Gosh, I wish I had seen this post earlier.
For 4-1/2 years, I worked as a "Transfer Driver" for Ryder Truck Rentals. I used my Honda Goldwings to transport the trucks.
I'd ride the bike up into the truck, tie it down with four straps, deliver the truck, then BACK the Wing out of the truck down the ramp and go get the next one. I moved hundreds of trucks like this during that time.
You haven't lived, until you have backed a $20,000.00 900 lb. bike out of a dock high rental truck, backwards, on a bouncing 22" wide 12' long aluminum loading ramp!
There is a secret to backing the bike out of the truck that very few people know about. So I will explain it here...
First rule of backing a bike out of a truck: Allow NO ONE to 'help' you. You cannot balance a bike when outside forces (helpful friends) are pushing and pulling on the frame and luggage from both sides, so tell your friends to BACK AWAY.
When you back a bike out of the truck, you CANNOT rely on the front brake to hold the bike on the ramp, because the front tire will slide backward even with the brake locked. So you MUST use your REAR brake to back the bike out.
"But Joe! But Joe! That means my right foot will not be on the ramp!"
That is absolutely correct! You use your right foot to control the rear brake and your LEFT foot to guide the bike down the ramp.
You DO NOT bring your wheels down the center of the ramp. There will be no place for your feet and you WILL lose your balance.
First, you should have your engine running and your bike IN FIRST GEAR while holding your clutch in when you do this, as you will have an "abort!" option that way.
Inside of the truck, with the engine running, in first gear, clutch held in, and right hand on the front brake, use both feet to back the bike to the edge of the truck bed. Position the right sidewall of the rear wheel about one inch to the LEFT of the right side of the ramp and stop. Put both feet down.
With the wheels coming down the right side of the ramp just inside of the side rail, you have twice as much 'ramp' on the left where your left foot will be balancing the bike. Draw some chalk lines on a flat driveway to test this before you do it with a truck and a ramp.
Now with the front brake held with your right hand, and placing the bike's weight on your left leg, place your right foot on the rear brake. I know! your brain is screaming, "But I might need to put my right foot down onto the ramp!" You won't.
Now get your balance, and shift your left foot about 12 inches rearward against the right ramp rail. When your foot is firmly planted, ease the rear wheel onto the ramp. Use the rear brake to control the descent down the ramp. The rear brake WILL stop the bike at any point on the ramp.
When the bike has rolled back a foot or so, stop the bike with the rear brake, get your balance, and shift your left foot back again. Ease off of the foot brake and repeat the process.
If at any time you "high side" the bike with your left leg by pushing too hard, give it gas, let out the clutch and ride back up into the truck. Squeeze the clutch and rear brake the moment your rear wheel enters the truck body.
As you let off of the rear brake slightly, the bike will begin to roll backward. Stop it when you are at a point where you can shift your left foot rearward safely, while you have good balance. KEEP YOUR BALANCE as you shift your left foot rearward, holding it both down onto the ramp's surface and against the left ramp rail.
As the bike rolls backward, repeat the process, left foot ... rear brake ... left foot ... rear brake .. .controlling the descent with the right foot brake and the balance and rearward motion with the left foot.
You must NOT turn the handlebars, as you can steer the front wheel off of the ramp or to the center which would guide the rear wheel over the right rail. Come STRAIGHT down, slow and steady, and roll back onto solid ground.
Changing your shorts afterward is optional.
