, engine running in first gear, nice and steady, appropriate use of clutch to go slow and smooth, usually (but not always) with a spotter at the tail. Coming down, we back them slowly down the ramp, engine off, first gear, and use the clutch to smoothly control the descent - not the front brake, which most people try to do - the front brake won't hold a heavy bike on the ramp material.

Using this method, I've loaded/unloaded HDs, Wings, sportbikes, MX bikes, you name it and (knock on wood) never a mishap.

A low seat height and low center of gravity make it easier to do than a lighter bike with a high seat and higher COG.

Be very careful if the ramp is damp. I'm looking into some of that very grippy stuff for my ramp. The stock coating on my Fuzion is pretty slippery when wet, just when I want more traction.

I can let you know in about a month. After I pick up my new Puma 356 QLB.

I don't expect it to be a problem. I loaded and unloaded, numerous times, my '02 GL1800A in a 10' utility trailer last year on a trip. It was a bit tricky because of the short ramp. Nothing I was overly concerned about but still tricky.

The new TH has an 8 foot ramp and a dove tail at the end of the garage. I don't know if you have the same setup. Also I have the 12 foot garage. My wing is just shy of 10' long. I don't expect any problem going up or down. (Really looking forward to bringing it down. Means I'll be riding shortly)

For me, driving it up the ramp would not be a problem but backing it down would be of great concern. Lots of guys struggle with this same thing when they drive up a ramp into a pickup bed.
Find some 18 year old to load and unload for you. They have not learned fear yet.

azdryheat wrote:
Bought the Voltage to haul my Goldwing. Haven't tried to put it in the garage yet. Anyone else got a huge bike they've driven up the ramp? Comments?

You need someone to follow you up, just in case. It will be harder to come out.