Posted: Jul 19 2007 at 7:13pm | IP Logged

I've never had any personal issues with loading 400 pound sportbikes but considering the lightest current model HD weighs in at a scale crushing 560+ lbs, there is a considerable difference.  On the otherhand 560 is the total weight that I ride my bike into the bed at.  With the number of bikes I've seen loaded in trucks you shouldn't have a problem... famous last words!  You have posed an interesting question, and I'm genuinely surprised that it is not in the owners manual.  Might be worth contacting Nissan.

Of course the actual amount of weight on the tailgate at any given time during loading would depend on a number of variable such as ramp length.  I use a short (5ft) aluminum ramp.  While the bike loading angle may be steeper than a 10ft ramp, it should in therory apply more weight to the ground than the gate through out most of the loading. 

Interesting question indeed...