Please, I need advice re Putting a Spyder on ramps?

[PeterKelly]

I am planning to install some KOTT grills on my RTL and the prospect of lying prone to do the works is not very appealing to this 73 year old body. If I am down there for to long we may need a fork lift to get me upright again......

I would like to purchase some ramps to get the bike 9 inches or so higher. I think this would make it quite a bit easier to do the install. I am a bit leery about using ramps as I have no experience. Here are a few questions

Is it a difficult exercise?

Is it easy to go too far and fall off the ramp? Does the lip help to stop this?

Is is better to drive forward or reverse on to the ramps? I saw one video where the bike was reversed on to the ramps

How do you prevent the ramps from slipping as the come in to contact with the wheels?

Are the rubber ramps that are available on Amazon and the sites suitable? Do you have any recommendations/

Thanks in advance

 

[JayBros]

It is absolutely no problem. I had a pair of steel ramps from Harbor Freight awaiting my Spyder when I drove it home from the dealership. The following day I put the ramps in front of the front wheels and carefully applied throttle to run the trike up the ramps. My ramps did not slide on the coarse driveway concrete. Inside my garage where the concrete floor is polished and can be slippery there is an expansion joint into which I put two worn out lawn edger blades for the ramps to butt up against when I'm going to change the oil or do other work.

If you have coarse enough driveway concrete or asphalt you can carefully practice running the Spyder up the ramps and holding it using careful throttle operation and brake pedal application. My ramps have raised edges at the very end of the upward angle and at the end of the horizontal portion where the front tires sit. Once the tires roll over first raised edge the job is essentially done and I just ease the Spyder a bit farther so the tires are right in the middle of the horizontal resting part of the ramp. I then set the parking brake. Just play with the throttle and brake on the upward angled part of the ramps and you'll see how easy it is. It's easier to do than describe.

I've not tried backing the Spyder onto the ramps because they are not in my way when I drive straight onto them.

 

[Arion]

Ive used a pair of high strength "nylon" (or some other space-age synthetic) for both our Spyder RTs and Fiat Abarth without any problems. I used them when installing KOTT grills and for that task I drove them on mostly to have unrestricted space to work while sitting in front of the machine.

My garage floor isn't especially rough, but I've had no slippage problems. I push each ramp smartly up against each front wheel and slowly drive it on. Cupped areas at the far end of each ramp nestle the wheels nicely and make running off the other end unlikely unless approached with excessive verve.

 

[Bfromla]

Do-able - just use caution :lecturef_smilie: Most ramps should have a anchor point so they can secure to whatever surface, I personally just try the back side against a seam in the pavement. Same caution for backing up, floor boards might interfere (might). Again, just caution & slow **make sure tire are properly inflated, will roll/climb easier** sweep area of floor or ramps might slip, & please, only on a dry surface. Clamps, up to you... ratchet straps work fine over the top of the tire & in line with the tire' rolling direction.



Ramp direction - you may want to consider your work area & avoid potential trip hazards if you're gonna be moving around a lot. :2thumbs: :congrats: Enjoy the DIY & getting all personal with your :f_spider:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I added a small piece of wood bolted to the front of the ramp. It would be extremely difficult to get past that. As others have said the ramps can be pushed by your front tires ... I screwed a 2 x 4 across the front of the ramps then screwed a plank to the 2 x 4. The rear wheel of the spyder rides up on that plank and keeps the ramps from moving. ... Yes it's a bit complicated, but it works Everytime .... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[2dogs]

That's how I do it. 2 HF metal ramps. HF ratchet ties one or both front wheels to the ramps for safety reasons. Use the small HF floor jack to raise the rear and set it on another ramp. Now you have affordable safe and easy access all the way around. Use a 2x6 between the swing arms under the rear shock to raise the rear wheel.

 

[DGoebel]

Though I do have and use common automotive Ramps for some Spyder maintenance, I also would recommend
something like the $140 (at this time) Harbor Freight PITTSBURGH AUTOMOTIVE 1500 lb. Steel ATV/Motorcycle Lift
or one of the many, many other heavily discussed Spyder lifts.
I've used the HFPA 1500lb lift on my Spyders for 7 years, done oil changes, cat deletes, airbag repairs/replacements,
Sway-bar replacements, and just lifted the bike to the top of it's lift just to really clean my wheels while sitting on a low mechanics roller seat.

Here's how I got it high enough to drop the stock sway bar. Of course I use jack stands for safety as well. I've even lifted the bike and slid the
ramps under the tires when I wanted to be on the Spyder with the engine running whilst checking for exhaust leaks even. Having both does help.

 

[PeterKelly]

Thanks for the advice gentleman

I’m going to give it a try

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

To keep the ramps from sliding forward you can screw/staple a couple of 2x4s to some indoor/outdoor carpeting strips or similar material. I found some long rubber runners at home depot for $20.

To me, this was easier than putting boards in front of the ramp blocked up against the back wall of the garage.

I sold my RT but I still use the same setup to change the oil in my sports car.

The trick is to ride the brake a bit and go real slow up the ramp.

 

[safecracker]

I use car ramps also. I do it alittle different. I jack up Spyder and then put ramps under front wheels facing backwards. I then let the Spyder down onto ramps. Then block up rear. Works for me. Bruce.

 

[oldgoat]

I use car ramps that have teeth that are supposed to grip the floor. I have had the ramps (or a ramp) shoot forward while on the way up them.
I now place a length of cardboard under each ramp (or an old towel). They have not slipped since.

 

[pegasus1300]

PeterKelly, if you are leery about driving up the ramps, jack your Spyder up with a floor jack, then slide the ramps under the wheels and remove the jack. When done you can just back down the ramps. After you get a feel for your Spyder and the ramps, you can try driving up them. It really isn't hard. BTW, when doing oil changes I back up the ramps so they are not under the Spyder. I can also see where the wheels are.

 

[gkamer]

I use car ramps also. I do it alittle different. I jack up Spyder and then put ramps under front wheels facing backwards. I then let the Spyder down onto ramps. Then block up rear. Works for me. Bruce.

Now that's thinking out side the box. :clap:

 

[ollicat]

I bought cheap ramps from Harbor Freight. Made getting under the Spyder a breeze. I just lined up the ramps against the lip of the concrete slab that is in my garage. Then I could easily drive up.

 

[RickWB]

Hi Peter. I bought some plastic ramps at Canadian Tire while on sale, and have used them twice, once to remove my grille and most recently to change the oil and filter on my Spyder. I have a coarse concrete driveway, but chose to work inside the garage’s smooth floor, using a couple of old rubber car floor mats to stop the ramps from slipping. If you are still in Vancouver, check out ever Facebook marketplace as they had several offerings at a great price.

Rick
Vancouver Island, BC

 

[Peteoz]

Hi Peter, as per Rick above, I have plastic ramps, and they do slide on my concrete floor. I bought a couple of 18” square non slip mats which I put under the sloped end. I have not had any slippage since….

Pete

 

[PeterKelly]

Great advice from all - thank you

I will pick up some ramps from Harbor Freight tomorrow and I already have some rubber floor mats that I can use

Will report back on my progress

 

[PeterKelly]

Victory

A bit of a sphincter tightening moment but not too bad.

The left board slipped a bit as it rode up but I have a fix in mind

 

[PeterKelly]

KOTT grills installed.
Looks better imho as the stock look seems “unfinished”

This is a better pic than the previous one.

 

[FrogmanDave]

Victory

A bit of a sphincter tightening moment but not too bad.

The left board slipped a bit as it rode up but I have a fix in mind

Good job Peter. I use plastic ramps but that doesn't make a difference to the end result. I see you picked up some of the HB tire chocks. I use those as well. Really cheap and really effective.