“Strapped a ramp to the back of my Sporty so I could go buy this 78’ stepside. Ain’t stupid if it works.” I’d love to give credit where credit is due, but this picture has been shared many times with only this tagless quote attached.
If it’s hot, it’s hot. If it’s cold, it’s cold. If it’s raining, it’s wet. If it’s windy, you’re getting pushed around. There are no airbags, no seat belts, and every other vehicle on the road is bigger than the motorcycle. The biker has to be alert to everything around them, as everything around them will not necessarily be aware of the biker. I’m not built out of the better stuff, not at all. I never even wrote the learner test for the motorcycle license. The roads around here are historically rough, it’s always windy, and it’s either hot or cold. There’s probably the odd perfect day, but I’ve never owned a motorcycle, so I’ve never been bothered to take too much note of it. Whenever I’ve travelled with a group, and someone was on a motorcycle, I had to admire their packing skills, especially when camping. I’ve gone camping in a Corvette many times, and as long as I remembered how it all fit, I was fine. Motorcycle camping is on a whole other level. Stuff tied to the front forks, stacked up the sissy bar, and hanging off both sides. When I saw this picture for the first time, I was beyond impressed with the ingenuity, not to mention the daredevil look to it.
The last two vehicles I bought had to be hauled on a trailer behind a pickup, one of which had to be winched onto the trailer. Not a big deal, but still an inconvenience. Trailers suck to tow unloaded, and they’re a bit of a blind spot when loaded. Straps and chains are never the lengths you want them to be, and there’s always something in the way of the perfect spot to loop them over. Two people aren’t required, but it’s a whole lot easier. This dude knew the struggle, and he improvised. If people can strap a tent and folding chairs on the back of a motorcycle, why not a ramp? Sure, it’s top-heavy, but it’s aluminum, so it’s not as top-heavy as a steel ramp would be. As long as you’re aware of low-hanging trees and what-not, it’s not technically a hazard, and bird-free wind should cut through it pretty good, thanks to the skeletal design. I’m sure riding up the ramp was a tense second or two, but as long as it’s anchored to the truck with a cable and can’t slip, it should be smooth sailing. There was no tow pickup, no trailer, and no second driver, just one biker and a bold strategy that totally paid off. I don’t know who did it, but it was a job well done.
Have a question or comment for Kelly? Post it at lmtimes.ca/kirk
