ZX-14: Loading it in the back of a Nissan Frontier... (ZX-14 owners only, no bullsh*t answers please. Thanks.)

Question

Usable diagonal area of the bed is around 85", the bike is 86". If you lock the handlebars in the parked position (canted to the left on a kickstand), does that allow enough room to diagonal-load a ZX-14 in the back of a Nissan Frontier with the bed totally closed? This will determine whether I buy a ZX-14 or a ZX-10. Thanks.

Answer 1

Not being a smart *** or anything, but I had a bike once that I hauled in a pickup. I'd put the front tire in the corner on the passenger's side and the back tire on the driver's side at the rear. I'd tie it down and close the gate. Just right fit because the tailgate would "push" it a little tighter and it didn't rock back and forth. All I had to tie down was the front end.

Answer 2

I always have my customers put the bike straight in, and leave the tailgate down.  Trying to angle a big bike in a small area is asking for dings and scratches and injuries.  With the bike straight in, strap down both sides at the front and one strap over the swingarm, preferably between the tailgate and bed to secure to the bumper/frame/receiver hitch.  Sometimes I'll strap through the rear wheel, but never on a spoke wheel.  The wheels on the ZX are fine for running a strap through them, then the gap between tailgate and bed.  You're trying to create a triangle with the strap, wide at the bottom (frame/bumper) and the top point is on the rear wheel.

I have to push bikes every day, and the more you try to make things simple and safe the less chance of damage to yourself or that high dollar bike...