Trailering the R1200RS

[Lee]

Buy a good aluminum ramp and put the bike in the back of your truck.
Ramps like this break down to four sections.

Thanks Lee. That makes more sense and would certainly be cheaper - $400 for this option presently. I'd just have to offload all the camping gear that is permanently stored in the back of the truck. That is not a problem though. What is a problem is hold-down points ... I have none and there is a drop-in bed-liner. Playing with the idea of getting my last truck as this one is getting old and things are starting to go. Any new truck will have tie down points available. Thanks for the idea though. I did think about this but will admit I was not too keen on riding the bike up to such a height, but costs and storage being what it is I just have to get over it.

The ones I've seen and the one in my picture is not too steep. It helps you can put your feet down if needed with wide ramps like this.
Nothing wrong with having a couple spotters while loading or unloading.
Bolt a Baxley motorcycle chock to a piece of thick plywood and also add tie-down points to the plywood.
If you have a short box you want the plywood to extend unto the tailgate. This spreads the weight out and does not stress the tailgate.
A quality chock like Baxley will let you get off the bike and had held up securely while you strap it down.
When looking at ramps look for ones that have a good and easy system to piece the sections together.
Don't forget you need a way to attach the ramp to your truck. Straps can take care of this. If the front bike wheel is in the truck bed and the rear tires is on the ramp and you spin the back tire you can spit the ramp out from under you.

For trailers if you want cheap look at a steel trailer with wood floor at one of the big box stores.
If you want light weight look at aluminum trailer. The aluminum option is not cheap.